Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

[jdx66]

Danny Ainge retires suddenly

Boston--Sat, Oct 2--In an impromptu press conference held this morning, Boston Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge resigned from his position after seven years at the helm of the winning-est franchise in NBA history. The announcement, which came just weeks prior to the start of the 2010-2011 NBA season, has baffled Boston's front office. Aigne cited health concerns and spending more time with his family as reasons for his departure.
"It's something I've been thinking about for a long time. [Basketball] just isn't as important to me as it used to be," Ainge said during the press conference.

Ainge has a long history with the Celtics franchise. Boston drafted Ainge out of BYU in the 1981 NBA draft. He spent eight years with the team as a player, winning two championships and being named to one All-Star team along the way.

In 2003, the Celtics hired Ainge as the Executive Director of Basketball Operations.

During his stint in the Boston front office, Ainge experienced both jubilation and disappointment. The 2006-2007 season saw the Celtics finish with a 24-58 record - the second worst in franchise history. After the dismal year, franchise player Paul Pierce demanded Ainge trade him to a contender or acquire the talent needed.

Seemingly overnight, Ainge changed the Celtics' fortunes. In the 2007 offseason, Ainge made deals to bring All-Stars Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to Boston. The Celtics won 66 games the next season on their way to the franchise's 17th NBA championship. Ainge was named 2008 NBA Executive of the Year for his efforts.

Ainge led Boston to 50 wins and an Eastern Conference championship in his last season at the helm of the franchise. The veteran Celtics team upset the heavily favored Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic before losing in seven games to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

"Yeah, I'll miss it. Of course," Ainge said in response to a question. "But family comes first."

"I leave the franchise in good hands. Doc [Rivers] and this team can win no matter who the GM is."

The Celtics have yet to announce their plans for filling the position Ainge is leaving behind. Those believed to be on the short list include: Boston's Assistant General Manager Mike Zarren, former Portland TrailBlazers GM Kevin Pritchard, and Washington Wizards Vice President of Basketball Administration Tommy Shepard.

The Celtics open the 2010-2011 NBA season at home against the new-look Miami Heat and rival LeBron James on Tues, Oct 26.

[jdx66]

Re: Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

Snapple Sports! League Report

NEWS:
Danny Ainge resigns as Celtics GM
Warriors boot Nelson, hire Smart
Melo deal flares up, fizzles out
Stern, owners concerned with perimeter "bumping"
Jordan graces cover of NBA 2k11

TRANSACTIONS:

INJURY REPORT:
Boozer "falls over bag," only strains hand

RUMOR MILL:
Iverson to play in Turkey
Rivers throws hat into Celtics GM ring
Carmelo Anthony to Pacers?
Delonte West sleeping with Big Baby's mom

[jdx66]

Re: Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

Celtics hire former hoops hero

Boston--The Celtics have hired Patrick Johnson, 38, to fill the General Manager position left absent by Danny Ainge's resignation on Oct 2.

Fans may remember Johnson from his playing days at Stanford. A 6'6" shooting guard, Johnson led Stanford to an NCAA tournament berth and an upset-laden run as the Cardinals made it to the Sweet 16. Johnson blew out his knee in the first five minutes of that game, and Stanford suffered a crushing loss to the Duke Blue Devils.

The knee injury cost Johnson a promising NBA career, but as one door closed, another opened. Johnson entered law school after a year trying to make an NBA roster.

For the last six years, Johnson has worked his way up the Cincinnati Reds organizational ladder. The Celtics were captivated by Johnson's passion for basketball and his knowledge of the NBA ecosystem, but the Boston front office admits the former college hoops star is in uncharted territory.

"He has little experience in professional sports, and what little he does have was spent in a baseball organization," Doc Rivers said in the press conference announcing Johnson's hiring.

"That doesn't mean he can't get the job done," Rivers said.

Johnson inherits a team full of veteran talent. Rajon Rondo is a budding superstar, and the "Big Three" - Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce - still have some fuel in the tank.

Everyone in Boston expects great things from this roster.

