Should the Celtics Stiff Daniels and Hold on to their Expiring Contracts?

NESN seems to think so.

The argument appears to be that it is better for the Celtics to wait for the mid-season trade deadline and look for someone like James Posey, who might be dealt to save money. It is an interesting idea. My concern would be that Marquis Daniels may remind us too much of A) Tony Allen (injury-prone and inconsistent); and B) Mikki Moore (over-hyped and under-performing).

Still, I'm inclined to take the gamble, given the flattering reviews Daniels received both before and after the deal from non-Celtics fans around the league. The Celtics can always deal him for someone else mid-season if it doesn't work out.

More Laughs at the Lakers Expense

And Lamar Odom's presence on the court is valuable in its own right, the uncertain contributions from Andrew Bynum only place more need on the Lakers to bring back Odom. Mikki Moore's name has popped up as a potential replacement for Odom on the Lakers' roster.

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Wow. Ok. I'm back to hoping Lamar bolts. I just can't wait to hear from Laker Nation after they sign Mikki Moore to replace LO. The other thing to note here is that one year ago, all we heard about Andrew Bynum was that he was Kareem, Wilt, and Shaq all rolled into one. Now the common perception seems to be that his contract is an albatross around the neck of Mitch and Jerry.

My Night with Mikki, er, I Mean EJ

If you run a search on Google for "EJ Phillips" and "Bourbon Street," you'll find a couple of hits for a musician who plays a mixture of blues and rock. One night, back in my younger days, I had a few too many at a place called the Funky Pirate, and Mr. Phillips summoned me up to the stage .

Keep in mind I can't sing. I mean I really can't sing. But I was making so much racket applauding his efforts, he figured it was easier to let me embarrass myself on stage than it would be to call me out.

So I went up and sang a couple of songs with him. No clue what either of them were, though I think one may have been a Hendrix tune. The only reason I think that is because his talking voice sounds exactly like Jimi's talking voice.

In any event, I stopped in the next day for lunch, and he came over during a break. "Man, you were so wasted last night," EJ said with his Hendrix-like voice. That's the only part of the conversation I remember today.

EJ had himself some serious dreadlocks. Kind of like Mikki Moore. In fact, back then EJ looked a lot like Mikki does now. So when ever I see a picture of Mikki in the dreads, I'm immediately reminded of a night I've long since tried to forget, but probably never will.

Happy Now, Mr. Heisler?

If anyone forgot, as almost everyone did, the Lakers' size, depth and athleticism are far superior to the Celtics'. If the Lakers played as hard as the Celtics, and defended as well, they really would win 70.

Celtics players dismissed the impact of Bynum's return, as if he were a 7-foot equipment manager who had wandered on the court. The alternative would have been to say, "His mere size changes everything. Even if we can still beat them, we're going to get cricks in our necks looking up at them." The Celtics are very short for such a physical, defense-oriented team, with Garnett their only rotation player over 6-9 in bare feet.

Tough as he is, Kendrick Perkins, who's listed at 6-10, looks 6-8 1/2 , at most. (I saw him next to the Globe's Marc Spears, who's 6-6. Perkins looked an inch or so taller.) Glen Davis, listed at 6-9, looks about 6-7 1/2 . Leon Powe, listed at 6-8, looks 6-6 1/2. Then there's their bench, as in, what bench? Powe and Tony Allen might or might not break into the Lakers' nine-man rotation. Davis and Eddie House, no shot.

--Mark Heisler

I'm not sure Derek Fisher, the Lakers' starting point guard, would beat out Eddie House for third-string point guard on the Celtics.

Celts Bring Back "Da Mick"

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