The Writing is on the Wall

Boston's evolving maturity level was even more honed Wednesday night as the C's took control early and then didn't hang their heads when the Pistons closed the third quarter with a 7-0 run to tie it entering the fourth. As the final 12 minutes played out, the Celtics reasserted themselves (with the help of some dubious calls that went against Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess) while the Pistons looked lost on offense; they failed to move the ball and failed to get stops that would have kept them in striking range when the game got to the final two minutes.

"Part of the problem is that when things start going south, our guys think they can do it by themselves," Detroit coach Flip Saunders lamented. "But we don't have those types of players. Our players are geared toward somebody making a play for somebody else. That's how this team has been built. It hasn't been built on a superstar carrying us down the stretch."

Wallace's composure was near the breaking point as he practically dared the officials to give him a technical foul after the outcome had been decided, and Chauncey Billups' composure was lacking, too, when he picked up a fourth-quarter technical foul (coaches always tell players that if they're going to get a tech for complaining, don't do it in the fourth quarter) for arguing a chippy reach-in call.

The composure on the other side was an entirely different story, and it wasn't just coming from the three guys you expect it from -- Garnett (31 points, six rebounds, three assists), Paul Pierce (16 points, five assists) or Ray Allen (whose tireless defense on Rip Hamilton was one of the keys to the game that didn't show up in the stat sheet). Some of it came from point guard Rajon Rondo, whose emphatic driving one-handed dunk midway though the third quarter "brought the roof off the building," as Garnett said, and plenty of it came from Kendrick Perkins, who grabbed 20 rebounds, scored 10 points and blocked two shots in 33 rugged minutes.

You didn't hear anyone talking afterward about how Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown are really going to help this team, because in all honesty, the Celtics -- at least on this night -- didn't look like they needed either of them.

--From the Daily Dime

Barring injury, I expect this story to repeat itself from now until the next banner is hoisted. The Celtics will only get better once PJ and Sam are integrated. As Cassell himself said, the writing is on the wall.

Hornets Pursuing PJ Brown

The New Orleans Hornets have 13 players under contract, and GM Jeff Bower said he continues to have conversations with P.J. Brown's agent Mark Bartelstein. The Hornets want to bring back Brown, who has retired and has turned down several offers from other teams.

"We have made it pretty well known that we would love to have him back," Byron Scott said.

The Hornets also are awaiting a decision on whether the league will reinstate center Chris Andersen, who was banned for violating the league drug policy in January 2006.

-- The Times-Picayune

Mavs not Pursuing PJ

One option the Mavericks won't explore is 6-11 forward/center P.J. Brown, whose agent is Mark Bartelstein, the representative of Devean George who advised his client to block the original Kidd trade by not giving up his Larry Bird rights in free agency.

"He's a Bartelstein guy, and all things being equal, we'd say no,'' Cuban said.

Tic Toc Tic Toc

It’s amazing in this age of Internet rumors that the rumor wires are silent when it comes to the home team.

Sure, we have seen opaque sentences written about Chris Webber: “The Heat, Lakers, and Celtics have all expressed interest in Webber.”

We have seen the contingency plans of PJ Brown explored. “He’s probably done, but if he does come back, the only teams he’s interested in are the Mavs, Suns, and Celtics.”

And, of course, we’ve seen the obligatory begging from Gary Payton and Travis Best. “Please, oh please, Dear Danny, show some interest in us, because there is nothing more in this world that we’d like to do than don the green!”

Notwithstanding our gaudy 27-3 record, I don’t think there is anyone left on the planet who thinks Doc and Danny will stand pat with the current roster. The Celtics released Brandon Wallace for the avowed purpose of adding “roster flexibility.”

Hmmm. Roster flexibility for what, pray tell?

Well, let’s recall what we all know.

Chauncey Billups abused Boston down the stretch of the Pistons-Celtics first contest, and he’ll get another opportunity to do the same this Saturday in the Motown Rematch.

Not only did Scot Pollard and Kendrick Perkins both foul out while attempting to guard Yao Ming, but both have a history of injury problems.

While we are on the subject of injuries, Rajon Rondo just missed time with a hamstring injury, the type of injury that can linger. Notwithstanding Tony Allen’s fine performance against the Lakers, the Celtics offense often sputters when Rajon is not in the game.

KG has gone public with his preference against playing the 5-spot, and, when you think about it, why expose a $100 million investment to punishment from someone who outweighs him by 40 pounds or more?

Equally important, a Chris Webber or PJ Brown could play either the 4 or 5 spots, meaning that they could give KG some rest or play along side KG in what on paper would appear to be a punishing front line of our own.

Then we move to the point-guard spot. I remember when the season started thinking Gabe Pruitt might get some PT after the All-Star break.

Yeah, right.

Gabe Pruitt is not the antidote for a missing veteran point-guard presence that is essential to playoff success. Kenny Anderson of all people proved the value of a veteran point when he spent the playoffs blowing past Philadelphia and Detroit point guards on his way to the ECFs.

It is also worth noting that Eddie House is having a fantastic year off the bench. He is every bit as “microwavish” as was Vinnie Johnson. But query how much more effective he would be if shorn of any and all point-guard responsibilities and left to focus solely on gun slinging?

The phones are ringing in the Celtics front office, wheels are spinning in the war room, and conversations are being had.

Oh to be a fly on the wall and be privy to those conversations.