Powe Lashes Out At Celtics

"Forward Leon Powe signed a two-year deal with the Cavaliers after the Celtics declined to make him a qualifying offer this summer. He says he was never given an explanation why the Celtics didn't want to keep him.

"Initially, I was hurt," Powe told The Boston Globe. "I was mad with what they said to me at first. But I had to realize myself it was a business. Not Doc, but management. So I take it and move on. One of them told me they didn't feel like waiting," he said. "The other one said they didn't have enough money. It was a lot of different stories, but it wasn't valid. So I said, if it's time for me to move on then it's time to move on. I called my agent and told him we've got to find somewhere else (ESPN)."

We miss Powe, but with all the talent the Celtics have on their roster they really didn't NEED him. Powe is one of my favorite Celtics of all-time, and it really sucks that he and the Celtics left on bad terms. This will only fuel the rivalry between the Celtics and Cavs...

Leon Powe Injury Update

Had to at least check in on our old friend...

Forward Leon Powe says his rehabilitation from knee surgery is ahead of schedule, which is a relief to him.

"I'm just happy I got the first five months out of the way," he told the Akron Beacon-Journal. "I told my doctor I want to be back around the All-Star break. He said I would be back a little bit before, but we didn't put a definite date on it. We're just taking it month by month (ESPN)."

Sounds like everything is progressing well. I hated seeing him go, though I am not sold that he is going to be as affective. He has had so many serious injuries. I feel bad for him, but it is going to feel even worse seeing him in a Cavaliers uniform.

Powe To Cavs

The Plain Dealer reports the Cavaliers have the framework of a two-year contract completed with free agent forward Leon Powe. It could become official as early as Tuesday, when Powe is expected to meet with team doctors.

Powe is in the middle of recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee and may not be able to play until around the All-Star Break.

This burns, and burns deep. I love Leon and there will always be a part of me that wishes he came back, but I understand the Celtics logic. Leon is a banger and I honestly believe if he was healthy during last years play-offs we would have been able to beat the Magic easily. For Powe's logic I understand it too. He gets a two year deal (which many teams were very hesitant to do) and he gets to get a little revenge back at his former team. I don't know where Leon fits into this team figuring they have Varejeo, Shaq, Big Z, but I guess another big man doesn't hurt.

Hard Work Leon Powe To Cavs?

The News-Herald reports free agent Leon Powe, who had microfracture and ACL surgeries on his knee, may be targeting Cleveland as his top team to sign with and the Cavaliers may have offered him a contract.

"It would be nice to work something out," agent Aaron Goodwin said. "He's an incredible young man. The Cavs are a great, patient organization."

Powe may not be able to play until January or February.ESPN

I will hate this. Leon will have a sentimental place in a majority of Celtics fans hearts. I have never seen a guy try so hard on both ends of the court, and although he was undersized he always played way bigger than he actually was. He was a good face to face defender, and could get to the free throw line at will. I understand from the Celtics standpoint why they wouldn't bring a guy who is on his third major knee reconstructive surgery, but I will miss you, and it will piss me off if he goes to the Cavs.

Now What For The Celtics?

If we ultimately can't sign Big Baby, then hell sign and trade him, however if we can, we need to bring him back. Baby is an extremely important player to this team and an ultimate hustle guy. Sure he had a great play-off run and I don't think that was a fluke. Baby will also give Perk, Sheed, and KG all necessary minutes on the bench. His range and size make him extremely hard to defend. If it is all possible, I want my baby back. And the second guy I want back is Hard Work Leon Powe. I know this could be a sentimental pick, but if the guy does return by All-Star break and can play like he did before he got injured, then this would be another steal. Leon Powe brings an all out effort on both ends of the court and has knack for getting to the free throw line. ACL injuries our tough to come back from, and I know these are a lot of ifs. But if it is at all possible to get him back why now? We could probably get him for dirt cheap anyways.

So my final bench would be:
PG: House, Hudson
SG: Giddins
SF: Daniels
PF: Baby, Powe
C: Sheed

Not to shabby?

The End Of The Hard Work Era?

"While the Celtics did retain the right to match any contract offer to Glen Davis through the qualifying offer, Ainge said the injury status of Leon Powe - who had reconstructive left knee surgery after tearing his ACL in the playoff series vs. the Bulls - was a determining factor in the decision.

Ainge said Powe has been rehabbing with the team’s medical staff and will continue to have access to the staff, if he chooses, despite no longer being with the team. Ainge said he believed Powe was planning to continue his rehab in California." Scott Souza


I understand the risk of not signing a guy that has had knee problems, and isn't going to be able to play a game before the All-Star break, however, Leon is a risk I would be willing to take. If we had Leon for the Magic series, I guarantee we would have won. Even though he is undersized, he plays a lot bigger than he is. But it looks like it is the end of the Hard Work Leon Powe era in Boston.

