After hearing the "official news" about Jeff Green I felt compelled to share my story. I am doing so in the hope that it will foster a better understanding of just what he is going through. Although our situations are different, the impact is the same (minus the millions of coarse).

I have always been a basketball junkie. From entire days and evenings spent at the boys club, to the playgrounds as an adolescent, to high school, through college, in my young adulthood and on into my forties. Running at least a few times a week, working diligently to map out life with my wife and kids around league nights and pick up games with my buddies . I imagine most of you can relate. A few years back I began to feel funny while playing, I chalked it up to age, dehydration, not eating right that day or just plain old fatigue from burning the candles at both ends. This went on for awhile, my heart would beat funny and then correct itself. It became so common I learned how to ignore it. Finally at the behest of my wife I went to get checked out by my local cardiologist. Everything came back normal. My heart was what they described as "structurally sound with no genetic abnormalities". I was having what they described as premature ventricular beats and short bursts of non-sustained tachycardia. I was reassured that this was more of a nuiscence than anything..."can't hurt you" they said. So I left reassured with a prescription for a small dose of a beta blocker to suppress these rhythms. I tried to take the meds but could not tolerate them. My heart rate was in the mid forties before the meds and they brought them down to dangerously low levels.

Over the next few years I learned to accept these hiicups and bursts in my heart as something I would just have to live with. After all I had seen the best doctors in my town and in Boston, all saying the same thing. Last winter I was playing in one of my league championship games. My son was front and center on the bench as usual, ball in hand waiting for a stoppage of play so he could dash onto the court and take a few shots. He was always with me when I would go play. The guys all know him and love him. It was by far the most natural thing that we would do together. I started to get that funny feeling near the end of regulation. It was a tough, back and forth, physical game. Everyone on the floor was reaching deep and tired, myself included. I stole the ball and went the length of the floor for a layup. When I turned to run back on defense everything started to close in on me. Sounds began to echo and run into each other, my vision went blurry and my legs felt like a bowl of jelly. The last thing I remember was looking at my son and seeing his face go from excitement to complete panick and fear. Those were the last things I remember before collapsing to the floor. Honestly, my last thought was that my son was going to watch me die. Then darkness.

When I came to I was disoriented but grateful to be alive. I found myself surrounded by the concerned faces of guys I had been playing with for years. Embarassed, my first words were "If I'm in heaven you are some ugly angels". It broke the tension but I was scared, very scared. The next few weeks were a whirlwind of tests...cardiac mri's, echocardiograms, ekg's, electrophysiology studies where they go into your heart with catheters and try and recreate bad rhythms to hospital stays. When it was all said and done I was diagnosed with what they believe is a rare genetic heart condition often brought on by those who live and lead and athletic lifestyle. This meaning that someone could have the genetic makeup for this and it never becomes a problem due to a life of moderate physical activity. They see it marathon runners, triathaletes and the like. In most cases it does not progress but can. The major issue with people who have my condition is reducing the onset of going into a bad rhythm like I did playing ball. It is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in people under forty. I now sport an Implanted cardiac diffibrillator that protects me against that possibility. I am currently working on finding the right medication that I can tolerate well enough to not feel like Im having the life sucked out of me. I am a very positive and active person. I don't let much get me down. After all, I have a great deal to be greatful for. I have to say that one of the most difficult things to process in all of this has been saying goodbye to playing the sport I love. How much I love it and how much I have leaned on it throughout my life was not clear to me until I was forced to walk away from it. It is time with my son, time to see my buddies, a way to stay in shape and young at heart, and something I am good at. How often to we get to let it all out like we do on the court. I am able to work out still but at a more pedestrian pace, which again I am grateful for. It should be easier for me to let this pass but it hasn't been. The past month I have watched my buddies start the old familiar pick up haunts and leagues...and I miss it terribly. More than I should. A basketball itch with no way to scratch it. Having said all of this I am aware of the difference between me and Jeff Green. I am what is hopefully obvious not trying to compare us in any other way but this...As a ham an egger who is about fifteen years past his prime, walking away from the game has been the single biggest transition in my life. If Jeff shares the love for it that many of us do, that love only true junkies really "get" , he is devastated right now. Not to mention this is his livelihood and by all indications he is a hard worker. I am now officially a Jeff Green fan. I am rooting for him to get over the emotional hurdles that this type of thing can present. I am rooting for him to have the strength to get out of bed and move forward. I am rooting for him to realize that life sometimes does you...you don't do it. I am also rooting for Jeff that he understands how fortunate he is to have had this detected and treated. We would have that in common too. Get well Jeff!

