Celtics cut ties with "Pacman" Telfair

[SirFozzie]

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=200218

BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics are severing ties with guard Sebastian Telfair days after he was arrested in the New York area and charged with carrying a loaded gun in his car.

Team managing partner Wyc Grousbeck said Telfair, the 13th pick in the 2004 draft and coming off a disappointing first season with the Celtics, would not be back with the team.

I love this section from the AP Article:

Telfair's attorney, Ed Hayes, told The Associated Press the Celtics are rushing to judgment.

"It always bothers me when you punish a guy so severely before there's been a finding of fact. I think that's wrong whether it happens in Durham (N.C) or in Boston," Hayes said, referring to the Duke lacrosse rape case.

Hayes said Telfair supports 17 relatives on his NBA salary since being drafted out of high school in Brooklyn, N.Y.

"He's come so far and done so well, I don't think you have to throw him overboard," Hayes said.

[Karlifornia]

Hayes said Telfair supports 17 relatives on his NBA salary since being drafted out of high school in Brooklyn, N.Y.

[/b]

Ugh.

[molson]

Danny Ainge has had the longest honeymoon period ever - it doesn't even seem like there's any heat on him.

I'm still pissed he blew up the team a few years back when they reached the conference finals, even though most of Boston agreed with him at the time. The "Blow it up" theory never works - it just digs you a deeper hole.

They're wasting Paul Pierce's prime, and Ainge survives on "the players are all really young and they may get better someday".

[Maple Leafs]

"I think that's wrong whether it happens in Durham (N.C) or in Boston," Hayes said, referring to the Duke lacrosse rape case.
That's a very strong play right there.

[DaddyTorgo]

wow. Well that was a waste of a friggin traded draft pick!

[st.cronin]

Ainge survives on "the players are all really young and they may get better someday".

Not Telfair, apparently

[Maple Leafs]

I can't wait to read Bill Simmons' 40,000 word column on this.

[Schmidty]

Danny Ainge has had the longest honeymoon period ever - it doesn't even seem like there's any heat on him.

*cough* Matt Millen *cough*

[Schmidty]

I can't wait to read Bill Simmons' 40,000 word column on this.

Haha!!


I fucking hate that unfunny hack. How in the hell does he still have a job? There are a lot of people on this board that are funnier, better writers who don't need an editor. Add in the whole Boston homer thing, and I just don't understand the love for the piece of shit.

[molson]

I can't wait to read Bill Simmons' 40,000 word column on this.

I'll check with ESPN to make sure, but I'm pretty sure you're not legally mandated to read Bill Simmons.

[molson]

*cough* Matt Millen *cough*

At least the fans have turned against Millen. Celtics fans are largely still in denial about Ainge.

[stevew]

I guess this frees up room for Conley Jr to be the celtics pick at #4 when they don't win the lottery?

[Schmidty]

I'll check with ESPN to make sure, but I'm pretty sure you're not legally mandated to read Bill Simmons.

I think it's more of the fact that he's bad writer who knows nothing about sports outside of Boston.

Ooooh, he mixes his crappy pop-culture opinions into his crappy articles....ooooh!!!! He's so funny and brilliant!!!!

It's the principle of the situation. He's poop, and it's embarrassing that he is still featured outside of the black hole that is "Page Two". That dude should be on Page 22, or better yet, on a Boston sports messageboard.

[mckerney]

Danny Ainge has had the longest honeymoon period ever - it doesn't even seem like there's any heat on him.

Could be worse, could have Kevin McHale who's been given the GM job for as long as he wants it.

Can't forget Ainge got the best of McHale by dumping off Ricky Avis and Mark Blount, and then getting a first rounder for Marcus Banks.

[Schmidty]

At least the fans have turned against Millen. Celtics fans are largely still in denial about Ainge.

True, although the Celtics at least have had a semi-recent history of success, while the Lions have had this same "safe-GM" situation for like 50 years.

My dream is to have Ford finally come out of his senile stupor, hold down Millen, shave his 'stache on national TV, and then fire his stupid ass.

[Young Drachma]

Dear Sebastian:

Tell them to get jobs. Before it's too late.

Your friend,

MC Hammer

[Pyser]

Dear Sebastian:

Tell them to get jobs. Before it's too late.

Your friend,

MC Hammer
http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/90s_flowchart.png

[Maple Leafs]

I'll check with ESPN to make sure, but I'm pretty sure you're not legally mandated to read Bill Simmons.
I like him when he's not going on and on about the Celtics. I mean, there's an NFL draft coming up pretty soon I think, and yet it's non-stop "Will we get Oden or Durant" coverage these days.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Do they dump him if he averaged 20/10 this season?

