Where I'm most excited and uplifted is on defense. I'm able to move laterally, and recover when a guy makes a strong move. I can respond to that and react to that.

--KG

Rondo and Churchill

"He's not a perfect player, but he's a lot better than all these other [potential replacements]," Ainge said. "We really weren't close to making a deal for him. We will be really glad that we weren't."

Compare this to what Winston Churchill had to say about democracy: “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.”

The interesting thing," Ainge said, "is that obviously the Spurs are glad they kept Tony Parker," who was afraid of being dealt for Jason Kidd earlier in his career. "That's when mistakes are made, when you start expecting a 21-year-old or 22-year-old to be something now. Give them a chance to become that, to become tougher mentally and more disciplined.

If Rondo establishes a consistent and reliable jumper this year, he might be first team, All-NBA. Word has it that Rondo's been working on that jumper with Mark Price.

The Celtics are fully aware of the precedent established by Parker, who improved his shooting to become MVP of the '07 NBA Finals. "Oh, we've brought that up many times in our conversations," said Ainge of his talks with Rivers. "His curse is that he's so talented, and in a deciding game of the ('08) NBA Finals of such magnitude -- with Kobe [Bryant], Ray [Allen], Paul, KG, [Pau] Gasol on the court -- Rondo was the best player in the gym." In that decisive Game 6 Rondo finished with 21 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 6 steals.

The only other person I've heard say that the MVP of game 6 is Bob Ryan. But it most definitely is true. Rondo was in the stratosphere, with everyone else just looking up.

LINK

Tony Allen Practices

LINK

Sky Walker goes down and TA stands up.

Coincy dink?

Bill Walker Having MRI on Knee

Florida Celts Fan via Gary Washburn with the inside dirt.

GLOBE

FCF keeping Celtics Nation informed!

Quick Hit: 2008 Celtics v. 2010 Celtics

This will be a much bandied about topic in Celtic Nation over the course of the next several months. At least I hope it is, or something has gone awry in the Land of Green. Most of us would agree that discussing said subject is premature. But, you know, that never stopped me before.

So let's get round 1 out of the way.

2008            2010              Winner
KG              KG                2008
Truth           Truth             Tie
Beast           Beast             2010
Rondo           Rondo             2010
Jesus           Jesus             Tie

PJ              Sheed             2010
Posey           Marquis           2008
House/Alien     House/Walker      2008
Powe/Davis      Davis/Landlord    2008

See comments section for supporting analysis.

If It Doesn't Kill Ya, It Only Makes You Stronger

They are all very competitive people, and they were very disappointed last year when they did what they did. I really thought they had a terrific season though going through all the injuries which brought them down below their potential was. They played way above what they should have been capable of playing to extend people the way they did.

They have nothing to be ashamed of, and I think right now that will carry over into this season. They are real competitors and they are going to give you for as long as they can. If we get what’s on paper, gets produced on the floor, which I think will happen unless there are serious injuries, I think you’re going to have a team that is going to give people a lot of trouble.

--Tommy Heinsohn via Celtics Hub

Remember the advantage the Celtics gained from playing the two grueling 7-game series in the 2008 NBA playoffs? The green was tough as nails mentally by the time the Eastern Conference Finals rolled around. This is what I expect mentally from the Celtics again, only this time the advantage will be season-long, pissed off as everyone will be about how last year ended, including Sheed.

The Walton Comparisons Begin

Celtics Hub: What is your take on the teams’ new acquisitions of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels? What will they add to the Celtics this year?

Heinsohn: I think it’s big, big stuff. I think the addition of Rasheed Wallace is of the importance of the Celtics getting Bill Walton years ago. When you have a guy that potentially comes off the bench whose an all star player like that and still can compete for a long time, that puts you in the driver’s seat.

LINK

Are you kiddin' me? Heinsohn comes out of the shoot talkin' my language!! I haven't said this before, but it couldn't be more true. Those 70s teams were Red Auerbach top to bottom. Cowens was a classic Red guy. Heinsohn too. Then Red, of course, was himself. What I'm saying is you had the Celtics coming at you with a knife in one hand, brass knuckles on the other, darkness in their hearts, and a damn mean look on their faces.

I freakin' love Tommy!

Oh, BTW, even though I've made the comparison myself, I may be more inclined to compare the Sheed acquisition to the Lakers' acquistion of Mychal Thompson in 1987. Mountain Man had a long history of medical issues. Not so with Sheed.

Young William

I gotta agree with Florida Celts Fan. This kid is hard not to like, and very well could be the next Leon Powe. So anyone buying that Danny makes a 2-1 deal to open some room in the rotation for young William?

