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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 14, 2009 7:43:00 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1158471&format=textRajon Rondo’s return has Celts pointed in right direction Skid ends with win against lowly Grizzlies By Steve Bulpett | Saturday, March 14, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Stuart Cahill The Celtics [team stats] got Rajon Rondo [stats] back last night, which helps explain the triumphant return of another Garden favorite - Gino. The video dance icon was on display during a timeout in the final minutes as the Celts pulled away for a 102-92 victory against Memphis. Leon Powe, however, had a longer set, going for a career-high 30 points as the Shamrocks’ losing skid ended at two. Rondo had four points, eight rebounds and eight assists after missing two games with a sprained right ankle. And while he greatly helped the cause, so did the fact that now 16-48 Memphis was making the house call. Wearing their special St. Patrick’s Day uniforms, the Celts were bound to hear their now-traditional winning tune (“I’m Shipping up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys). Ray Allen added 22 points, and Stephon Marbury had his best night as a Celt with nine points and five assists. Throw in 17 points from Paul Pierce [stats], more good stuff from rookie Bill Walker and six points (3-for-3 shooting) and eight rebounds in 22 minutes from Mikki Moore and you’ve got a solid win. Said Memphis coach Lionel Hollins: “They played the way a defending champion would play a team they think they can beat and should beat. You know, they just kept ahead.” After surrendering 27 points on 62.5 percent shooting to the Grizzlies in the first quarter, the C’s buckled down and allowed their guests to score 65 on 37 percent the rest of the night. Rondo’s re-entry was a bit rough - he missed a layup on the first possession - but he gradually got more aggressive. “It was good because you’ve got your quarterback back,” C’s coach Doc Rivers said. “I really thought not having Rondo and Kevin (Garnett) was huge. If Kevin was back, then you’ve got a post guy you can throw to and there’s easy offense.” Powe was a more than reasonable facsimile, making 10-of-14 shots from the floor and another 10-of-14 from the free throw line. He also had 11 rebounds and five blocks. And while the Grizzlies were looking elsewhere, Powe kept knocking them down with shots to the body. During one free throw attempt, Memphis forward Rudy Gay (26 points) told Marc Gasol to get on Powe. According to Allen, Gasol replied, “Oh, I don’t care about Leon. Let him get 40.” Said Allen: “I looked at him and said, ‘You want him to get 40? He’ll get 40 on you now. Don’t sleep on him.’ And he goes, ‘Well, as long as it’s not Pierce.’ I said, ‘Well, if it’s 40, we’re still going to win.’ ” One shouldn’t nap on Allen, either. He struggled through a 3-for-10 first half and clanged his first two attempts in the second. A 1-for-8 mark on treys at that point, he decided to get a little closer to the target for his next attempt. Allen drove the lane and scored, unlocking his shooting eye in the process. He then hit a foul line jumper and two treys en route to a 12-point quarter as the Celts led by as many as 10. An O.J. Mayo trey had the margin down to seven entering the last period, but Allen opened the fourth with a fifth straight make, and the C’s were rolling again. Marbury then hit a jumper and had two assists in an 8-2 run that got the Celts ahead by a dozen. At that point, Gino was a lock. “We didn’t make any adjustments,” Pierce said. “We just played a little bit harder. That was starting from the second quarter on. We said in the locker room after the game that we need to play this way in the first quarter. We can’t come out like this.” With Rondo back, Powe rolling and the Grizzlies in town, it was good enough.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 14, 2009 7:49:31 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1158505&format=textLeon Powe makes most of time on center stage By Steve Buckley | Saturday, March 14, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Stuart Cahill As an ever-growing media horde moved in on Leon Powe’s locker, Mikki Moore leaned toward one of the writers and said, “You’re going to need a bigger pad, and three more pens.” And then he leaned toward one of the photographers and said, “And you’re going to need more film.” Moore was merrier because Powe was powerful, scoring a career-high 30 points in the Celtics [team stats]’ 102-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies last night at the Garden. So, sure, Moore goofed around with the media, the joke being that Powe would be talking so much about his big game that it would be dawn before he was done. But no. Instead of making speeches, instead of high-fiving himself and