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That’s why this time around in Boston is different for Daniels. Not just because he’s donning his third Celtics jersey number in as many seasons. For the first time in a long time, he can just play basketball — pain (and worry) free — like that 11-year-old kid who got the same number branded on his arm. “It’s a second chance at more than just basketball. I can say at life,” said Daniels, who scored 11 points in both Friday’s scrimmage and Sunday’s preseason game. “It could have went either way. I could have been rolling in here instead of walking and talking to you guys, so I’m blessed to be where I’m at right now.” WEEI.com

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Marquis Daniels 

Daniels asked his doctor “a million times” if they were sure he was healthy enough to play again, and the doctor reassured him each time, “I’m positive that there’s a slim chance of that ever happening again.” If Daniels needed any more convincing, a headbutt he suffered during a pickup game at Auburn University did just that. “I was bleeding, but I was like, ‘Well, my neck’s Ok,’” he said, adding, “It feels a lot better. I’m not limited or anything. I don’t worry about getting hit, so I just go out there and play my game. I’m a hockey player, so I’ll be all right. It takes a lot to take me out.” WEEI.com

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Marquis Daniels 

Swingman Marquis Daniels has dealt with a serious health issue. Daniels yesterday made his first game appearance since a frightening collision with Orlando’s Gilbert Arenas Feb. 6 that caused temporary paralysis. It was initially thought that Daniels’s career could be over, but he had spinal cord surgery in March. “We’re a family-oriented team, and it’s a tough time for him, but he’s family and there are going to be some guys to try to keep his spirits up,’’ Daniels said of Green. “I really don’t want to speak too much on [his condition], but it’s trying times.’’ Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Gilbert Arenas, Injuries, Marquis Daniels 

Daniels collided with then-Orlando guard Gilbert Arenas, jarring his neck on the play which left him momentarily motionless on the TD Garden floor. Surgery on his spinal cord, followed by several months of rehabilitation, has brought Daniels back to the game he loves. "This is a little different," said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. "This is life-threatening stuff. For me, I always look at the player. I don't look at the team as much. We'll get to the team; that's our job. But like I said in the last case, we get to still do our jobs. When guys get injured like that, they don't and some may never (play again). Like with Quis, at the time, we thought it was forever. That's harsh; that's tough. Especially when you trained your life to do this job. So that's the way I look at it." CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Marquis Daniels 

During his time away from the game, Daniels acknowledged that there were times when doubts about his return did creep into your mind. That's where those close to you, Daniels said, play a vital role in the recovery that he says is both mentally and physically challenging. As far as advice for Green, Daniels said the most important thing for him was to rely on faith, family and friends. "As long as everybody's around, keeping his spirits up, he'll be fine," Daniels told CSNNE.com prior to today's preseason opener against Toronto. CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Injuries, Marquis Daniels 

The Celtics have reached agreement with swingman Marquis Daniels, and will introduce him for the third time tomorrow at the opening of training camp. Daniels, who signed a one-year contract for a veterans minimum salary, originally joined the team in 2009, and got off to a tremendous start before tearing a ligament in his left thumb that required surgery. He signed on again with a one-year contract last fall, again started well, but this time went out for the season suffering a bruised spinal cord during a Feb. 6 game against Orlando. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Marquis Daniels 

Sam Amick: Source says Marquis Daniels is expected to return to Boston on a one-year minimum deal. Twitter

Boston Celtics, Marquis Daniels, Free 

Chris Forsberg: source confirms the Celtics and Marquis Daniels are "very close" on a 1-year deal to bring him back to Boston. (@Julian Benbow had it first) Twitter

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Marquis Daniels 

The Celtics are close to reaching an agreement to bringing back free agent forward Marquis Daniels, according to two sources, giving a second chance to Daniels after a bruised spinal cord brought his 2010-11 season to an abrupt and unfortunate end. Daniels is expected to be in Waltham Thursday for physicals. The free agent period begins Friday along with training camp and teams can begin signing players at 2 p.m. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Marquis Daniels 

Julian Benbow: The #Celtics are close to reaching an agreement to bring Marquis Daniels back this season, according to two sources. Twitter