And Another Thing about #9

Rondo posted the fourth-highest total in franchise history for assists in a single season with 659 last year.

LINK

In a franchise where players named Cousy, Bird, and Archibald once roamed the hardwood, this statistic is fairly telling for a 23-year-old.

Rondo v. Tony Parker: The Last Three Matchups

Celtics 93, Spurs 91

Recap Box Score Play-By-Play Shot Chart Conversation

	1	2	3	4	T
BOS (53-13)	11	32	25	25	93
SAS (44-23)	28	25	17	21	91

Final

7:30 PM ET, March 17, 2008

AT&T Center

San Antonio, TX

BOSTON CELTICS
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
Paul Pierce, SF	44	8-13	1-4	5-6	0	8	8	5	1	1	4	5	22
Kevin Garnett, PF	39	7-15	0-0	7-8	2	6	8	2	2	1	4	2	21
Kendrick Perkins, C	20	0-2	0-0	0-0	4	2	6	0	0	1	0	3	0
Tony Allen, SG	26	1-4	0-1	2-2	0	2	2	0	1	2	0	2	4
Rajon Rondo, PG	29	9-18	0-0	2-2	3	3	6	3	3	0	2	0	20
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
Sam Cassell, PG	28	7-13	1-3	2-3	0	5	5	0	0	0	3	2	17
James Posey, SF	29	0-3	0-1	2-2	1	1	2	3	2	0	0	2	2
Glen Davis, PF	6	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	3	3	0	0	1	0	1	0
Eddie House, PG	16	1-4	1-2	2-2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	5
P.J. Brown, PF	3	1-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	2
Brian Scalabrine, PF	DNP COACH'S DECISION
Leon Powe, PF	DNP COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS		FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
		34-73	3-11	22-25	10	30	40	13	9	6	14	24	93
		46.6%	27.3%	88.0%	Team TO (pts off): 14 (16)
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
Bruce Bowen, SG	27	2-5	1-2	1-2	0	2	2	0	1	0	0	3	6
Tim Duncan, C	34	4-8	0-0	2-2	1	7	8	2	0	3	2	3	10
Fabricio Oberto, C	17	1-4	0-0	2-2	1	2	3	1	0	0	1	1	4
Michael Finley, SF	27	1-5	0-2	0-0	0	1	1	1	0	0	1	2	2
Tony Parker, PG	37	7-14	1-2	2-2	1	4	5	8	2	1	4	1	17
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
Ime Udoka, SF	24	2-7	1-4	1-2	0	1	1	0	3	1	1	4	6
Manu Ginobili, SG	33	10-18	4-7	8-8	1	3	4	2	0	0	2	0	32
Robert Horry, PF	13	2-6	1-5	2-2	2	4	6	1	0	0	1	2	7
Jacque Vaughn, PG	14	2-4	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	3	4
Kurt Thomas, C	15	1-2	0-0	1-2	2	2	4	1	0	0	0	2	3
Damon Stoudamire, PG	DNP COACH'S DECISION
Matt Bonner, PF	DNP COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS		FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
		32-73	8-22	19-22	8	26	34	19	7	5	12	21	91
		43.8%	36.4%	86.4%	Team TO (pts off): 13 (20)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Spurs 105, Celtics 99

