Celtics fined for excessive contact with Durant family

[CarMike]

BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics confirmed Sunday that the team had been fined $30,000 by the NBA for excessive contact with the family of University of Texas star freshman and likely lottery draft pick Kevin Durant.

General Manager Danny Ainge sat next to Durant's mother during the Big 12 tournament. The league said Ainge violated rules demanding that contact be kept to a minimum between team executives and potential NBA draft picks, until college players officially declare for the draft.

SI.com also reported that the Bobcats and Warriors were fined $15,000 each for comments team officials made about Durant and Greg Oden.

Charlotte was fined $15,000 for comments that minority owner Michael Jordan made about Durant that appeared on the Charlotte Observer's Web site on March 14 and Golden State was fined $15,000 for comments that coach Don Nelson made about Durant and Oden that appeared on SI.com on March 9.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2803589

[CNYSkinFan]

Fire Danny Ainge now.

I rather have Odom anyways as a Celtic fan.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

What is the use of having that kind of contact with the Durant family anyways? I mean, if the Celts get the first overall and they want Durant, they'll get him regardless of whatever they do right now. If they get the #2, they'll have either him or Odom regardless, and if they get the #3 or below they can all go to Lourdes and start praying, 'cause whatever they are doing now is not working.
In any case, whatever "contact" they are having no makes no difference at all.

[Dolla Bill]

What is the use of having that kind of contact with the Durant family anyways? I mean, if the Celts get the first overall and they want Durant, they'll get him regardless of whatever they do right now. If they get the #2, they'll have either him or Odom regardless, and if they get the #3 or below they can all go to Lourdes and start praying, 'cause whatever they are doing now is not working.
In any case, whatever "contact" they are having no makes no difference at all.


Problem is that the lottery hasn't even happened yet. So they could be picking #10 or worse. I don't get it why they fined people about speaking about Durant and Oden. What did they say?

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Problem is that the lottery hasn't even happened yet. So they could be picking #10 or worse. I don't get it why they fined people about speaking about Durant and Oden. What did they say?
Yeah, that's what I meant..if they pick anything worse than 2nd they won't get him anyways.

[smoak]

Fire Danny Ainge now.

I rather have Odom anyways as a Celtic fan.

Lamar?

[Dolla Bill]

Fire Danny Ainge now.

I rather have Odom anyways as a Celtic fan.


Why though? I think Durant is going to be the better player. That kid just oozes confidence and skill. Oden I believe is going to be a rather expensive bust. Maybe bust is too strong of a word, but he's not going to be as dominating as everyone projects him to be.

[CarMike]

Lamar?

:D

Greg

[CNYSkinFan]

Lamar?
dont you mean LaMar

[SpicyMcHaggis]

dont you mean LaMar
Knowing Danny Ainge, if Oden is there when he is up to pick, he could very well write down LeMar Odom as his pick.

[smoak]

Knowing Danny Ainge, if Oden is there when he is up to pick, he could very well write down LeMar Odom as his pick.

LOL!!! Back in the early 90's, my friends and I had a fantasy baseball draft and my buddy proudly and confidently announced Mike Maddux as his first overall pick. We were two picks further into before we decided to go tell him (he left the room). For the record, I voted that he should be forced to keep Mike Maddux out of principle.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

LOL!!! Back in the early 90's, my friends and I had a fantasy baseball draft and my buddy proudly and confidently announced Mike Maddux as his first overall pick. We were two picks further into before we decided to go tell him (he left the room). For the record, I voted that he should be forced to keep Mike Maddux out of principle.
LMAO!!

[Dolla Bill]

LOL!!! Back in the early 90's, my friends and I had a fantasy baseball draft and my buddy proudly and confidently announced Mike Maddux as his first overall pick. We were two picks further into before we decided to go tell him (he left the room). For the record, I voted that he should be forced to keep Mike Maddux out of principle.