This is short and sweet...my son and I were talking tonight (he is 6 so has a very limited history) about our most memorable Celtic moments. What occured to me in the middle of the conversation was that he HAS memorable Celtic moments already. Funny enough his was when Paul Pierce got "mean at Dwayne Wade and got kicked out of the game". He was very upset at the time and it has stayed with him to this day. Still upsets him to talk about (ahhh...my boy!). I then shared my favorite Celtic moment with him...Of all the games I have watched over the past forty years and minewas watching KG hold the trophy like a newborn baby as he dedicated it to those in "Sota". That really moved me. The genuine love this guy had for his old city and fans and the absolute passion attached to it all. How cool is it that (so far) our two most memorable moments come from the same era! It is sad to think it's possible we have seen them run together for the last time. I recently introduced him to Celtic Blog and he has been checking it with me daily. We were both wondering...what is your most memorable Celtic moment?

The more time that passes the more I try to convince myself that this was a "good trade". I agree that there are scoring droughts that can be brutal. I agree that we desperately needed a back up "big 3" that can play the 3 or 4. I agree that we may have lost Perk on the open market after this year and it was wise to hedge our bets. I agree it's also good practice to keep an eye on the future as we have seen what happens if neglected or ignored. The problem is that I cannot make myself believe it no matter how hard I try. I want to drink the kool aid, just can't force it down.

Everyone who has played or coached can identify "that player". That player who brings a variable which you cannot quantify or define. It's more of a feel, tone or vibe. That player for me is a young man I coached for four years. He was a marginal basketball player at best, great athlete but not the go to guy type. What he did bring was an attitude of hard work and accountability. He left  our little guys with the feeling that he was always over thier shoulder cracking his knuckles at anyone who looked at them funny. He took charges, banged shooters off there path, rebounded, didn't back down from confrontation, owned the paint and owned 50/50 balls, but most of all understood who he was and what he brought to us. He clearly understood his role and responsibilities to his teammates. He was never dirty just physical and unnapologetic about mixing it up. We had guys who could score but he was arguably the most important player on our team because he gave his teammates the confidence to be tough as individuals. The mentality was contageous.  This is the way I feel about Perk.

I have no dilusions, the energy of this team is clearly defined by KG...no question about it. If you add in Perks unwillingness to give an inch, physically and mentally those two forces combine to create an aura of toughness unmatched in today's NBA. KG is tough on his own for sure but way more imposing with Perk on the floor. Will KG miss Perk looking over his shoulder cracking his knuckles during the playoffs? I get that we have played great without Perk but Im talking playoffs and playoff bigs. I'm talking game seven in LA getting killed on the interior. When KG lost his legs in the last few minutes of that game Perks help D was not there and it won't be again this year.  Jeff Green is a good player and in many ways what we need right now but there are a ton of serviceable back up threes that we could have rented for a year. There are only a handful of strong defensive minded true five men left in the game and we had one of them if only for the rest of the season. Not to mention a true five that was commited to our defense first philosiphy and team first mentality. The window on the big three is closing and Danny just pushed it down a little further, and it may now close without a second championship.  I can't listen to one more person give the "We got the best player in the trade" justification rant. The best player for US was Perk. Billy Bean, Sabermetrics and every other formula be damned, sometimes you just need "that guy" because players know and so do coaches that "that guy" can be arguably your most important player, especially in the play-offs. 

I've been mulling the idea of Iverson in green this year. I can hear the groans and heck no's coming through the screen (and it's hard to argue with those that are firmly "all set" with AI) but hear me out...

I'll begin by disclosing that I have always found Iverson to be an intriguing personality and consider myself a fan of his in good times and bad. I concede without hesitation that he can be frustrating, egocentric and pig headed. He is polorizing to say the least. In his day he was alot of things...trendsetter,role model (for better or worse), culteral icon, problem child, MVP, ballhog, workhorse, great teammate, bad teammate, scoring champ, rapper, compulsive gambler, alcoholic?, and now in his latest role aging veteran attempting to accept his limitations. Now I'm not sure anyone can be certain that AI is capable of embracing this last premise. He obviously could not the last few years, that is a fact. 

