Celtics May 2003 Archive

• Wallace gets OK for Portland talk

  Boston Globe | May 21, 2003

  Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said yesterday he has granted permission for general manager Chris Wallace to talk with the Portland Trail Blazers.

• Auerbach blows some smoke at Jackson

  Los Angeles Times | May 19, 2003

  Phil Jackson will have to wait at least another year if he hopes to coach a record 10th NBA champion, breaking his tie with Red Auerbach, who won nine as coach of the Boston Celtics.

• Ainge takes first steps

  Boston Herald | May 18, 2003

  In some circles it's going to look like a status quo decision, or action by inaction.

• Minicamp is Baker's first step

  Boston Herald | May 17, 2003

  The Celtics will not wait until training camp to learn whether Vin Baker will be able to contribute to the team next season.

• Auerbach has had his fill of Jackson

  Orange County Register | May 17, 2003

  Phil Jackson's trash, in the form of his most difficult Lakers season, is another man's treasure.

• Battie: Road to recovery

  Boston Globe | May 17, 2003

  Tony Battie underwent surgery Thursday at New England Baptist Hospital to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee.

• Battie has knee surgery

  Boston Herald | May 17, 2003

  The Celtics announced that Tony Battie underwent surgery Thursday on his right knee for a torn lateral meniscus.

• No room for Wallace?

  Boston Herald | May 17, 2003

  The Celtics have said they wish to keep general manager Chris Wallace, but it has become clear management would be happier if he found suitable employment elsewhere.

• Cocaptain appreciates reassurance

  Boston Globe | May 15, 2003

  Antonie Walker planned to play his first round of offseason golf this morning, joined by the Celtics' travel and equipment manager, John Connor, and ''the boys.

• Portland still considering Wallace for gig

  Boston Herald | May 15, 2003

  Celtics general manager Chreis Wallace is still on a list of people Portland is looking at to fill its top basketball operations job, but that list appears to be growing.

• Ainge hopes to extend O'Brien's contract, vows not to trade Walker

  Boston Herald | May 15, 2003

  Danny Ainge said he wasn't going to rush to judgment.

• A status report on what Ainge has to deal with

  Boston Globe | May 14, 2003

  They held the Last Luncheon yesterday.

• Celtics Lacking Speed, Depth, Balance

  Hartford Courant | May 14, 2003

  The Celtics could not avoid a sweep, but they did manage to finish the Eastern Conference semifinal series with the New Jersey Nets with their pride intact.

• Nets focused on return to Finals

  New York Daily News | May 14, 2003

  For the second straight year, the Nets were holding a private party inside the FleetCenter visitor's locker room, celebrating the elimination of bitter rival Boston.

• Effort can't mask flaws

  Boston Herald | May 14, 2003

  In scanning the grades below, one might take note of the fact there are some fairly high marks for a team that was clearly flawed in several ways.

• Walker: Big change in err: Wants C's core to return

  Boston Herald | May 14, 2003

  Antoine Walker took a look down the road following Monday night's season-ending loss to the New Jersey Nets, and didn't necessarily like the chemistry-changing possibilities that he saw.

• Rookie Bremer set to go back to work

  Boston Herald | May 14, 2003

  JR Bremer plans to embark on a cross-country basketball odyssey this summer.

• Confident Nets Savor Their Sweep of the Celtics

  New York Times | May 14, 2003

  The Nets were dancing again in the visitors' locker room of the Fleet Center, dancing in the now hallowed site where they have celebrated the franchise's most significant postseason accomplishments in the N.

• Wallace may hit the road

  Boston Herald | May 13, 2003

  General manager Chris Wallace continues to say he is prepared to work for Danny Ainge in the new Celtics order, but yesterday Wallace was clearly looking to investigate other opportunities in the league.

• New boss faces tough decisions

  Boston Herald | May 13, 2003

  Despite a tough final stand, the Celtics were swept out of the playoffs last night, and Danny Ainge is one of those old Celtics who actually remembers the feeling.

• Antoine takes time to reflect, and look ahead

  Boston Herald | May 13, 2003

  The walk was long.

• Players want O'Brien to stay

  Boston Herald | May 13, 2003

  Celtics forward Eric Williams hopes next season is a reunion of the team that exited the FleetCenter after last night's 110-101 double-overtime loss to the New Jersey Nets.

• Nets Take Long Way to Sweep

  New York Times | May 13, 2003

  Jason Kidd dropped his calling card, a 3-pointer, on the parquet at the buzzer and ushered the Nets into elite company.

• Pierce's injured leg is less of a sore spot

  Boston Globe | May 12, 2003

  Paul Pierce felt good enough after practice yesterday to joke about his injured right leg.