Recap Box Score Play-By-Play Shot Chart Conversation

	1	2	3	4	T
SAS (34-15)	22	38	14	31	105
BOS (42-11)	23	29	24	23	99

Final

1:00 PM ET, February 8, 2009

TD Banknorth Garden

Boston, MA

SAN ANTONIO SPURS
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
Michael Finley, SF	27	1-4	0-1	5-6	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	1	-1	7
Tim Duncan, C	39	9-16	0-0	5-5	3	10	13	5	0	1	2	2	+1	23
Matt Bonner, PF	36	10-17	3-6	0-0	2	6	8	2	2	0	2	3	+2	23
Roger Mason, SG	31	3-9	2-6	3-3	0	3	3	1	0	0	1	4	+2	11
Tony Parker, PG	32	3-12	1-3	0-0	0	3	3	7	1	0	1	1	+9	7
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
Manu Ginobili, SG	31	6-11	2-4	5-5	1	2	3	3	3	1	4	1	+11	19
Kurt Thomas, C	19	3-5	0-0	0-0	1	4	5	0	0	0	0	3	+7	6
George Hill, PG	16	3-3	0-0	1-2	0	3	3	1	0	1	1	2	-2	7
Malik Hairston, SG	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Bruce Bowen, SG	7	0-2	0-1	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	-1	0
Fabricio Oberto, C	1	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	+2	2
Ime Udoka, SF	DNP COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS		FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF		PTS
		39-80	8-21	19-21	8	32	40	21	6	3	13	19		105
		48.8%	38.1%	90.5%	Team TO (pts off): 13 (15)
+/- denotes team's net points while the player is on the court.
BOSTON CELTICS
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
Paul Pierce, SF	40	9-17	0-2	1-2	0	8	8	2	1	1	2	5	+4	19
Kevin Garnett, PF	35	12-23	1-1	1-2	0	12	12	4	2	1	0	3	+1	26
Kendrick Perkins, C	34	5-5	0-0	0-0	3	4	7	2	1	1	3	3	+6	10
Ray Allen, SG	38	8-18	1-5	1-1	0	0	0	3	2	0	2	3	+1	18
Rajon Rondo, PG	39	3-11	0-0	0-0	1	4	5	16	1	0	1	2	+5	6
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
Leon Powe, PF	13	1-3	0-0	0-0	2	1	3	1	0	0	1	1	-11	2
Tony Allen, SG	18	4-7	0-2	3-4	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	2	-15	11
Glen Davis, PF	13	0-1	0-0	2-2	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	-8	2
Eddie House, PG	10	2-2	1-1	0-0	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	-13	5
Gabe Pruitt, PG	DNP COACH'S DECISION
Patrick O'Bryant, C	DNP COACH'S DECISION
Bill Walker, SG	DNP COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS		FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF		PTS
		44-87	3-11	8-11	8	31	39	28	7	3	11	20		99
		50.6%	27.3%	72.7%	Team TO (pts off): 11 (15)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Celtics 80, Spurs 77

Recap Box Score Play-By-Play Shot Chart Conversation

	1	2	3	4	T
BOS (52-18)	16	21	27	16	80
SAS (45-23)	22	20	21	14	77

Final

8:30 PM ET, March 20, 2009

AT&T Center

San Antonio, TX

BOSTON CELTICS
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
Paul Pierce, SF	39	3-16	1-1	2-2	1	11	12	2	0	0	1	4	+4	9
Kevin Garnett, PF	15	5-9	0-0	0-0	1	3	4	1	0	0	0	2	+1	10
Kendrick Perkins, C	34	5-7	0-0	0-0	0	3	3	1	0	5	1	0	+8	10
Ray Allen, SG	40	7-16	1-3	4-4	0	4	4	2	0	1	0	0	+3	19
Rajon Rondo, PG	40	8-19	0-0	0-1	0	5	5	12	3	0	1	3	+17	16
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
Glen Davis, PF	27	2-5	0-0	3-6	2	5	7	0	2	0	1	5	-5	7
Mikki Moore, PF	20	2-2	0-0	0-0	2	6	8	0	0	0	0	1	0	4
Eddie House, PG	14	1-4	1-1	0-0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	-5	3
Stephon Marbury, PG	12	1-4	0-1	0-0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	-8	2
Bill Walker, SG	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Leon Powe, PF	DNP RIGHT KNEE SPRAIN
Gabe Pruitt, PG	DNP COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS		FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF		PTS
		34-82	3-6	9-13	6	38	44	20	6	6	4	17		80
		41.5%	50.0%	69.2%	Team TO (pts off): 4 (8)
+/- denotes team's net points while the player is on the court.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
Michael Finley, SF	29	2-9	2-7	1-3	0	2	2	2	0	0	0	0	-5	7
Tim Duncan, C	32	6-15	0-0	3-4	1	8	9	3	0	1	2	1	-9	15
Matt Bonner, PF	30	3-6	1-3	0-0	1	6	7	1	0	1	0	1	+3	7
Roger Mason, SG	33	3-8	1-4	1-1	0	2	2	2	0	0	3	3	+9	8
Tony Parker, PG	38	12-23	0-1	1-5	0	7	7	8	1	0	2	2	-1	25
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	+/-	PTS
Kurt Thomas, C	18	1-2	0-0	0-0	4	4	8	0	1	2	0	2	-4	2
Bruce Bowen, SG	20	1-2	0-0	0-0	0	1	1	0	0	2	0	1	-8	2
Drew Gooden, PF	16	2-6	0-0	3-4	0	7	7	0	0	1	0	3	+8	7
George Hill, PG	22	2-5	0-1	0-0	0	2	2	1	0	0	1	2	-5	4
Ime Udoka, SF	3	0-1	0-1	0-0	0	2	2	0	0	1	0	0	-1	0
Jacque Vaughn, PG	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	-2	0
Fabricio Oberto, C	DNP COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS		FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF		PTS
		32-77	4-17	9-17	6	41	47	17	2	8	8	16		77
		41.6%	23.5%	52.9%	Team TO (pts off): 9 (16)

A Landlord Tidbit or Two

Shelden Williams, like David Robinson before him, became the third player in NCAA history to record at least 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, 350 blocks and 150 steals.