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Marquis Daniels 

Ainge has also expressed interest in free agents Shannon Brown, Kwame Brown, Marquis Daniels, and Reggie Evans as he looks to fill out the roster. He’s also talked to representatives for Glen Davis and Delonte West. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Shannon Brown, Delonte West, Kwame Brown, Reggie Evans, Marquis Daniels, Glen Davis 

The Celtics also have had conversations about Lakers swingman Shannon Brown, Bobcats center Kwame Brown, and former Celtic Marquis Daniels, whose season was cut short when he suffered a bruised spinal cord in a Feb. 6 collision with Magic guard Gilbert Arenas. “It’s something we’re talking about,’’ said agent Mark Bartelstein, who represents all three. “We’re having conversations. Nothing’s been decided yet. We’ll kind of see what happens here over the next couple days. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Shannon Brown, Kwame Brown, Marquis Daniels 

Multiple league sources confirmed the #Celtics have expressed interest in the following players: Shane Battier, Kwame Brown, Marquis Daniels, Aaron Gray and Roger Mason. Other reports have linked the C's with Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes. Twitter

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Roger Mason, Kwame Brown, Aaron Gray, Marquis Daniels, Carl Landry, Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes 

Gary Washburn: Rajon Rondo will host "Boston Charity Classic" on Sat at Harvard featuring Paul Pierce, Glen Davis, Marquis Daniels, Josh Smith. Also scheduled to play: Kendrick Perkins, Rudy Gay, Leon Powe, Jeff Green, Kevin Durant, JaJuan Johnson, Jeremy Lin & Kyle Lowry #nbalockout Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul Pierce, Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Durant, Kendrick Perkins, Kyle Lowry, Josh Smith, Lockout, Jeremy Lin, Jeff Green, Marquis Daniels, Glen Davis, Leon Powe, JaJuan Johnson 

Marquis Daniels: I'm bout to go on tour rapping Twitter

Lockout, Marquis Daniels 

Bill Ingram: Marquis Daniels says he has a good idea where he'll sign as a free agent...won't be Sac.... Twitter

Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Marquis Daniels 

Street Basketball Association in partnership with HLA Management is production team for the Southern Hospitality Showcase Atlanta 2011. The event will also include live entertainment including performances and DJ Irie, Official DJ of the Miami Heat. Confirmed NBA Players participating include Marquis Daniels, Rajon Rondo. Jason Terry, Steven Jackson, Nate Robinson, Josh Howard, John Wall, Al Harrington, Josh Selby, Trey Thompkins, Travis Thompkins, and JJ Hickson; with more player announcements scheduled for the coming days. "Attendees can expect a perfect blend of the rawness and athleticism street ball is known best for, and the strategies and techniques of professional ball play. We're going to have a great time and raise money for some very worthy causes," explains Marquis Daniels. PR.com

Rajon Rondo, John Wall, Nate Robinson, JJ Hickson, Josh Howard, Al Harrington, Lockout, Marquis Daniels, Jason Terry, Josh Selby 

It is not surprising Daniels, an unrestricted free agent, mentions the C’s as he talks about the next steps in his basketball career. While many players are exploring international options during the lockout, he is focusing first on the NBA. “I definitely would like to be anywhere where a team wants me,” he said. “I’m keeping my options open. I still root for the guys on the Celtics. It’s a great organization. I talk to Paul (Pierce) and Kevin and (Rajon) Rondo and all those guys. So I’d be open to coming back there as well.” CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Lockout, Marquis Daniels 

"On his thoughts of playing overseas, he says, “I’m not sure. I can’t say because there’s so much going on right now that we have to stick together first as a union, and us players have to try to do what’s best for us to try to make something happen sooner than later. And hopefully it can be sooner.” CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Lockout, Marquis Daniels 

Daniels heard a voice. In that moment, the most intense player on the court was suddenly the calming assurance he needed. “I just remember I kept hearing Kevin [Garnett] telling me, ‘You’re gonna be alright. You’re gonna be alright,’” Daniels told CSNNE.com in a telephone interview. “I was like, ‘I can‘t move.’ He said, ’What do you mean?’ He kept telling me I was gonna be alright. I think that helped me out a lot, just hearing his voice telling me I was going to be alright. I stayed calm, I didn’t panic. “It was a trying time for me. I didn’t take anything for granted. I was going to take everything seriously from now on.” CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Injuries, Marquis Daniels