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Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 18, 2008 7:49:44 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1126289&format=textRajon Rondo’s on ice Ankle sprain takes point guard out of mix By Mark Murphy / Celtics Notebook | Saturday, October 18, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Lisa Hornak Repeat to yourselves: It’s only a coincidence, it’s only a coincidence. Doc Rivers, after keeping Paul Pierce [stats], Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen on the bench during Thursday night’s exhibition win in New Jersey, left all three on the floor for approximately two quarters last night against the Knicks. The Celtics [team stats] responded with their second loss of the preseason, 104-97, to the new-look Knicks that should mark an increase in activity for all three players in the 11 days leading up to their Oct. 28 season opener against Cleveland. Of more consequence was the right ankle sprain sustained by Rajon Rondo [stats] in the third quarter. Though Rivers said the team’s medical staff has characterized the point guard’s injury as a mild sprain, Rondo was expected to miss tomorrow’s game against the Nets. “I was yelling at him to get back on defense when he did it,” joked Rivers. “If he’s not 100 percent he won’t play.” The Celtics (4-2 in the preseason) fell short despite 27 points, including seven 3-pointers, from Eddie House, who shot 7-of-11 from downtown, and four blocks in the second half from backup center Patrick O’Bryant. Support for West Delonte West returned to the Cavaliers this week after a nine-day absence, and yesterday told the Cavaliers media he was seeking help for depression. The former Celtics guard also said he contemplated quitting basketball despite signing a two-year contract last month. West’s admission had some of his former Celtics teammates in disbelief. “Yeah, I’m surprised, but then again not really,” Celtics center Kendrick Perkins [stats] said before last night’s exhibition game. “I obviously know him personally, and we talked at times,” Perkins said. “But he never broke down for me all of the stuff he was going through away from the team. But man, that’s hard for someone to have to go through.” West, who said he sought help while away from the team, noted that he has always felt better when on the floor, though he has suffered from what he described as a “mood disorder” for most of his life. West said his decision to leave the Cavs was triggered by an incident during an Oct. 3 scrimmage, when he reacted negatively toward a high school referee officiating the practice. “I needed help,” said West, whose former team is behind him. “That’s sad, but it’s curable,” said Rivers. “He had his issues, obviously, but he’s getting help, and that’s the important thing. The good thing is that it’s curable.” Perkins shaping up Perkins may not achieve game shape until the regular-season opener on Oct. 28 against the Cavs, but nobody appears to be concerned - least of all the player. “Hopefully, I’ll keep getting better, but we’ll see,” said Perkins, who is recovering from the third shoulder surgery of his young career, and played in his third exhibition game last night. “He has a ways to go,” said Rivers. “He gets so tired, and when you get tired you stop thinking. “I think he was up-faked by a (center) behind the 3-point line (in New Jersey) the other night, so he has a ways to go.” . . . As it turns out, Perkins has been a champion before last season. “We won the state title in high school,” he said of leading Clifton J. Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas, to the state title. “There was one big difference. I was the finals MVP that year.” Home as champs For most Celtics, last night marked their first time at the Garden since assembling for the championship parade last June. “It’s nice to come back here and just feel that this is a tough place for an opposing player to come into,” said Rivers.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 18, 2008 7:53:52 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1126288&format=textBallboys share in title glory By Mark Murphy | Saturday, October 18, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Lisa Horak No rule or custom exists when it comes to playoff money, nor the way the winners spend their playoff winnings. Many teams are generous. Others grab for all of the cash while they can. The Michael Jordan Bulls supposedly kept their purse strings pulled tight. But count the reigning NBA champions on the side of, as the current political phrase goes, spreading the wealth. All 16 ballboys, in addition to being measured for a second level of championship ring that will be given to many non-basketball personnel in the organization, also received $500 each out of the team’s $3,225,206 in playoff winnings. Not only was the player vote unanimous, it was quick. “I went in and told the guys about who I thought deserved something,” Doc Rivers said of a meeting that was held shortly after the team’s victory parade through Boston. “I think half of them were hung over, actually, from the night