The rumor mill has been buzzing with reports of the Celtics being in the mix to acquire Trail Blazers guard Rudy Fernandez, who is reportedly unhappy with his current role behind Brandon Roy. But the talks may quiet down until next week.

On Wednesday Jason Quick of the Oregonian tweeted, “Rudy trade talks likely on back burner until Sunday. GM Cho tells agent Andy Miller he will meet w/coach McMillan in Vegas on Sun to discuss.”

That doesn’t mean, though, that speculation will be curbed until then. On Tuesday, Fernandez wrote in his blog, “There is gossip about my future and everyone asks me but I’m really just focused on the national team right now.”

In the meantime, here is a glimpse into why Fernandez is drawing interest around the league:

Fernandez has two years remaining on his contract and is set to earn $1.25 million next season. He averaged 8.1 points and 2.0 assists in 62 games last season.

Nate Robinson is entering his sixth season in the NBA, but in a lot of ways, his career has a new beginning.

After more than four seasons with the Knicks, and a few months with the Celtics, Robinson is returning to Boston with a two-year deal that gives him a fresh start.

“For me, I think it will be a good start for me to just come in and start from scratch,” he said in a conference call. “I loved my time there in Boston. The fans welcomed me with open arms, the team, coach Doc (Rivers), Danny Ainge, everybody, the whole organization, they were real good to me. I decided they’re a great, winning organization, a lot of history, and I think I fit in well with the guys. So I was like, why not?”

Even though Robinson was only been traded to the Celtics in February, he is preparing for next season like a player who has been with the team for years. He immediately embraced the tradition of the organization and was struck by the Celtics relentless drive for victory.

Robinson spends his days in Seattle gyms with hometown friends including Brandon Roy, Jamal Crawford, and Aaron Brooks. They work out three times a week and play games for two. (Robinson will also throw out the first pitch at Friday’s Red Sox – Mariners game in Seattle.)

For the first time in his career, he is spending his offseason preparing to contend, not just compete.

“The main thing that stood out to me was just their will to win,” he said. “They expect to win every night. I was like, ‘Wow, this is awesome.’”

Robinson says he never experienced such strong team chemistry on the Knicks like he did on the Celtics. It makes his return that much sweeter knowing that Doc Rivers, the coach who expressed confidence in him when he wasn’t seeing major minutes, will be back on the sidelines and the core of the team is still in tact. Read the rest of this entry »