Pretty damn amazing numbers.

Shelden Williams was a superior rebounder and defender, but he coughed up the ball incessantly. Being a strong offensive rebounder is dampened by slippery stone hands. --Sacramento King's Blogger

I hadn't heard that before. Yes, indeed, hands of stone and fifth pick overall in the NBA draft don't go together. Somehow, I don't think Shelden will feel the same need to go right back up with an offensive rebound on this team. But superior rebounder and defender. That's what I'm talking about when I compare him to Greg Kite and Rick Robey.

More Rondo Recognition

NBA ON THE WAY: Shaq to Cleveland, Artest to the Lakers, Vince Carter to Orlando. Nice pickups, ensuring there will be a few incredible teams this season, and a league with maybe 20 mediocre-to-bad rosters.But did any franchise add quality depth as well and as quietly as the Boston Celtics? Shelden Williams, Marquis Daniels, Rasheed Wallace were added in the offseason while Big Baby Davis and Eddie House were, perhaps more importantly, kept during the offseason. So, a healthy starting five includes eventual Hall of Famers Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and a blossoming Kendrick Perkins.

Anything else?

Oh yeah, Rajon Rondo might be the best player on the floor at least one out of every four quarters every game.

LINK

My Rondo jersey shirt just came in the mail yesterday. $7.99. Ebay has some deals.

"Unfinished Business"

Unfinished business. That nasty taste in my mouth. I didn’t want to leave like that. I had opportunities where I could have went other places, but I love it out here, I love playing out here, I love playing for this organization, I love my teammates, and we just have unfinished business.

--E.House

Scal, Not Bill Walker, Running with the Second Unit

According to the Globe, Doc ran the following unit as his reserves in the first day of practice: Marquis Daniels, Glen Davis, Eddie House, Brian Scalabrine, and Rasheed Wallace. It's probably Coach's way of showing some respect to the veteran Scal and making Bill Walker earn his PT. I will be curious to see how minutes are allotted during the pre-season games. There is also Scal's head to think about.

BTW, who plays the 3 in that lineup?

I'm not so sure that Doc doesn't have Baby defend the opposing team's small forward.

KG: S'quisy's Got a Herky-Jerky Game Like Paul

Marquis and Paul [Pierce] have the same kind of herky-jerky slow game,’’ Garnett said. “Very, very effective. I like our team, I like our team a lot. Still got to see how it meshes, the chemistry and how it comes together. But, so far, so good.

LINK

Herky-jerky. That pretty much captures what I remember from the Truth's best moments against Cleveland and the Fakers during the 2008 NBA playoffs. Well, except when Paul was draining threes against Kobe and Radmonowhatsit. Come to think of it, even then Radmonowhatsit had no clue how to defend him, lurching forward as Paul launched a trey, turning it into a four-point opportunity.

Garnett Learning to "Pick his Spots"

Garnett is attempting to pick his spots instead of going all out all the time. He has added the word “patience’’ to his vocabulary.

LINK

Exactly what Wilt had to do for the 1971-72 Lakers. A beautiful thing. Just what we want to hear with three years remaining on his contract, not to mention Sheed's contract. We want to get the most out of the two giants that we can.

Garnett to Play 24 Minutes in First Preseason Game

Garnett was not just grinning yesterday, following his first official practice since surgery. He was the gregarious, guffawing Garnett. Patellas and popliteus tendons were forgotten. Garnett trained at full speed, along with everyone else, through about three-quarters of the two-hour workout.

LINK

The 3/4 votes have it (as noted by CW, the report that KG played only 25% of practice must have been a typo). I'm increasingly encouraged. Now it's just a matter of seeing what shakes down during NBAx. On that subject, Doc had this to say:

Rivers expects Garnett to play in most of the team’s eight exhibition games, starting with an Oct. 7 matchup against Houston in Hidalgo, Texas.“I think he has to play,’’ Rivers said. “I always have guys miss one or two games in preseason, anyway, so he’ll be on that same schedule. But, as far as playing, he’ll play 24 minutes, in that area.’’

24 minutes? In the first game? Ok. That might be the best news we've heard thus far.

S'quisy Getting PT at the Point

The biggest thing that stood out to me today was the second unit,'' Rivers said. "I bet Marquis played point 75 percent of the time, Eddie 25 percent, and they've already figured out the rhythm of whoever has the ball, that's the point guard in our offense.

