HoopsHype.com Rumors

Gary Dzen: The Celtics announced that they have sent rookies Fab Melo and Kris Joseph to the Maine Red Claws. Twitter @GlobeGaryDzen

Boston Celtics, D-League, Kris Joseph, Fab Melo 

Jared Sullinger is "Sully." Dionte Christmas is "Temple," because that's where he went to college. And Kevin Garnett calls Fab Melo is "Melo" because "I don't like really calling a man 'Fab.'" The Boston Celtics rookies are getting nicknames, compliments of the man himself known as "KG" and "The Big Ticket." Garnett went out of his way on Friday to make it clear that he's doing it to be affectionate and not because, like many veterans throughout basketball and other sports, he can't be troubled to learn their real names. USA Today

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett, Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo, Dionte Christmas 

"My personal connection is a nickname. I'm not disrespecting people by not knowing their names," Garnett said. "Some people don't even talk to rookies." USA Today

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett, Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo, Dionte Christmas 

Rookies go through a transitional period during their first season in the NBA. On the Boston Celtics, part of that experience is how they are addressed by Kevin Garnett. As the five Celtics rookies shared with CSNNE.com, first names are a rarity with the veteran leader. Fab Melo: “The Youngin. [He calls] everybody Youngin. Oh, and Melo. He calls me by my last name . . . He never calls me Fab. I don’t really care about that stuff. In Brazil, we don’t care. We call first name, last name, it doesn’t really matter. I don’t mind.” CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett, Fab Melo 

First-round picks Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo and second-round choice Kris Joseph all signed contracts yesterday morning, meaning all three will play their first games as Celtics this weekend in the Orlando summer league. The Celtics also added some familiar names to what now is an 11-man lineup, including Craig Brackins, a 6-foot-10 forward and 2010 first-round pick (by Oklahoma Ciy) who played for Philadelphia last season and spent a lot of time with the Celtics’ Development League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Summer League, Craig Brackins, Jared Sullinger, Kris Joseph, Fab Melo 

Paul Flanner: The Celtics announced contracts for their draft picks. Sullinger and Melo are on slotted rookie contracts. Twitter

Boston Celtics, Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo 

Melo, Sullinger, and second-round pick Kris Joseph are expected to participate in summer league contests in Orlando and Las Vegas through July 22. Melo said he already has been contacted by Kevin Garnett. “I heard from him and I want to learn from him, too,” Melo said of Garnett. “He’s an energy guy and I have a lot of energy. Just his passion — he said he’s excited to teach me, and I’m excited to learn.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett, Fab Melo 

Gary Dzen: Fab Melo: "I'm a very coach-able guy. Just tell me how to do it and I will do it." Twitter

Boston Celtics, Fab Melo 

Gary Dzen: Fab Melo introduces his business manager, Rodrigo. Ainge says, "Is Rodrigo your academic advisor as well?" Twitter

Boston Celtics, Danny Ainge, Fab Melo 

But Boston is hopeful that the last few days’ worth of events, including Garnett’s decision to agree on a three-year extension, combined with the selection of Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo in last Thursday’s Draft, combined with the team’s strong showing through Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, will convince the 36-year-old Allen to accept the team’s two-year, $12 million offer. NBA.com

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo 

Avery Bradley: Great picks. We are happy to have @fabpmelo Twitter

Draft, Avery Bradley, Fab Melo 

It isn’t out of the realm of possibilities the Bucks could then choose Fab Melo of Syracuse. A native of Brazil , Melo has seen his stock steadily rise through the draft process after averaging a pedestrian 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds at Syracuse last season. Melo is unquestionably a project but an intriguing one. He was measured at 6-foot-11 at the recent pre-draft camp in Chicago , has a 7-3 wing span and a standing reach of 9-2. Some NBA scouts believe Melo could eventually develop into a solid starting center, especially considering he’s only played basketball six years. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Draft, Brazil, Fab Melo 

The Heat also have a first-round pick, No. 27, this week that they are expected to use on a backup big man such as Fab Melo of Syracuse, Andrew Nicholson of St. Bonaventure or Festus Ezeli of Vanderbilt depending on who might be available. ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Draft, Fab Melo, Andrew Nicholson, Festus Ezeli 

Michael Cunningham: MT @HawksPRGuy: Sat. #Hawks draft workouts- F. Ezeli (Vandy), S. Machado (Iona), F. Melo (Syracuse), H. Sims (Georgetown). Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Draft, Fab Melo, Scott Machado, Festus Ezeli, Henry Sims 

Michael Cunningham: #Hawks said Syracuse C Fab Melo suffered L elbow injury during workout today. Not considered serious. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Draft, Injuries, Fab Melo 

Syracuse’s Fab Melo said the mock drafts he’s looked at have him going anywhere between 15-30 in the first round of next week’s draft. The Pacers wouldn’t be upset if Melo was still available when they pick at No. 26. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Draft, Fab Melo 

Melo, along with Chris Johnson (Dayton), Jarrod Jones (Ball State), Kyle O’Quinn (Norfolk State), Miles Plumlee (Duke) and Jonathon Simons (Houston), worked out for the Pacers on Tuesday. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Draft, Chris Johnson, Fab Melo, Kyle O'Quinn, Miles Plumlee, Jarrod Jones, Jonathon Simons 

Melo, who had his sophomore season at Syracuse cut short because of academic problems, turned a lot of heads during his workout in front of the Pacers front office and coaching staff. “He was off the charts,” one person who watched him said. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Draft, Fab Melo 

Syracuse center Fab Melo is also reportedly working out for the Cavs this week, possibly on Friday. The 7-0, 250-pounder is a candidate at 24. Morning Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Draft, Fab Melo, Workouts 

Fab Melo now has a chance to explain what happened at Syracuse. Melo was ruled academically ineligible for seven games last season, including the NCAA tournament, and now that he's making the rounds on the draft workout list, Melo is trying to answer NBA scouts. His explanation is simple: Until four years ago, the Brazilian didn't even speak English. FOXSports.com

Draft, Fab Melo