waving to the cameras, Powe sounded like a man who has been there before. “I know what I can do,” he said. “Just go out there and play. Just go out and play as hard as I can. You know, I could score in college, and I’m used to that. But I haven’t had too many opportunities here.” Isn’t that what this is all about? Isn’t this the reason teams secure role players in the first place? Kevin Garnett is a vitally important member of the Celtics, but he remains injured and idle, and that means other people must get off the bench and into the fray to take advantage of the opportunities. “We already know what he can when he gets his opportunity,” said Celtics captain Paul Pierce [stats]. “Tonight, it showed. He was aggressive. We got him into positions where he can make plays, and that’s what we need right now with guys injured.” Did we mention that Glen Davis is also out? And Brian Scalabrine? If ever a team could be helped by a player taking advantage of whatever opportunities are offered, this was the night for Leon Powe. Man, was it ever. In addition to his career-high 30 points, Powe also had a career-high five blocks. He collected 11 rebounds, two shy of his career high. And he was seemingly everywhere, seemingly all the time: He logged 41 minutes last night. Against Miami the other night, he logged a career-high 43 minutes. “Leon was absolutely terrific,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, and that’s an absolutely nice thing to say. But what’s up, Doc? Why was it that Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins won last night’s Coolest Quote About Leon Powe By a Coach Award? Because this is what Hollins had to say: “He’s just an animal. He’s an aggressive, energetic, live-wire body . . . if you’re not tough in the post. . . . But he’s getting offensive rebounds, he’s posting up, he’s getting the rebounds. “He just plays basketball.” Last night, he was just beautiful to watch, a role player who in this game was a great player. And inquiring minds wanted to know: Given the kind of game he played last night, did Leon Powe allow himself the thrill of looking up to the scoreboard to see the dazzling point total that was positioned next to his name? Everyone expected some kind of nice, neat, we’re-just-out-to-win response from Powe. And truth to tell, he did get there eventually. But first, he admitted, “Sometimes you glance at it,” referring to the scoreboard. Then he got back to the script, saying, “I try to worry about what’s on the real scoreboard, if we’re up or down, trying to see what we need to do.” So here’s to Leon Powe for putting team first. But here’s to Leon Powe for admitting that, for a brief second, he did what every one of us would have done were we in the same situation. He looked up at the scoreboard and at the 30 next to his name.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 14, 2009 7:53:52 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1158501&format=textStephon Marbury shows what’s in future By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Notebook | Saturday, March 14, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Stuart Cahill The Celtics [team stats] got a glimpse last night of what Stephon Marbury may be able to offer them down the line. The free agent pickup celebrated his two-week anniversary with the club by going for nine points and five assists in 17 minutes. Beyond the numbers, he just looked a lot more natural in the 102-92 win over Memphis, playing with a heretofore unseen certainty. “I’m getting comfortable,” Marbury said. “I’m getting my legs under me.” Asked if this was the best he’s felt with the Celtics, Marbury replied, “I felt pretty good in Miami. Maybe it was the weather. But this is the comfortable-est I’ve felt so far.” It had to help that Rajon Rondo [stats] was back last night. Marbury had started the previous two games and found it to be no holiday. “It’s like, you want to play, but at the same time you know you’re not there to be able to play at that level,” he said. “When it happened, it was like I was the turkey at Thanksgiving. It was like, ‘OK, you’re starting.’ ” Looking at how Rondo’s comeback from a sprained right ankle will impact him, Marbury said, “For me it’s just going to take time, and him coming back it definitely helps. It helps us as a team, and it helps us get back to where we were. From my standpoint, eventually it’s going to click. It’s going to happen. I’ve been coming in early, working on my shot, working on my game - just trying to get to that point where I’m able to play at that level where I’m used to playing at. It’s just taking me some time because of not playing.” While having Rondo back might take some pressure off Marbury, coach Doc Rivers believes there is a more important factor for the new guy. “I just think the games help really,” Rivers said. “He just needs to play - just like Tiger Woods. If it takes