LINK

No surprise here that Doc is following up on plans to use Marquis Daniels at the point guard position. What many of us are looking forward to, however, is not having Eddie House at the 2. Instead, it's a taller lineup, with Sheed, KG, and Perk up front, with S'quisy at the point with either Ray Ray or the Truth at the 2 guard.

The First Huddle Pic

I know, I know. I obsess over these pictures.I was looking forward to seeing a second giant looming over the team. But it looks like Sheed is gonna deprive me of that pleasure. He doesn't appear to be present.

KG Shooting Jumpers!

I'm getting excited. I need to go find my wife . . .

The Beast Likes the Second Unit Too

KG after His First Practice

Paul Pierce Talks Up the Second Unit

Sheed Likes Doc

NESN: Garnett Participated in Only 25% of Practice

Although the All-Star forward claims to feel almost 100 percent, head coach Doc Rivers isn't going to take any early chances on Kevin Garnett, who is coming off knee surgery. K.G. was limited to just about 25 percent of Tuesday's practice at Salve Regina in Newport, RI, the site of the 2007-08 NBA Champion's preseason camp.

LINK

This report is coming from NESN. The earlier report, stating he participated in 75% of practice, came from Comcast.

Sweetney: I've Never Seen a Brotherhood Like this Before

As for Sweetney, who played one game with the Celtics in the Orlando Summer League before sustaining a hamstring injury that finished his week, he's on a mission to show the NBA, if not the Celtics, that he's ready to make a comeback. He acknowledged on Monday that he's picked basically the hardest roster in the league to crack, but he plans on giving it his best shot.

"I just expect to come out here and do what I do, and that's come out and compete and show people I can still play and I'm able to compete in this league," Sweetney said.Sweetney said he's been around the team for a month or so, and he expects this team to win it all. "I've never seen a brotherhood [like this before], how everybody's together off the floor and on the floor," Sweetney said. "On the floor, you see guys competing so hard, and when they leave the floor they don't take it with them. I've just never seen anything like that. It's a great organization to be in."

LINK

Garnett Felt Good after First Practice (maybe too good)

Kevin Garnett felt so good about his first day of practice in almost six months, the big Celtics forward vented his displeasure after being pulled off the floor late in the session by a cautious Doc Rivers.

“It’s fun to get back out there with the guys, go through drills and just compete,” he said. “The precautionaries are, I guess, a good idea. I’m trying to be patient with it all. Uh, I’m feeling well today. I thought that Doc was trying to kill me for a little bit, but the first day of camp, this being my 15th, everything went well.” … As expected, guard Tony Allen did not participate in full-court drills. He is slowly recovering from right ankle surgery.

LINK

KG Will Play "at Some Point" During the Exhibition Season

Forward Kevin Garnett participated in about 75% of practice. He looked good and said he felt good. Word is that he will definitely play at some point during the preseason. Just not sure when.

LINK

So much for yesterday's report from Doc that said KG would "play the same amount of exhibition games as he’s played in the past." On the other hand, my over/under bet is looking pretty good!

El Jeffe Making Fun of the Original Big Three

The Truth on Media Day

Rondo on Media Day

Does KG's Knee have an Expiration Date?

Kevin Garnett says he's playing pain-free. The key to the Celtics' season is him staying that way. There's a drastic difference between getting the green light to begin what will be a "light" training camp built around the aging guys in green and getting through a grueling season that could last in excess of 100 games.

LINK

I think the key to sanity for any Celtics' fan this year will be to find away to temper their excitement. You look at the roster. You envision the combinations of talented players who might take the floor. You taste victory over the leading competition during the regular season. But gnawing at the back of your head is that feeling.

Will tomorrow be his last game? Can he really make it through the entire regular season and twenty-plus playoff games? I see where Doc is targeting 32-34 MPGs for the Big Fella. I'm not on board with this. Doc needs to reconsider and dial back the PT for KG.

Doc's apparent retort is thus:

"There's a number with all players," Rivers said about trying to handle the playing time of his aging trio of Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. "But there's also a number you don't want to get under. Rhythm is important."

Please let me refer him to Bill Walton.

Can Doc Find a Way for Rondo to Shine Every Night?

