West, Wafer Throw Blows

Boston Celtics reserve guards Von Wafer and Delonte West reportedly came to blows during a shootaround Friday. West is already serving a 10 game suspension. Wafer is trying to stick around Boston. If what is reported is true this doesn't help either's cause.

Alex Kennedy at HoopsWorld:

During a three-on-three game with Avery Bradley(notes), Luke Harangody(notes), Semih Erden(notes) and assistant coach Tyronn Lue(notes), West began fouling [Von] Wafer each time the reserve guard touched the ball. West was increasingly physical to the point that Wafer exited to the locker room midway through the game. As he walked away, West barked obscenities and taunted Wafer.

After Wafer had showered and sat down at his locker, West approached from behind and threw a punch. Wafer didn't see the punch coming but quickly got off of the ground and connected on two punches of his own. He then wrestled West to the ground before being separated by the team's veterans.

Kennedy went on to say that Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce didn't find any pleasure in this situation and that Danny Ainge was considering waiving West.

West believes Wafer was behind this comment which led to the scrum.

Danny Ainge was not pleased with the story altogether. In the big scheme of things, they are bit players on the Celtics and they shouldn't let something like this potentially derail their season. From what the report says it seems like Wafer got the best of the exchange.

It Could Be A Big Offseason In Detroit

If the Detroit Tigers want to give their fans hope for next season they'll need to pony up some big dollars to bring the likes of Adam Dunn, Carl Crawford, or Victor Martinez to town. According to a report on ESPN.com that could be their line of thinking.

As far as we know, the Tigers were not one of the Michigan companies that received some form of government bailout. But at least one report says the Tigers may still have some money to spend.


Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe says the Tigers are very interested in free agents Victor Martinez and/or Carl Crawford, which could put them on a collision course with the Boston Red Sox.

Abraham says the Tigers have their eye on Martinez after light hitting Alex Avila did their catching last season. As for the outfield, the Tigers see a Crawford-Austin Jackson combination giving them premier defense.

Tigers owner Mike Ilitch is 81 years old and not short on cash, so there is no reason for Detroit fans not to think big.

If the Tigers fall short of their pursuit for V-Mart or Crawford, Tom Gage of the Detroit News says that free agent Jim Thome would be a solid fit.

Personally I would like to see them add a pitcher that can eat up some innings and win about 12-14 games.