Rumors

Mark Murphy: I’m lucky. 31 years together this month, and my wife actually wants to see more of me. She always has the best ideas. Good time to exit after 34½ years at the Herald. Larry Bird was on the floor my first day on the beat. Hotel life gets old. I’m finally grilling that octopus. Thanks to all of you for following, and keeping me honest. @steve_hewitt , a true hoopshead and fine writer, will swing over from the Red Sox to cover the Celtics for the Herald. Now I can crack open a beer and watch Jayson Tatum without worrying about those crazy deadlines.

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Mark Murphy: More Satch Sanders on the essence of Russell: “All he wanted to do was block shots, rebound and intimidate people. And he did that better than anyone else.”

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Mark Murphy: How does a former teammate sum up Bill Russell? Satch Sanders: "He had no problem with helping. The player that helps other players needs to be talked about. He had everyone's back, and that's what made him special."

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Mark Murphy: Source on Jaylen Brown's reaction to trade rumors: "He loves it in Boston. He was two games away from a championship. He's happy and looking forward to coming back. ... Like Kawhi, AD and others on that level, he's going to be included in every report because of who he is."

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Mark Murphy: Per source - C’s goal is to continue with double big lineup, and that Malcolm Brogdon is viewed as a sixth man, behind Marcus Smart

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Mark Murphy: Hearing that the Celtics still plan to sign a backup big to a vet minimum contract. No current plans for the $17.1m TPE.

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Mark Murphy: League executive said the pitches to Nets for Kevin Durant will, "be like an auction, probably 20 teams." Asked if Celtics will attend the auction, he said, "yes."

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Mark Murphy: League source confirms report by @Jake Fischer that Celtics are interested in signing Danilo Gallinari if he is waived by San Antonio.

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Mark Murphy: Marcus Smart on all that trade talk: "Every year my name is in talks, and I’m still here. I’m still the longest tenured Celtic. So I take it as a compliment. It means you’re valued pretty high and if your name is talked about people want you. But I don’t pay much attention."

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Mark Murphy: Smart on C's attracting free agents: "We got a bad rep in Boston for (FA's). This year we opened a lot of eyes to how this team really is. It’s not everybody for themselves. Everybody is for each other, and I think maybe (FA's think) I can give it a shot in Boston. We’ll see."

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Mark Murphy: Jayson Tatum's 95 turnovers is an NBA postseason record. List composed entirely of legends (No. 2 LeBron had 94 in 2018). 3rd (Dwyane Wade, 90) and 5th (Shaq, 85) played on the same team - the 2006 Heat. Larry Bird is 4th with 87 in 1984.

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Mark Murphy: Tatum on people calling him a "superstar": "Never came from me. ... I wonder who spoke on my behalf or said that or why that was such a big deal. If you win a championship, they can debate a lot of things. They can't debate whether or not you're a champion."

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Mark Murphy: Ime Udoka flexible when his players chirp with GS: "For us it's to be who you are. I told them if I was a player, who I was, I would probably get a double technical immediately. But that's not everybody. Do what you do. Block it out or meet physicality with physicality."

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Mark Murphy: Brown on his Draymond encounter: "I don't know what I was supposed to do there. Somebody got their legs on the top of your head and then he tried to pull my pants down. I don't know what that was about. That's what Draymond Green does. He'll do whatever it takes."

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