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Celtics sign Von Wafer

The Celtics have signed Von Wafter to a 1 year contract at the veteran minimum.

Wafer started last season in Greece, but he was waived by Olympiakos and he came back to the US and played in briefly in Dallas.

His best season came in 2008-09 when he averaged nearly 10 points in 19 minute of play per game.  He shot about 45% that season... just under 40% from 3.  The C's are clearly hoping he can provide a little bit of a scoring punch off the bench.

Because he was signed to the minimum, The C's still have Rasheed's contract to play with.

The 2 Man Games returns at 9pm

I know... I know... you just peed yourself a little when you read that headline cuz you were so excited. I'm excited too. 

The 2 Man Game returns this week as our broadcasting hiatus comes to an end.

We've got a lot to talk about as we look at the revamped relatively untouched roster we've got going so far.  Will any of the rookies have an impact?  Will the C's REALLY be contenders in the newly re-shaped Eastern Conference?  Who the hell else can we bring to Boston to shut LeBron and crew up?

Show starts at 9 straight up... visit our show page to listen.

House signs with Miami

So tweets Adrian Wojnarowski

Eddie House has reached agreement on a two-year, $2.8 million deal with the Miami Heat, his agent, Mark Bartelstein tells Y! Sports.

Dammit.  That could be a pretty good signing for them.  Eddie's got one job there: shoot the ball.  The threat of Eddie opens things up for everyone else. 

Let's hope Eddie's shooting struggles from last year continue.  Sorry Eddie... it's nothing personal.  This is business.  And right now my business is rooting for anything that hurts Miami.

Hey dumb ass in the LeBron Heat jersey at an Indians game... too soon

What the hell did this guy think was gonna happen? 

Guy:  "Ok, we're off to the Indians game... my support of a local athlete should endear me to these fans."

Girl: "Show them that you're cool by tilting your hat to the side.  This way they'll know you're easy going"

Guy:  "Good call."

Cleveland cops understandably didn't want to deal with a homicide while working a cushy baseball game detail... so they booted him.  Great idea... let the cops OUTSIDE the park deal with things like dental records and notifying next of kin.

KWAPT has video of the guy showing up at his seats and people walking out.  Ball Don't Lie has a picture of the guy popping his jersey... you know, to really drive the douchiness home... as he left the park.  (Notice the guy in the bottom right taking the picture while flipping the bird. That's multi-tasking.) And CleveScene.com has many expletive-laden videos of the guy being walked out. 

It's kinda funny... but Cleveland fans need to check themselves a little.  You're on the verge there of crossing some lines.  Back it up a touch.  In the end, it's just sports.

Your Morning Dump... Harangody on his way to Boston

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Luke Harangody, the Celtics' second-round draft choice (No. 52 overall) last month, is reportedly flying into town Thursday to join the team, according to WNDU, and it would seem logical to expect that a rookie contract could be inked soon.

"I definitely think I opened some eyes," Harangody told the school's Web site. "The members of the Celtics' staff, they really knew what I can do, so that wasn't a surprise. But some people out there didn't know the kind of ability I have. Like I said [in Orlando], it's always nice to prove those people wrong."

Harangody knows he can't rest on the laurels of his strong summer play.

"There's still a lot of work to do," said Harangody. "The summer league is one thing. Now the real job begins and you have to work every day."

ESPN Boston

Welcome to Boston, Luke. We've set the bar of expectations at Brian Scalabrine level. Equal that... and we'll be happy.

On Page 2, why the Knicks may be out of the running for Rudy Fernandez.

Austin Rivers... Ballin

Check out Doc's son Austin ballin with other High School phenoms at the 2010 Nike Peach Jam. 

I'm telling you... Austin may well be a 1-and-done kinda kid. 

Via Slam

USA Basketball: Rondo makes 1st Cut

In a conference call that just began at 3pm, Team USA announced Rajon Rondo will, in fact, be among the 15 finalists on the roster when the camp moves to New York on August 9th.

The 14 other team members are:  Chauncey Billups, Tyson Chandler, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, Eric Gordon, Danny Granger, Jeff Green, Andre Iquodala, Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, Lamar Odom, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook.

OJ Mayo, Gerald Wallace, JaVale McGee, and Tyreke Evans have been left off the roster.

Congrats to Rajon for making it to the next step. 

UPDATE:

Coach K said time and time again on this conference call that the team is going to rely on speed and penetration, mainly because injuries to all their big men have forced them to change their approach.   I asked him about Rondo and everything people have said about his unreliable shooting being a hindrance in international play. 

I think he's an adequate shooter for us.  He did well shooting the ball in the camp. The thing Rondo does for us is he plays with a will to win. He just finds a way to have a positive impact on the game.  His will to win is something that I truly admire and we need that.  Plus he's a little bit older, not in age as much but with experience because the Celtics have gone so deep.  I think we're fortunate to have him

Sounds to me that Rondo is a lock to stick with this team throughout the championships.  Like I said earlier today... all the talk about his shooting hurting him in international play is misguided because Team USA isn't putting together the traditional international team.  While it's correct to say Rondo doesn't fit the international style of play... it doesn't apply in this case because Team USA, by necessity, is playing style that is perfect for Rajon Rondo.

