Boston Celtics Daily Dish: J-Smoove On The Move? And More!
Good morning, Boston Celtics fans – I hope your Thursday is off to a great start!
I’m getting ready to hold the mother of all yard sales, judging by the amount of furniture, clothing, electronics, and children’s toys that have accumulated on my back porch – but I would be remiss if I didn’t provide you with some reading material this morning, so let’s get to work!
Ah, basketball! What starts out as a young kid shooting hoops in his driveway or at a local park turns into a nasty business soon enough. Read all about the business side of basketball as it pertains to the Sacramento Kings, who are fighting a group of opponents who oppose construction of a new arena:
"The Sacramento Kings have urged a judge to force opponents of its plan to build a new arena to pay a bond of at least $100 million, according to filings made in court this week.The Sacramento Bee reports that Kings chief financial officer John Rinehart said in the filings that any delay in construction that results from a lawsuit filed by a group of citizens opposing the arena plan would cause severe financial losses on the part of the team, and could mean the project won’t be completed by its target date of October 2016. The bond would be to cover those prospective losses."
It’s all for the love of the game, people!
Speaking of those Kings, it would appear that they have a renewed interest in Detroit’s Josh Smith. It’s no secret that Sacramento also likes Rajon Rondo . . . who just happened to play high school ball with Smith. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing! It’s just fun to speculate on where Rondo COULD go when he becomes a free agent.
Remember the infamous crying chick who kind of became the poster child for Cleveland fans who were devastated by LeBron James’ first Decision? How is that young woman doing nowadays, anyway?
If you were excited but what you saw out of Marcus Smart in the Celtics’ play down in Orlando last week, but chalked that up to the fact that it was “just a summer league,” check out this video in which former Baylor star Isaiah Austin discusses three potential breakout rookies for the 2014-2015 season.
Last but not least, I give you hope in one instant . . . and then whisk it away by reminding you that things could still be ugly in Boston for another year:
"Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens still has that six-year contract, which is good, because he still doesn’t have much talent to work with.The Celtics haven’t stood idly by over the first two weeks of free agency. They re-signed guard Avery Bradley and picked up assets (a first round pick and a trade exception) by helping the Cleveland Cavaliers clear cap space and the Washington Wizards sign Kris Humphries.The Celtics also added to their young core by drafting Marcus Smart and James Young, and adding Tyler Zeller in the Cleveland trade. They now have six first-round picks under the age of 25 on their roster (the others are Bradley, Kelly Olynyk and Jared Sullinger).Celtics president Danny Ainge also has a bunch of extra future first round picks lying around. Few teams are as stocked with assets.The potential is there for a very good team in the future. But the present is still pretty ugly. And though young players and draft picks are keys to trading for a star, the Celtics lack the one blue-chip asset that would make other teams salivate. If the Timberwolves eventually relent and trade Kevin Love, other teams can offer more tempting packages."
We’ll get there eventually, folks!
Thanks!