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Matt Geagan is a sports producer at WBZ-TV… which means he’s not just into basketball. You can catch MattyG’s thoughts on all things sports on his FoxSports.com blog. You can email him at MattyG@RedsArmy.com |
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April 18: The Celtics finish up their miserable season with a close loss to the Pistons. The Pistons play Tayshaun Prince and Chauncey Billups for limited minutes, and rest Richard Hamilton and his mask. Rasheed Wallace does not play at all, because he is on suspension for his 22nd technical foul of the season. Gerald Green scores 37 points and Rajon Rondo fills up the stats sheet with 8 assists and 12 rebounds. But the Celtics let a late lead slip away and lose 86-82. After the game, Doc Rivers says “I’m happy the season is over so we can start rebuilding for next year.” What he really means is “I’m happy the season is over so now I have a chance at doing some broadcasting.” April 21: The playoffs begin later in the evening, but Danny Ainge, Paul Pierce, Wally Szczerbiak and Wyc Grousbeck play golf in the morning. Wally sprains his ankle getting into the golf cart on the 4th hole. April 23: The Celtics send out gifts to each of the players to show they appreciate all the effort from the disastrous year. Rajon Rondo gets a copy of Eddie Johnson’s Jumpshot and Offensive Skills DVD. Sebastian Telfair also gets one. April 26: With the Early Entry deadline for college players to declare for the draft, the Celtics worry about Greg Oden’s silence (despite his father saying he would declare). The Celtics finished with the second worst record in the NBA and are hoping they get the second pick in the draft. If Oden does not declare they will not get Kevin Durant. Danny Ainge holds off the dinner invite with Durant’s mother. April 29: Greg Oden declares for the NBA draft just hours before the midnight deadline. Memphis, Boston, Milwaukee and 6 other NBA teams are overcome with excitement. Kevin Durant is not. May 3: All declarations for the draft are final, and teams can now talk to prospective draft picks. Danny has a dinner date with Kevin Durant and his mother. He pays the bill, bringing the sum invested on Durant so far to $3,250. May 10: Paul Pierce decides that during his off-season, he will also attend night class to get a medical degree. That way he can tell the team doctors when he can play or not. Not that this changes things… May 15: Although the Celtics are highly anticipating the Draft Lottery and free agency does not begin until late July, Michael Olowokandi calls Ainge to see if he is in the teams plans for next year. He leaves a voicemail. May 22: All of Boston is glued to their televisions at 7:00 pm in much anticipation. The Red Sox are in the middle of a three game series in New York against the Yankees. Meanwhile in New Jersey, David Stern holds the draft order. The Celtics fear that a team that has no business getting the #1 pick is in that first envelope. But 10 years after the Tim Duncan tragedy, the basketball gods shine down on the Celtics and they are the first name called. Danny Ainge and Wyc Grousbeck throw a party at the Garden. They are the only two to show up. May 24: Ainge wakes up in his office, unkempt and hung-over. He is not sure what he did the entire day before. June 4: After the Celtics third meeting with Greg Oden, the decision is made. If Olowokandi leaves one more voicemail, Ainge is getting a new number. June 14: Delonte West participates in “Read to Achieve” at a Boston elementary school. Most of the first graders loose focus because they do not understand what Delonte is saying. June 22: With the NBA Season all over Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers start to talk contract again. Danny wants Doc back despite knowing if the team is terrible with Greg Oden, it will cost both of them their jobs. It really makes no sense, so it is just like many of the trades Danny has pulled off. June 23: Wally Szczerbiak breaks his left ankle getting off a treadmill. June 28: Draft Night 2007. The Celtics hold all the cards and have already agreed to take Greg Oden with the #1 pick. After David Stern takes his picture with Oden and his green jersey, he looks at Danny Ainge and says “I don’t want to hear anyone from your organization say we owe you anything anymore.” July 7: Sebastian Telfair goes to a summer camp, part of the Celtic’s “Stay