That's awesome. If I had the 2nd pick, I would of picked up Greg Maddux and let him think about it for a second or two.

[smoak]

That's awesome. If I had the 2nd pick, I would of picked up Greg Maddux and let him think about it for a second or two.

What made it so great (and doesn't translate to a MB) is the pure excitement and enthusiasm with which he made the pick. It was priceless b/c you could see and feel the confidence when he picked MM and left. I just wish the group had the cajones to move on and not let him off the hook.

[Keino]

Wasn't Ainge's son playing in the same region?

[CNYSkinFan]

still...he just HAPPENED to sit next to Durant's mom? Ainge is an idiot and should be flogged merclessly for this.

[Dolla Bill]

still...he just HAPPENED to sit next to Durant's mom? Ainge is an idiot and should be flogged merclessly for this.


Right after they get done with Doc? Right?

[CNYSkinFan]

Right after they get done with Doc? Right?
Actually I think Doc is a decent coach, he just has NO talent and an aging star in Pierce. Ainge completely dismantled a team that was 2 games away from the finals, ran off two coaches, and brought in worthless players like Raef lafrentz and Ricky Davis while dealing Walker not once, but twice.

Seriously Worst GM in sports is possible here. I rather have vinny.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Actually I think Doc is a decent coach, he just has NO talent and an aging star in Pierce. Ainge completely dismantled a team that was 2 games away from the finals, ran off two coaches, and brought in worthless players like Raef lafrentz and Ricky Davis while dealing Walker not once, but twice.

Seriously Worst GM in sports is possible here. I rather have vinny.
I agree with everything except that PP is aging..he hasn't even turned 30 yet...

[CNYSkinFan]

I agree with everything except that PP is aging..he hasn't even turned 30 yet...
Maybe but he is past his prime and has been injured and on the downside the last few years. He only has a couple of good years left and the Celtics are not close to being a decent enough team to take advantage of his talents.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Maybe but he is past his prime and has been injured and on the downside the last few years. He only has a couple of good years left and the Celtics are not close to being a decent enough team to take advantage of his talents.
But Ainge has a "plan". Keep the faith!
(And by "plan" I mean praying that he gets one of the first two picks in next year's draft.)

[Keino]

still...he just HAPPENED to sit next to Durant's mom? Ainge is an idiot and should be flogged merclessly for this.

Okay, but what exactly can he do but tell his Mom that the Celtics (like every other team in the NBA) would love to have her son playing for them? I can see it now....

Ainge - "psst, Ms. Durant, if you tell Kevin to leave college early, I will guarantee that er. he uh gets ummm drafted"

Momma Durant - "No Shhhhhhhhh. When you have some information I don't know get at me."

This seems really silly to me.

[CNYSkinFan]

Okay, but what exactly can he do but tell his Mom that the Celtics (like every other team in the NBA) would love to have her son playing for them? I can see it now....

Ainge - "psst, Ms. Durant, if you tell Kevin to leave college early, I will guarantee that er. he uh gets ummm drafted"

Momma Durant - "No Shhhhhhhhh. When you have some information I don't know get at me."

This seems really silly to me.
He was probably trying to get permission to brain-type Durant after the game.

[lakeskin]

2 other teams were fined for making comments about Durant as well.

The NBA gestapo still hard at work.

[shally]

Fire Danny Ainge now.

I rather have Odom anyways as a Celtic fan.

doesnt matter... the celtics remain cursed.. if there are 2 worthwhile lottery picks, the celtics will draw position #3..

plus, they are winning just enough now to push them down

[shally]

Maybe but he is past his prime and has been injured and on the downside the last few years. He only has a couple of good years left and the Celtics are not close to being a decent enough team to take advantage of his talents.

maybe.. on another team with someone to share the load he would likely flourish.. at the present pace, i think you are right

[Patrick]

Okay, but what exactly can he do but tell his Mom that the Celtics (like every other team in the NBA) would love to have her son playing for them? I can see it now....

