Celtics interested in retired ex-Pacer Miller

The Boston Celtics have spoken with future Hall of Famer Reggie Miller about coming out of retirement to help the once-proud franchise in its push for an unprecedented 17th NBA title.

"I'm always flattered when my name is mentioned as someone who can still help an NBA team win a championship," Miller said Wednesday in a statement relayed to The Associated Press by the TNT network. "I've had limited discussions with Celtics management about their roster and a potential role for me. At this time, I'm enjoying my role as an analyst with TNT."

ESPN.com was the first to report the talks.

"(I have) contacted Reggie and he is contemplating a comeback with us," Celtics basketball boss Danny Ainge said through a team spokesman.

Miller, who will turn 42 this month, played 18 seasons, all with the Indiana Pacers, before retiring in 2005. He is 13th on the league's career scoring list with 25,279 points and the leader in 3-pointers made and attempted.

His uniform No. 31 was retired by the Pacers last year.

The Celtics traded for seven-time All-Star Ray Allen on draft weekend and then pulled off an unprecedented 7-for-1 trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves for former MVP Kevin Garnett. Those two will team with Pierce to form one of the most formidable top three in the NBA.

— The Associated Press

Ducks player defending treatment of real Ducks

Scott Niedermayer doesn't take kindly to duck abuse.

That's why the defenseman for Stanley Cup champion Anaheim signed on with PETA to defend ducks — mighty or otherwise.

Niedermayer sent a letter to the 50 members of the Chicago City Council, urging them to fight against efforts to repeal the city's ban on foie gras — the delicacy from enlarged livers of force-fed ducks and geese.

"As an Anaheim Duck, I hate to see real ducks tortured so that a handful of wealthy chefs can serve their diseased organs," wrote Niedermayer, the playoffs MVP last season. "Please uphold this compassionate law."

His letter said foie gras production is outlawed in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Czech Republic, Finland, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, and Israel. In 2012, it will become illegal to sell foie gras in California.

— The Associated Press