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Grizzlies Nab Lester Hudson

Via Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojo Twitter page:

Memphis has been awarded Lester Hudson off waivers, a league source tells Y! Sports. The Celtics let the rookie point guard go this week.

Memphis had scouted Hudson a great deal at nearby Tennessee-Martin, before Boston had picked him with the 58th pick of June Draft.

Hudson's a Memphis native and will sit in stands with GM Chris Wallace tonight. "He's very happy," his agent, Lance Young, wrote in email.

Hudson will compete with Mike Conley, OJ Mayo, Jamal Tinsley and Marcus Williams for playing time. Good luck to the kid.

Celtics Waive Lester Hudson

Via Boston.com:

In a rather shocking move, the Celtics waived guard Lester Hudson just before the deadline that the team had to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season, Hudson participated in the team's shootaround this morning and I talked to him about his contract and he had no idea whether his deal was guaranteed or whether he would be waived.

"I let my agent handle all of that," he said this morning.

If Hudson clears waivers, the Celtics could sign him to a 10-day contract. The Celtics brought Hudson to Miami, had him participate in shootaround only to release him in the afternoon. The NBA can be brutal at times.

Hudson, a second-round pick, played in 16 games and averaged 1.4 points. He played 12 minutes in Saturday's win over Toronto and scored five points.

Is this a pure money move or are the Celtics on the verge of pulling off a deal? Rafer Alston???

Hudson sent back to D-League

Via Jess Camerato

The Celtics reassigned rookie Lester Hudson to the NBA Development League’s Maine Red Claws, the team announced on Saturday. This will be Hudson’s second D-League stint this season. He was assigned to the Red Claws earlier this month and averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in three games.

Lester Hudson recalled

From the C's:

The C's have recalled Lester Hudson from Maine after 3 games with the Red Claws. He averaged 16.3 ppg, 6 rebs, 4.7 asts in D-League.

Doc wants to give fans the high school hoops experience

Doc's got a very interesting idea for what the D-League should become.

"I hope some day every team does have [their own minor league] team," said Rivers. "There would be a javyee game, literally, before our game. I think that would be terrific. You can play a guy, then dress him for that night, just like you did in high school, where you play for the jayvee and varsity. I think that would be good for our league. I think the fans would get a chance to see some of the guys you drafted."

That would be interesting.  It will never happen... but it's interesting.  Aside from ticketing issues that help pay for those teams... you can't expect fans to sit through 2 full professional games.  Regardless, I like the thought.  You have each team with its own team in close proximity so fans can experience both teams.  They almost have that with the Red Claws... which allows the team to shuttle guys back and forth.

"I haven't look at [Maine's] schedule, but the original plan was to let [Lester Hudson] play a couple games -- miss this one [against Philadelphia] -- and come back," said Rivers. "But he's played great and he's playing, so that's a benefit as well."

I like that these guys can get some experience and playing time and be back in Boston in about a couple of hours. 

Your Morning Dump... Where Rondo is their leader

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline.  Because there's nothing quite as satisfying a good morning dump.

“It’s great where he is at mentally, he understands our team,’’ Rivers said. “If we come down and take three or four shots without running the offense, he’ll slow us down and get us in a set. That’s the sign of a great point guard. He’s become a leader on our team and I think that’s the step he’s taken this year. Our guys now want to follow him and that’s huge when your point guard is your leader.’’

Globe Celtics Notebook/Rondo giving it his best shot

Man... the praise for Rajon Rondo has been effusive lately.  Read that piece and you'll get a whole lot more. 

What more can I say about this kid?  This year he's taking the next step.  He's young and learning... and this is the result.  He's taking more control of games.  He's taking more of a leadership role.  He's fixing holes in his game and playing with more confidence.

The one thing he needs to work on his how to attack teams with good shot blockers.  He's got to figure out how to challenge those shot blockers rather than whipping passes out to the 3 point line while he's at the rim.

We'll talk more about that when we see it again.  This morning is just like a lot of mornings around here lately... highlighting someone on the Celtics praising Rondo for how he's playing.  And no... it's not getting old.

Coming up, Page 2... where the Tony Allen's teammates might not like him very much

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Lester Hudson is a better 3 point shooter than Ray Allen

Ball Don't Lie has compiled a list of preseason statistical oddities... and among them...

Eddie House made nearly five times as many three-pointers as Ray Allen. Hell, something named a "Lester Hudson" made more three-pointers than Allen, who missed 15 of 19 looks from downtown during the preseason.