Tiger Woods a while after eight months, how long will it take Steph after over a year? . . . I don’t know the answer; I’m just asking.” KG feeling ‘great’ There are encouraging signs with Kevin Garnett, who has been out three weeks with a strained right knee. “He told me he felt great,” reported Rivers. “He felt the best he’s felt in a while. “That doesn’t mean he’s playing any time soon, but that’s a step forward for sure.” Garnett has been running on a treadmill, in addition to other strength-and-conditioning drills. There is a good chance he will play when the Celts hit the road for games in San Antonio and Memphis next week. The Celts leave today for Milwaukee and Chicago. . . . Glen Davis (sprained right ankle) missed his second game last night and is “not going on the trip, I don’t think, unless I hear something different (today),” said Rivers. . . . Tony Allen (left thumb surgery) will be getting his cast off Monday and still hopes to play again before the playoffs, which was the original projection. Up all night Ray Allen caught the latter stages of his alma mater UConn’s six-overtime loss to Syracuse in the Big East tournament Thursday. “I was actually up because we had got in so late the night before,” he said. “I knew I was going to have trouble sleeping. I tried to go to bed, then I went downstairs and turned the TV on and it was going into the second overtime.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 14, 2009 7:58:02 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/14/powe_celtics_bear_down?mode=PFPowe, Celtics bear down Grizzlies scratch and claw, but run out of fight By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | March 14, 2009 Of all the medicines, rest, and therapy prescribed for the Celtics' ills, there have been few better methods for healing than facing opponents such as the Memphis Grizzlies. After being bumped and bruised by some of the NBA's best in recent weeks, the Celtics got a breather and capitalized on the situation in taking a 102-92 victory over the Grizzlies last night. The Celtics (50-16) snapped a two-game losing streak as Leon Powe produced his third double-double in a week with a career-high 30 points to go with 11 rebounds. Rajon Rondo, back from a right ankle sprain, was a surprise starter and needed a half to regain his form. By the third quarter, though, the Celtics were getting back to their home-court groove - since Jan. 28, they have a 4-4 record at TD Banknorth Garden and two wins by double-digit margins. "Our floor general is out there, making the calls, understanding what we're trying to do, and everybody's comfortable," Celtics captain Paul Pierce said of Rondo. Rondo, who missed losses to Orlando and Miami, returned to the lineup after a productive morning workout in Waltham. He helped spark a decisive 21-9 run over a 5:16 span late in the third quarter, giving the Celtics momentum and a cushion sufficient enough for Pierce and Ray Allen (22 points) to limit their minutes in preparation for tomorrow's visit to Milwaukee. The game also served as a further prep course for Stephon Marbury, who converted his first 3-pointer as a Celtic, and Mikki Moore (6 points), plus Bill Walker, who played significant minutes (18 last night) for the second successive game. "Other than the first quarter, I thought we played pretty good basketball," coach Doc Rivers said. "I thought our defense after the first quarter was pretty good. I thought our bench was terrific. They got us the lead in the first half, then were able to finish the game. [Walker] played terrific defense and he just makes things happen." But Rondo's return made the most noticeable difference for the Celtics. After O.J. Mayo's 3-pointer gave Memphis (16-48) a 57-55 lead with 7:03 remaining in the third quarter, the Celtics scored the next 8 points. Pierce scored on a goaltending call, then Rondo poked away Mike Conley's dribble and found Powe with a behind-the-back pass for a dunk, Allen converted on a drive, and Rondo's drive provided a 63-57 lead with 4:47 left. Allen scored again in the lane, then converted two threes, and Pierce one, before Moore's follow dunk made the score 76-66 with 25 seconds remaining in the quarter. Moore converted twice from the perimeter, one off a Marbury behind-the-backer, as the Celtic reserves preserved the lead. Marbury's first Celtic 3-pointer stretched it to 95-78 with 4:31 left. By then, Allen and Pierce were comfortably lounging on the bench and Tony Allen (thumb), Kevin Garnett (right knee), and Brian Scalabrine (concussion) were presumably resting easy in the locker room. "I just want [Allen and Pierce] to keep in that 35-38[-minute] range," Rivers said. "There will be games, if we do our jobs, where they can get rest. We're going to try to win games, and what we don't want to do is get them in that 45[-minute range]. I'm sure there will be a game or two that you do it just