Iverson Falling Off Celts' Radar

The Celtics appeared to be falling out of the running for Allen Iverson [stats] yesterday, but new information leaves open to question how deeply they were ever truly in it.

According to sources, the Celts and 76ers did have discussions on a potential trade, but, contrary to published reports, at no time did the Celtics make a specific offer or did the Sixers make a specific request.

Philadelphia was exploring other options yesterday, including multiple-team transactions, leading the Celtics to believe Iverson will not wind up in Green - especially when the club did not hear back from the 76ers by yesterday morning.

But even if the Celts, said to be one of five teams still in the running as of yesterday, do not land Iverson, they are willing to help facilitate his move elsewhere if they can gain an asset in return.

More than one league source confirmed that the Sixers’ wish list from the Celtics included some combination of Al Jefferson [stats], Delonte West, Ryan Gomes and Theo Ratliff [stats], with the latter being an expiring (after next season) contract to make the salary numbers work. Ratliff could be even more valuable financially if his back problems keep him from playing again and his contract insurance kicks in.

Note that Philadelphia has not sought Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair [stats], Tony Allen or Rajon Rondo [stats], names that appeared in different public speculation. Regarding Green, the 76ers would seem to be set at that position with Andre Iguodala.

Though the Celts would clearly like to keep Jefferson, they have apparently been willing to discuss him, but not in combination with Gomes.

The talks between the Celtics and Philadelphia actually were rekindled from about a month ago, meaning that the 76ers have not just been reacting to Iverson’s recent actions.

League sources say that even if the Celtics’ staff is able to reach an agreement on an Iverson deal, the team’s ownership, which has sought answers to questions about The Answer, still could choose to prevent the move.

Danny Ainge had no comment on the specifics yesterday.

“There’s nothing going on with us right now,” he said. “It’s really not any different than it’s been the last few days for us.”

If you’re looking for a trigger point on the Celtics’ just-completed 3-0 road trip, the following score will suffice: 22-2.

For many on this suddenly buoyed team, that deficit at the start of last Saturday’s win in New Jersey was akin to someone lighting a king-sized Bunsen burner under the Celtics bench.

Jefferson responded with the best game of his career. West inched a little closer to the capable, all-aspects performer people remembered from last season. Paul Pierce [stats] was no longer bearing the load alone.

Against the Nets, Pierce was able to hit the winning shot after Jefferson pulled the Celtics through all of the important junctures. Wednesday night against the 76ers, Pierce could settle back and become one of the guys, while West and Wally Szczerbiak came off the bench with big performances.

That 22-2 gap appears to have branded itself in a lot of short-term memories.

“It was great,” said Doc Rivers. “When you look on the schedule and see three games on the road, you usually don’t write in three wins.”cw0cw0

Even when those three games are limited to teams from the weak Atlantic Division.

“The Nets game was tough,” said the Celtics [team stats] coach. “But coming back from 22-2 is the reason that we got off on this trip.”