Celtic for life: Pierce inks deal with Boston
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07/15/2010 -
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics and forward Paul Pierce have
reached an agreement on a new contract.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Boston Herald reported last week
the two sides agreed to a deal for four years, with options for the club and
Pierce after the third year.
"I am very excited to be back in Boston," said Pierce. "I have always said
that I would love to retire as a Celtic and re-signing here will allow me to
do that. I would like to thank Danny [Ainge], Doc [Rivers], the ownership
group and the rest of the organization. I'm thrilled that they kept the core
intact and look forward to getting back on the parquet with my teammates so we
can bring Banner 18 home to Boston."
Pierce opted out of his contract for next season and became an unrestricted
free agent when the NBA free agency period started on July 1. Pierce was due
to make $21.5 million in the final year of his previous contract, and the
Herald reports that he will make less than that in 2010-11 to give the Celtics
a better financial position.
"Paul has been a cornerstone of our franchise for the last decade and we could
not be more pleased that he is returning to the team," said president of
basketball operations Danny Ainge.
Pierce, who will be 33 before next season begins, averaged 18.3 points and 4.4
rebounds over 71 games during the 2009-10 campaign. He upped that to 18.8 ppg
and 6.0 rpg during the playoffs, helping Boston reach the NBA Finals for the
second time in three years.
Boston selected the Kansas product with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA
Draft. He owns career averages of 22.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 rebounds and
1.5 steals per game.
<< Blue Jackets re-sign Sesito
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed
forward Tom Sesito to a one-year contract.
Financial terms of the two-way deal were not disclosed.
Sesito appeared in three games for the Blue Jackets last se
<< Top hurlers to clash in Dodgers-Cardinals opener
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw pitched well
enough to be an All-Star, but ultimately did not join four of his teammates in
Anaheim for the Mid-Summer Classic.
Despite the snub, Kershaw will look to get his sec
<< Phillies head to Chicago riding win streak
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies had an up-and-down first half,
and it was no different for the club over the season's final week before the
All-Star break.
They do come out of the hiatus with some momentum, and the Phillies will
<< First-place Braves open second half against Brewers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Braves have done everything possible in this
season's first half to potentially make Bobby Cox's last year as manager a
special one.
Seeking to give their manager one more championship before he retires at
sea
<< Rangers open second half at Fenway
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers enter the season's second half in good
position to end an 11-year playoff drought. The Boston Red Sox, on the other
hand, still have some work to do in order to secure a fourth consecutive trip
to the postse
Montana adds four transfers >>
Missoula, MT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Head coach Robin Pflugrad of the University of
Montana Grizzlies has announced the addition of four transfers to the roster
this season.
The players are Andrew Badger, Tyrone Duncan, Houston Roots and Antwon
In the FCS Huddle: Stony Brook intriguing on, off the field >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When the NIT came to Stony Brook in March,
the Seawolves' football players were in attendance. Similarly, when Stony
Brook hosted NCAA men's lacrosse in May, the football players were there.
The Seawolves,
Rondo, Chandler and Robin Lopez named to USA Basketball team >>
Colorado Springs, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo was
among three players added to the 2010-12 USA Basketball team, chairman Jerry
Colangelo announced on Thursday.
Also selected were centers Tyson Chandler of th
Spurs, Clippers to play preseason game in Mexico >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers
will square off against one another in a preseason game in Mexico City on
October 12, 2010, the NBA announced Thursday.
The event will mark the 19th time
Canadiens sign Desharnais >>
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward
David Desharnais to a one-year contract.
Desharnais led Hamilton, Montreal's American Hockey League affiliate, in
scoring last season with a franchise-reco
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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