before. In fact, there was one I know was definitely hung over. But it happened pretty quickly.” The Celts coach admittedly was impressed by the process, compared with some he was part of as a player. “I’ve been on some teams that haven’t been generous,” Rivers said. “It can be amazing. You can really find out about some people you think you know in that situation. “But our guys did a good job,” he said. “It was especially nice for the ballboys, because they don’t travel with you. “This organization has been great in that regard,” he said of the plan to spread rings - albeit hardware of a lower grade than what will be presented to the players and coaches the night of Oct. 28 - to many members of the organization. “There’s obviously a cut-off point when you’re doing something like this,” Rivers said. “But you want people to share in your joy. All the same, someone always ends up getting their feelings hurt in this kind of situation.” Not those who do everything from starting players’ cars to running out for pizza and fetching towels, however. Out of the $11 million the NBA put into the playoff pool, the Celtics [team stats] had rung up dollars like a slot machine by the time they eliminated the Lakers in the NBA Finals. They earned $317,263 for the league’s best regular-season record, $277,604 for winning the Eastern Conference, $164,168 for qualifying for the playoffs, $195,337 for winning the conference semifinals, $322,792 for winning the conference finals, and $1,948,042 for winning the NBA title. For a team with one of the highest payrolls in the league last season, it wasn’t hard to share. “(The ballboys) do a good job, and work very hard for us,” Brian Scalabrine said. Paul Pierce [stats] bristled at the thought he needs a championship to be nice to the locker room people. “I’m very nice to them every day,” the Celtics captain said while feigning offense. “When you come right down to it, I’ve seen a lot of them grow up here. “That really says something,” said Pierce. “I think it says that I’m getting old.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 18, 2008 7:57:34 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1126286&format=textLeap year awaits Tony Allen Tony Allen should thrive in bigger role By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Beat | Saturday, October 18, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics When Tony Allen went off for 32 points Thursday night in New Jersey, it wasn’t earth-shaking news. That he did it in just three quarters wasn’t even rim-rattling. Allen has that kind of ability, though we haven’t seen it in a while as he’s made his way back from major knee surgery. Given time and the ball, Allen has proved he can fill an NBA hoop - and with Paul Pierce [stats], Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen all being held out of that preseason game against the Nets, TA had both motive and opportunity. The bigger question came last night when the Re-Three were back in the Celtics [team stats] lineup and Tony Allen had to return to a more structured role off the bench. He was typically up and down in the 104-97 loss to the Knicks, pushing the pace and scoring 11 points in 26 minutes but turning the ball over four times. Seemingly the only thing separating him from being a major contributor to the defending world champions is his ability to stay consistent and get his job done when asked to fill gaps. Doc Rivers was hoping that would be the case last season, but Allen never got to the point where the coach truly trusted him. Rivers, however, understands Allen needs room to spread his wings. “Tony has to play more to be effective,” Rivers said. “I think that was a problem for him before, but it shouldn’t be this year because he’ll get more minutes. He should be able to handle this. “Last year, playing two or three minutes at a time was a problem for him. I said it before the year that he’s proven that he needs more minutes. Now he’ll get them. We need Tony to play a big role for us this year.” While Allen’s defense is at least as, if not more important than his scoring, the Celts would like the former to lead to the latter. “He’ll get touches just by being on the floor,” Rivers said. “We’re really trying to, as you can see, push the ball up the floor more and get easy baskets. Tony should be big in that.” Allen likes the positive vibes from the top, but he now looks to maintain a narrow focus. He liked being a big part of the offense the year before last, but now he’s more dogmatic in his attention to the fundamentals. “Yeah, I’m confident I can do that,” Allen said of the scoring bursts, “but right now it ain’t even about that. It’s about being a piece to the puzzle that we’re missing. When those Big Three are in, I’ve got to focus on putting that within that structure. “I really don’t look at stuff like that, scoring and all that. I look at it that there’s a lot of great athletes and a lot of great scorers, and anybody can have a good night any given night.” Allen’s had more good nights since turning the corner on the repaired ACL that hindered him physically and mentally last season. “I’ve just got to credit (strength coach) Bryan Doo and (massage therapist) Vladimir Shulman - just working with those guys all year,” he said. “That’s basically what it is, staying in the gym with those guys and going hard in the weight room with my leg.” Now Allen can go harder on the court, and GM Danny Ainge is looking for the swingman to cash in on the promise he’s shown. “Tony is an effective player whether he’s scoring or not scoring,” Ainge said. “That’s what we like about Tony. He’s shown over his career that with 20-plus minutes, he’s a very, very effective player on the plus-minus of his time on the court. I think that he plays well with minutes.