Celtics at the All star break

The Boston Celtics have entered the all star break and although they have no all stars, they are just 1 1/2 games out of playoff position.

Since trading two of their key players forward Jeff Green and all star point guard Rajon Rondo, they have been playing at a high level, which is a surprise to many people. The Celtics have won four of their last five games, including a win against the Atlanta Hawks who have the top seed in the east.

Coach Brad Steven has been able to utilize his players to their full potential. Some many criticize coach Stevens but he has been able to as much with less than anybody in the league.

Memphis Grizzlies pick up Jeff Green in trade with Celtics

The Boston Celtics have traded 6'9" forward Jeff Green to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies also received point guard Russ Smith, a 2014 second-round pick, from New Orleans, and a traded player exception. 

The Celtics receive guard Austin Rivers, the 10th overall pick in 2012, from the New Orleans Pelicans in the deal. They will also receive forward Tayshaun Prince, and a protected future first-round pick from Memphis.

The New Orleans Pelicans receive forward Quincy Pondexter, and from the Grizzlies. They also received a 2015 second-round pick from Memphis.

I personally think the trade was okay because the Celtics now have a plethora of first-round draft picks. Although they traded their leading scorer after trading their 4-time all star Rajon Rondo, I am okay with it because they want to contend for titles for many years to come.

Celtics May Trade Jeff Green to the Memphis Grizzlies

There is speculation that the Celtics will trade 28 year old forward Jeff Green to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Green, who is averaging a career best 17.6 points per game, shooting 43.4% from the field, and shooting 30.4% on 3-pointers. 

The deal would be for a 1st-round pick. They would most like be done if Green would agree to work out a long term deal with the Grizzlies. 

Green has a player option on his contract at the end of the year and can choose to opt out this summer and become a free agent.

Green has said to the media that he would like to stay in Boston. As a result of his high market value, Celtics GM Danny Ainge may want to trade Green for draft picks, since the Celtics are rebuilding their team.

Celtics Trade Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks

The  Boston Celtics have officially traded the least remaining piece of their 2008 NBA championship- Rajon Rondo.

The Celtics traded Rajon Rondo and Dwight Powell to Dallas for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, a 1st-round draft pick in 2015, and a 2nd-round draft pick in 2016. The Mavericks will also have to pay for the rest of Rondo's contract with the Celtics, all $12.9 million of it.

Although Rondo loves the Celtics, he has made it known that he would like to test the trading market at the end of the 2014-2015 season. While former Celtics player and current President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge really loves Rondo, he had to get something for Rondo while he could.

I have really enjoyed watching Rondo play over the years. We have watched him turn from a prospect, to an NBA champion, and an all star. Rondo is a tremendous player and deserves to be on a team that is in contention to win another title this year like the Mavericks.

James Young Injures Shoulder

Maine Red Claws' forward and Celtics' d-league prospect James young suffered a shoulder sublixation injury during the third quarter of a game against the Delaware 87ers. He collided with 87ers guard Drew Gordon while on a fast break opportunity at halfcourt.

Young, a first round pick of the Boston Celtics, has been plagued with injury and sickness in his short NBA career so far. He was having a great game (19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals in 24 mintes) until the injury.

I like his talent, but he seems to be somewhat frail. It is frustrating for Celtics fans because they used a 1st-round pick on the forward from the University of Kentucky, who helped his team to the national championship game last year.

He will undergo testing to see how bad the injury is and to give a timetable for his return.

Celtics May Trade Rajon Rondo to the New York Knicks

NBA basketball analyst and avid Celtics fan Bill Simmons believes that the Celtics will trade their star point guard Rajon Rondo by the trade deadline. 

"I think Rondo gets traded to the Knicks in the next four months,” Simmons stated “… I actually like the thought of Rondo and Carmelo (Anthony) together. I think he would get him the ball in all of the right spots. I think that would work.”  Rondo is renowned for his ball-distribution skills, and Anthony loves nothing more than to shoot the basketball. 

Here’s how the deal would work out in Simmons’ mind: The Celtics would send Rondo and forward Gerald Wallace to New York in exchange for big man Amar’e Stoudemire, shooting guard Iman Shumpert, a 2018 first-round draft pick and one protected “pick swap” within the next five years. 

Celtics Thanksgiving Day Football

In honor of the traditional Thanksgiving Day football games, the Boston Celtics had a play of their own.

Rajon Rondo snapped the ball to Brandon Bass, who ran a play action pass. He faked a run and passed the ball to Rajon Rondo.

It would not have been a legal play because Rajon Rondo, who was playing as the center, would receive a penalty because as a lineman, he is an inelligible receiver downfield. Otherwise, it was a nice, creative play.