The 2009 playoffs provided Rajon Rondo with a Charles Dickens moment, as Rondo was the best player on the floor – by far – in the Chicago series. In a few of the games his play – routinely producing triple doubles – was mesmerizing. He played at a level, if extended through a regular season, that would make him one of the 10 best players in the league. Much of the Cs immediate success and how long the Cs window of contention in the Garnett-era depends upon how Rondo develops in 2009-10. If it is the Rondo of the Bulls series, and KG and the other geezers are at full health, the Cs chances of banner 18 are quite good. And if Perk and Big Baby improve over the next two or three years as well, the Cs would remain a contender until 2012, as the Big Three are in the process of becoming the Gray Three. Those are a lot of “ifs,” but none of them are outside the realm of reasonable outcomes.

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There was a reason I blogged about Bill Sharman and the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers over the summer. Bill Sharman took a roster that included a few geezers, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor, a young gun at starting forward, Jim McMillian, and everyone else in between. The team also included disparate personalities. Wilt and Elgin were bigger-than-life know-it-alls, while Jerry West was an introverted, hypercritical player who saved his harshest critiques for himself. The previous season the Lakers were a slow and plodding team that played little defense.

Somehow Bill Sharman converted that roster into one of the greatest teams of all time. Chamberlain started playing a Bill-Russell brand of basketball, meaning defense first and ball-movement second. Gail Goodrich and Jerry West fast-breaked liked never before, while Jim McMillian carved out an important role, despite being a fifth wheel.

Doc Rivers has already shown he can lead the Celtics to the mountain top. But there will be no shortage of opportunities for him to play Maestro again. Finding a way for Rajon Rondo to be his best player on a roster with Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen might put his orchestral abilities to their biggest test yet.

Shelden Gets Talked Up before S'quisy

Their off-season did not stop with Rasheed Wallace. The Celtics bolstered their bench further by adding the likes of Shelden Williams and Marquis Daniels. Williams has bounced around the league since being drafted fifth overall in 2006. He hasn’t ever gotten the opportunity to play significant minutes. He has proven to be a solid role player and that is all he will be called upon to provide for this team as well. Daniels, on the other hand, had a terrific year in 08-09. He was able to see a steady diet of playing time given the absence of Mike Dunleavy Jr. and he capitalized beautifully. Although he showed bits of inconsistency, he had some spectacular stretches including a November that saw him average 16.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per contest. His ability to facilitate the offense will complement Eddie House’s shoot-first mentality nicely for the second unit.

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If we go back to the start of last season, any excitement the Celtics had about bigs on their third unit centered on Patrick O'Bryant. Personally, I had POB pegged as a William-Bedford type. That is, a hanger-on who makes a championship roster solely because of his height. Not so for Shelden Williams. Where POB had ticker troubles, I expect Shelden to roll up his sleeves and snort around in the mud to get rebounds and remove people from the paint. To be honest, Mike Sweetney would probably have been an upgrade over POB.

Orlando Poodles Bark Back

Practice hasn't even officially started yet and the Orlando Magic are already feeling disrespected. Even though the Magic are the defending Eastern Conference champions, it seems nobody is picking them to return to the Finals this year.

In fact, it was during their Finals matchup with the Lakers when Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce tweeted to his followers, "Looked like a German shepherd vs. a poodle. That’s OK the Rottweiler Celtics will be back in 2010."

Magic forward Rashard Lewis, during the team's Media Day Monday, took umbrage with Pierce's Twitter remark and went after Pierce not like a poodle but like a pitbull.When a reporter brought up the Orlando Poodles comment made by Pierce, Lewis emphasized the fact that Pierce made his remark on Twitter.

And you know what that means?

It means, Lewis said, Pierce was "at home" tweeting while the Magic were playing for the NBA championship. Said Magic point guard Jameer Nelson: "Nobody believes in us, but we believe in ourselves."

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Two years ago when the Hawks talked about a rivalry with the Celtics, KG and the Truth said, yeah, that's the one thing about rivalries, you don't have one until both teams have won something. I think Orlando's victory over us in the Eastern Conference Semis last year counts as winning something. I also doubt that Mr. Pierce would have called the Cavs "poodles," even if they would have lost to the Fakers in the Finals.

Ok, then. I think we have ourselves a rivalry.

The Boston T Party

Hollinger has Celtics 3rd in the East

Cleveland        63-19
Orlando          62-20
Boston           54-28
Atlanta          44-38

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Celtics Give Sweetney a Look

32-34 MPGs: Doc's Target PT for the Old Guys

Rivers plans to play Garnett and the other older players, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rasheed Wallace, less during the regular season to keep them fresh for the playoffs. “I thought I did that last year,” Rivers said, “and obviously that didn’t work because Kevin got injured.” Rivers said he’d like to play the Big Four between 32-35 minutes. Any less than that, they might lose their rhythm.