because it's one of those games." Nor do the Celtics expect many more coasting sessions such as this one. The Celtics already have equaled last season's loss total, and the remaining 16 games will be a race with first-place Cleveland and third-place Orlando for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs. "It doesn't look good this year," Rivers said of being able to rest players. "Last year, we were able to because we had such a big cushion. This year, we don't. We're trying to catch Cleveland and trying to stay in front of Orlando. Every year is different. "If I thought that we had a team that was getting tired, I'd shut them down. I don't see that, though. I think we've had a ton of offdays with practice and I think we've done that pretty well so far."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 14, 2009 8:00:18 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/14/powes_time_is_well_spent?mode=PFPowe's time is well spent By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff | March 14, 2009 Three more pens. Another notebook. More film for the cameras. Those were Mikki Moore's suggestions to reporters for capturing all of Leon Powe's postgame musings in the Celtics' locker room last night. Powe had 30 points, as well as 11 rebounds and 5 blocks, in a starting role in Boston's 102-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Banknorth Garden. And when he emerged from the showers, dripping with confidence following a career high for points, he had only one more person to prove himself to. "That wouldn't happen [with me around]," Kevin Garnett, who is recovering from a sprained knee, barked from the other room. "What do you average, 1.7 points, 0.1 rebounds?" The ink began to run and the notebooks started to fill. "You know who I guard every day [in practice]," Powe shouted back, referring to Garnett. "Don't be so surprised. I'll be back." Powe then turned to the reporters, who were scribbling wildly. "Me and KG were having a friendly talk," he said. "I want KG to come back. My body is getting used to these 40 minutes, but that's our leading man, and we miss him." It was hard to tell the Celtics missed Garnett last night. Powe got down to business early, scoring 9 points and grabbing six rebounds while playing all but 12 seconds of the first quarter. In addition to crashing the boards, he caught the ball outside the paint and took it to the hole on several occasions. Powe made nine trips to the line in the quarter. "Since he's been put in the starting role, he's been really playing well for us," said captain Paul Pierce. "We already know what he can do when he gets his opportunity. Tonight, it just showed. He was aggressive, he made plays. And that's what we need right now." Powe matched Memphis's Rudy Gay with 18 first-half points, though the man with 10 career double-doubles was still three rebounds shy at that point. He scored just 2 points in the third, but Powe finished with a flourish, scoring 10 points in the fourth. He played all but two minutes of the second half, especially noteworthy with frontcourt players Garnett, Glen Davis, and Brian Scalabrine sidelined with injuries. "I've been playing [more than 40 minutes] per game," said Powe. "That's a lot of minutes. That's a lot of opportunity. My teammates were doing a great job of finding me, and I just wanted to keep working." Powe is still a relative NBA unknown, but his back story, publicized during last season's NBA Finals, as well as his 21-point outburst against the Lakers in Game 2 of that series, have given him some notoriety. Powe spent part of his childhood homeless, and his mother's death while Powe was in high school left him with responsibilities over his younger siblings. On the court, knee injuries limited Powe to two seasons at the University of California. The injuries overshadowed his stellar final season, when the undersized power forward averaged 20.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Powe came into last night's game averaging 7.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in a little more than 17 minutes per game this season. His averages are 18.4 points and 9.2 rebounds in his last five games. "I know what I can do," said Powe. "I've scored the ball in college. I'm used to that. I didn't have too many opportunities here, but I'm coming off the bench to make the most of my minutes. When you're playing behind KG and other veterans, it's kind of difficult. It's just about me making the most of it." Celtics players couldn't care less if Powe is known by others. Right now, he's plugging the massive hole left by Garnett's absence. And he's using that wide body to carve a niche for himself that isn't likely to go away, even when Garnett returns. "You know he's going to play 30-plus minutes now," said Pierce. "When you have a guy that gets that opportunity, he's not going to look over his shoulder . . . it's a whole different attitude."