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 18, 2008 8:01:23 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/10/18/rondo_sprains_ankle_in_defeat?mode=PFRondo sprains ankle in defeat By Frank Dell'Apa and Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | October 18, 2008 Rajon Rondo's right ankle sprain was serious enough for him to exit early in the second half of the Celtics' 104-97 exhibition loss to the New York Knicks last night. But the injury was described as "mild" and Rondo could be available when the Celtics host the New Jersey Nets at TD Banknorth Garden tomorrow. "I'm cool, nothing major," Rondo said. "I'll just get some treatment and see how it is." Asked if he would be playing if a regular-season game was scheduled, Rondo replied, "Yeah, probably so. I really don't even know [the cause of the injury]. I stepped sideways and came down on my ankle wrong. It was all me." Immediately after Rondo departed, the Knicks went on a 20-8 run, taking an 81-70 lead on Nate Robinson's free throw with 41 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Celtics produced only two field goals in a 9:02 span of the quarter. "Rondo makes the team go," Kevin Garnett said. "But we do have guys like Eddie House and Sam Cassell with veteran leadership who can come in and run the team also. [Rondo] is a big part of the team and he does affect the game in more ways than one." The game was the Celtics' first at the Garden since the NBA Finals in June. "I love playing here," Garnett said. "I love the atmosphere, I love the people. The fans' energy. Everybody seems to be tuned in to what we're doing here." House scored 27 points and was 7 for 11 on 3-pointers. "Just taking shots that they give me," he said. "They were laying off on the pick-and-roll. Guys were setting picks when I came off and there was really nobody there to contest the shot. So, I was taking my shot and just hitting it. I'm getting good looks. When you're getting good looks, you've just got to keep taking them no matter what. You might go 3 for 10 or you might go 3 for 12, some nights you might go 8 for 12. The only way you know you're going to make the shot is if you take it. "Our offense, anybody can get a shot at any time, especially if we move the ball around. They've got to pick their poison how they're going to guard everybody." Magic words Magic Johnson explained earlier this week why he criticizes players on the air, citing an example involving Garnett. "I remember Kevin Garnett, people got mad at me [years ago] because I said, 'He's got to take over the game at the end. He has to be the man. He can't defer to anybody,' " Johnson said during a teleconference Monday, announcing his hiring as a studio analyst by ESPN. "So Kevin called me the next day, when everyone thought I was attacking him, and said, 'Thank you, man, I'm going to go to work on that right after the season.' And he did that. So when you point out something, it's not that you're attacking anybody, you want them to be the best player they can possibly be." Said Garnett last night, "I remember him making some comments and really feeling they were unjust. But at the same time, I get motivated off of damn near anything. For him to say that, I was feeling like if that's his perception of what it takes, you know what, I can feel that. "I was more [upset] at my own organization [the Timberwolves] not stepping up [to defend me]. I think it was the Dallas series in '03. I was just a little upset because of my own organization not really stepping up. It was cool, though, because it let me know where I was and where I stood with a lot of people in the organization at that time. I took it like it was positive criticism. "One thing about me is I've never run from criticism. Never have. Never will. If a great wants to have his two cents about what I should do, it's cool. But I did call him and when I saw him I said, 'That's what's up. All right, cool. I can feel you saying that.' But I was more at the time ticked at my organization, that I supposedly went to battle [for]." Rounding into shape Kendrick Perkins said he is back at his playing weight of 275 pounds, following a conditioning program while recovering from shoulder surgery. "He's in good shape, just not in basketball shape," said coach Doc Rivers. "He's in good cycling shape, treadmill shape. He'll get there and we have enough time. He gets so tired and when you get tired, you stop thinking. Once his condition comes, he'll be fine." . . . Cassell has yet to play in any exhibition games. "There's no rush to play him," Rivers said. "He's been great, he's been very good for the second unit - he grabbed them several times after timeouts. He's telling them the right stuff, and they listen; I don't know if that's good judgment or not."