October 16, 2007
WALTHAM - From Miami to Los Angeles to Charlotte to Milwaukee to Sacramento to Phoenix to New Jersey, NBA journeyman Eddie House has proven to be a hot scorer off the bench. Celtics coach Doc Rivers is going to give the newcomer a chance to prove he is a solid point guard off the bench, too.
"He hasn't been asked to run a lot of point guard," Rivers said. "I don't know if anyone knows if he can or can't. No one has given him a chance to do it. But he's been very good for us running the team. He also hasn't been asked to play defense a lot, but we've asked him to do that and he's doing that. So, I'm very happy with him."
House has shot .381 percent from 3-point range during his seven-year NBA career and averaged 7.5 points. The 6-foot-1-inch, 175-pounder averaged 8.4 points and shot .429 from behind the arc last season for New Jersey, but he also averaged only 1.2 assists and has averaged 1.7 in his career.
"Eddie's one of the best shooters in this league," new Celtics sharpshooter Ray Allen said. "He can shoot it from anywhere."
When point guard Rajon Rondo goes to the bench, he often will be replaced by House. House had 14 points, nailed two 3-pointers, and had an assist in the preseason opener against Toronto Oct. 6. The Bay Area native also had just 2 points and 2 assists against Minnesota Oct. 10.
A 1.5-assist average in two exhibition games doesn't exactly evoke memories of Steve Nash and Jason Kidd, two of House's pass-happy ex-teammates, but he plans to adapt to whatever Boston wants.
"I'm going to play wherever coach puts me," House said recently. "I'm trying to learn [both positions] to know what I'm supposed to do ... I'm just trying to learn all that now.
"I don't know what [my role] is yet. We're still in camp. I think as the preseason goes on, cats' roles will be more defined. Doc will have a better feel of where people are going to play. I'm going to go with the flow."
The Celtics' third point guard is rookie Gabe Pruitt. Ray Allen, who starts at shooting guard, and reserve Tony Allen also can play the point. Rivers isn't worried about the lack of a traditional veteran reserve at the position.
"We don't have a point guard-oriented offense where they are handling the ball a whole bunch," Rivers said. "I wasn't that concerned about it from Day 1."
Said House: "Anybody can start the ball and bring up the offense. That guy is really not the point [guard]. He could be [a small forward]. But that's the luxury this team has ... we can all start the offense."
House signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract Aug. 1, a day after 10-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett was acquired from Minnesota. The opportunity to do something "special" with three perennial All-Stars in Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce was the big draw for House.
"I had a few other choices, but they weren't the right ones to make," House said. "When 'The Big Three' got together, [Celtics executive] Danny [Ainge] hit me up and said, 'Do you want to come out here?' It was a no-brainer."
Garnett, Ray Allen, and Pierce are scheduled to go to ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Conn., after practice today to film two "This is SportsCenter" commercials. One is titled "Nickname," centered on a nickname to be given to them ... Along with the Boston debut of Garnett, Allen, and Pierce together in tomorrow night's preseason home opener at TD Banknorth Garden, the Knicks also are hopeful that center Eddy Curry and new forward Zach Randolph play together for the first time. Curry missed the first two preseason games with a right shoulder injury and Randolph is expected to play despite being in Indiana yesterday to visit his ailing grandmother.
Rivers said cuts most likely will be made before tomorrow. He added that the 17-man roster is too large for practice now and he prefers it is trimmed to 14 just in case the team wants to add a player later. Players on the bubble include guards Jackie Manuel and Dahntay Jones and big men Esteban Batista and rookie Brandon Wallace. "We probably have too many guys," Rivers said. "I want to give my guys reps." ... Rivers says his players are still fatigued from their recent European trip. "I don't think they're right yet, to be honest," Rivers said. "They're still a little sluggish." ... Officials from the Development League's Utah Flash, the Celtics' new affiliate, will be at practice today and at tomorrow's shootaround and game. Flash general manager David Fredman said he was uncertain if any Celtics will play for Utah. Those eligible include rookies Manuel, Wallace, Pruitt and Glen Davis, and second-year players Rondo and Leon Powe. Rondo and Powe aren't likely candidates. "I want to see what they have in mind for us," Fredman said. "We want to make sure we are on the same page."
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