Jesus, Celtics (15-2) Throttle Sixers

November 29, 2008

Just to set the record straight, it's not like Ray Allen has been struggling this season. He went into the Celtics' Friday night Garden party against the Philadelphia 76ers averaging 17.4 points per game, second only to Paul Pierce for the defending NBA champions.

Celtics Make History with 27-2 Start

December 24, 2008

The Celtics will insist they don't know the number, as if the run they have concocted over the last 19 games is little more than fuzzy math. But there's no avoiding history now, both locally and within the NBA.

Streaks and Stuff

December 17, 2008

Celtics notes 

Eddie House is expected to be with the team in Atlanta. He missed Monday's game to attend his aunt's funeral.

Gabe Pruitt did well with a career-high eight points in nine minutes in House's absence, but he impressed his coaches even more on defense. Pruitt made two strong plays on Deron Williams in one brief period and looked as if he might be able to be a factor off the bench in his second season.

``I use Leon (Powe's) situation last year as my motivation,'' Pruitt said. ``He didn't play until the second half of the season, and he progressed from there. Ever since then he never looked back. I look at myself in the same situation. I try to stay patient and not let myself get down. Whenever my number's called, I just have to perform and do good things.'' 

Pierce Likely a Go for 23-2 Celts

December 17, 2008

The Celtics likely will have Paul Pierce when they take the floor in Atlanta tonight. The larger question is whether they will have their heads and games in proper sync. Lack of same was a large part of what cost them three games at Philips Arena during last year's playoffs. And those three outcomes served to embolden a young group of Hawks who now are playing significantly better.
And these guys apparently are not frightened of winning streaks. The Atlantans ended Cleveland's 11-game run last Saturday, and now they get a crack at the Celts' 15-gamer.

No Need for Wheelchair as Pierce Walks Off Latest Knee Scare

December 16, 2008

This time there wasn't a wheelchair-aided return for Paul Pierce. But the captain, who bent his left knee in the wrong direction when Utah's Mehmet Okur fell to the ground and collided with Pierce in the last minute of the Celtics' 100-91 win against the Jazz last night, later predicted he'll be fine.
``It's a little tender,'' he said, showing up for his postgame press conference without an ice pack on the knee. ``The knee kind of buckled. I should be alright. Okur landed on the knee and it went straight back. But I iced it out back and I'm able to put weight on it, so it should be alright.''

Said Doc Rivers: ``(Celtics trainer) Eddie (Lacerte) thinks he'll be OK, but I'm sure they're going to do the regular tests, so I don't know.''

For P-Squared, Eating Habits is a Focus

December 15, 2008

Paul Pierce was at the center of another photo shoot before yesterday's practice, this time proudly posing with his shirt off as part of a promotion for an in-depth interview with ESPN's Tom Rinaldi.
That piece, and a recent story by Sports Illustrated's S.L. Price, prove the Celtics captain is receiving the most national exposure of his career. So what better time to showcase his new fitness regimen, highlighted by his ability to lose approximately 10 pounds between the end of the NBA Finals and the start of training camp?

Herman Munster Returns to the Sidelines

December 14, 2008

Though Randy Wittman was the one who early last week was sacked from a team that is still too young to win, Kevin McHale didn't escape indictment by Minnesota owner Glen Taylor. Asked about how much say McHale would continue to have in personnel decisions in his move from the front office to coach, Taylor said, ``The same that Randy had.''

Rondo v. Paul Shows Shorty's Elevated Status

December 13, 2008

The Garden crowd showed up last night with numbers on the brain.

The Celtics were riding a league-high 13-game win streak, which was also eighth best in franchise history. Their win at Washington on Thursday was good for a 21-2 start, the best in franchise history.
But neither feat was on the marquee last night, not with Rajon Rondo matched up against New Orleans star point guard Chris Paul.

Wins Keep Piling Up for 22-2 Celts

December 13, 2008

At this time last year, we were all hot and bothered about an ever-growing winning streak assembled by the Patriots. Each week, the Pats won. And each week, we had to listen to more kvetching from cranky veterans of the 1972 Miami Dolphins who feared they were going to be relegated to history's standing-room-only section.

C's Romp to History Books

December 12, 2008

WASHINGTON - The Celtics wrote a new paragraph in The Book of Shamrock last night. Their 122-88 victory over the Wizards brought them to 21-2 and set a franchise record for best start to a season.
But to their way of thinking, these C's aren't so much trying to outpace Bill Russell, Tommy Heinsohn and the 1963-64 edition, or even last year's group - the two clubs that stopped at 20-2.

Posey Returns

December 13, 2008

Though he is no longer with the team, the Celtics haven't forgotten James Posey's contributions to last season's title run.

Everyone in the organization - from the front office, to the coaching staff, to the players - have stressed Posey's role in helping the franchise win its 17th championship. With Posey making his return to the Garden last night as a member of the New Orleans Hornets, Celtics coach Doc Rivers was asked about what he meant to last year's team.

20-2? No Big Deal

December 10, 2008

WALTHAM - So what if the Celtics have a chance to make history with a win against the Wizards tomorrow night in Washington. They wouldn't have reached 20-2 - a feat matched by only two other teams in franchise history - if they actually thought about this kind of irrelevance. That, anyway, is the way they are looking at the chance to go 21-2 - a mark no other Celtics team has achieved.

C's Know How to Finish, Move to 20-2

December 9, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS - There is one major reason the Celtics were able to tie the best start in franchise history last night.

They know how to finish.

Obie has No Regrets

December 8, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS - Jim O'Brien admitted it was a bit hard to envision all this Celtics success back when he resigned as their coach in January 2004.

Baby Enjoys a Good Cry

December 8, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS - Glen Davis is unapologetic about his display of emotion during the Celtics' win Friday night against Portland. Regarding his actions when he and the subs were confronted by Kevin Garnett after squandering much of a large lead at the Garden, Big Baby said, in essence, that's his personality and he'll cry if he wants to.

Celtics' Big Perks Up

December 7, 2008

Dirty Harry once said a man has to know his limitations.

Kendrick Perkins might beg to differ and agree at the same time.

Lakers have Kurt Response

December 7, 2008

The Lakers may look a little more familiar to Celtics fans when the teams get together on Christmas Day. At least their defense may.

Seattle the New Boston?

December 7, 2008

In October 2000, Herald columnist Gerry Callahan tried to explain the sorry state of affairs on the local sports scene.

``Boston has become the skid row of professional sports, a sad, squalid place where playoff pipe dreams go to die,'' he wrote. ``Here we sit in Loserville, USA, wallowing in regret and misery . . .''

Loserville, USA.

Perfect.

Blazers have No Answers for Rondo, as C's Move to 19-2

December 6, 2008

Further proof of the concern spreading through the rest of the league over Rajon Rondo's play was evident last night in the thoughts of Nate McMillan. The Portland coach only could imagine the experience his own point guard, Steve Blake, was about to encounter.

Oden No Thang as Beast Posts Double-Double

December 6, 2008

The Celtics might not want to think about what this matchup could become in two or three years.
But for now, no amount of talented youth is going to fly against the team that extended its NBA-leading win streak to 11 games last night.