Last year and the year before I would have said no way to looking him over. But in his current situation WE have all the cards. He has publicly stated (I know he has said this before) that he is aware of what his role will be going forward if he wants to continue in the league. If he doesn't accept the role Doc hands him...see ya, no harm no foul, no distraction. The vets on this team carry too much weight in Boston to let him be a distraction, and again if he becomes one...see ya later.  I think of this as similar to the Corey Dillon situation for the Pats a few years back, that worked out great because of the guys around him and what that team had already established. Randy Moss as well...for all his BS there was no way he was coming into that locker room and acting a fool, too many vets and an established "team" concept. I believe this to be the case with Iverson. He would conform to the Celtic team idiology because at this point he HAS to. He is officially on Marbury status...if he behaves and shows GM's and coaches he can trend towards coming off the bench as a vet (Stackhouse anyone?) and produce he can hang around for a few more years and even redeem some of the self respect and love he has lost along the way.

I know it's a stretch for some but picture him in green coming of the bench bringing it every time he hits the floor...sweet redemption at our delight. Not saying it will happen but it very easily could, in my book its worth the try.

Josh Childress was a very good sixth man for the Hawks before they tried to low ball him and he went to Greece. Apparently he played great over there. He wants back in... Perfect timing with the cba on the horizon and the grand free agent market. I remember him as a good defender and hustle guy who can finish. Any thoughts on chasing him or why there isn't more interest in him around the league? I realize our most pressing need is a big but he could give us a different look backing up Ray or Paul.

I want to start a petition that Jeff Van Gundy never gets another NBA coaching job...ever. He is a refreshing voice in sports where everything seems to be micromanaged and image conscious. Van Gundy's inside perspective and willingness to throw out honest (and hilarious) sentiment like he did last night seperates him from the pack.

It's obvious he loves the game of basketball and gets frustrated, as most fans do with the newer softer NBA 2.0. He calls out officials, players, coaches, co workers and identifies trends that are creating cracks in the foundation of the game he respects and loves.  Plain and simple...he blew Ron Ron up on national television attacking his beloved "street cred" for flopping without fear of damaging his relationship with the player or the league. He just doesn't care and that makes him not only my favorite announcer (outside of TH and Mike of coarse) it makes him one of my favorite sports personalities. So go ahead..."Say Queens Bridge now Ron."...Classic!

Let me start by saying that like all of you, I am a die hard Celts fan who never misses a game. I have been there through the great years and the lean years. My wife and I went to the game last night. I fully expected it to be a game dominated by the bench and had no expectation of seeing KG, Ray,Paul and Perk. I get it, it's playoff time and the game has no real relevance. Here is the thing that has been bothering me all day and I want to know if I am alone in this or if I have simply grown out of touch with what it means to be part of a "team" at the professional level.

I was sitting next to a family with a boy of abou 9 or 10. He had his face painted with KG's number on it and a KG't-shirt to match. I could'nt help smile at his reaction in seeing KG in real life, right in front of him ( remember that feeling?). After warm ups, the captain adressed the crowd. Then the Celtic B team took the floor for the night. I watched the boys father explain to him that he would not see KG play tonight because they are "resting"  guys for the play offs. He cried...seriously, the kid started to cry. Tough lesson but still its something he has to understand and swallow as a fan of pro sports. Then I watched as KG went straight to the locker room. That was it...see ya, I got other stuff to do. The boy and I struck up a conversation about why KG left the court for the training room, locker room, Boston beer works or wherever he went. I tried to justify him leaving the floor but couldn't find a reason that was valid.

I told the boy about treatment etc...to which the boy said "couldn't he have done that earlier in the day so he can be with his team and people who come to the game can see him?".  Great point, I had no answer for that. I stammered around about him being a valuable part of our play off chances probably going too far into depth when he put it into perspective for me. "What about THIS game, we are all here to cheer him on to win. Doesn't he care if his teammates win and to well?" From the mouths of babes..A period later Peirce was in the locker room for the rest of the game. Ray was the only one giving advice to Lafayette and supporting the bench players. Is it too much to ask that the stars and leaders of this team stay on the bench for the game for no other reasons than it is being a good teammate and letting the young fans get a glimpse of you?Please don't tell me they needed treatment or a message or something. They could do that after or before. There are plenty of us that know what it's like to work overtime to make ends meet. No problem with the guys getting the night off, big problem with them not on the bench...UNBUNTU? .