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Pierce Won't Play Less if it Means More Ls

Even though Doc Rivers would prefer to cut back on the veterans’ minutes this season, Pierce refuses to sacrifice playing time for wins. “I’m not willing to lose nothing. Next question. I don’t understand that, losing. No.”

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Right, Paul. On the other hand, if Doc can cut back your minutes and you still win, we have the proverbial win-win (actually, I think in this case it might be win-win-win).

Sheed: Perk May Play Some 3

“We’re athletic enough, long enough, we’ll be able to switch,’’ Wallace said. “I might be on the ‘3’ man, Perk might be on the ‘3’ man. I didn’t know what to expect from Perk. I didn’t know a lot of these guys. It’s different from when you are playing with guys and playing against them, on and off the court.

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I wouldn't rule it out on defense. I do know that Pau doesn't like being guarded by the Beast.

Doc Invokes the New Big 3 Line-Up

[W]hen you put [Sheed] and Kevin [Garnett] on the floor at the same time, and Perk [Kendrick Perkins], I think we have a chance to be the loudest team, in a positive way, defensively, in the game.

--Doc

There's a lot of exciting things to look forward to this season, but watching these three play together is near the top of the list.

Doc: The Core Group May Not Be Here in 2012

Doc said yesterday that he doesn't expect the nucleus of this year's team to be together in 2012. Perhaps not. But KG and Sheed both have contracts through 2012. So I expect to see them both in green until then.

Sheed's Ready for the Replacements

“Of course, I know that they’re going to come in all happy-go-lucky - oh, I gave Rasheed Wallace a tech tonight, ha, ha, ha, ha. I could care less about that,” he said. “I know there’s going to be a lot of stupid star calls like there was with the old refs. I don’t think there’s going to be too much change.”

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Bench Players Encouraged to Mix

The Celtics bench never developed a solid identity last season following the departures of James Posey and P.J. Brown, but now that Rivers has the material for a reserve unit that may exceed even the quality of the ’08 bench, he sounds like the host of a party. He’s urging them all to mix.

“Yeah, I asked them to come in early,” said Rivers. “I thought we needed to get back together. Bringing Rasheed in, and Marquis, Shelden (Williams), (invitee Mike) Sweetney and (rookie) Lester (Hudson), we needed to get together as a group more before camp started. It’s good that they’re around each other.

“I think we had a very good offseason. I gave Danny (Ainge, the C’s GM) a shopping list after the season and he pretty much fulfilled it. Getting more size, a backup for Paul and Ray that can swing to both players. Marquis Daniels is perfect in that role. We have offensive punch for stretching the floor in Rasheed. We did a lot of what we wanted to do.”

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I return to the 1/25/09 game against the Mavs at home. The second unit consisted of Gabe Pruitt at the point, Eddie House at the 2, Glen Davis at the 4, Brian Scalabrine at the 5 (or vice versa), and...and...Ray Allen at the 3. Not only was that unit undersized and in need of an intimidating presence, it was a little short on talent. Remember Baby didn't emerge as a consistent offensive threat until after KG went down. So basically you had two guys who could score on the second unit, and they were both guards, and one of those guards was forced into duty as a forward because our bench was so thin. We saw variations of this lineup in the playoffs, too, only with Starberry at the point. Sheed and S'quisy will give us a slightly different look off the bench, unless, off course, that 7-1 guy becomes a reserve.

Sheed on Perk: He's Not an Expletive Off the Court

“My thing is you can’t judge a person fully on that because they’re at work. Perk’s not an (expletive) off of the court. Some people think he is on the court, but, ‘Hey, I’m at work.’ It’s the same if I come into your office and you’re writing your story, and I’m like, ‘You didn’t indent this paragraph.’ (And you respond), ‘Hey, hey leave me alone.’ You’re at work. I gotta respect that.”

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KG's Right Knee, No Sleeve

Sheed & S'quisy

Celtics' Length Already Getting Respect

"I consider my position power forward," Rashard Lewis said. "At the same time talking to coach, he told me I will be playing at a lot of the 3…If we're playing a bigger team like the Celtics maybe I'll move to the 3. If we play teams that like to run up and down I'll play the 4. We're flexible doing both."

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KG, Sheed, and Perk. That's gonna be something to see the first time the three of them are out there together.

Garnett to Play Same Exhibition Schedule as Always

WALTHAM —The five-on-five pickup games were taking place on a daily basis at the Celtics’ training facility earlier this month. The same players were showing up on the court to get ready for training camp, which was scheduled to open this morning in Newport, R.I. Then, one day last week, a newcomer to the informal preseason scrimmages wanted to take part as well. Kevin Garnett, who played only four games after the All-Star break last season due to a knee injury, was back on the court, taking a first step in his return to a prominent spot in the Celtics’ lineup. “I think he is ready,’’ said Ainge. “I think he can play. We have every intention of him being involved in every drill at every practice. Our intention is to go forward.“We plan on having him participate in all practices and play the same amount of exhibition games as he’s played in the past.’’

