RedsArmy.com - The Voice Of Boston Celtics Fans

The Red Claws are getting crowded

I'm still not sure how this multiple-team affiliation for a D-League team really works, but that's the system right now.  And while we look at the Maine Red Claws as the Celtics' farm team, they've actually been affiliated with the Charlotte Bobcats, too.  

And now, they'll be affiliated with the Philadelphia 76'ers too.  

The 76ers have switched their affiliate in the NBA Developmental League to the Maine Red Claws from the Springfield Armor.

The Sixers, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Bobcats will all serve as parent clubs. The Red Claws are among seven teams in the 16-team league to have affiliations with three teams.

The Sixers used the D-League this past season for rookie forward Craig Brackins, who had three stints. He averaged 20.1 points and 8.6 rebounds in 18 games.

The New Jersey Nets are the lone parent club for Springfield for next season.

For the record, the D-League WILL play this year regardless of a lockout.  They just can't use any players related to the NBA.  So JaJuan Johnson can't go play there.  But if you're ITCHING to watch guys get paid to play basketball who aren't part of a major college program, you can head to Portland and take in a Red Claws game.

My day with the Red Claws

What's it like to get "sent down" to Portland? 

I don't know.  But I spent the weekend there to get a taste of what guys like Marcus Landry see and feel playing in the D League.

Portland isn't the biggest city in the world... but it's got a decent little night life scene.  So these guys have something to do.  I'm willing to bet there's at least as much to do in Portland as there is in, say, Oklahoma City. 

So maybe someone like Landry who came from New York... then to Boston... and then to Portland will have some reason to be disappointed with "the scene," but it's not bad once you get used to it.  Problem is, no player wants to get used to it.

Which brings me to the game, and what I perceived as a visibly unhappy Marcus Landry.  He played 13 minutes and scored 8 points on an elbow jumper, a fast break dunk, a three, and a free throw.  He committed 4 fouls... and at least 2, maybe 3, were questionable.  And those just added to his frustration.

Landry looked to be going half speed most of the game.  I don't know him as a player, so the scowl on his face might have just been his regular look.  But he definitely didn't look interested in being there.  That feeling was hammered home in my post game interview (after the jump) where I caught him at the tail end of signing interviews.  When we were done, he tossed the sharpie down and walked off in a "glad this is over" kinda way.

To his credit, he answered the questions the right way, and he signed all the autographs he was asked to sign.  I'm sure the adjustment is difficult... so I'm not going to bash the guy for not being thrilled that he was sent down to the minors.

A day with the Red Claws

I'm in Portland, Maine today to cover the Maine Red Claws as they take on Sioux Falls.  It'll also be a chance for me to catch a glimpse of Marcus Landry. 

The Red Claws have some talent.  They've got a couple of former first round picks in Mo Ager and D-League leading scorer Morris Almond. 

This will be a big game for both teams, as the Red Claws are a half game ahead of Sioux Falls for the East Conference second seed.  The Skyforce come in with an 8 game winning streak.  Maine has won 3 in a row.

It will be a very interesting day.  I'll try to do what I did in Dallas for everyone and live tweet the game on my twitter page and maybe fire up some live stuff on Qik.  The game starts at 5pm. 

Thanks to the Red Claws for the access.  I'm looking forward to seeing the game from a different perspective... from the side of the guys chasing the dream as opposed to the guys who might be a little bored by living it.

Check out Lester Hudson's new uniform

The Maine Red Claws unveiled their uniforms today.  In case you don't know it by now... the 'Claws are the C's D-League affiliate. 

More uniform pictures, and the Red Claws schedule, after the jump.

Ainge to coach Maine Red Claws

Ok... that was an admittedly deceptive headline aimed at grabbing your attention.  But it's not false.  Danny's son Austin will officially be named head coach of the Maine Red Claws today.

Ainge is a 2007 graduate from BYU, and played in three NCAA Tournaments for the Cougars. He was an assistant coach at Southern Utah in 2007, and in 2008 became a scout for the Boston Celtics. When the D-League is not in season he will continue his duties as a Celtics scout. He and Claws GM Jon Jennings are currently working on the rest of the coaching staff, which should be announced and finalized sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Why didn't they just call them the Maine Mini-Celtics?  Or at least the Maine Leprechauns or something?

I think a road trip is in order this year.  I might have to take the drive up to Portland to check these guys out.  Should be a fun time.

Ainge Updates Us on Free Agents, BBD and Eddie House

Danny Ainge held a conference call with the media today to discuss the new affiliation with the Maine Red Claws. He also answered questions regarding potential free agents, BBD, and Eddie House.

On the free agent front, are there one or two guys we should pay attention to?

"There's the July 1st type free agents that we'll make a run at. There's August 1, August 15th free agents that we're waiting to see how, maybe they slip through the cracks...maybe they don't get what they're actually looking for and rather come to Boston and play for a lower number. There's a whole long list of free agents we like and we have in mind, but they're different levels and I certainly can't share with you those names."

Have you made your qualifying offer to Big Baby yet?

No, but we plan on doing that.

Have you heard from Eddie House's people?

"I have not, I don't know if they'll contact me today or just wait until the deadline tomorrow. I've talked with them but I don't have any answers. I don't know what the decision will be. I have my opinions on what he might do, but we're prepared for whatever he decides."

As for the Red Claws, Ainge said the proximity of Portland to Boston will be a blessing:

"I think there's times where players can be part of our team on occasion, come to our games at night, but still be practicing and be part of the affiliation with the Red Claws, they can be practicing, they can be playing on the D-League roster..."

Danny also said there will be plenty of special promotions involving the two teams and he'll be up in Portland for the occasional scouting trip but don't expect to see KG, PP or Ray.

Celtics prospects will be travelling a lot less

That's because instead of going about 2,400 miles between Boston and Utah... they'll be going about 100 miles north to Portland, Maine. 

Today, the Maine Red Claws announced, officially, that they'll be affiliated with the Celtics and the Charlotte Bobcats. 

I think this is great news because it allows fans much easier access to some of the young guys.  I know a lot of our own readers will be able to swing by a Red Claws game and check out someone like Giddens, Walker or Hudson... and we'll be able to get first-hand reports about how a certain player is doing. 

Also out there:  Michael Felger calls Danny Ainge the best GM in Boston  |  Camerato:  Believing in Lester Hudson