• Loss exposes C's unfaithful

  Boston Herald | May 12, 2003

  In the second half of Friday's game at the FleetCenter, long-time season ticket-holder Mike Rotondi rose from his courtside seat.

• Celts keep Ainge deal out of mind

  Boston Herald | May 12, 2003

  The knowledge that their front office has just undergone a major shift with the hiring of Danny Ainge isn't occupying the Celtics' minds on the eve of what could be their last game of their season.

• Walker must finish or C's are done

  Boston Herald | May 12, 2003

  Antoine Walker insists the Celtics' system functioned properly for him in Boston's three straight losses to the New Jersey Nets.

• Pierce stays positive

  Boston Herald | May 12, 2003

  Paul Pierce didn't rule out an improbable reversal of fortune for the Celtics after yesterday's practice at The Sports Authority Center in Waltham.

• With Ainge back, Kidd would consider Celts

  New York Post | May 12, 2003

  With Ainge back, Kidd would consider Celts

• Joumana: I do it all for my T.J.

  New York Post | May 12, 2003

  Joumana Kidd finally defended herself against suspended Boston columnist Bob Ryan's barbs and the perception she is a bad mother because she schleps her 4-year-old son, T.

• Beantown dry spell no good for league

  New York Post | May 12, 2003

  The banners tell the stories better than any of the players can.

• Nets Eager to Pounce on Reeling Celtics

  New York Times | May 12, 2003

  As Kenyon Martin dogged Antoine Walker throughout Game 3 on Friday, he saw frustration flash like a blinking billboard across Walker's face.

• Logical move is with Walker

  Boston Globe | May 11, 2003

  It's Mother's Day.

• Desperate Celtics have nothing left to lose

  Boston Globe | May 11, 2003

  There are few playoff fates worse than a four-game sweep, though the Kings could offer the Celtics a sobering perspective on loss.

• Wallace stays course

  Boston Globe | May 11, 2003

  General manager Chris Wallace could write an advertising campaign for Barcelona, where he continued his nine-day European scouting trip at the EuroLeague Final Four.

• Ainge's green years

  Boston Globe | May 11, 2003

  Even before Friday's official announcement, before he tried (unsuccessfully) to separate Red Auerbach's cigar from its matches, Danny Ainge was wearing a Celtic warmup jacket all around town.

• He's plenty observant

  Boston Globe | May 11, 2003

  When the television cameras of his former network, TNT, panned to newly named Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge sitting courtside at the FleetCenter Friday night, he had the presence of mind to smile and wave.

• Nets' Martin gaining respect in postseason

  San Francisco Chronicle | May 11, 2003

  New Jersey Nets forward Kenyon Martin complained in late January about being left off the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

• Celtics' Pierce Is Limping, and His Team Feels the Pain

  New York Times | May 11, 2003

  Paul Pierce made his way to the podium, dragging his stiff right leg, and finally reached his seat, slumping into the chair.

• 3-0 Lead Over Celtics Is Proof of Nets' Growth

  New York Times | May 11, 2003

  Never in their brief playoff history have the Nets been the ones wielding the broom.

• NBA probing Walker's incident with fan

  Sports Ticker | May 10, 2003

  The NBA is investigating an incident in which Boston Celtics forward Antoine Walker pushed a fan.

• Heckler paid a visit by Walker and friends

  Boston Globe | May 10, 2003

  And here we were worrying about how the Boston fans were going to treat the New Jersey Nets.

• Ethics at issue in Ainge hiring

  New York Daily News | May 10, 2003

  Before Games 1 and 2 of this series, Byron Scott sat down with Danny Ainge and filled the then-TNT analyst in on some of his strategy for beating the Celtics.

• Cruise, control

  Boston Globe | May 10, 2003

  New executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said he would not meet with players until after the Celtics finished their postseason run.

• Ainge front and center: Takes control of franchise

  Boston Herald | May 10, 2003

  Danny Ainge dived into his new job yesterday, saying the Celtics have ``a tough road ahead'' moments after being announced as their new executive director of basketball operations.

• Fans fire back

  New York Post | May 10, 2003

  Responding to Byron Scott's rips, Celtics fans lived up to their "outrageous" hype last night, even as their basketball team again floundered.

• Chaney courting Jones

  New York Post | May 10, 2003

  Don Chaney is leaving no stone unturned as he compiles his Knicks' assistant-coaching candidate list.

• Jefferson Remains Calm and Has 20-Point Night

  New York Times | May 10, 2003

  The noise was still deafening, a hostile screech from every corner of the Fleet Center, when Richard Jefferson floated toward the basket for his first shot of the night.

