Nails to Miss Opening Night

November 2, 2007

Put up or shut up time

Enough with the introductions and the anticipation of what this team will actually look like.

``I'm not star-struck anymore,'' Paul Pierce said after a month of training camp.

Never mind what the locals think, either. League-wide expectations of dominance in the Eastern Conference face the fire tonight when the Celtics open their season against Washington at TD Banknorth Garden.

On his NBA.com blog, Gilbert Arenas already ``guaranteed'' a win, and the Wizards guard presumably thinks he knows the Celtics as well as they know themselves.

The truth: Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen actually had a head start on the season.

``I've known them since I've been a kid,'' said Garnett, exasperated by the suggestion that the New Three are, indeed, new to each other. ``Nothing has changed over the years other than the quality of the jokes.''

At least one piece, and more likely two, will be missing tonight.

James Posey, serving a league-imposed one-game suspension for a reckless driving charge last spring, won't be allowed in the building. In addition, Brian Scalabrine, suffering from a strained big right toe, may be a gametime decision.

Both are expected to play major roles on a reserve unit that, unlike this team's gaudy marquee, still is very much a work in progress.

The subs didn't enjoy nearly as productive an exhibition run as the starters.

Point guard Rajon Rondo will be supported by a committee of backups, including the mending Tony Allen and Eddie House. And newcomer Scot Pollard, who missed the entire preseason with a bone bruise in his left ankle, is expected to provide frontcourt depth.

For all the talk about a strong start, the true measure of this team will come in January and February, after the bonding process is well under way.

``I don't know if three other players in this league could be thrown together and make it work the way we have,'' Allen said. ``But the team has great potential. Based on what we have, there's room for so much growth.

``A lot of times I'm in practice, and we're just doing the most basic of things to make a play work, and the possibilities really hit you. We're still figuring it out and learning from each other.''

How good could this team be by midseason if it stays healthy?

``In two or three months, I'd say the sky's the limit,'' Pierce said. ``It all depends on how we come together and prepare. Like the coach says, we can't be bored with the process because that's what will keep us going.''

Boredom wouldn't seem to be a problem, especially for three players who have been featured on mostly losing teams prior to this year.

A break from those struggles is one force driving all three.

``Yeah, there's more anticipation for me,'' Pierce said. ``But we just have to tell these guys that we haven't won anything yet. I think we stack up against almost every team in the NBA.''

Pierce, who turned 30 last month, then showed his maturity when he added, ``But it's just on paper right now.''

It's time for more.

``Now is the time when we can start judging ourselves,'' Allen said. ``The first 10 or 15 games of the season are when we learn about each other. In the NBA you play so many games just to adjust to each other.''