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The Blank Banner

What it means is this: After a 62-win season, and with their core back and their front line bolstered, the Celtics are confident enough in themselves to have their 18th banner ready to go. All it needs are the words "Boston Celtics" and "2010 World Champions" to match the other 17 the franchise has earned, and the pieces are in place (some might quibble about whether the backup point guard piece is in place yet) to erase all that white space.

But the chances of that banner being filled with block letters next summer will remain as strong as they appeared Monday for only as long as Garnett's 33-year-old, surgically repaired knee holds up. And with the wear and tear of training camp and an 82-game season still ahead, the strength and durability of Garnett's knee will be a constant concern.

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Hey, what if we bring KG off the bench, and limit his minutes to a Waltonesque 19 per game?

KG Awestruck by Sheed

Garnett mentioned how he was awestruck by Wallace after playing for a few days alongside him, saying he was unlike any big man he had ever teamed with. "In the pickups we've played here, you already see it -- him and I on the same page -- we don't even have to talk a lot," said Garnett, who spoke publicly for the first time since March 25. "I can't even describe it, it's weird. And to be honest, it's just weird to see him here in the green, and see how our chemistry is without even touching the ball, just how we flow."

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By the way gang, I'm cool with taking it slow. I just wanted some information. The lack thereof was killing me.

Perk on Sheed: He Does a Little Bit of Everything

It was cool. I like playing with Rasheed. Obviously he's a great passer. We all know he can shoot. He's got great post moves. He's a great defender. But really I just wanted to see how he was outside of basketball, and he's a great guy in the locker room. Personality is great and everything.

--Kendrick Perkins

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I bet Sheed didn't say anything this time about the Celtics being a team without a center.

Garnett Underwent Several Procedures in the Offseason

Garnett injured his right knee during a game against the Jazz in February. The power forward attempted a comeback during the regular season, but he shut it down before the end of the season and missed all of the playoffs with the injury. Garnett said he underwent several "procedures", as he called them, this offseason.

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"No surprises, other than the severity of the injury," said Garnett. "I didn't know it was that bad."

Garnett was asked to clarify.

"It was just what we thought it was, but it was more than that," said Garnett. "Put it like this: a bone spur the size of this tape recorder ended up being the size of this microphone...It's pretty severe, but the best thing about it is I got it out of the way. I'm almost 100 percent going forward. The best thing about it is I'm playing without any pain, which is something I haven't had in quite some time." The first 5-on-5 game was a bit of a struggle, Garnett said.

So Garnett did play some 5-on-5. But it doesn't sound like it went too well. This is sounding like a sloooow recovery to me. The veil of secrecy is starting to lift.

Can we get a date on the last procedure? I'll bet you KG's salary that it was after May 26th, which might explain why we're still talking in the language of recovery on September 28th.

Media Day Revelations

--Tony Allen is "iffy" for pre-season due to ankle problems. Tony Allen? Injured? Boy, now that's a shocker.

--KG played 5-on-5 last week. The article doesn't say what sport, if any, he was playing. If it was a sport and the sport was basketball, then presumably we'll get some video of it. If not, we'll be able to see live footage of Celtics' practice on October 3.

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Doc also told reporters that there are "no restrictions" on KG as the Celtics begin camp tomorrow. That gives Coach 9 days before the exhibition opener to change his mind. This is important, of course, because some of us are skeptical that KG will even suit up for that game.

Hold on. Doc's already qualifying what he said:

I think with Kevin and [Kendrick Perkins] and [Tony Allen] and all of them, we'll just get to camp and see how they go. Again, for me, it will all be in what I see.

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Zen Mistress: Ariza's Departure Leaves a Spot Open

- On continuity from last season: “I have a group on the floor that I know can finish ball games, but a spot is open (with Trevor leaving).

- On point guard dynamic: “There’s no secret that we’ve tried to limit Derek’s (Fisher) minutes … His work ethic is unbelievable, his preparation is as good as anyone I’ve ever coached and he’s played 82 games over the course of (four years). That being said, we want to keep him in a 22 to 28 minute role.

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Psst. Hey, Phil. You may want to talk with Mitchy. I think you guys just singed someone named Artest to fill the hole left by Ariza. In fact, I think you guys are paying him about $5m per yer for the next five years.