Scal sprains ankle, Sweetney sick, Rondo talks extension

Posted by Brian Robb on Oct 21, 2009 36921 commenthttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2009%2F10%2F21%2Fscal-sprains-ankle-sweetney-sick-rondo-talks-extension%2FScal+sprains+ankle%2C+Sweetney+sick%2C+Rondo+talks+extension2009-10-21+11%3A00%3A42Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D3692

A good deal of news and notes this morning around the web, regarding the C’s. And who says the preseason isn’t exciting?

First off, a bit of bad news on the injury front as Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald is reporting Scal went down with a sprained ankle last night at MSG. More from Bulpett on the incident:

Scalabrine stepped on a different cameraman after going for a rebound. He was upset, believing he was beyond the established line for camera positions. Scalabrine also was bothered by a sore neck after changing his plans when the CSN people offered him the ride to the team’s practice facility in Waltham. He will get X-rays on the ankle this morning.

Scal’s injury leaves the team with just 12 active players in Ohio for tonight’s game with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Joining Scalabrine on the shelf are Tony Allen (ankle), Bill Walker (knee), and Michael Sweetney. The former Georgetown star was sent home to Boston according to Chris Sheridan due to flu-like symptoms. Some additional notes from Sheridan in that piece:

Sweetney was playing well enough to make the Celtics think long and hard about whether they wanted to find a way to keep him around, which would mean trading or releasing one of the 15 players not named Sweetney who are playing on guaranteed contracts. (J.R. Giddens, Bill Walker and the injured Tony Allen are currently the favorites to lead the Celtics in nights spent on the inactive list).

But now, the Celtics will have to judge him on his five-game body of work, because Sweetney’s preseason is over.

Tough luck for a guy who could land a roster spot somewhere, by the time this season is over. The Celtics just have too much depth up front right now to consider bringing him on and cutting one of their swingmen.

The Celtics overall could be left semi shorthanded against the Cavs tonight, given Doc Rivers had planned to sit out The Big Three for the contest. Without them, the Celtics would be left with just nine players in uniform, bringing back memories of March this past year when injuries decimated the C’s roster. Luckily for the Celts, this is only the preseason, but expect 30 plus minute nights for Lester Hudson, J.R. Giddens and company if Doc sticks to the plan of resting his stars.

Finally, Chris Broussard of ESPN had some interesting quotes from Rajon Rondo over at Truehoop regarding any looming extension talks before the October 31st deadline, after which Rondo will become an restricted free agent in the offseason:

“I have no idea whether we’ll get something done [by the deadline],” Rondo said from the visiting locker room at Madison Square Garden. “It’s not something I’m worried about. It’s just not a big deal right now. Of course, I’d like to get it done, but if it doesn’t happen, I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.’’

It is not known how much Rondo is asking for, but a source said it’s not the maximum.

“My agent’s got a certain number in mind and if they don’t reach that, we’ll just wait,’’ he said. “I feel like if we win another title, obviously that helps my chances [of getting more money].’’

Not surprising news there, as Danny Ainge is likely to let this season and the market dictate Rondo’s worth next year, given Rondo will be just one of several big decisions Ainge will have to make next offseason.