Boston Celtics Daily Dish: All Eyes On Cleveland

Happy Hump Day, Boston Celtics fans!

If this summer has proven anything, it is this: the NBA is probably the most star-driven professional sport on planet Earth.  Sure, there are superstars in MLB, the  NFL, and the NHL – but speaking from experience, I can guarantee you that  no other professional sports league revolves around its superstars like the NBA does.

Compare the buzz around the Cleveland Cavaliers to that surrounding the Cleveland Browns, for example.  The Browns picked up a very popular player in Johnny Manziel this offseason – but that franchise would kill to get even 1/3 of the buzz that the Cavaliers are getting now that LeBron James has returned home.  EVERYTHING Cleveland does this summer will be headline news . . . such as making a pretty small trade with the Utah Jazz:

All three of those players have non-guaranteed contracts, which means the Cavs have freed up even more cap space in the team’s attempt to bring in Kevin Love.  Short of acquiring a nuclear bomb and aiming it right at Ohio, there is nothing any other team in the NBA can do to stop the Love train from rolling into Cleveland right now.  And it’s all because LeBron James came back. Need more proof the NBA revolves around its stars?  Consider: would this be news-worthy for any sport besides the NBA?

 I think not!

God Bless the USA!  We have become the world’s most litigious society, and Donald Sterling is ready and willing to take advantage of this in order to retain ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers:

"Since TMZ.com published his recorded comments to V. Stiviano on April 25, Donald Sterling has done nothing to undermine his reputation as the league’s most litigious owner. In May, he sued the NBA on antitrust and privacy grounds.  In June, hechallenged his wife, Shelly Sterling in probate court over whether he was lawfully removed as a trustee. Late this afternoon, Sterling filed a new lawsuit. This one contends the NBA, league commissioner Adam Silver and Shelly Sterling unlawfully conspired to sell the Clippers without his consent. Sterling argues he revoked the Sterling trust on June 9, and thereby reverted ownership in the Clippers back to him and Shelly Sterling.  Expect the NBA and Shelly Sterling to argue the latest lawsuit is frivolous. First, Shelly Sterling reached an agreement with Steve Ballmer 10 days before Donald Sterling tried to revoke the trust. Second, even if Sterling’s revocation severed the contractual relationship between Shelly Sterling and Ballmer, trusts are not instantly revoked. There is a “winding down” period where assets are transferred and obligations are paid. Shelly Sterling will surely argue that she obtained control of the Clippers during this period, and thus lawfully reached an agreement with Ballmer."

This much is certain: if Donald Sterling is still owner of the team, you can kiss Doc Rivers goodbye.

I know it’s just summer league play, so reader beware, but here’s a look at how some of the lottery picks performed under the semi-bright spotlight.  

And last but not least: some Boston Celtics fans might be upset that the team has not delivered on the fireworks that were promised this summer.  Does that mean the Celtics should continue looking to make a big splash via trade?  Michael Pina isn’t quite convinced that is the way to go.

"All that’s been written so far makes it sound like the Celtics are doing something wrong, that they’re failing. They aren’t.Their non-action action is perfectly fine. Rebuilding around franchise point guard Rajon Rondo with a multitude of draft picks and low-cost, high-upside free agents won’t create a championship overnight, but it’s a perfectly appropriate step in the right direction for now."

Thanks!