A great non-Celtics one:  Larry Hughes missed all 20 shots he took this preseason.

Knicks fever... CATCH IT!

Is the choice Sweetney or Hudson?

Let's start with the Wojo tweet:

As much as Mike Sweetney intrigues Celtics, appears "unlikely" organization will eat a guaranteed contract to keep him, sources tell Y!

So that means Tony Allen is sticking around.  That means the choice seems to be between the two non-guaranteed deals:  Lester Hudson and Michael Sweetney.

This is something we discussed at length on last night's 2 Man Game.  Chuck, amazingly, made a good point:  Are people really clamoring to get Hudson?  Will he make an NBA roster even if he's cut?  Will he get ANY burn with the Celtics?  Meanwhile, we've got Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine who total $5.5 million in expiring deals that could be turned into something later in the year.

And, in a conference where your two main obstacles have Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard on their rosters... what harm would it do to keep a huge body and 6 fouls around (even though he's a little better than that?)

I like Hudson and I'd like to see him stay... but that's because he's a project with potential.  Keeping Sweets around is the "win now" move solely based on who the competition is this year..  And if I'm going to keep consistent with what I've always said... then you HAVE to try to win this year... because you never know what next year will bring. 

10 More Years!

The Herald has a quick recap of Media Day.  And one thing that stood out to me is the fact that Danny and Rajon Rondo's people have begun talking extension.

Ainge said he has had preliminary talks with Rajon Rondo about a contract extension. The C’s have until Oct. 31 to extend Rondo’s contact, or he’ll become a restricted free agent next summer. Ainge said the plan is for Rondo to be the team’s point guard for the next 10 years, but said he won’t be commenting further on the state of the negotiations.

10 more years of Rondo?  I think I can handle that.  Let's start with something that makes sense... and is allowable by the CBA.  Rondo, however, isn't focusing on the contract.. he's focusing on the season.

"Ask my agent," Rondo said. "I don't really think about that (contract), I just try to focus on camp. If it's going to happen it's going to happen. If not, I'll play it out. I want to be wherever I'm wanted the next 10 years; if Danny wants me, I'll be here the next 10 years. I have sat down with Danny, but we didn't speak about contract, we talked about expectations for the season. I try to focus on -- trying to get a ring, got to get one this year. I don't think it will be on my mind, I won't alow it to affect me when I play. But, of course, everyone wants security and it would be great if I could sign now.

Rondo also says he's added about 11 pounds of muscle... which should help when he hits the deck about 20 times a game. Speaking of Rondo... the indication today was that he could be backed up by Lester Hudson

Ainge said he doesn’t see the need to bring another guard into camp to compete with second-round draft pick Lester Hudson. Big man Michael Sweetney, who was invited to training camp, was present.

So maybe it's Hudson's job to lose... and then we'll have to figure it out from there. 

Basketball gets played tomorrow in Newport.  And the world can resume spinning on its axis.

Lester Hudson Working Hard to Impress

We've got a status update on rookie Lester Hudson, courtesy CelticsTown. The finger is healed and he's working out with the team in Waltham, still without a contract. Here are some excerpts from the interview.

On learning from the veterans:

Even playing with those guys in Waltham (at the Celtics' practice facilities), I am trying to let them help me out. Paul Pierce took me aside the other day and taught me different ways to use a pick-and-roll. Coming out of college, I don't know as much about the little parts of the game as these guys do, and I'm just trying to learn as much as I can.

On his injured finger:

I've been here (Waltham) for about two months, working on my conditioning, ball-handling and shooting. With my finger, I was only cleared to play full-court last week. I was able to still do all my drills before that, but I wasn't cleared for contact until then. Now, I'm out here trying to get acclimated to the Celtics and work on my game. The coaching staff told me I should work on my ball-handling the most. In college, I handled the ball a lot and did a good job of it, but nobody really put too much pressure on me.

On his contract situation:

I'm just trying to stay patient and let my play decide my contract. It's up to nobody but me, whether I earn a spot on the team. I'm not worried about it, I'm just out here trying to impress whoever I can... the coaching staff, Danny Ainge, the owners, the weight trainers, the equipment managers, everybody. I'm going to let my play do my talking, and hopefully the contract will work itself out.

It's clear the Celtics are giving Hudson every opportunity to make the team. It's simple, he's going to have to outplay the Dan Dickau's of the world at training camp to make the roster.