The Celtics have signed 36-year old SG/SF Michael Finley. Finley played in 25 games (6 starts) for the Spurs this season and he averaged 15.8 minutes, 3.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. He has now played in 1,082 games (874 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 34.8 minutes, 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. I can’t figure out where the minutes for Finley are going to come from but I still like the signing for the Celtics as you can never have too many good players.

Paul Pierce, who is the Boston Celtics’ leading scorer, returned to the lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons after missing a week due to a thumb injury.  Pierce looked a little rusty in their game against the Pistons and was not very aggressive on either end of the court.  He played 29 minutes and only had 9 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist.  Being back on the court was a great sign for the Celtics though, and Pierce bounced back very nicely last night.  He looked like his old self in the Celtics’ win over the Bobcats, and came out much more aggressively.  In only 27 minutes he lit it up for 27 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block en route to a Celtics 104-80 blowout win.  If this is a sign of things to come for the Pierce and the Celtics down the stretch, then they may get themselves back to the team that started the season 23-5.  Injuries and age looked like they were really starting to catch up with the Celtics, as they even lost to the 6-54 New Jersey Nets recently.  However, if they have a healthy and determined Paul Pierce back, it could change the whole dimension of their team.  Hopefully for the Celtics’ sake, last game was not a fluke for Pierce and he can get this Celtics team back on track.

Paul Pierce is listed as “day to day” but the All-Star small forward is considering taking some extended time off to heal up.  Pierce injured his thumb pretty badly against the Lakers last Thursday, but continued to play through it.  It was obvious Pierce was not healthy, with his shot struggling and his minutes drastically cut.  Pierce is also suffering from the flu and didn’t even come to the arena in the Celtics 110-106 win over the Knicks last night.  This could be a huge hit to the Celtics, who seem to be cursed with the injury bug this season.  Kevin Garnett has also missed an extended period of games this season and still does not look 100% with his weak knee.  Pierce is the Celtics’ go-to-guy and arguably their best player though.  He is averaging 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 35.3 minutes per game.  Pierce has been shooting the ball great this season too, hitting 44% of his threes and 46% overall.  More and more signs are pointing to this Celtics dynasty coming to an end, as Rajon Rondo is the only player who is young and/or healthy out of the Celtics’ top players (Pierce, Garnett, Rondo, and Allen).

The Boston Celtics have acquired 25-year old SG/PG Nate Robinson and 24-year old forward Marcus Landry from the Knicks for 31-year old SG Eddie House, 25-year old SG J.R. Giddens and 22-year old SG/SF Bill Walker. Robinson has played in 30 games (2 starts) for the Knicks this season and he is averaging 24.4 minutes, 13.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He has now played in 312 games (61 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 24.8 minutes, 12.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Marcus Landry is in his rookie year in the NBA and he has played in 17 games (0 starts) for the Knicks this season and he is averaging 6.4 minutes, 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds per game.

Eddie House played in 50 games (0 starts) for the Celtics this season and he averaged 16.9 minutes, 7.2 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. House played in 209 games (2 starts) in his three years with the Celtics and he has averaged 18.2 minutes, 7.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Giddens played in 21 games (1 start) for the Celtics this season and he was averaging 4.7 minutes, 1.1 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.3 assists per game. Walker played in 8 games (0 starts) for the Celtics this season and he was averaging 3.6 minutes, 1.0 point, 0.6 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.

I like this trade for the Celtics who have improved the bench with the addition of the very exciting Nate Robinson.

Paul Pierce, who has missed some games recently with a sprained foot, says his injury is not as bad as initially reported and that he is fine.  Pierce plans to play tonight against the New Orleans Hornets and says that he wants to participate in the All-Star game.  Pierce is also scheduled to be a part of the All-Star 3-Point Contest.  The Celtics really need Pierce to stay healthy, as he is their leading and most consistent scorer, and their best all-around player.  He is also lighting it up from outside, which is the reason why he was selected to participate in the 3-Point Contest.  This season he has played in 42 games (all starts) and is averaging 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 35.6 minutes.  He is shooting 47% from the field and 46% from three.  The Celtics’ staff pulled him out of practice on Monday since he was apparently hobbling around.  Pierce should not be worrying about the All-Star festivities and should put getting healthy a main priority.  The Celtics are hurting right now with Kevin Garnett not playing like his old self due to knee problems, so Pierce is that much more important to the Celtics.  In my opinion I think Pierce should sit out of at least the All-Star game itself, and maybe participate in just the 3-point Contest.  Without Paul Pierce the Celtics season would be pretty much over.