Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Scouts and opposing front-office types have begun to speak and inquire about the 29-year-old forward, a practice that’s generally a precursor to discussing a trade. Danny Ainge could not be reached on whether teams have called about Bass — not that he would say anyway — but it certainly makes sense.
The 6-foot-8 Bass was brought to the Celts to replace Glen Davis and be a complementary piece on the Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett/let’s-go-for-it Celtics, and now he finds himself in the last year of a contract that pays him a very reasonable $6.9 million.
He followed up a team-high 23 points in Wednesday’s win in Philadelphia with nine points in 18 minutes during Friday’s road loss to the Grizzlies.
His teammates and coach certainly have appreciated the way he’s gone about his business, playing hard and well and not lamenting the fact he signed for a contending situation and now is part of a rebuilding group.
“If there’s a team competing for a championship and they could steal him, that’d be big,” said Rajon Rondo. “He’s one of the best mid-range shooters in the league.
Boston Herald – Celtics Notebook: Fishing for bites on Bass’ lure
This shouldn’t exactly be shocking news since Bass was nearly traded twice last year. Once was to Houston in the Omer Asik rumor and the other was to Golden State. Even his teammates don’t seem surprised at the rumor, if you read the comments in Steve Bulpett’s piece linked above. Bass does have an incredibly friendly contract both in terms of dollars and years (it’s an expiring deal this year). The craze in today’s game is for all players to be able to shoot threes and drive to the hoop. While Bass has slowly developed the three (ok barely), he has been driving a bit more and putting the ball on the floor.
But Bass is very durable, reliable and doesn’t cause a stir. A lot of these qualities are lost and undervalued but teams know what they’re getting with Bass. What the Celtics could, or what Ainge wants for him is another story. Let the Trade Machine players commence with the ideas.
On Page 2, Vitor lives… sort of
Boston Celtics second-year center Vitor Faverani said his knee is feeling better, but is still not close to resuming basketball activities and the team has not established any timeline for his potential return to game action.
Faverani, five weeks removed from a second surgery on a balky left knee, engaged in some light shooting Saturday as his teammates stretched following an afternoon practice. Faverani then met with reporters, but had little news on his progress.
“My knee is good; I’m happy,” said Faverani, who suggested he feels “100 percent” better following a second surgery in Spain last month. But asked what activities he’s able to engage in, Faverani said he’s been limited to pool work and the exercise bike. He said there’s potential he’ll try the AlterG non-weight-bearing treadmill next week to resume running.
The Celtics suggested a 6-8 week recovery after Faverani’s second surgery, but it appears he’s not close to that timetable. Faverani said the team has not recently discussed when he might be back on the floor.
“We’re just taking our time,” said Faverani. “I don’t know. I don’t want the same to happen to me, like before — back to play before I can. I don’t want to injure it any more.”
ESPN Boston – El Hombre Paciente: Faverani’s slow recover
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen or heard from Vitor. Judging by the quotes above it doesn’t seem like he’ll be back anytime soon in a real capacity to help this team. At this point it really doesn’t matter much since he hasn’t been on the court in nearly a year and wasn’t a big part of the planned rotation heading into the season. He wasn’t exactly the defense in the middle that they’ve been lacking, but you can never have enough big men involved. At the very least it’s important for him to get some run so the C’s can figure out if they have anything at all with Vitor as a player.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Practice: Lessons learned in Memphis
Boston Herald – Changin’ of the guard
CSNNE – Green’s frustration at an ‘all time high’ | Faverani: “I can’t do anything on the court now” | Blakely: Celtics need to get Zeller involved more | Stevens: Defense is a five-man proposition
MassLive – Vitor Faverani speaks for 1st time since surgery | Marcus Smart injury update: out against Portland Trail Blazers
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