Leon Powe News

Leon Powe got some positive news. His surgically repaired left knee wasn't as damaged as previously thought, said Powe's agent, Aaron Goodwin. Powe had surgery May 5. He is an unrestricted free agent.

"[The doctors] said there was less damage in there than they thought there was," Goodwin said. "Obviously, he still did the reconstruction. But we still feel good about it. We're looking at an All-Star break return."

Well this is great news for the Celtics, if we can sign him cheaply, then get him back and rested by next all star break. My sources are telling me that even though he is a free agent he will be back with the club next year. We could certainly use him now.

Powe Has Surgery

"The Celtics released a statement today saying forward Leon Powe had surgery on his injured left knee this morning. The Celtics said that Powe “underwent successful ACL revision reconstruction with microfracture and cartilage repair at New England Baptist Hospital this morning.” The Celtics have set no timetable for Powe’s recovery. It is the third major knee surgery for the 25-year-old Powe, who will become an unrestriced free agent this summer (Boston Herald)."

Powe would have been a mid first round pick if it wasn't for his bad knees that plagued him while playing for Cal. It was heart breaking to see a guy who tries to hard to go down like this. I don't know what he will be like when he gets back, but Rivers has come out and said that he wants the Celtics to bring back Powe. He obviously can't ask for a lot, so the Celtics might be able to do this. Still you have to feel terrible for this kid, because he was really starting to make a name for himself. We will keep you updated when we find out some kind of timetable for his recovery.

Powe Out For Playoffs

"Boston Celtics forward Leon Powe is out for the rest of the playoffs with a torn knee ligament (Sportsline)."

Wow think the Celtics bench was bad...how about now? Ouch this really hurts, and it sucks because Powe is one of my favorite players on the team. If this wasn't bad enough Rondo will not be practicing with the team over the next two days, because he has a sprained ankle (Doc says he is a go for Game 3 though). It just seems like everything is against the Celtics right now. Someone better wake up Pierce....

**UPDATE**

It is a torn ACL.

Baby or Hard Work?

hard Work Leon Powe

or
Big Baby Glen Davis


I'm not giving up on this season at all, however, Bob scared me a little when he brought up next year and everyone aging another year. The biggest off season question we are going to have to go through is Big Baby or Leon Powe. Both are free agents and both are going to demand between 3-5 million a year. I have a soft spot in my heart for both of these guys, because even though they may not be the most athletic, best sized big men, they play bigger and stronger than they are. Both players have stepped up in crucial times when we needed them too. Leon Powe absolutely killed the Lakers in game 2 last year, and has been an absolute garbage man in the time he plays. He can rebound, score inside, take a charge, and has an uncanny ability to get to the free throw line. Even though he is undersized he is a good defender.

For Big Baby. Baby has played out of his mind of late when K.G. and Leon have been out. He has made the loss of those two a lot easier. He has developed into an absolute great bench player. He is physical, he hustles, he defends, he rebounds and he actually has a decent mid range game.

To me, you have to pick Baby. I believe Leon is the player that we see now, and I believe Glen has a higher ceiling. So even though I will hate to Leon in another uniform, I will accept it. But hell, maybe we will sign both.

Kevin Garnett Update

"Celtics coach Doc Rivers said this morning at the team's shootaround that forward Kevin Garnett will still play about seven minutes in both the first and third quarters tonight against the Magic, but his workload will probably be increased by four minutes in the second and fourth quarters next week (Boston.com)."

Doc is doing the right thing here. There is no reason to overuse KG right now, and the Celtics are going to build him back up just in time for the playoffs. I really believe that overall getting KG his time off is going to pay dividends in the playoffs. The Big Three could be logging in some serious minutes if their second squad doesn't figure out a way to straighten themselves out, so this rest could prove important.

Other Celtic Injury News:
- Tony Allen, who is recovering from thumb surgery, will return in in two weeks.

- Leon Poweis expected to be back from his knee injury by the time the playoffs begin.

Celtics Are Crazy Good

In light of their 17th straight win its hard not to look ahead to their match up with the Lakers. The Knicks suck more balls than a Chinese hooker so that will more than likely make it 18 in a row. Seriously its sad to say that Nate Robinson and Harrington are your best players. However, the game against the Sixers on Tuesday in my opinion is a trap game regardless of the previous games they have played against them. The only way I see the the C's getting upset in this game, which is possible, is if they game turns out into being a run and gun type of game. The Philly team has the speed and quickness to edge out the C's if it turns out to be this way but Rondo is really showing that he may just very well be the best point guard in the league with his ability to call plays perfectly without the help of Doc Rivers.