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 18, 2008 9:34:19 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2008/10/rondo_celtics_f.htmlRondo, Celtics fall Rajon Rondo sustained a "mild" sprain of his right ankle early in the second half of the Celtics' TD BankNorth Garden preseason opener, a 104-97 loss to the New York Knicks, Friday night. Rondo was replaced by Eddie House after Ray Allen's foul shot gave the Celtics a 62-61 lead 2:26 into the third quarter. Rondo was accompanied to the lockerroom by trainer Eddie Lacerte but Rondo is expected to be available when the Celtics play host to the New Jersey Nets at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Immediately after Rondo departed, the Knicks went on a 20-8 run, taking an 81-70 lead on Nate Robinson's foul shot with 41 seconds remaining in the quarter. The Celtics produced only two field goals in a 9:02 period of the quarter. House scored 27 points for the Celtics, 4-2 in the preseason.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 18, 2008 9:54:30 GMT -5
www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20081018&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=810180452&SectionCat=SPORTS&Template=printartPerkins is coming along slowly Celtics’ center tries to regain consistent form of last season By Bill Doyle TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF wdoyle@telegram.com BOSTON— Last June wasn’t the first time that Celtics center Kendrick Perkins won it all. His Clifton J. Ozen High School basketball team of Beaumont, Texas, won the state 4A title his sophomore year. But helping the Celtics win their first NBA championship in 22 years last season was a bit more enjoyable than his title with Ozen. “Yeah, it was,” Perkins said, “except I got that finals MVP that year.” Paul Pierce was selected MVP of the NBA Finals. As long as Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are around, Perkins will never get any MVP recognition with the Celtics. But maybe he should. The 6-foot-10, 275-pounder is the only sizable center on the team. Patrick O’Bryant is too thin, Leon Powe and Glen Davis are too short. The Celtics didn’t re-sign Scot Pollard, who was injured for most of last season, and P.J. Brown retired. If Perkins gets hurt, the Celtics will miss his bulk, defense and rebounding. They learned that in the NBA Finals. Perkins’ left shoulder popped out in Game 4, so he sat out Game 5 in L.A., which the Celtics lost. Perkins returned for Game 6 in Boston, but the shoulder clearly bothered him. He lasted only 13 minutes and picked up 5 fouls to go with only 2 points and 4 rebounds. The Celtics romped anyway to eliminate the Lakers. Perkins underwent surgery on his left shoulder for the second time on July 2. The latest surgery wasn’t as extensive as the first, but he still didn’t resume playing basketball until late September. Perkins gained about 10 pounds over the summer, but he said he has since shed them. He sat out Boston’s first three preseason games to give his shoulder more time to heal and is still trying to get into game shape. “He’s got a ways to go,” coach Doc Rivers said before the Celtics dropped a 104-97 preseason game to the Knicks last night at the Garden. “He gets so tired, and when you get tired, you stop thinking.” In a preseason victory at New Jersey on Thursday, Perkins allowed himself to be pump-faked by a Nets center behind the 3-point line. “Clearly, we’re just going to chalk that up to being exhausted,” Rivers said. “I’ll give it these last few games,” Perkins said, “and the rest of the practices to try and get in the best shape I can for opening night.” Four months to the day after the Celtics won their 17th NBA championship here, the Celtics returned to the Garden. Perkins contributed 6 points and 7 rebounds in 20 minutes. The Celtics host the Nets at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Garden and conclude their preseason schedule at New York on Tuesday. They’ll get their championship rings when they open the regular season on Oct. 28 here against the Cavaliers. Perkins was a model of consistency last year, averaging 6.9 points and 6.1 rebounds — both career highs — to go with 1.44 blocks in 24.5 minutes during the regular season, and 6.