It's pretty easy to dump an idiot when they suck.

[JPhillips]

Do they dump him if he averaged 20/10 this season?

It's pretty easy to dump an idiot when they suck.

Of course not. This was just an easy way to get rid of a guy that couldn't be more than a third PG. When Roy is an All-Star this trade will be one of the worst in NBA history.

[st.cronin]

Do they dump him if he averaged 20/10 this season?

It's pretty easy to dump an idiot when they suck.

Exactly. The Celtics are not cutting ties with Telfair because he keeps getting caught with guns. The Celtics are cutting ties with Telfair because he's nowhere near a good enough basketball player.

Which, how did that happen? I remember being pretty impressed with him as a rookie.

[rkmsuf]

Exactly. The Celtics are not cutting ties with Telfair because he keeps getting caught with guns. The Celtics are cutting ties with Telfair because he's nowhere near a good enough basketball player.

Which, how did that happen? I remember being pretty impressed with him as a rookie.

He was never any good unless you like a midget at the point who plays zero defense. When you are third string in Porkland and can't crack the C's current lineup you got problems.

Viva la Ainge.

[stevew]

That's a midget with Zero defense and zero jumpshot as well.

[rkmsuf]

That's a midget with Zero defense and zero jumpshot as well.

probably has a small penis too

[Subby]

Haha!!
I fucking hate that unfunny hack. How in the hell does he still have a job? There are a lot of people on this board that are funnier, better writers who don't need an editor. Add in the whole Boston homer thing, and I just don't understand the love for the piece of shit.
You know, your opinions would probably carry more weight if you didn't take it to DEFCON ELEVENTY BILLION on every single topic...

Just sayin'

[Subby]

Interesting perspective...

Is cutting Telfair the right move for Celtics?

By Chad Ford
ESPN.com

Last year around this time, the Boston Celtics were celebrating the arrival of uber-hyped, super-quick point guard Sebastian Telfair.

One year later, it looks like the Celtics and Telfair are on the verge of an ugly, painful divorce.

Telfair was arrested on Friday after police found a loaded handgun in the car he was driving. Telfair was speeding at the time in his girlfriend's car. The gun was registered in her name, according to Telfair's attorney.

In response to the arrest, Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck sent an e-mail to the Boston Globe stating, "I wanted to let you know that we have removed Sebastian's nameplate from his locker in Waltham. The facts and circumstances of his case have not been determined but he does not have a Celtics locker and we do not anticipate that he will."

But are the Celtics moving too fast?

Perhaps so.

First, there is matter of fairness.

Even the Celtics don't know all of the facts in the case yet. If it really was his girlfriend's gun, stashed away under the seat, does that behavior really warrant the Celtics terminating his contract?

Just to compare, Telfair's teammate Tony Allen has today been acquitted of more serious gun-related charges. The Celtics were very patient with Allen throughout the extended legal process. Isn't it possible Telfair will be cleared as well?

Second, there are basketball considerations.

Are the Celtics really ready to release a talented young point guard? Maybe not, for several reasons.

For one thing, it's possible that Telfair could be a contributor in Boston's rebuilding efforts.

Just as important, Telfair, or at least his contract, is an asset. For that reason, I doubt that Danny Ainge, the Celtics' executive director of basketball operations, would make such a rash decision of cutting Telfair. Doing so would have a number of negative ramifications for the club.

If the Celtics waive him, they get nothing in return. Telfair becomes an unrestricted free agent after waivers and is free to sign with any team. Despite the issues surrounding him, you can be sure that some team will want a 21-year-old point guard with Telfair's talent. (Telfair turns 22 on June 9.)

If the Celtics keep him, they can use him in a trade. Telfair has one season remaining on his contract, doesn't make much money and still has potential. It's very likely that some team would be willing to give the Celtics something for Telfair.

An even more likely scenario might be for the Celtics to package Telfair with Theo Ratliff's expiring contract and other Celtics assets to get a more talented veteran this summer.

Even if the Celtics couldn't trade him, it would make more sense to sit him on the end of the bench next season or even deactivate him and wait to see what offers come around. He could be an equally valuable asset at the February trade deadline next year.

In other words, giving up an asset like Telfair for nothing only hurts the Celtics. And, in a sense, it would reward Telfair, who would be free to negotiate a deal with any club of his choice.

Is that what Grousbeck really wants?

[Logan]

I think it's more of the fact that he's bad writer who knows nothing about sports outside of Boston.

Ooooh, he mixes his crappy pop-culture opinions into his crappy articles....ooooh!!!! He's so funny and brilliant!!!!

