Here’s a quick round-up of some Celtics-related news:
• Marc Stein is reporting that Joe Smith is likely to sign with Cleveland and Drew Gooden is likely headed to the Spurs. Neither move is unexpected. It will be interesting to see how Pop integrates Gooden into the Spurs offense, which is centered on ball movement and focusing on the most efficient shots (in the paint, corner threes, etc.). Our TH Network brother 48 Minutes of Hell notes that Gooden knows the Spurs defensive system, since he’s played for Cleveland coach Mike Brown–a Pop disciple.
So it’s official: The C’s are going to war with what they have. Oh, and Phoenix is signing Stro Swift for some reason.
• You’ve heard by now, but Scal’s out for a month. I’ll say it again: With Scal saying he’s having trouble focusing and reading, I’m not banking on him coming back again this season. If he returns and plays well, it will be a pleasant surprise.
• Celtics Blog has a poll up asking which of five teams (Atlanta, Miami, Philly, Detroit, Chicago and “other”) fans fear most as a potential first-round opponent. Atlanta and Detroit have a combined 76 percent of the vote right now, with Atlanta leading 42-34. My vote (Philly) is in last.
Really? Atlanta is the clear winner here? I don’t see it. Joe Johnson looks exhausted, Bibby’s hurting and his play has declined since the year turned, and people are under-estimating importance of Childress to their depth last year. Their 20-7 home record is scary, yes, but I guess I’m surprised by the Hawks nearly capturing a majority of this vote.
• Finally, here’s Carmelo Anthony posterizing Glen Davis during the C’s blowout win over Denver last week. I post this to praise Baby, not humiliate him. As I said in my recap of this game, Baby’s challenge here symbolizes what is good about this team. He didn’t duck, turn away or stay flat-footed. He went up to try and block the shot or foul Melo hard enough to prevent the dunk. We should praise the guts, not mock the result. If every young big came into the league with a lunatic defensive cyborg like KG screaming at them, more players would try and make a play like Baby did here.
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