The Sebastian Telfair that existed before April 20, 2007 was a guy caught up perceptions and expectations. The hype surrounding his jump to the NBA made everyone think he was going to be a superstar. The people he grew up with expected him to act and carry himself a certain way. Then came April 20… when he got pulled over and busted for driving with a suspended license. Police also found a gun in his car. Telfair tells Steve Bulpett… that incident opened his eyes:
“It may sound strange, but I’m happy that it happened to me. I understand that I should never ever put myself in a situation or position to jeopardize what I love to do. I think the biggest thing I learned from it is it’s not only me I’m hurting when something like that happens. I’m hurting a lot of people — my team, the organization and my family.”
Telfair went on to say more of the right things:
“It’s very tough,” he said. “But you have to realize that it’s not arrogant or cocky to realize that you’re different. I mean, you’re still a human being, but at the end of the day you’re different because of what you have and what you’ve achieved. Some people will see that and not really like how it sounds, but it’s reality and I know it now. I understand that. When you understand that, you’ll be on the path you’re supposed to be on. You don’t need to be going on anybody else’s path. You don’t ever forget your friends, but part of your life is just different.”
At this point, we don’t know if this is just talk, or an actual turnaround. He’s working out with the C’s in Vegas, but he’s not slated to show up in any summer league games. If he does, then you know the Celtics believe what he’s saying. If he truly has committed himself to getting better as a player and as a person… if he truly has committed himself to staying out of trouble… then I think the Celtics and their fans should give him one more chance. But if he screws up one more time… then it makes everything else worse… because then everything that came out today is one big lie.
This might just be a topic on our call in show this Saturday morning. We’re going for an hour starting at 10:30 am. The Celtics play Greg Oden and the Trailblazers Friday night at 10pm… so you can watch that, wake up, and call in to our show.
Other stuff:
One of Doc’s assistants is going upstairs | All sorts of rookie signings… including BC’s Dudley in Charlotte | Souza will be blogging from Vegas… and what happens with Gomes NEXT year? | T&G: Allen trade passes the TV test | Another deal needed for Allen to make sense | Real GM: C’s a winner in Allen deal | Camerato: Celts should target Brevin Knight | Grant Hill to Suns? | If Pau Gasol is calling free agents, chances are he’s not looking for a trade | Draft Express top overseas free agents part one… and part two.
I realize Telfair isn’t in the same league as Pac Man Jones, but this wasn’t his first brush with the law. Why should it take someone 3 or 4 times before they finally get it? Or is it the fact that he realizes this type of behavior might end up costing him millions of dollars? This stuff aside, I didn’t see anything from his play on the court that warrants him coming back next season. He brings nothing to the table.
Ithink this is a smart move by bassy and the Cs should “take him back”. If he at least gets in some games and shows us anything, his trade value would increase. If we could get anything in return, its better than kicking him to the curb.
He might even surprise us and have a great year. I would rather him be the comeback player of the year in a Cs jersey than somewhere else. I dont expect that to happen by any stretch, but what do we have to lose.
If he messes up off the court or sucks on it, we dump him in a second.
If someone handed you a lottery ticket, would you throw it away because you lost every time before. I’m not getting my hopes up, but we might as well try to squeeze this lemon for every last drop.
PxFunk, I have to say, that was one of the best posts I’ve read on this site ever. The analogy with the lottery ticket was just great stuff. Your post contrasts Chucks so well because yours is from the prospective of an objective C’s fan that is looking for the best possible option for the C’s, wheras Chuck’s is a biased, unfactual, pessimistic bashing of a player that he personally does not like…… Just thought I’d add that.
BAM!
I will say this about the lottery ticket thing: The C’s weren’t handed a lottery ticket. They paid for it… and it’s not like it can be tucked away in the wallet until the number comes in.
He’s a salary and roster spot… and while I agree that he should get a chance if he’s TRULY committed to a turnaround… I disagree with the notion of waiting around for too long to see if he pays off. At some point in sports… you have to cut bait.
The bottom line for me is that without Delonte, Telfair suddenly has an opportunity. If things work out.. then it’s great news for the Celtics because they can spend their money on the defensive player everyone is hoping for.
So I’m the biased one? Tim’s love affair for Bassy is ridiculous. The guy did absolutely nothing on the court and embarrased the franchise off of it. I’m simply suggesting the Celtics cut their losses now, sign a veteran point guard and move on. This guy is on his second franchise….it’s not like we’re the only ones who have a bad opinion of him. And if he has all this ‘potential’ how come teams aren’t beating down Danny’s door to get him? You guys need a reality check.
well i’m also a fan of telfair, and i think we need to remember that with delonte gone, who is going to play point guard for the group off the bench? allan ray? boo. the rookie?
telfair is still young, and i think he could shape up. and i dont think his off the court incidents come even close to some of the other stuff thats been going on lately. namely, no one has gotten hurt around telfair. no dog fights, no murders, no club shootings.
and if someone’s going to carry guns, i’d rather have him on my team.
I am all for getting Sebastian Telfair’s life squared away, but I have yet to see any evidence that he is the answer to anyone’s basketball prayer. The only thing he is famous for is that PBS special that was done on him when he was in high school. If ever there was a player who needed a few years of college to mature both him and his game, it is Telfair. I see absolutely no role for him on the Celtics. Does anyone else?
Sebastian Telfair is the example of the young black man who gets out of the hood, gets payed plenty of money, plays in the best league there is, doesn’t have to work for the rest of his life, and still DOESN’T get it. The last run in with the law wasn’t his first. He should have been smart enough to stay away from the crowd he was running with but he wasn’t. He is a fellow who was just over hyped way way too much in his high school days and he got the brass ring. A chance to skip college, make a lot of money, and be in the NBA. But he is proof, that you can take the thug out of the hood, but you can’t take the hood out of the thug.
He may never be the player people thought he was way back when. I mean if you end up the third string point guard for the team with the worst record in the league in one year (Portland 2005-2006) and then you end up the third string point guard for the team that has the next to worst record in the league the next year (Boston 2006-2007) then you aren’t all that to begin with. The Celtics should be wary of all this talk about redemption and all that from Telfair. This is the last year of his rookie contract and he wants to make the best of this coming season FOR HIMSELF and not for the team. If Telfair somwhow has a fantastic season he can possibly fools a third team into takin him in thinking at his age and with his supposedly ability he should become what many thought he would be at first. A superstar. If he doesn’t have a great season and teams don’t come running to his door, many will tell him to go to the D-League to prove himself and hone his skills before anyone from the Association signs him up. Chances of that happening? Well as they say ,you can take the thug out of the hood, but can’t take the hood out of the…………….
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