Celtics still in running for Rudy F.

At the urging of Rudy Fernandez and his agent, the Trail Blazers have engaged in accelerated trade discussions to deal the disgruntled, once-popular shooting guard to one of three Eastern Conference teams.

Boston, Chicago and New York are all in the running to land the 6-foot-6 Spaniard, who set an NBA rookie record two seasons ago by making 159 three-pointers.

Fernandez has two years remaining on his contract, which will pay him $1.25 million next season. The Blazers acquired Fernandez, along with James Jones, from Phoenix for cash considerations on draft night 2007. Fernandez signed with Portland in July 2008, ending his seven-year career in the  Spanish ACB League.

Some of the teams interested in Fernandez have offered a future first round draft pick, while other offers would pair Fernandez with another Blazers player, but agent Andy Miller would not get into specifics.

Oregonian

A future 1st round pick seems to make sense.

Could the Celtics offer Rasheed Wallace's contract in a deal for Fernandez and another player? Yes, but I don't see who could be shipped back in return. Portland is right at the luxury tax threshold, so there's really no reason to dump salary.

On Page 2, one reader's creative Photoshop response to the news the Celtics are interested in Delonte West.

Your Morning Dump... Where Rondo may get cut today... or not.

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

It's not looking good for Tyreke Evans, O.J. Mayo and Gerald Wallace.

Sources close to the situation told FanHouse on Tuesday they're expected to be among the cuts when Team USA on Wednesday reveals the 15 out of 19 remaining players who will be invited to New York for the Aug. 10-16 training camp in preparation for next month's World Championship in Turkey. As to who might be the fourth cut, sources said that was still being debated.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo would not confirm or deny any names as to who might be cut. He said the 15 players for New York would be announced during a 3 p.m. EDT conference call Wednesday.

FanHouse: Evans, Mayo, Wallace expected to be cut by Team USA

People everywhere are looking at Rajon Rondo and saying "he can't shoot... you need to be able to shoot in international play... therefore he's out."

But this isn't necessarily a 2+2=4 scenario.  On last night's Boston & That Sports Babe, Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix addressed Rondo's spot specifically and said he feels Rondo is a lock to make the New York roster.  The loss of a bunch of guys to injury means Team USA is becoming a pressure team.  And Rondo will make it because he's one of a few guys who can pressure the ball effectively.  Take a listen:

Listen to internet radio with Red's Army on Blog Talk Radio

I say Rondo survives today's cut.  Team USA has gone out of its way to praise him.  I think any analysis that ends solely on his shooting ability discounts what's been said about him and what has happened to this team over the past few weeks.  This won't be a traditional international team... so traditional thought about how it's constructed isn't necessarily accurate.

On page 2, Miami already won.

Reuters Photo

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

It's not looking good for Tyreke Evans, O.J. Mayo and Gerald Wallace.

Sources close to the situation told FanHouse on Tuesday they're expected to be among the cuts when Team USA on Wednesday reveals the 15 out of 19 remaining players who will be invited to New York for the Aug. 10-16 training camp in preparation for next month's World Championship in Turkey. As to who might be the fourth cut, sources said that was still being debated.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo would not confirm or deny any names as to who might be cut. He said the 15 players for New York would be announced during a 3 p.m. EDT conference call Wednesday.

FanHouse: Evans, Mayo, Wallace expected to be cut by Team USA

People everywhere are looking at Rajon Rondo and saying "he can't shoot... you need to be able to shoot in international play... therefore he's out."

But this isn't necessarily a 2+2=4 scenario.  On last night's Boston & That Sports Babe, Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix addressed Rondo's spot specifically and said he feels Rondo is a lock to make the New York roster.  The loss of a bunch of guys to injury means Team USA is becoming a pressure team.  And Rondo will make it because he's one of a few guys who can pressure the ball effectively.  Take a listen:

Listen to internet radio with Red's Army on Blog Talk Radio

I say Rondo survives today's cut.  Team USA has gone out of its way to praise him.  I think any analysis that ends solely on his shooting ability discounts what's been said about him and what has happened to this team over the past few weeks.  This won't be a traditional international team... so traditional thought about how it's constructed isn't necessarily accurate.

On page 2, Miami already won.

Reuters Photo

Source: Celtics interested in Delonte West

How desperate are the Celtics for help on the wing? This should answer your question:

The Celtics have been seeking a tough-minded defender to replace Tony Allen, now that he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. And according to a source, their interest could spread to former Celtic Delonte West, who is expected to be waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves after the club acquired him in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday.

West, whose full contract is not guaranteed if waived by Aug. 5, could be the moderately priced defender the Celtics seek, but of course, he would come with a plethora of issues. West pleaded guilty to weapons charges in a strange case where he was caught carrying three guns while on a motorcycle in his native Maryland last year. He received eight months of home detention but the judge ruled he would be allowed to travel with his NBA team.

Globe

I love Delonte's game. Unfortunately, you get more than his game. I'm not sure this dude is mentally stable.