I would like to make the argument that Kevin Durant is one of the top 3 players in the league right now.  Everything in me wants to place him behind Kobe and Lebron but Im having a hard time doing that. Sounds crazy when you say it out loud or put it in words but take the "body of work" argument away for a second and look at what he does on a nightly basis for his up and coming squad. I realize it is hard to suspend the thought of what Kobe and Lebron have accomplished thus far because that is often what seperates players like Kobe from Durant but humor me for a moment.

Durant... 29.7 per game 7.5 rebounds per game 3 assists per game and his eff is +27. He shoots  88% from the foul line and hovers around 49% from the floor and 1 block per. Keep in mind this is Durants second year in the league and he is surrounded by puppies.


Kobe... 28pts, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6assists with an eff of+24. Kobe shoots 81% from the line and 46% from the floor. Kobe also averages 1.7 steals per game. Kobe on the other hand is surrounded by veteran scorers and legitamate options.

Lebron ...29.8 pts, 7.8 rebs,8.2 assists with a 31.92 eff...50% from the floor and 77% from the stripe. 1.7 steals and 1 block per as well. Lebron has a solid squad who he has been to the playoffs with plus the addition of the Diesal.

Again, I realize the "body of work "is not yet there for Durant but it will be and soon! Anyone who is not watching him or taking notice is missing out on one of the best three players in the league. Time will tell but from what I see this kid is only going to get better which is scarey. He has the same closers mentality that the great one's have. Oh yeah, did I mention he is 22.

Doc Rivers is a good coach. He draws up great situation specific plays. He is a class act and respects the game. Having said that Doc Rivers is a players coach. This is not a bad thing it is just his mode of communicating and motivating. The problem with a "players coach" is that when the players are not responding the leash is already off. It's difficult to go backwards to discipline and redirect their on court behavior in terms of execution and to use one of his favorite quotes "doing your job". Anyone who has children can relate to this ideology. Im not a sky is falling type of fan but like many others I am frustrated with how Rasheed is allowed to apparently do whatever he feels like doing. Im not putting all of our issues in Rasheeds lap but he is an example of a players coach starting to be irrelevant.

One of our major needs is an interior presence on both ends of the floor especially when Perk and KG are out or are in foul trouble. The coaching staff obviously sees what the fans see. Lazy help rotations, chucking three's, and a simple lack of energy. There are times he looks as if he is playing on a rec team. Again, this is not intended to lay it all on Rasheed he does some positive things and was a great signing at the time. My issue is with the coaching staff. When are they going to demand he does what the team needs him to do? Doc acts as if Rasheed is doing us a favor by showing up to the game and simply taking the court. Where is the accountability? You are the coach, he is the player (who is paid handsomely  to be in shape and at least act interested) time for some seperation Doc. Show the team you have a line in the sand and demand focus and attention to detail. Iv'e always liked Doc and this will not change the respect I have for him as an athlete and coach but he is losing me ... fast. 

I am completely fired up for tip-off!  Even if we hold now we have a viable back-up option for all positions. Danny has heart to make the moves he has made to put this together. The best thing about it all(other than a heck of a squad) is how the contracts are structured to expire putting the organization in the drivers seat. Ainge has shown pure heart and desire to succeed while taking hits along the way. I used to crush him whenever the Celts came up...that's the thing about today's fan ( myself included)...there is no patience for mediocraty. In the midst of Reaf Lafrentz, Ricky Davis and Wally Scerbiak it was hard to see where the organization was heading. It seemed as if there was no endgame in sight...just wallowing in mediocraty at best, swimming in the fog. When Danny took control and began to stockpile young talent it was still difficult to see a path.Then the emergence of young talent was like a harvest of opportunity...At the time there were so many balls in the air (figuratively and literally) and the most important one was the one that did not go our way. A great draft, Ray Allen, (its still hard to believe) Kevin Garnett, and the support and development of young role players brought us to the promised land. We have gotten even better with Sheed and Daniels and this will continue to be a place where free agents will want to play.

So for what its worth...Danny, my sincere apologies for dissing you so hard and not showing half the patience you have. You have completely won me over.

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T. LUE

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Stackhouse has a heavy salary at 7mil...now that he was released andmost likely will be bought out. why not make a push at him...can still score in bunches and has proven he will and can come off the bench in this stage of his career. Given what is out there he would be a decent choice to back up pierce and can play the 2. Defensively he is adequate, great character guy...true professional. I realize Hill is more of a well rounded player but basically they would give you similar output but Stackhouse is a true scorer even at 34.