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.28 blocks in 25.2 minutes during the playoffs. But Perkins never has been about compiling stats. It’s his job to keep opponents from getting them. If there’s any stat he hopes to improve this season, it’s the number of minutes he plays. “I hope I’ll be counted on a little bit more,” Perkins said. “I’m just going to do my role and do what I’ve got to do and let the rest take care of itself. I know what I’m capable of doing. I know what the team expects out of me, and I know what I’ve got to bring every night. I’ve just got to make sure I go out there and be the enforcer, do my role on defense, and finish around the basket.” The fear Perkins had of getting hit on the shoulder during the NBA Finals has vanished. “I’ve already gotten hit, so I’m cool now,” he said. “The first (preseason) game, I was pretty nervous but now I’m fine.” Eddie House made 7 of 11 3-point attempts and scored 27 points last night as the Celtics fell to 4-2 in the preseason. “Our bigs are doing a better job of getting him open,” Rivers said. Pierce scored 15 points. Garnett and Tony Allen each scored 11. Ray Allen scored 10. None of the starters played in the fourth quarter. Rajon Rondo sprained his right ankle early in the third quarter and did not return. Rivers said it was only a minor sprain and that Rondo was kept out as a precaution. If Rondo’s ankle isn’t 100 percent, Rivers said he wouldn’t play tomorrow. Nate Robinson paced New York (2-2) with 19 points and Zach Randolph had 15. The Knicks outscored Boston, 34-12, at the foul line. The Celtics have 16 players and can keep only 15. Rivers said he’d rather release someone sooner than later in order to give that player a chance to catch on elsewhere. Darius Miles is the only player without a guaranteed contract, and he’s the likeliest candidate to be released. Miles didn’t play last night.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 18, 2008 9:57:45 GMT -5
www.enterprisenews.com/sports/x1258314760/Healthy-season-would-be-a-nice-Perk?view=printHealthy season would be a nice Perk He was forced to miss Game 5 of the NBA Finals due to a shoulder injury, then was listed as questionable for Game 6. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Jim Fenton ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER Posted Oct 17, 2008 @ 11:24 PM Last update Oct 17, 2008 @ 11:57 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON — He was forced to miss Game 5 of the NBA Finals due to a shoulder injury, then was listed as questionable for Game 6. With the Boston Celtics closing in on their first championship in 22 years, center Kendrick Perkins was dealing with a painful ailment. He was injured in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers when the shoulder popped out, and Perkins’ absence was obvious three nights later when the Celtics tried to clinch on the West Coast. No matter how painful the left shoulder was, though, Perkins was determined to be on the court for Game 6 at the TD Banknorth Garden. “I was more afraid than anything, afraid to get hit and knowing you’re not 100 percent,’’ said Perkins. “That was the only thing.’’ Perkins gave it a try, and though he lasted only 13 minutes (picking up five fouls), he was part of a memorable night when the Celtics routed the Lakers, 131-92, for the championship. Two weeks later, Perkins underwent shoulder surgery to repair ligament damage, forcing him to stay idle for most of the offseason. He was also unable to participate in workouts during the early portion of training camp and sat out the opening three preseason games. Perkins made his debut earlier this week and played his third game in four nights when the Celtics lost to the New York Knicks, 104-97, Friday night at the Garden. Slowly, but surely, Perkins is rounding back into shape after being unable to go through the usual offseason training routine. “I’m doing all right,’’ said Perkins before facing the Knicks. “I’m just trying to get back into basketball shape. (The shoulder is) not sore. It’s just more my conditioning than anything. “I’ll give it these last few games and the rest of practices to try and get in the best shape I can for opening night.’’ Said Coach Doc Rivers: “He’s got a ways to go. He gets so tired and when you get tired you stop thinking. That’s all he needs (conditioning). He’s in good shape, he’s just not in basketball shape. He’s in cycling shape and treadmill shape, but not basketball shape. But he’ll get there. We have enough time.’’ Perkins already had one shoulder operation earlier in his career before getting injured again last June. He said the latest ailment wasn’t as bad as the first one, so the surgery wasn’t quite as extensive. “They tried to repair it so it won’t happen again,’’ said Perkins. “It wasn’t as severe as the last one, but it’s still surgery. They wanted to be cautious about it.’’ That is why Perkins was restricted to riding a bike and running on a treadmill until late September. He finally got to practice last week and wasted little time testing the shoulder with some contact under the basket. “I’ve already gotten hit, so I’m cool now,’’ said Perkins. “The first game I was pretty nervous, but now I’m fine.’’ Two to go: The Celtics conclude the preaseason by hosting the New Jersey Nets at the Garden Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and traveling to New York to play the Knicks Tuesday night. … Members of the media, including the radio and television broadcasters, are no longer sitting courtside at the Garden. The team has altered the seating arrangement to sell more expensive seats.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 18, 2008 10:08:11 GMT -5
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