Upon hearing the news, Shaquille O'Neal tweeted, "Real gm or baby gm, Celts gonna win the ring. im comin for you Kobe."

Platform: Xbox 360
Quarters: 12 minutes
Difficulty: Pro
Sliders: Custom
Games: 82

I'll be playing one game against every team in the NBA, and a few extras against the best in the League (Heat, Lakers, Magic, etc.). All the other games will be simmed with Hoop Cast.

I'll only do Bostonian write-ups for games that I play. You can expect a Snapple Sports League update every couple of posts or so to create/cover some interesting story lines.

[smokeydays23]

Re: Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

Good that you put up a thread for your Association. Do my Celtics Pride!

[jdx66]

Re: Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

Celtics drop season opener 96-93 to LeBron, Heat

Boston--Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh opened a new chapter in the NBA history book Tuesday with a win in Boston on the season's opening night.

The highly anticipated contest pitted Boston's "Big Three" against Miami's three "Heatles." Wade led the Heat with 23 points and 9 assists. James added 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 dimes to compliment Bosh's contribution of 8 points, 10 boards.

Rajon Rondo, Boston's breakout star in last season's playoffs, continued his dominant ways with a double-double: 32 points and 16 assists. Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett added 25 and 17 points, respectively. Garnett also tallied 11 rebounds.

Allen missed an open three-point attempt that would have tied the game as time expired.

The Celtics and Heat will meet again on Nov 11 in Miami. The Celtics play in Cleveland on Wednesday night in the Cavaliers' season opener.

[jdx66]

Celtics win despite Rondo's shooting

Cleveland--The Boston Celtics nabbed their first victory of the season in a 104-88 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Celtics overcame a terrible shooting night by PG Rajon Rondo in the win. Rondo shot 2-16 from the field, but managed his second straight double-double with 12 points and 12 assists. Bench scoring was a factor in the second night of a back-to-back. Shaquille O'Neal had 14 points off the bench in just 13 minutes of action on the floor.

The Cavaliers charged strongly out of the gate, propelled by a sold-out crowd and their star PG Mo Williams. Williams had four three-point field goals in the first quarter as Cleveland jumped to an early 28-20 lead.

The Cavs couldn't parlay that hot start into a victory, though. Boston's physicality was too much to handle. Rondo bullied his way past Cleveland's smaller guards and got into the paint consistently. From there, Rondo drew fouls or set-up Boston's big men for easy buckets.

Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 18 points and nine rebounds. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce added 18 and 14 points, respectively.

Mo Williams led the Cavaliers with a game-high 26 points. Antawn Jamison scored 14 points through three quarters but struggled in the fourth after turning his left ankle. No word has been given about his status.

The Celtics will host the Knicks next. That game is slated for Friday night.

GOING GREEN: 1-1

Buckeyes | Cavaliers | Reds | Bengals
Sent from the DROID2.

[jdx66]

Celtics lose heartbreaker to Bucks 112-106

Boston--The Celtics' first quarter against the Bucks looked like a heavyweight prize fight on Wednesday night. Both teams threw their best punches as they fought out the first period to a 38-38 tie. Boston and Milwaukee are two of the top defensive teams in the NBA, but they exploded for that exicitng 76-point first quarter - the highest scoring period in the league thus far.

The pace slowed down as the game advanced, but the battle remained relentless. At halftime, the score was tied 60-60.

The Celtics jumped out to the game's largest lead (12) in the third quarter, but the Bucks cut that lead to two by the end of the period. With three minutes left in regulation, the game was still tied - this time at 102.

"It was war out there, man," Kevin Garnett said post-game. "We'd hit them, but they'd swing right back."

After a Milwaukee timeout, the Bucks grabbed a 104-102 lead and never relinquished it.

The Bucks were led by All-Star center Andrew Bogut who scored a game-high 30 points. Bogut also had eight rebounds, but not everyone in attendance was impressed by his performance.

Shaquille O'Neal tweeted after the game: "Boguts weak. that boys lucky i only played 8 min cuz i would have shown him what's wut."

