Celtics moving on after D.J.

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03/02/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - I used to collect professional sports action figures called Starting Lineups as a kid, and still have them today.

One of the many sports heroes I owned was former Celtics great Dennis Johnson. But at the time Dee Brown was hot on the scene for Boston, especially with his no-look jam in the 1991 Slam Dunk contest and black Reebok pumps with white laces.

Kenner didn't make a Brown Starting Lineup at the time, so I moronically decided to scrape off Johnson's last name and No. 3 on the toy to create my own #7. I obviously wasn't too familiar with Johnson but his play against the Detroit Pistons in the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals is my fondest memory.

I can still hear Celtics announcer Johnny Most saying in his raspy, cigarette- induced voice, "Now there's a steal by (Larry) Bird. Underneath to D.J. He lays it in."

Bird came up with an awesome steal and fired a sweet pass to a cutting Johnson, who sent his bench into an uproar with a successful layup. Boston went on to win the series in seven games, but lost in the NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.

But after a successful NBA career, Johnson passed away last week at the young age of 52 after an apparent heart attack. D.J. was a five-time All-Star and a 14-year NBA veteran, something I should have known before I broke out the X- Acto knife on the toy. I'm sure, though, Johnson would have chuckled upon hearing my story of trying to turn him into Brown.

Now my nephew plays with the Starting Lineups, and I am prepared to explain to him how stupid I was for ruining one of the best in the bunch.

The Celtics are still mourning the loss of one of the best to play for the organization, and have won two straight since a four-game losing streak. They have just three wins over their last 25 games and will hit the road to New Jersey on Saturday night. After the Nets game, Boston will open a four-game homestand at TD Banknorth Garden where they are 6-21 this season.

In other team news, Celtics radio analyst Cedric Maxwell apologized on the air during Wednesday's win over New York for his sexist remarks about female referee Violet Palmer. Maxwell allegedly stated Palmer should "go back to the kitchen" after he disagreed with one of her calls in Monday's loss to Houston.

Maxwell, a former Celtics player, also added "go in there and make me some bacon and eggs, would you?"

I thought the buzz of a female referee was over with a few days after she made her professional debut. Apparently it still hasn't set in for Maxwell, whose number is retired by the infamous franchise. Maxwell was named MVP of the 1981 NBA Finals.

In injury news, Celtics forward Wally Szczerbiak is slated to undergo season- ending ankle surgery next week. Szczerbiak missed 24 games this season because of injury, and averaged 15 points and 3.1 rebounds in 32 contests.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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