In School” program. Or as in Telfair’s case, “Should Have Went To School”. July 10: As a way to acquaint himself better with the new kid, Paul Pierce takes Greg Oden out to dinner in Boston. The waitress recognizes Pierce immediately, and then asks if Oden is his father. July 16: The Celtics have been invited to play in the Pepsi Pro Summer League. Greg Oden decides to wear #20 for the Celtics, which is the only number from 14-25 not retired. Oden and Rajon Rondo become friends very quickly, as Oden blocks on defense and Rondo starts a fast break. Of course, this is just summer league… July 25: As the free agency period approaches, Michael Olowokandi tries to call Danny Ainge again. For the sixth time in a row he gets the annoying message that tells him the line has been disconnected. July 27: The Celtics finish the summer league a perfect 5-0. Greg Oden averaged 20 points and 14 rebounds per game. Of course, this is just summer league… July 30: The free agency period is in full swing, and three guys who did not play a minute in green last season are off the books. They are Brian Grant, Luke Wilson and finally Vin Baker. The Celtics would love to get another veteran on the team and could use their mid-level exception smartly. Or they could just trade it away again with bargaining chips like Tony Allen and Theo Ratliff’s expiring $11 millions. August 8: Greg Oden gets a $50 million commercial deal from Nike. Paul Pierce is not a fan of the fact a rookie is getting more commercial time than he is. Oden’s upcoming promo with the cardboard cutout of Lucky angers Pierce even more. August 21: The Celtics decide to stay quiet in the free agent market, and make a trade later if they need to. At this date, the oldest player on the team is Theo Ratliff at 34. Greg Oden is the youngest at just 19 years old. Neither has gotten carded in Boston so far. September 1: Ryan Gomes turns the ripe age of 25, making him an elder on the team. September 14: In preparation for training camp, which will take place in Europe as part of the NBA Europe Live, the Celtics have a BBQ for season ticket holders. Players sign autographs, take pictures and even grill for the fans. The event is considered a huge success despite Wally Szczerbiak spraining his ankle while playing Bocce, and Michael Olowokandi having to be escorted out by security. September 26: The Celtics leave for Rome. The airline looses two thirds of the team’s luggage, much like the team lost two thirds of their games the season before. September 29: Since camp does not start for a few days, the team visits the Colosseum and the Vatican. Doc Rivers gets the team lost on their way to a boat tour of Venice. October 1: The Celtics begin camp in Rome. Tony Allen is back on the court and Wally Szczerbiak is all healed from his 7 injuries over the off-season. The first drill Doc Rivers runs is simple: Everyone goes in for a lay-up and Greg Oden tries to block them… all at once. October 2: After Oden was able to block more than 50% for the shots, Rivers decided to go with a normal routine. October 5: The team closes camp and plans to start with Rajon Rondo, Delonte West, Paul Pierce, Al Jefferson and Greg Oden. October 6: The team plays their first game against the Raptors in the Palalottomatica. It’s a home town crowd for Andrea Bargnani, and the refs call 4 early fouls on Greg Oden. He plays only 10 minutes. October 8: The team has looked passed their 96-74 defeat to the Raptors and leaves for London. October 10: The Celtics take on the Timberwolves in the O2 Centre (it’s a pretty amazing place). Once again the team gets lost following Doc Rivers. They make it in time to loose 102-100 when Randy Foye hits a three with 0.8 seconds left. Greg Oden plays 20 minutes and scores 23 points to go along with 12 rebounds. But Doc Rivers plays Sebastian Telfair and Allan Ray in the final quarter (It is the preseason, remember). October 28: The team is ready to open up the season against the Cavaliers on national television. It is a season of hope but not unachievable expectation. The Celtics do not have to be hanging a banner this time next year (Maybe an Atlantic Conference one, but that would look pretty pathetic) but competitive basketball and a hint of the playoffs would be nice. And if not, it will be back to square one. Without Danny and Doc. |
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Here’ s How It’s Gonna Go Matty G Maps Out The Celtics Offseason |