Second year PG Brandon Jennings had 24 points and 10 assists for the Bucks.

The Celtics were led by Ray Allen who tallied 26 points in the loss. Garnett added 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo had 12 assists. Turkish rookie Semih Erden scored the first bucket of his NBA career in the second quarter after an offensive rebound.

The Celtics will host the Chicago Bulls on Friday.

GOING GREEN: 3-2

Buckeyes | Cavaliers | Reds | Bengals
Sent from the DROID2.

[jdx66]

Snapple Sports! League Report

NEWS:
Celtics hire baseball exec Johnson
Melo not talking trades after injury
Heat look unstoppable, #1 in power rankings
Kevin Durant continues to shine
Still no deal for Iverson

TRANSACTIONS:

INJURY REPORT:
Anthony to miss 2 weeks with knee sprain
Jamison sprains ankle, day-to-day
Boozer's hand feels good, probable

RUMOR MILL:
Pacers can't find pieces for Anthony
Shaq unhappy with playing time
Clippers already looking to deal Davis
New GM intends to shake up Celtics roster

Buckeyes | Cavaliers | Reds | Bengals
Sent from the DROID2.

[jdx66]

Re: Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

Celtics survive Rose's 34, beat Bulls

Boston--Derrick Rose tallied 34 points and 10 assists in Friday night's game, but the Boston Celtics survived to notch a 110-102 win.

Friday's victory marked the second time in as many games that the Celtics faced another one of the NBA's top defensive teams, but Boston still managed to score over the century mark as five players reached double figures. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 24 points on 9-11 shooting. It was by far Pierce's best outing of the young season.

"Yeah, man, I tell you what. It feels good to knock down some shots," Pierce said post-game.

"I consider myself one of the best shooters in the NBA, and it's been tough to struggle through the season like I have."

Pierce entered the game averaging just over 10 points per contest - nearly 13 points below his average from last season. Rajon Rondo's emergence as the team's go-to player may have something to do with that.

Rondo shined again in Boston's victory. The fifth year point guard out of Kentucky had 20 points and a game-high 13 assists, plus three steals.

"Well, I just go out there and try to find the open man," Rondo said when asked how he manages to rack up the helpers.

Ray Allen (19), Delonte West (11), and Kevin Garnett (11) also scored in double figures for Boston.

On the other side of the ball, the Bulls got solid performances from Rose and Carlos Boozer (21 pts, 7 reb). Taj Gibson added 10 points off the bench.

GOING GREEN: 4-2

Boston Celtics Upcoming Games
DATE	OPPONENT
Nov 7	at Oklahoma City Thunder
Nov 8	at Dallas Mavericks
Nov 11	at Miami Heat

[jdx66]

Re: Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

Wow, after following some of the other dynasties (especially this one), I see mine needs some work. Look for some changes. I'm definitely going to be adding my 2k images.

[jdx66]

Re: Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

From The Bostonian:

Durant drops 57 on Celtics in win

Kevin Durant sets new career high against the C's

Oklahoma City--Kevin Durant recorded a career high 57 points on Sunday afternoon in front of a nationally televised audience and led the Thunder to a blowout win against the aging Celtics. The final score: 129-89.

After the game, TNT analyst Charles Barkley was baffled by Boston's inability to guard the young MVP candidate.

"It was terrible," Barkley said in the post-game show. "I've never seen Boston look so bad."

"They looked so old!"

The Celtics have the oldest roster in the NBA, and they looked it Sunday. Durant's 57 came on a fantastic shooting night (20-29 FG, 5-7 3PT, 12-14 FT), and Russel Westbrook blew by the Celtics defenses en route to 24 points and 10 assists. Jeff Green and James Harden scored in double figures as well. They tallied 18 and 14 points, respectively.

Five players scored in double figures for Boston, led by Kevin Garnett's 19 points and 5 rebounds. Shaquille O'Neal, Nate Robinson, Glen Davis, and Rajon Rondo all scored at least 11 points.

Rondo was limited to just 22 minutes due to foul trouble in a game where he may have been needed more than ever.

