The Celtics are scuffling in the early going, and after last night's loss to the Bucks, they're 9-8 and in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, just a game in front of the Pacers for the final playoff position. There's plenty of time left in the season, but with a defense that's right at the league average statistically and rebounding that's among the NBA's worst, the team's problems are clear. There's more on why the Celtics are hesitating to make a move that might address those issues, as well as other Boston news below.
- In his weekly NBA roundup, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe says the Celtics are shying away from signing free agent Kenyon Martin because of his personality, noting that differences between Martin and Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro led the Clips to pass on re-signing him this summer.
- Glen Davis sees the similarities between himself and Jared Sullinger, and though he believes Celtics basketball president Danny Ainge envisions Sullinger as another Davis, Big Baby thinks the rookie has plenty to learn on the defensive end, as Washburn passes along.
- In a separate piece, Washburn notes that Celtics second-round Kris Joseph, assigned to the D-League today for a second time, doesn't mind shuttling back and forth between Boston's affiliate and the big club.
- Jason Collins has replaced Chris Wilcox as Kevin Garnett's backup, but Celtics coach Doc Rivers predicts the job will trade hands between two minimum-salary signees multiple times this season. A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com has details.
- After two seasons of better than 40% shooting from behind the arc for the Rockets, Courtney Lee is knocking down just 24% of his three-point attempts since coming to the Celtics in an offseason sign-and-trade, as Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com observes.