• Nets-Celtics Rivalry Looks a Bit One-Sided

  New York Times | May 10, 2003

  Jason Kidd's desire burned far more than his ears did tonight as raucous Celtics fans hurled insults and booed him all game.

• Celtics hire Ainge as head of basketball operations

  Associated Press | May 9, 2003

  Red Auerbach was so happy to have Danny Ainge back, he didn't need a victory to light up his cigar.

• Ainge deal may be close

  Boston Globe | May 9, 2003

  Former Celtics guard Danny Ainge continues to consider an offer to become head of basketball operations for his former team and a deal could be completed and announced as early as today, sources close to the negotiations said.

• Owner lays down law: Grousbeck expects raucous, respectful crowd

  Boston Herald | May 9, 2003

  Celtics ownership is hoping the FleetCenter crowd can give the Nets a hard time when the Eastern Conference semifinals move here tonight.

• Ainge deal may be close

  Boston Globe | May 9, 2003

  Former Celtics guard Danny Ainge continues to consider an offer to become head of basketball operations for his former team and a deal could be completed and announced as early as today, sources close to the negotiations said.

• Celtics close to reeling in Ainge: Announcement could come today

  Boston Herald | May 9, 2003

  Danny Ainge will be the Celtics new head of basketball operations, pending resolution of a few remaining issues.

• Timing of Scott's Remarks Questioned

  New York Times | May 9, 2003

  When the conversation at the Fours, a longtime sports bar across the street from the Fleet Center, turned from the Red Sox and the Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan to Nets Coach Byron Scott, it brought as much curiosity as rage.

• Nets Return to Hostile Site a More Confident Team

  New York Times | May 9, 2003

  The Nets have been there before, tossed into the Fleet Center's boiling pot of taunts and amplified aggression.

• Kidd unfazed by distractions

  Boston Globe | May 8, 2003

  The Nets requested that questions directed to Jason Kidd in a postgame press conference pertain only to New Jersey's 104-95 win last night in Game 2.

• Ainge could return

  Boston Herald | May 8, 2003

  The Celtics are trying to woo Danny Ainge to head their basketball operation, but Ainge said last night the job has yet to be formally offered to him.

• Subpar Walker takes blame

  Boston Herald | May 8, 2003

  Antoine Walker wouldn't make a good Red Sox.

• Byron rips Boston fans

  NY Post | May 8, 2003

  Byron Scott ripped Celtics fans yesterday during a radio interview, calling them "crazy," saying they come to games "juiced up" from "drinking," and agreeing they've been slow to embrace the black athlete.

• Walker's Woeful Shooting Continues

  New York Times | May 8, 2003

  The defenders had cleared out to other spots.

• Jefferson Has 25 as the Series Shifts to Boston

  New York Times | May 8, 2003

  Without looking ahead or behind or even glancing at the off-court issues gusting around them, the Nets channeled their energy tonight into a tunnel that left no room for the Boston Celtics.

• Pierce is caught off guard

  Boston Globe | May 7, 2003

  The league announced its All-NBA teams yesterday, and despite averaging 25.

• Pierce scores All-NBA third team

  Boston Herald | May 7, 2003

  On a gray day in Jersey for the Celtics - on both weather and basketball fronts - Paul Pierce got some good news when he was named third-team All-NBA for the second straight season.

• Catching a break key to defense

  Boston Herald | May 7, 2003

  The Celtics may be looking to get more physical tonight, as Eric Williams strongly suggested after their Game 1 loss to the Nets.

• Walker calm, collected: Not discouraged with cool Game 1 shooting

  Boston Herald | May 7, 2003

  Others can worry about losing sleep.

• Pierce shares billing, may keep ball

  Boston Herald | May 7, 2003

  Talk has resurfaced of the Celtics as a one-man team.

• JR, C's seek slowdown

  Boston Herald | May 7, 2003

  Rookie point guard JR Bremer learned to equate transition with speed after one playoff game against the Nets.

• Walker Takes Taunts and Comes Back for More

  New York Times | May 7, 2003

  The catcalls began before the opening tip.

• Globe suspends columnist for comment on Kidd's wife

  Boston Globe | May 7, 2003

  Sports columnist Bob Ryan of The Boston Globe was suspended yesterday for one month without pay for what the paper said were inappropriate remarks directed at the wife of New Jersey Nets star Jason Kidd.

• Walker won't pass praise: Believes Nets can be cut down

  Boston Herald | May 6, 2003

  The frustration was almost too real for Antoine Walker to bear last night.

• Pierce feels clamp: Nets shut down All-Star in fourth

  Boston Herald | May 6, 2003

  Paul Pierce was so successful for three quarters that he forced the New Jersey Nets to change their defensive philosophy in the fourth.

