RSS Feed
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Celtics Video
Hudson Meets Press as Summer Roster Takes Shape
Lester Hudson is older than Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins, but he's starting from scratch as the 58th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He knows he's a long shot to make the roster.
"It was hard growing up for me, I used to play in the playgrounds with older guys pushing on me," said Hudson, who turns 25 on August 7. "I just want to compete every day, work hard in practice and show Danny [Ainge] that I'm the right guy for the pick."
Despite telling reporters that he thought he was going to go higher in the draft than 58, Hudson was pretty quiet and seemed a bit intimidated by all of the attention this morning in Waltham. You know the guy's feeling out of place when he's calling members of the Boston media "sir". But he'll learn.
He did loosen up a bit when he talked about his legendary quadruple-double, and how his coach put him back in to get the final steal and assist he needed to make history at the Tennessee-Martin.
Getting Doc Rivers to put him on the team will be a different challenge altogether. He'll have to make his own luck with the Celtics if he's going to see any floor time in Boston.
"Every year there's players picked at #58 and they rarely make it. Lester has an opportunity of a lifetime," Ainge said. "It really is on him to prove to Coach Rivers that we need him."
His first chance at proving he's a keeper comes this weekend when the Celtics will take him to Orlando for a week of summer league with Bill Walker, Gabe Pruitt and J.R. Giddens, as well as a handful of guys who stand on the fringe of the NBA. Michael Sweetney, who's attempting an NBA comeback, highlights a list of free agents already nailed down for the Celtics' summer league team that will compete in a game a day from July 6-10.
"Mike's trying to make a comeback. He's been working really hard over the last 6-8 months to get back into the NBA," Ainge said. "He's certainly a talented player. Time will tell."
Ainge also revealed that Chris Lofton, Coby Karl, Darius Washington, Bryce Taylor, Kevin Rogers and Bryan Mullins are slated to join the summer roster, and he's working on adding a few more names to the mix today.
Walker, Giddens and Pruitt didn't rack up many regular season or playoff minutes between the three of them last year, so Hudson isn't the only one competing for a job.
"I remember when I was playing with the Celtics, every year they would draft a guard because we had a Hall of Fame front line," Ainge said. "You've got to prove yourself every day. It's no different trying to win a job on a team that's trying to win a championship."
Ainge "Hopeful" on Baby Return
Glen Davis is just dipping his feet into the free agent pool to see how the water feels, and while he wasn't in Waltham to talk about his future, Ainge characterized his discussions with Davis' representation as "positive", although he noted that official negotiations haven't begun.
"Glen will be out there testing the market and seeing what the market dictates," Ainge said. "There may be a team that gives him something that he's excited about today or tomorrow. But we're hopeful that he'll be a part of our team this year."
As for what the market looks like in the early stages of free agency, Ainge pointed to the fact that several players who could have opted out of their contract chose not to do so, with Celtics guard Eddie House being the most relevant example. While House certainly could have drawn interest elsewhere, he opted to exercise his option on the final year of his deal with the Celtics.
"It's great to have Eddie back. He's been a big part of our success the last two years. Shooting is at a premium in this league," Ainge said. "He's a tough guy to replace, and in any situation, Game 7, on the road, in Cleveland, KG would throw the ball to Eddie. Paul would throw the ball to Eddie. They trust in Eddie's shooting and that's what he does. He's a great shooter."
Powe's Progress
As for Leon Powe, who's an unrestricted free agent, Ainge said that the C's would be keeping tabs on his progress as he rehabilitates his left knee from the ACL/meniscus injury he suffered in Game 2 against the Bulls. Powe just went home to California to continue his rehab but is no longer under contract with the Celtics.
With a long rehab ahead of Powe, the Celtics aren't breaking ties with him, but there's a lot of uncertainty about when he would be ready to contribute again. When that time comes, he'll be free to sign with any team he wants.
"We know that Leon is not going to be available to play until late in the season, possibly," Ainge said.
