Pietrus: 'My heart is still for Boston'

[heitingas]

   
ORLANDO, Fla. - Mickael Pietrus is well aware of Ray Allen's decision to sign with the Miami Heat instead of returning to the Boston Celtics for what would have been a sixth season.

In choosing the Heat, Allen signed for significantly less money than he would have received if he had returned to Boston.

Ironically, Pietrus may find himself in a similar dilemma if he returns to the team he desperately wants to play for - the Celtics.

Although the 30-year-old wing has yet to receive another offer, there's a good chance that another team will be willing to pony up more than the C's initial offer.

That leaves Pietrus to work towards Plan A an B.

Plan A being to return to Boston, while B would be to prepare as though that might not happen.

"It's up to Danny (Ainge, Boston's president of basketball operations)," Pietrus told CSNNE.com in a phone interview on Saturday. "It's not up to me. You know my heart is still for Boston. I still want to be there and bring home Banner 18."

Allen's departure certainly makes that a more realistic possibility.

But the Celtics have their eyes set on a number of possible replacements for Allen, a pool of talent that includes but is not limited to, Pietrus.

"There will be a lot of good players looking for work this summer," Ainge said.

The C's are likely out of the price range for O.J. Mayo and Louis Wiliams who are both free agents and still in search of a team.

Boston does have a shot at landing players such as Courtney Lee, Josh Howard and former Celtic Gerald Green who are all free agents that should come at a more reasonable price than the Mayo's and Williams' of the world.

Meanwhile, Pietrus will be as patient as he can be, hoping that his agent Bill McCandless gets a call from Ainge offering a contract.

McCandless told CSNNE.com that he had a "very cordial" conversation with Ainge on Friday, and had plans to talk with other teams this weekend.

"Mickael wants to come back to Boston," McCandless said. "The Celtics know this; their fans know this. Everyone knows. It's just a matter of whether we can get a deal done to make that happen."

Like Allen, Pietrus underwent offseason surgery to correct an injury (right knee) that had been nagging him all season.

Pietrus had surgery previously on the same knee, but his recovery proved to be problematic which was in part why the Phoenix Suns bought him out and thus allowed him to join with the Celtics. In his lone season in Boston, Pietrus became an instant hit with his teammates and Celtics Nation in part by correctly predicting the C's would eventually make a strong playoff run despite a less-than-stellar start to the season.

They did just that, advancing all the way to the Eastern Conference finals before being eliminated in seven games by the Heat.

Although Pietrus' energy and as Doc Rivers puts it, "great spirit" were positives for the ball club, his struggles physically with the knee limited his impact at both ends of the floor.

"I was never 100 percent all year," Pietrus acknowledged. "Next couple weeks, I'll start running and start basketball and doing what I do in the summertime to get better. And with my knee better, I should be a decent player."

Having had surgery on his right knee on June 13, Pietrus is confident he can regain his pre-injury form and help the Celtics make another deep playoff run which he still believes will end with another title in Boston.

"The team goal - Banner 18 - that's what I'm about," Pietrus said. "That's what I want."

Please let him come back, I really liked him when he was here.
We'd have crazy depth with Pietrus,Green,Jet,Sullinger,Melo,Wilcox and/or Krstic..

[702Celtics]

Only if he's willing to accept the BAE (bi-annual exception).

Otherwise, nice knowing you Peaches. I'd rather sign Wilcox and have Marquis at the vet. minimum, if Peaches doesn't sign.

[Prof. Clutch]

If his heart is still here than he should come back at an affordable price.  He didn't exactly play himself into a solid contract last season.

[Celtics18]

C'mon, Danny, we need Peaches back.  He'll sign for the vet. minimum, guaranteed.  If you cut him open, green blood will come oozing out. 

[BudweiserCeltic]

I think the BAE is pretty much equal to a non-bird exception at the moment which I think he qualifies, so no use on using the BAE on him. And I think they may be better options out there for BAE, but we'll see.

[thirstyboots18]

 


Please let him come back, I really liked him when he was here.
We'd have crazy depth with Pietrus,Green,Jet,Sullinger,Melo,Wilcox and/or Krstic..

Peaches was a chat room favorite, too.

[BC1996]

If his heart is still here than he should come back at an affordable price.  He didn't exactly play himself into a solid contract last season.

I agree that his playoff performance didn't earn him much.  However, I think that we would be getting the Mickael Pietrus from before the concussion and knee injury.

Also, how can you not love his passion for being a Celtic?  Just hearing him talk about the tradition and passion for banner 18 has made him one of my favorite players.  He has an unbelievable understanding of what it means to be a true Celtic.

I wish Ray had half of his passion for the organization and his teammates.      

[Celtics18]

If his heart is still here than he should come back at an affordable price.  He didn't exactly play himself into a solid contract last season.

I agree that his playoff performance didn't earn him much.  However, I think that we would be getting the Mickael Pietrus from before the concussion and knee injury.

Also, how can you not love his passion for being a Celtic?  Just hearing him talk about the tradition and passion for banner 18 has made him one of my favorite players.  He has an unbelievable understanding of what it means to be a true Celtic.

I wish Ray had half of his passion for the organization and his teammates.      

Yes.  You think Peaches will be hungry when he's asked to guard Ray Allen?  Yeah, I think so. 

[Lord of Mikawa]

I'm all for Pietrus returning.

[CantBeRight]

BRING HIM BACK!

HE'S NOT A SELFISH TRAITOR LIKE RAY ALLEN!
PEACHES HAS CELTIC PRIDE AND DERSERVES TO BE HERE!

[Who]

I wonder who the teams are that are offering him more money.

It would be kind of funny (in a sickening way) if Pietrus went to the Lakers after Ray went to Miami. Good fit for LA with the mini-MLE.

I don't know what other contenders would be after him. Miami just spent their money. San Antonio has no need for him. Oklahoma doesn't have enough minutes to offer. I think Pietrus would have to go a lesser team. Indiana would be a good fit behind Granger + George. The Knicks could be a good home also; they need a replacement for Landry Fields. Maybe Memphis (replace Mayo) or the Clippers (starting SG). I don't think Dallas or Denver will pursue him.

[snowball]

I'm all for seeing MP back for a full season.

[coco]

I like Pietrus, but we need a 2.  Is OJ Mayo out of reach?

I am really upset now.  I want the Heat.  Bad!  

[Birdman]

Of course he is going to say that b/c he's a free agent and knows there a spot open after Ray left

[thirstyboots18]

BRING HIM BACK!

HE'S NOT A SELFISH TRAITOR LIKE RAY ALLEN!
PEACHES HAS CELTIC PRIDE AND DERSERVES TO BE HER

You don't know, and I don't know why Ray left. I do  know that he has been warrior since he got to Boston, and gave  above and beyond  last year when he first came off the bench and then play ed on ankles with spurs.  He gave five great years to the Celtic, including being the reason  we signed KG, and a championship banner.  How many of us can say we have never left a job, for any reason, but always stayed out of pure loyalty?