Ainge - "psst, Ms. Durant, if you tell Kevin to leave college early, I will guarantee that er. he uh gets ummm drafted"

Momma Durant - "No Shhhhhhhhh. When you have some information I don't know get at me."

This seems really silly to me.

LMAO ............. pretty much sums it up! AND goes beyond silly - more like Ridiculous .

[Farmer Ted]

It's funny that the nba can spot Danny Ainge sitting next to Kevin Durant's mom at the Big 12 tournament, but they never saw Michael Jordan travel, or caught Shaq charging.

[skinfanjon]

Problem is that the lottery hasn't even happened yet. So they could be picking #10 or worse. I don't get it why they fined people about speaking about Durant and Oden. What did they say?

Not to nitpick, but if the Celts finish in their current position as second worst in the league (which is extremely likely given the current standings), they will pick no worse than fifth. Only the top three positions are truly lotery positions...after that the draft follows the order of finish, just like the NFL.

[skinfanjon]

Fire Danny Ainge now.

I rather have Odom anyways as a Celtic fan.

Very tough call....I think Odom fits better with the current Celts roster, but I think Durant is the MUCH better NBA talent. I'd take him to pair with Jefferson, trade Peirce for a true PG (I like both West and Rondo, but not to start), and blow the rest of the squad up. Literally. I would line them up outside and throw plastic explosives at thier feet, lol. OKay, maybe Gerald Green can stay for a bit.

I get the whole philosphy of the dominant big man and you have plenty of experts in your corner, but I just think Durant is too good to pass up. He could easily turn out to be the best player of his era. Odom seems to me to be Ben Wallace with a slightly better offensive game, which is still pretty darn good.

The guy who nobody seems to be talking about, at least in terms of draft stock, is Acie Law IV. He seems completely overshadowed but I think he will be a star as well. I love his game.

[shally]

Very tough call....I think Odom fits better with the current Celts roster, but I think Durant is the MUCH better NBA talent. I'd take him to pair with Jefferson, trade Peirce for a true PG (I like both West and Rondo, but not to start), and blow the rest of the squad up. Literally. I would line them up outside and throw plastic explosives at thier feet, lol. OKay, maybe Gerald Green can stay for a bit.

I get the whole philosphy of the dominant big man and you have plenty of experts in your corner, but I just think Durant is too good to pass up. He could easily turn out to be the best player of his era. Odom seems to me to be Ben Wallace with a slightly better offensive game, which is still pretty darn good.

The guy who nobody seems to be talking about, at least in terms of draft stock, is Acie Law IV. He seems completely overshadowed but I think he will be a star as well. I love his game.

best case scenario is sam bowie versus michael jordan

but the celtics will probably draw #3 and end up with some turkey

i would hold onto green for another year or so because he is so young.. infact most of the team is young.

this is the year to move pierce, but if they do, they will need time (again )
to mature and be a factor.. they have a lot of complimenary players.. rondo, gomes, west,.. and who knows what allen will be like after recovering from his knee surgery

jefferson is a keeper, but the other big men look like they are not to be built around

[joethefan]

the funny thing is that Durant's mom didn't know who he was...that's Funny...LOL

[skinfanjon]

best case scenario is sam bowie versus michael jordan

but the celtics will probably draw #3 and end up with some turkey

i would hold onto green for another year or so because he is so young.. infact most of the team is young.

this is the year to move pierce, but if they do, they will need time (again )
to mature and be a factor.. they have a lot of complimenary players.. rondo, gomes, west,.. and who knows what allen will be like after recovering from his knee surgery

jefferson is a keeper, but the other big men look like they are not to be built around

I was joking about blowing up the team, but IMO Pierce needs to go. I have never been a fan of his- he is not a winner and does not resemble anyone whom a team should be built around. I would shop him for a PG or draft picks and rebuild around Durant and Jefferson.