Celtics not participating in Summer League; does anybody care?

[Roy Hobbs]

I've seen a few comments in the forums over the couple of days, indicating excitement about summer league this year.  However, for the first time in awhile, the Celtics won't be participating.

From the March 16 Globe:

The Celtics have been regular participants in the Las Vegas Summer League these past few years, but that is going to come to an end this July. With a veteran-laden roster, many of them free agents-to-be, it might be hard to get a team of Definite Celtics together for 2008-09.

"Baby [Glen Davis] would have to play point guard," Doc Rivers cracked.

But, seriously, Davis, Gabe Pruitt, and Mr. First-Round Draft Pick would be the only real Celtics on the roster, so, for that reason, the team will instead hold a minicamp in Waltham for undrafted players and assorted other mid- to lower-level free agents. (In other words, don't expect to see Antawn Jamison show up.)

"I think we're going to put as much time in this summer as we always have, but not in the form of participating in a summer league," Danny Ainge said. "We're going to try something different.

"We've had free agent minicamps before, but usually they were just for a couple days. We'd like to do this for a week, probably before the Vegas Summer League. We want it to be more Celtic-like, do some of our things and not just have it like a game of pickup basketball. There'll be more in-depth stuff with our own coaching staff."

Ainge said he still plans to attend the Vegas Summer League, but only for scouting purposes.

"I go to all the summer leagues," he said, "and try to look at the players and see which rookies we might have missed or passed on. So I'll probably be there for a few days."

In other words, the golf courses won't go unused.

And from last Friday's Globe:

The Celtics won't have a summer league team, but tentatively have rookie and free agent camps in Waltham scheduled July 3-7.

I don't have a problem with this; I think summer league is of limited utility, especially since it's unlikely that any undrafted rookie is going to make our roster.  Most of the players on our roster currently have gotten significant playing time this year, and there's relatively little for any of them to prove.

It would be nice to see Pruitt and the #30 pick playing against NBA competition, but that's a fairly minor concern (and if the Celtics run organized scrimmages during their camp, the level of competition could be close to that seen in Vegas, although our guys wouldn't be playing against the top young players.)

[wdleehi]

I understand.  There will be maybe 5 guys the Celtics would have there that could be part of the team. 

The rest of the team is just auditioning for other teams. 

[Jeff]

we should have an MLE camp where free agents compete for a chance to play on this roster - we could even make it a reality tv show

[wdleehi]

we should have an MLE camp where free agents compete for a chance to play on this roster - we could even make it a reality tv show

Call the Celtics and offer to hold the fan voting here. 

[ma11l]

I'd be upset if there was still a league playing at UMASS Boston.  I always had fun going there.  The game when we played LeBron and the Cavs was awesome.  We had great Summer League all stars such as Marcus Banks and Kedrick Brown.  Since that league isn't around anymore I'm not that upset.  We do have a veteran team without many players who would be playing. 

[Redz]

I'll say it again: Bring back Gerald...He owned the Summer League

Mr. August

[MBz]

Ya know if Gerald Green came back for the minimum contract, it might not be such a bad idea.  He is still young, still has potential I wouldn't mind giving him another chance.  Also, I was one of the Gerald haters, but he did have the ability to put the ball in the basket.

[Edgar]

we should have an MLE camp where free agents compete for a chance to play on this roster - we could even make it a reality tv show

TP u make my day

Playing with the Starzz!!! 

[CT34]

The only Summer League I hope the Celtics participate in is the NBA Finals.  Other then that I could careless. 

[Who]

I don't care. I think it's the right decision as I said in another thread. Not enough value to make it worthwhile.

I'll be watching all the Summer League anyway, it's great fun watching all the youth prepare. Gives you a chance to see who's likely to make an impact. Loved watching Stuckey last year ... and that Aldridge/Oden combo.

[bdm860]

I'm disappointed because I had plans to go with my buddy to Vegas to watch the C's in the summer league.  Watching the C's was our main excuse for a Vegas getaway, now will just have to come up with some over cover to get away from our families.  Not that we still can't go watch the summer league still, but it wouldn't be the same without being able to cheer on your team.  And it was always nice to be able to catch a summer league game on TV in the middle of summer when there was nothing else on.  I understand there is no need for a summer league team, still disappointed about it though 

[Brickowski]

IMHO this is a mistake. Now that they're paying the luxury tax, they're trying to do player development on the cheap.  You can scrimmage in-house until your sneakers fall off and it's no substitute for real competition against the young playrs from other teams.  Ainge is doing a disservice to BBD, Pruitt and his two draft picks.

Of course, he may already have arranged to trade the rights in his two picks, so maybe that's the reason for this move.

[ChampKind]

[dang].  I loved the summer league, if nothing more than to get some basketball to break up a summer without any Celtic action.  I also loved the reactionary threads to the games and the summer league heroes that some posters would be up in arms about (Why didn't we stay put at 5 and draft Marco Belinelli!).

[Edgar]

IMHO this is a mistake. Now that they're paying the luxury tax, they're trying to do player development on the cheap.  You can scrimmage in-house until your sneakers fall off and it's no substitute for real competition against the young playrs from other teams.  Ainge is doing a disservice to BBD, Pruitt and his two draft picks.

Of course, he may already have arranged to trade the rights in his two picks, so maybe that's the reason for this move.

I wish this with all my strenghts

[johnnyrondo]

I blame Cassell for this too!


Convo before signing Cassell:

Ainge: I'd like to sign another guard, Wyc
Wyc: What's wrong with House?
Ainge: He's fine, but we need pg insurance in case of an injury
Wyc: I don't know. I'm already paying the luxury tax you know?
Ainge: How about we cover Sam's cost by not having a Summer League team?
Wyc: Well, I guess that's fine. Just let Doc know that Sam is only for    insurance purposes only. I don't want him messing up our on court chemistry.
Ainge: No worries. Doc's a great coach.