Over at SI.com Marty Burns took a look at the numerous changes across the Atlantic Division this season. In the midst of the talk about Jermaine O'Neal's new team, Mike D'Antoni in New York, and the Nets maneuvering for LeBron James there was this bit of information,

"Last spring it seemed all but certain assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, the architect of Boston's top-ranked defense, would be hired as an NBA head coach somewhere. Now it looks as if he will be back for at least one more campaign. Although still not technically signed for next year, Thibodeau is expected to get a new deal shortly, along with the rest of Doc Rivers' staff."

At this point I had assumed that was the case partly because of Clifford Ray's work with Patrick O'Bryant (scroll down). And yes Danny Ainge did say he expected all of the assistant coaches back (scroll down again). However, that was July 24th. Still, I enjoyed the reassurance.

Apologies in advance if this video has made the rounds elsewhere. I just stumbled upon it today. And quite frankly I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. First the clip in question:

Boston Celtics Tony Allen NBA Players Profile A Indepth Look (via djricog)

Check out reactions after the jump...

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For some reason I thought this already happened. As with a lot of Boston's moves this summer, I'm reminded of a Homer Simpson quote:

"Now we play the waiting game...Ah, the waiting game sucks. Let's play Hungry Hungry Hippos!" - Homer Simpson

And yes I've used that quote before. And I'll use it again. In other news I'm going to take a few days off. After Boston's epic playoff run, the draft, the FIBA qualifying tournament, and the Olympics I'm exhausted. Time to recharge the batteries in anticipation of blogging the title defense. That's all for now.

Head over to A Stern Warning for the most recent Carnival of the NBA. As a side note that's one of my all time favorite blog names. And the header makes me laugh.

I got the idea of profiling random players from Boston's past from the stellar Washington Wizards blog, and fellow SB Nation site, Bullets Forever. I really got into the Haywoode Workman post. And while I did not plan on this becoming a series, it's been a slow summer and I've spent way too much time focusing on the Olympics. So check out the Sherman Douglas post from last week and catch up on Chris Corchiani after the jump.

via slamonline.com

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Gold - USA
Silver - Spain
Bronze - Argentina
4th - Lithuania
5th - Greece
6th - Croatia
7th - Australia
8th - China
9th - Russia
10th - Germany
11th - Iran
12th - Angola

In an earlier post about Darius Miles I threw Bill Walker's contract situation into a list of question marks for the upcoming season. Well he's now officially a Celtic. Next question - can he make it in the Association. I hope so. In related news I'm excited. He could do more than just dunk, even if I am about to link to him doing that. A lot.

Bill Walker Highlight Reel (via WorldWideBalla21)

1. Jamaal Magloire was initially the focus of this recent post by Kelly Dwyer. I encourage you to read it because it reminded me of Boston's most recent move. Ultimately Dwyer acknowledges that Magloire is a recognizable name. Hell he even made an All-Star team. Yet there are cheaper, younger, hungrier options out there that could improve over time. That's where it goes beyond just Magloire and applies to numerous players. Granted Miles is by no means old - he'll be 27 in October. He should be entering his prime. Yet his knee did not get the memo. And even if he does return to form, which seems unlikely, it is important to remember that Miles was not an Amare Stoudemire type talent. Few are. More importantly any way you look at it Miles has a lot of money coming his way from that ill-fated Trail Blazers deal. So money can't be his motive. Does he love the game? Does he have the necessary work ethic? I have to admit I like the idea of a guy at the end of the bench who is desperate and will fight for any and everything he gets. Basically a guy with a Leon Powe type mentality. And if I don't know his name right now so be it. Of course Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers know a lot more than me and have proven me wrong before. Additionally, for every Jamario Moon success story there are a lot more Brandon Wallace, Jackie Manuel, etc. stories.

* I chose Stoudemire because he successfully returned from microfracture surgery.

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First off thanks to reader Georgia for the Fan Post (see below) that gave me the heads up on this signing. I remember the C's worked Miles out earlier this summer, but I didn't really think it would go anywhere. And lo and behold it happened. Some thoughts on the deal.

1. My first thought? Blazers fans are not going to like this. Remember when Miles was waived the following came to light:

"Assuming that Miles does not pass another team’s physical and get picked up by another NBA franchise, the Blazers would be able to take the last two years of his $48 million contract off their salary cap."

That same article had a big time quote from Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard,

"The doctors had actually said…‘if you were my son, I’d never have you pick up a basketball again. I’m the kind of GM (that) I wouldn’t want that on my head that he ever had to have knee replacement." - Pritchard

I guess Danny Ainge is the kind of GM that is okay with it. As expected Blazers fans are not pleased. Lot of reactions there, especially after the thread picks back up following a detour of sorts. I found one comment particularly insightful. It's called "No wishing him the best: [Green Bandwagon UPDATE: Since the initial posting I've gotten some feedback from Blazers fans/Blazers Edge readers and the following does not represent the opinion of the vast majority of them. While it still may be useful in regards to the extreme or how things could go if Miles were to play sparingly in 10 games and get cut, it is now clear to me that it is definitely the exception and not the rule.]

"The procedure followed by the Blazers is that the league and the players union appointed an independent doctor to examine the evidence and issue a ruling. That ruling affected the Blazers, Miles, and any team interested in Miles. It was the Blazers, however, who had the risk. Miles was, after all, under contract. And when the ruling was issued, Miles was not willing to give the Blazers the same contract that he then went out and offered to all other teams. Instead, he kept the Blazers guaranteed contract, which they have to pay regardless of whatever contract he signed with NY. In sum, if NY pays the minimum, then the Blazers pay the difference between the minimum and the $9 million/year they owe Darius.

Darius and his agent, in sum, took advantage of the situation. Some of you who wish him the best should keep that in mind. If he’d offered the Blazers the same deal he offered all other teams – basically, let me play and I’ll show you I’m worthy of a roster spot, and I’ll also absolve you of liability if I reinjure myself – then I can understand your position.

But he didn’t do that.

As a Blazer fan, I have no sympathy for Miles or his agent. He was not a $9 million/year player – knew it, and every other team knew it. But the Blazers pay for it.

Now, if he should make the roster, the Blazers also lose the cap space, just as they lost the player. The cap space was nothing more than an off-set to the salary they must still pay – but gave them the ability to replace him without penalties.

Under the circumstances, its in my interest that he blows the knee out and never plays again.

So, no wishing him the best here." - Eben Calder

Anytime a person openly states a desire to see someone blow out a knee...well that's a clear signal the stakes are high. The Miles signing is definitely bad news in the midst of all the Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez excitement. We could be watching the beginning of a Celtics/Trail Blazers blood feud. Henry Abbott summed the situation up nicely a while back:

"Everyone knows, however, that the Blazers have a business interest in keeping Darius Miles from playing in the League in the next two years -- if he plays ten games, his medical retirement is over, and Miles' salary is back counting against Portland's salary cap and luxury tax number." - Henry Abbott

More after the jump...

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