• Nets' No-Name Defense Throttles the Celtics

  New York Times | May 6, 2003

  The Nets did not know what to call their suffocating fourth-quarter defense.

• O'Neal, Pierce have something to prove in NBA playoffs

  Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | May 5, 2003

  The NBA conference semifinals begin tonight, and Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal and Boston Celtics scoring machine Paul Pierce have some things to prove.

• No bargain: Nets' Martin is a handful

  Boston Globe | May 5, 2003

  Attention, K-Mart stoppers! The Celtics' worry list for the Nets series may start with Jason Kidd.

• Spectacular Pierce Still Battling Selfish Reputation

  Newsday | May 5, 2003

  Paul Pierce can't win.

• There is no `I' in Walker

  Boston Herald | May 5, 2003

  If you're looking to measure Antoine Walker's performance against the New Jersey Nets in the Celtics' second-round playoff series, you can put away your calculator.

• Celtics' Pierce Manages to Keep Getting Better

  Washington Postz | May 5, 2003

  The basket was set up over the garage behind his house in Inglewood, Calif.

• Nets Find a Familiar Opponent Awaiting Them

  New York Times | May 5, 2003

  Jason Kidd's reflection flashed onto the Eastern Conference championship trophy when he kissed it in Boston last May.

• Dikembe in middle of things

  NY Daily News | May 4, 2003

  Dikembe Mutombo might have another streak snapped in this playoff series - his three-game string of DNP's.

• Celtics get lean with green

  NY Daily News | May 4, 2003

  While the Nets were formulating their plan last July to reload for another Finals run, Jim O'Brien was flying across the country desperately trying just to keep his Celtics roster intact.

• Nets: Celtics don't fear them

  Newark Star Ledger | May 4, 2003

  Forward Kenyon Martin averaged 22.

• Nets and Celtics Reprise Simmering Playoff Rivalry

  New York Times | May 3, 2003

  orn out of the verbal slings, bitter stings and side-by-side snapshots of triumph and despair from last year's heated Eastern Conference finals, the Nets-Celtics rivalry may be ready to rise to another level starting Monday at Continental Arena.

• Fan may lose his tickets over Artest incident

  Indianapolis Staff | May 3, 2003

  Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest received an indirect apology from the Boston Celtics on Friday and laid to rest any perceived conflict with player personnel director Mel Daniels.

• Artest pelted by debris thrown by fans

  Indianapolis Star | May 2, 2003

  Indiana forward Ron Artest was pelted by debris from fans at the FleetCenter as he headed to the locker room after the Pacers were eliminated Thursday.

• Blocks led to a party

  Boston Globe | May 2, 2003

  It started with an offensive flourish -- a pair of 3-pointers from Walter McCarty -- and the Celtics quickly put together a run that suggested this would be a different type of game than Tuesday night's Game 5 in Indianapolis.

• Pierce is already wrapped up in Nets

  Boston Herald | May 2, 2003

  Paul Pierce stopped short of calling last night's 110-90 series-clinching victory over Indiana a minor inconvenience, noting the team let Game 5 slip away Tuesday night in overtime instead of closing out the Pacers in five games.

• Delk, Bremer team up: Point guard by committee works for C's

  Boston Herald | May 2, 2003

  Closer by committee has been a bust on Yawkey Way.

• Celtics Finish Off Pacers With Rout

  Washington Post | May 2, 2003

  The Boston Celtics set a record for playoff futility two days earlier, but this time it was the Indiana Pacers who couldn't make a basket.

• Celtics Put On a Show to Defeat the Pacers

  New York Times | May 2, 2003

  The move was so breathtaking that even the Indiana Pacers had to acknowledge its excellence.

• Loss drives O'Neal

  Indianapolis Star | May 1, 2003

  The memory of a singular momentous failure in last season's playoff series with New Jersey has stuck with Jermaine O'Neal.

• Celtics try to make up for missed opportunity

  Indianapolis Star | May 1, 2003

  There was a feeling among the Boston Celtics late Tuesday night as they left town that they'd squandered a wonderful opportunity.

• O'Brien expects C's to respond

  Boston Herald | May 1, 2003

  The Celtics might have lost a golden opportunity to end Indiana's season Tuesday night, but coach Jim O'Brien doesn't see an ominous sign in the series being extended to Game 6 tonight at the FleetCenter.

• Zeroing in on dubious legacy

  Boston Globe writer Dan Shaughnessy | May 1, 2003

  If you are the Celtics, you have to hope you win tonight, or even Saturday.

• Celtics now focused on deep-sixing Pacers

  Boston Globe | May 1, 2003

  Disappointed? Yes.