"Rajon's length and quickness would have really helped us out there," Doc Rivers said when addressing the media.

"I'm not saying we would have won. I'm not saying we could have stopped Kevin Durant from going off. I'm just saying we missed our point guard out on the floor today."

Game Note: Celtics F Paul Pierce recorded the 20000th point of his career in Sunday's blowout loss to the Thunder.

GOING GREEN: 4-3

Upcoming Games
DATE	OPPONENT
Nov 8	at Dallas Mavericks
Nov 11	at Miami Heat
Nov 13	at Memphis Grizzlies

[jdx66]

Re: Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

Breaking News from The Bostonian Online:

Nate Robinson to Raptors

Nate Robinson soars no more for C's

Boston--Hours after an embarrassing loss to the Thunder, new Celtics GM Patrick Johnson made his first move of the season.

Celtics PG Nate Robinson and reserve SG Von Wafer have been dealt to the Toronto Raptors for their 2011 1st round pick and Julian Wright. David Andersen was also shipped to Boston to manipulate the salary cap. Most analysts believe Andersen will be cut later this morning.

Wright is a 6'8" SF who was drafted 13th overall in the 2007 draft by the New Orleans Hornets. Wright is a young, athletic forward with a heap of potential but little skill on the offensive end. Defensively, he could help the Celtics right away.

Initial reaction to the transaction was somewhat mixed. In the long run, picking up the Raptors' first round pick will prove to be a savvy move on the part of the Celtics' young GM, but the feeling around the Boston front office is that of confusion.

The deal doesn't help the Celtics with winning a championship right now - which is ultimately believed to be the franchise's goal.

"I'm focused on making this team a champion. I think Julian can help defensively, and we've been missing a forward capable of relieving some of Paul Pierce's minutes," Johnson said in a phone interview with Mike and Mike this morning.

Doc Rivers did not return phone calls seeking comment.

The Celtics travel to Dallas on Monday night in the second game of a back-to-back. Wright will be unable to suit up for Boston until their game Thursday in Miami.

GOING GREEN: 4-3

Boston Celtics Depth Chart
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
PG	Rajon Rondo	Avery Bradley
SG	Ray Allen	Delonte West	Marquis Daniels
SF	Paul Pierce	Julian Wright
PF	Kevin Garnett	Glen Davis	Jermaine O'Neal	Luke Harangody
C	Kendrick Perkins	Shaquille O'Neal	Semih Erden

Boston Celtics Depth Char

[Pezell04x]

Re: Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

Oh man, Durant had his way with you guys huh? Tough L. Good trade for Wright, should provide a spark off of the bench. Good luck in Dallas!

[jdx66]

Oh man, Durant had his way with you guys huh? Tough L. Good trade for Wright, should provide a spark off of the bench. Good luck in Dallas!

Thanks. I simmed the game against Dallas but still pulled the win. I wanted to get straight to my rematch with the Heat, lol.

Durant is a beast in this game. There was literally nothing I could do. He just shoots overtop Pierce and Allen. I tried KG guarding him but he just blew by him for dunks. I denied him the ball with Pierce and got beat with backdoor cuts and then tried to deny him with Rondo. That was somewhat effective but Westbrook then took over.

Lesson learned: The Thunder are ridiculously good.

Buckeyes | Cavaliers | Reds | Bengals
Sent from the DROID2.

[Pezell04x]

Re: Going Green: The Celtics (2k11)

Thanks. I simmed the game against Dallas but still pulled the win. I wanted to get straight to my rematch with the Heat, lol.

Durant is a beast in this game. There was literally nothing I could do. He just shoots overtop Pierce and Allen. I tried KG guarding him but he just blew by him for dunks. I denied him the ball with Pierce and got beat with backdoor cuts and then tried to deny him with Rondo. That was somewhat effective but Westbrook then took over.

Lesson learned: The Thunder are ridiculously good.

Buckeyes | Cavaliers | Reds | Bengals
Sent from the DROID2.

Yeah I'm nervous to play them! I have Granger as my SF and I think Durant will abuse him and/or KG.