Celtics' E'Twaun Moore and the "White Mamba" suit up for Benneton Treviso

The Italian team Benneton Treviso has started their exhibtion season and some of the lockout affected NBA stars were there. And by stars we mean 2nd Round Draft pick E'Twaun Moore and ex-Celtic practice squad member player Brian Scalabrine. Moore went 8-of-9 FGs and 5-of-5 from 3-point range for 22 points in the exhibition game.

More importantly is the emergence of a new nickname for Scaly/Veal/Jackie Moon/etc: Brian "the White Mamba" Scalabrine.

One can only hope the Robert Rodriguez directed short is in post-production.

While the White Mamba scored just 6, as always the Mamba's impact doesn't necessarily show up in the boxscore, which can be seen by these action shots:



The behind the back is so smooth.

E'Twaun Moore's Draft Day Diary

The behind the scenes look at the Celtics #55 overall draft pick, E'Twaun Moore. There have been rumors that Moore has signed with the Italian Serie A Team Cimberio Varese, but that deal supposedly will have a small window for him to opt-out should the NBA Lockout ever end.

From the Globe:

Team president Danny Ainge can’t give his approval or disapproval to Moore heading to Europe, or offer a guaranteed contract as incentive for him to remain in the States.

“It makes it tough, there’s no question,’’ Bartelstein said. “There’s things we’d like to be able to have a conversation with Danny about because I know how highly they feel about E’Twaun. But the problem at this point, we just have no confidence that the league wants to get a deal done.’’

Obviously the Celtics will retain draft rights for another year even if he signs with Varese, which could turn out to be a better option if he's Red Claw bound. But if they legitimately need SG depth, which they look like they do, it would be a big loss.

Sadly the NBA lockout has made it that

is a better and safer option in comparison to

#12 & #55 Meet the Media

"Kevin's a great teacher. Actually, the best teacher that I've ever coached, by far. But if you don't listen the first time, he'll never teach you again, and that's just how he works. We warn guys of that, and some follow, and end up being coached by Kevin Garnett, and some think they know it all, and they're not."
-Doc Rivers

#12 JaJuan & #55 E'Twaun met the media for the first time officially as Boston Celtics team members. In regards to the life lessons of KG, Johnson will "definitely listen". He better. As Patrick O'Bryant once learned, these classes are not an easy A, particularly for those that don't pay attention:

To Rivers' earlier point about past teammates who didn't listen, a post-practice session between Garnett and former C's center Patrick O'Bryant from two years ago still comes to mind. Garnett spent the entire time dunking over the blank-faced O'Bryant and shouting, "Do you feel me?" -Mark Murphy

Not a whole lot of updates from Ainge other than the usual media mumbo-jumbo. Meaning no movement before the lockout, Green's qualifying offer will be made, no updates on Davis'/Delonte's status with the team, nor updates on potential return of the other bench filler from the 2010-11 squad (yes to Arroyo/Pavlovic but no to Wafer/Murphy), nor any potential free agent targets (from Marquis to CP3).

“We can’t really get anything major done. We’ll have some more conversations before July 1 comes along, and then we’ll just go from there. I think we’re all hopeful, but we just have to deal with what’s there.” -Danny Ainge

Translation, get ready for an even slower summer than normal and who knows how long this lockout will be. Here's a clip from the Media session with the new Rookies:

Purdone: C's go with 2 Boilermakers Johnson & Moore

"Two really good, productive college players. Mature kids, great character and attitude. We got some shooting, we got some length, and I think they're a good fit for us."

"We think [Johnson is] a both-ends-of-the-court player. He can shoot, he can rebound, block shots. He's got some good energy and good length. I think that he fits a lot of parts that we need."
-Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge

"I like it. Big 10 Player of the Year, athletic, can shoot -- I like it a lot. We didn't think he'd be there and he was. [Johnson can] pick-and-pop, he's a terrific shooter for his size and [is] extremely athletic. Obviously, he rebounded well in college which you hope translates over. But we've proven we can get bigs shots and, so we can get him shots and he'll make them. The defensive part, he comes from a great program, he's a high-character kid, and at [No. 27], that's what you hope for."
-Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers

Personally I really like the Moore pick a lot, he's a smart kid and had a very impressive collegiate career (in 2010-11 he had eleven 20+ points games, three of which were 30+ point games). Johnson seems like a risk, particularly with his need to bulk up for the NBA game. He's shown flashes of brilliance, a 17 rebound 7 block game against Michigan State and was the Big Ten Player of the Year and also Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Both are 4 year college players and have the ability to contribute right away. Moore was an Academic All-American and a Third Team All-American. Moore is only the fourth player in Big Ten history to tally 2,000 points (2,136), 500 rebounds (611), and 350 assists (400) in a career.


JaJuan Johnson's Draft Combine Interview:



E'twaun Moore's Draft Combine Interview: