WALTHAM - During the Celtics' final defensive sequence against the Knicks Friday night, none of the team's regular centers was available, because of disqualifications and injuries. So, Marquis Daniels was sent out to guard Amar'e Stoudemire on the perimeter. Daniels blocked Stoudemire's shot, but if there had been more time remaining the Celtics could not as easily have withstood a similar mismatch.
Center Shaquille O'Neal (shin bruise) has not played or practiced since colliding with Stoudemire late in Friday night's win and is questionable for tonight's game at Detroit. Jermaine O'Neal (knee) worked out at full speed yesterday and should be available. If not, though, Turkish center Semih Erden may make his regular-season debut for coach Doc Rivers.
"I'm always looking to build chemistry with anybody," forward Kevin Garnett said of the 7-foot, 240-pound Erden. "Preseason, we had some time together, it was a good feel. But just getting him back in rhythm and associated with us and what we do with the first team will be critical for him.
"He plays against Shaq every day, he has no choice but to get better, plays against J.O. every day. Semih's very skillful, has a very high IQ when it comes to basketball, just him learning our plays and our system. He plays really, really hard. He loves it here, he fits right in even though he is a foreigner - you can't tell, the way he dances, and the way he interacts . . . the way he associates with us, he fits right in with this group.
"I think all the new guys are starting to get the plays and our system down. So, when you think of the difficulties he's had, it's some of the plays. Other than that, he can score the ball, he's a presence on the block, he's not afraid, he's not going to back down from anyone."
Rivers appeared somewhat reluctant to use Erden.
"It depends on what Shaq does, but there's a good chance," the coach said of Erden's chances of playing. "[Erden] looked OK. He's still got a ways to go but he's trying his best and that's all you can ask for as a coach."
Asked if Erden had improved in a specific area, Rivers said, "Just a little bit of everything and not a lot of one thing. You'd almost prefer a lot of one thing. He doesn't have any one thing down well. It's just going to take time. The problem is we're going to have to use him [in games] in the time that we would like to get it done.
"Defensively, he's OK at doing our stuff. Offensively, he's a great picker, a roller, he needs to learn how to finish better. He's really struggling at the basket, but he'll get that. Physicality and the injuries . . . he has a bad hand, a bad shoulder, and he's playing against us every day in practice - and us reffing, that might be the most important factor for him. I haven't seen a foul so far this year in practice, and we don't call them very often."
"It gives the guys who haven't played a lot of experience," Garnett said of the Celtics' injury situation. "Practice is one thing, a game is totally different. We're no different from any other team in the league, I'm sure teams are going through the same things we're going through, getting beat up early. It's a physical game."
Garnett leads the team in rebounding and is second in turnovers. "Rebounding has been going well," he said. "We've got to get around to keeping our turnovers down, taking care of the ball, executing better. But it's the third or fourth game, so we're still a work in progress." . . . Garnett on Glen Davis, who leads the team with 20 field goals made: "He's been a lot more patient and he understands his role, he's a lot more vocal. He's always charismatic and social, always keeping us laughing, keeping it light. He's stepping into his role as a voice for the young players. And I think it helps Luke [Harangody] and Avery, who are kind of in the shadows. It's going to be a big part whether we're successful or not."
Rivers on tonight's matchup of Rajon Rondo vs. the Pistons' Rodney Stuckey: "They're good players, I don't really focus on it, it's going to be a hell of a matchup. But, as long as we're in it to run our stuff and execute, then I'll be fine with it." . . . Rondo was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for helping the Celtics to a 2-1 start, highlighted by his 24-assist effort Friday night. He has 50 assists so far, tying John Stockton (1989-90) for the best three-game start in NBA history.
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