Pierce: Celtics ready for another title run
Paul Pierce didn’t need to win the NBA championship and the Final’s Most Valuable Player award over Kobe Bryant to know he’s one of the best.
Celtics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
The Celtics have gone from a team desperately in search of success to one that must now combat complacency. The season after winning the NBA title, the biggest issue for the players—especially the Big Three—is how badly they want to do it again.
As they begin training camp, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen insist they aren’t satisfied.
“Once you get a taste of it, you don’t want to let it go,” Pierce said. “We saw the reaction from the fans and our peers around the league all summer. It’s a feeling that you don’t want to go away.
“We talked about enjoying having short summers. That’s what it’s all about. The shorter the summer, the longer your season is.
Bulls: Noah to miss 5 days with eye injury
Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah will likely miss five days after being poked in the left eye during practice. The team said Friday that the injury left Noah with blood in the front chamber of his eye after being hurt Wednesday. He’ll be monitored daily by the Bulls‘ medical staff. Noah averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 74 games as a rookie last season. The Bulls take on Dallas at the United Center on Thursday in their preseason opener.
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One burning question for every NBA team
Can Joakim Noah (or anyone else) become a post threat in Chicago? It’s just one of Charley Rosen’s questions as camps begin.NBA/~4/409408086″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>
Refs report finds no other crimes beyond Donaghy
A review of the NBA’s officiating program has made recommendations for significant changes, but found no evidence of illegal activity by any referees other than Tim Donaghy. The report, conducted by former federal prosecutor Lawrence Pedowitz, was issued Thursday. It called for the creation of a “culture of compliance” and the closer monitoring of games for suspicious activity.NBA/~4/409263134″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>
Can Jazz fend off Blazers in Northwest?
With all their key players back, the Jazz should win the Northwest again. But the division is full of young talent, Sean Stancill says.NBA/~4/409649226″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>
Refs report finds only Donaghy committed crimes (AP)
Tim Donaghy is in prison, and David Stern doesn’t want anyone else in the NBA to get in trouble because of gambling. So Stern responded to a report on NBA referees Thursday by vowing to build the “most effective possible system” to monitor illegal activity and preserve the game’s integrity. “The best we can do is do the best we can, and that’s all we can do.
Livingston coming back from injury, signs with Heat
The Miami Heat are giving Shaun Livingston a second chance at an NBA career. The free agent point guard signed a two-year contract with the Heat on Friday, the first significant step in what he hopes is a comeback from a serious injury to his left knee 19 months ago. Livingston was at practice with the Heat Friday afternoon, and will travel with the team to Europe for preseason games next week, although it isn’t clear when he’ll be ready for game action.NBA/~4/410540763″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>
O’Bryant will start for Celtics until Perkins returns (Yahoo! Sports)
When the Boston Celtics open their preseason schedule against Philadelphia in Amherst, Mass., next Wednesday,…
NBA 2K9 demo on the loose
The Demo will give you a four-minute quarter as either the Lakers or the Celtics at TD Banknorth Arena in a showdown of last years NBA Finals.