It's the principle of the situation. He's poop, and it's embarrassing that he is still featured outside of the black hole that is "Page Two". That dude should be on Page 22, or better yet, on a Boston sports messageboard.

I like him.

But please keep on telling me why I shouldn't read him and why he shouldn't be featured anywhere. And while you're at it, tell me how this is any different than the media telling us what radio guys we can listen to and what we can watch on TV.

[SirFozzie]

I'd like to know any team who'd even give a 2nd rounder for him..

[rkmsuf]

Hi, I'm Chad Ford. I'm completely losing my mind.

[Atocep]

Are the Celtics really ready to release a talented young point guard?


I stopped reading at talented.

[stevew]

From another board, I thought it was funny...

Maybe he will follow his cousin Starbury and sell $15 guns for kids that can't afford expensive gats!

[stevew]

I'd like to know any team who'd even give a 2nd rounder for him..

Lets just say that your team is batshit insane, and actually wants the guy. It would make a ton more sense to offer the Celtics a 2nd round pick, and take Telfair at 2.5 millionish this year, plus keep his rights as a RFA after the year, rather than to negotiate a one to 3 year deal with him this year, and not have any leverage if he actually has a great year(god forbid).

[miami_fan]

Telfair will be in someone's training camp in September.

[stevew]

Telfair will be in someone's training camp in September.

Miami needs a point, he'd fit in perfectly with Fatione, White Chocolate, Posey the Hatchet man, take the money and run Zo, et al...

[rkmsuf]

Telfair will be in someone's training camp in September.

As will Luke Jackson or God Shamgod probably.

[miami_fan]

Lets just say that your team is batshit insane, and actually wants the guy. It would make a ton more sense to offer the Celtics a 2nd round pick, and take Telfair at 2.5 millionish this year, plus keep his rights as a RFA after the year, rather than to negotiate a one to 3 year deal with him this year, and not have any leverage if he actually has a great year(god forbid).

Agreed. When has a team (especially one with a coach with a huge ego) not taken a chance on a 21 year old with perceived talent? If a coach like Pat Riley can trade for a guy like Jason Williams and all his issues at that time, it is not a big stretch for a team to take a shot on 22 year old PG with perceived talent. Now whether that talent is real or not is another question entirely.

[miami_fan]

Miami needs a point, he'd fit in perfectly with Fatione, White Chocolate, Posey the Hatchet man, take the money and run Zo, et al...

If he can effectively run the point and stay off the injury list AND be cheap we'll take him.

[rkmsuf]

If he can effectively run the point and stay off the injury list AND be cheap we'll take him.

cheap, check
relatively injury free, check

effectively run the point, lol

unless it's a YMCA league then maybe you have something there

[rkmsuf]

dola, actually injury free might be a question. guy hasn't been able to stay on the court for extended minutes due to the fact he sucks for very many games in a row.

[Atocep]

I predict some And 1 Mixtape performances for Telfair in the not too distant future.

[kingfc22]

Telfair is garbage and wouldn't even have done well in a power conference in college. All he had was Nike hype.

[rkmsuf]

Telfair is garbage and wouldn't even have done well in a power conference in college. All he had was Nike hype.

Ainge was smitten!

[Schmidty]

You know, your opinions would probably carry more weight if you didn't take it to DEFCON ELEVENTY BILLION on every single topic...

Just sayin'

Thanks for the advice, but I didn't know how else to express my extreme dislike for the guy. If my delivery bugs you, sorry, but tough shit.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Except for the fact that he doesn't have the height to play SF like the rest of the roster, I wouldn't be completely surprised to see him get a chance in Atlanta next year.

[Subby]

Thanks for the advice, but I didn't know how else to express my extreme dislike for the guy. If my delivery bugs you, sorry, but tough shit.
I'm just trying to help with your image problem. :mad:

[stevew]

Except for the fact that he doesn't have the height to play SF like the rest of the roster, I wouldn't be completely surprised to see him get a chance in Atlanta next year.

Well, he can't shoot, but does anyways....which I think would easily put him in the Hawks starting lineup.

[DaddyTorgo]

As will Luke Jackson or God Shamgod probably.


hey...don't fuck with God

[DaddyTorgo]

I'm just trying to help with your image problem. :mad:

Schmidty will always have an image problem.

Welcome to Hollywood.

[Schmidty]

I'm just trying to help with your image problem. :mad:

As long as I haven't reached JimGA levels yet, I think I'm ok. ;)

[wishbone]

Telfair was a high school street ball phenom, he's gotta be good!