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Celtics’ big man search: Boris Diaw 03.21.12 at 10:09 am ET
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As the Celtics search to replace Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Wilcox, relieve Kevin Garnett and aid an ailing Greg Stiemsma (sprained right foot), add Bobcats power forward Boris Diaw to a list of available free agent big man targets that already includes Ronny Turiaf, J.J. Hickson and Ryan Hollins.

The Bobcats and the 6-foot-8, 235-pound (yeah, right) Diaw have reached a buyout agreement on what remains of his $9 million salary this season, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Diaw played a franchise record 258 straight games since being traded from the Suns in 2008 before a conflict with coach Paul Silas led to his benching in seven of their nine games since March 6, the report said.

Naturally, the disconnect resulted from the coach’s perception of Diaw as, in a word, lazy. After all, the NBA’s 2005-06 Most Improved Player entered the league weighing 203 pounds and has since watched his waistline grow considerably in recent years.

Still, he’s averaged 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 27.5 minutes a night this season. Playing in all 82 games a a season ago, the eight-year veteran produced 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

Diaw ranks last in rebounding rate among power forwards who play 25 minutes a night, according to Hoop Data, but the hope from the Celtics would be that an engaged Diaw could add defense and playmaking.

At least two respected reporters in the field — ESPN’s John Hollinger and Sports Illustrated’s Zach Lowe — suggested the Celtics as a likely destination for Diaw on Twitter.

Read More: Big man search, Boris Diaw, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Marchmont

    Marchmont!

  • Jose

    Thank goodness boston never tried to trade rask.

  • Sicko

    Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin…….

    Tuukka time is here again boys.

    • Fab4ever

      The kid can play….some smarter people than you and I have been making some good decisions on Causeway…I’m also very curious regarding the upcoming drama that’s sure to take place as they make a move or 2 come trading deadline…they have cap space and from what I’ve read, they are eager to improve their weakness….the power play…

      • Bruinman86

         Yeah, no kidding!  The one on Bergeron was just a matter of not lifting the puck on the tip in.  The downside of this game was the 0-4 powerplay..

    • Uncle Buck

      Tuukka makes it look easy.  Always in position.  The team is flying.  Strong and tough.  I’m not losing sleep over the PP.  It’ll show up eventually.  Let’s hope they keep rolling through the crazy schedule. Four games a week on tap.  

  • NYCBruinsFan

    Tuukka Rules!!!   Another great game on the road with Marchand and Krejci.  The Bruins did a great job shutting down Tavares and Moulson.  Got to love Bourque too.  He’s playing a good game lately and the scoring will come. 

  • NYCBruinsFan

    Who needs the power play. I hope Peter Chiarelli and the front office don’t make any deals come trade deadline. We don’t need anyone else, and the guys are playing well together. Why fool around with recipe if the dish is sweet enough. Go B’s.

  • NYCBruinsFan

    The only thing that would have been better is if Thomas had reported to Long Island and was in net tonight to face the B’s.  Wonder if the fool is at home watching the game realizing the Bruins are better without his views.

  • glenn88

    The improvements the Bruins can make is on that third line.   They are getting no offense at all out of that line.   Not going to keep dwelling on the Chris Bourque experiment (or thank you Ray accomodation), but isn’t it becoming obvious why at 27 no other team thought he could play in the NHL?  Peverly and Kelly didn’t all of a sudden forget how to play.   Hopefully they trade for the 3rd line LW to fix the problem.

    To tell you how bad the Bourque situation is, not even Pederson will mention the 3rd line as an area for improvement, because the topic of Ray’s kid is so sensitive in and around the organization.  

    • Titletown1

      Couldn’t agree more about the Bourque situation. If he has a different last name, he’s selling hockey equipment in Manitoba or running a landscaping business in the greater Montreal area. There are so many more talented kids in the minors right now that it gets to a point that they’re actually embarrassing Ray’s kid.

    • ILoveHockey

      Chris Bourque is pretty powerful if he can single handedly stop an entire line from scoring! i can give you that he could stop them from recreating some of the great numbers that they have had in the past- but neither of them have done much of anything offensively, that is not all to blame on Bourque, just a down offensive start/ year for them- they are still playing good D though

  • Baker

    That one where he stuffed Lucic was disgusting.

  • ILoveHockey

    at the same time the islanders had a few really good chances on Rask- so they could have made it a close game had Rask not made some great saves- the two short handed bids come to mind right off the bat

  • Bruinman86

     Rask has come in to his own this year.  Guess he’s was ready….

  • ILoveHockey

    they didn’t have a pure goal scorer the year they won the cup- and now Marchand and Seguin are playing better than they did that year, Rask is playing as solid as Thomas did. I think the Redsoxs are the most recent example that just because you put a lot of big names together doesn’t mean you’ll have success. If they want to make a minor tweak that’s fine, but all and all this team is the best in the east thus far- who do you want to get rid of?

    Although I agree that Bourque might get more of a chance to make the team because of fan popularity with the last name (by that I mean they probably why they signed him from Washington- not that he get a roster spot in Boston, that was due mostly to Caron not showing a whole lot when he was up the last couple and him being hurt at the beginning of the NHL season)- you really think he gets PP time because of it? that just seems silly to me, you think they are going to risk winning games to get Bourque an extra couple minutes on the PP- I don’t think you know what you’re talking about

  • Pat E Cakes

    no you’re wrong.

  • Glenn Ordway

    Ya that’s weird, but Peterson was right. They are calling it the Central Division for some reason.

  • ILoveHockey

    I think it is one of many contributing factors. Along with the lockout, new linemate with no training camp, all around down year, the fact that they have played better in that 1.5 years here than they have the rest of their careers (maybe the bubble burst).

    I’m just saying I don’t think Chris takes the whole load- and don’t forget they have a d pair out there at all times- lots of lines throughout the NHL score with one lame duck. That is not the lone reason for their complete lack of production

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