Bird perches over possible nest egg
LAS VEGAS — Jabari Bird, as evidenced by his highly entertaining 24-point performance against Denver on Saturday, is putting on quite a show for the rest of the league.
As a restricted free agent, the Celtics guard is drawing considerable interest, according to his agent.
“We’re hearing from people,” Aaron Goodwin said. “People are looking back at the end of the season, when he got those opportunities and played well. He really showed everyone what he’s capable of. He’s a confident kid who wants the best opportunity that’s available to him.”
Not that this outside interest deflects from where Bird wants to be.
“At this point the Celtics want to wait and see, and then we’ll talk,” said Goodwin. “He’s doing a good job of showing the league how he can play, but he’s a Celtic and he wants to remain a Celtic. That’s his intention.”
By qualifying Bird, the Celtics offered the guard another guaranteed, two-way contract. Players are allowed a maximum of three twoway contracts during the length of their careers.
Williams works to return
Robert Williams worked out on the side yesterday with Celts assistant coach Alex Barlow, who has been charged with getting the rookie up to speed.
Williams continued to work on ballhandling and shooting, and also holds out hope that his sore left knee will heal well enough to make an appearance before the Celtics’ time in the summer league ends.
In addition to knee tendinitis, Williams is suffering from a knee condition known as popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. The condition, first reported by MassLive, can constrict the artery behind the knee and restrict blood flow to the lower leg.
It’s a condition the Celtics, as well as teams throughout the league, were aware of in Williams prior to the draft.
But the contusion, suffered on the first night of summer league, appears to be the main reason Williams is being held out of action.
Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga, who is coaching the summer team, put Williams’ health at “65, 70 percent” yesterday, and still hopes the rookie center can make an appearance this week when the Celtics begin the playoffs.
“I’m feeling good, plan to do way more practice today, see what the trainer says about my knee,” said Williams. “I’ve definitely progressed, non-stop treatment from eight in the morning to seven at night.”
BABC’s run of prosperity
The BABC, run since the beginning of time by former Celtics scout Leo Papile, hit a benchmark this season with six players under contract to NBA teams.
In addition to Boston native and former Wakefield High product Bruce Brown, who just signed a multiple-year contract with the Detroit Pistons, the BABC will be represented in the league this year by Norwood’s Jake Layman (Portland), Everett’s Nerlens Noel (Oklahoma City), Hamilton’s Michael Carter-Williams (Houston), Lawrence’s Georges Niang (Utah) and Rhode Island product Bonzie Colson (Cleveland).
Overall, 23 BABC players have had a career in the NBA.