Moving on, the Celtics toyed with the Bulls in the first half allowing them to keep the game close. However, in the third quarter they made them their bitches. Derek Rose was non-existant, but Deng provided some fire power while hitting shots over Peirce that were simply good makes for him with a hand in his face. Ulitimately, the Bulls showed they dont belong on the court with the C's. The Celts ran away with this game 126-108.

Finally, I have come to question what the fuck happened to Kirk Heinrik? A few years ago he was deemed one of the up and coming point guards of our generation, and to be quite honest I thought this was the case. Personally, I love this guy and what he brings to the table, but I feel that he isn't destined to be a guard to center your team around. The fact of the matter is that the Bulls front office is a bunch or retards, besides drafting Rose there is no other solid aquisition that they have made in recent memory. To be honest with you all I hate Jokeem Noah, he is a scrub and doesnt belong in the NBA, he just was viewed as good because of the great team that was around him at Florida during their two National Title runs. I was waiting all night for Tommy Heinson to rip this guy apart, and ultimately saying he blows as much as I think. He doesnt have much to offer, he can't defend anybody and Leon Powe made him look like the retarded looking bitch that he is.

Quoting the Tuna

"You are what you are"

-Bill Parcells

The Tuna uttered these simple words way back in 1996 after an 0-2 start with the Patriots en route to their second Super Bowl appearance but the quote has been reference many times since. Why am I bringing it up now, you ask? Because there are some pundits out there who believe the Celtics' 13-2 record isn't quite as sterling as it appears. The main reason for this is the inevitable comparison between this year's team and last year's juggernaut.

The 2007-2008 Celtics also had a 13-2 record but jumped on the opposition from the opening tip with something to prove. They were defensive stalwarts and extremely efficient on offense. Everyone made the extra pass and the C's were flying high. The year was obviously a success and Banner 17 was eventually raised. It is human nature to compare teams year to year but to say the 08-09 team's 13-2 record is any less notable is foolish.

There have been games where the C's committed too many turnovers and should have won with ease (the Atlanta game without Josh Smith, for example). On a few occasions, they've gotten off to awful starts and have needed Paul Pierce to save the day. Sure, the wins aren't as decisive but the Celtics, in my humble opinion, have played about as well as could be expected. I'll stick with Parcells here and say their record does indicate how well they've played thus far. The 13 wins are even more impressive when you take into account the draining schedule they went through as few weeks ago. They aren't going to be the 1996 Bulls, and most likely won't approach the 66-win plateau they reached a year ago. At the same time, I don't think they've become complacent like the Pistons after 2004 or will have stretches of lackadaisical play. But there will be nights where, as Bob Ryan referenced in his blog, the C's don't show up and get blown out of the building by an inferior team such as the Pacers.

While they have been winning differently, I don't feel any different than I did at this time last year regarding their chances to get to the Finals. Consistent team defense can carry a team through offensive slumps and the worst of quarters (see: Pistons and Spurs).

The unknown going into the year was how the second unit would play together and how much the loss of James Posey would sting. While we can't see what will happen in the playoffs when there will be no Posey to come in off the bench and cover the likes of Kobe or even Josh Smith, I think this year's edition hasn't fallen as far as expected. Tony Allen isn't as versatile as Posey in that he can't switch from a guard to a forward with ease, but his overall game has improved markedly. Allen has limited his turnovers and done a better job of controlling himself as he makes those quick cuts to the basket. They seem like components necessary of an NBA player but Allen had gotten by purely on athleticism before this season. Now he's learning how to harness that seemingly limitless ability at the perfect time for an older team in need of fresh legs.

The more I read about a high draft pick with no heart, passion or talent like Joakim Noah, the more I appreciate Danny Ainge bringing Leon Powe aboard. Powe uses every ounce of his ability and is on his way to being considered one of the best backup big men in the game. The way he uses his body to knock back defenders 5 or 6 inches taller than him under the net is something we should really appreciate. Ainge gets credit for bringing Garnett and Allen here but it's draft picks like Powe and Rondo that go under the radar. Only now are fans realizing one of the elements that has awakened a pitiful offense is Rondo's evolution into an elite player. He is already a top-10 point guard and he keeps ascending toward every one's favorite floor generals out west. His shooting is still inconsistent but, after a slow start, he is starting to finish at the rim.

The defending champs have sent a message to the NBA: We haven't even begun to play our best basketball and what we are is a 13-2 team on the rise.