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 14, 2009 8:01:10 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/14/rondo_makes_a_surprise_return?mode=PFRondo makes a surprise return By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | March 14, 2009 Rajon Rondo returned from a right ankle sprain, though it took about half of the Celtics' 102-92 win over Memphis last night to confirm his recovery. And Kevin Garnett reported progress on his right knee strain, a little more than three weeks after he was injured during a game at Utah. Rondo was in the starting lineup for the first time since sustaining the injury in a 105-94 win over Cleveland March 6, and had 4 points and eight assists in 29 minutes last night. "I'll be able to help the team a lot more because I won't be as tentative with my ankle," Rondo said after yesterday morning's shootaround. "I feel like I'm able to turn on it and, once you get out there, you don't even think about it." Rondo, who did not speak to the media after the game, added: "I was getting back on defense and I don't know if I stepped on [LeBron James's] foot. I knew it was bad and that's why I stayed out." Rondo was expected to be out until tomorrow's visit to Milwaukee, but was cleared to play by trainer Ed Lacerte. "I was surprised, I didn't think he was playing," said coach Doc Rivers. "With Kevin out, our defense has slipped quite a bit - it's amazing what one guy does for the defense - and when Rondo is out, our offense is not consistent and the continuity is gone. That's why it's a team and you put it together. "When one goes out, it affects your team." Garnett continued working out on a treadmill. "[Garnett] told me he felt great, the best he's felt in a while," Rivers said. "That doesn't mean he's playing any time soon, but that's a step forward. The tough part of Kevin and all the guys is the next week and a half, if we have enough bodies, we'll practice once, in Chicago." Getting comfortable Stephon Marbury, who started in place of Rondo in losses to Orlando (86-79) and Miami (107-99), had his most productive performance since joining the Celtics two weeks ago, with 9 points and five assists in 17 minutes. "I was just trying to get to the paint, just trying to be aggressive," Marbury said. "I'm definitely getting more comfortable. Playing on this team, it's a treat playing with these guys, because everyone is so good and so talented." Mikki Moore also had his best Celtic performance, with 6 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes. Itching to play Tony Allen (thumb surgery) will have his cast removed Monday and then require at least two weeks of rehabilitation. "I want to be out there," he said. "I'm just looking at those weeks when I can take off this cast. I'm just trying to attack those weeks. It's on track." Fond memories After a serious knee injury, Darius Miles launched a comeback with the Celtics during the preseason, and played in his first NBA game in two years after joining the Grizzlies Dec. 13. Miles had 2 points last night. "It was a blessing," Miles said of his experience with the Celtics. "I really enjoyed myself. It was something I really needed. To come back into this league I needed to be out here. Whatever the next team I go to, I'm going to [show younger players] how to approach it, how to practice, how to play hard. "I'm glad to be on the team, that's all. I went through a lot. I'm just glad to be on somebody's team and back in this league. I just want to be with a team that's going to give me a chance, give me consistent minutes." Painful viewing Former UConn star Ray Allen nearly missed watching his alma mater's loss to Syracuse in six overtimes Thursday night. "I forgot about the game and I was putting the kids to sleep," Allen said. "I came down to get some cereal and turned on the TV and it was the second overtime. "It was frustrating because there were opportunities to win, if [UConn] could have gotten better execution down the stretch."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 14, 2009 8:03:43 GMT -5
www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/pros_and_colleges/x1828883876/Celtics-102-Grizzlies-92-The-Powe-ShowCeltics 102, Grizzlies 92: The Powe Show By Scott Souza/Daily News staff MetroWest Daily News Posted Mar 14, 2009 @ 12:24 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON — With three members of the frontcourt rotation out injured, and two more in foul trouble early last night, the Celtics needed someone with a little bit of size to step forward and carry a mighty load. Leon Powe came up with perhaps the mightiest effort of his career. Logging more than 41 minutes on a wrapped calf, Powe was a one-man demolition crew ruining any thoughts of a Memphis upset with a career-high 30 points, along with 11 rebounds and five blocked shots, in a 102-92 victory at the TD Banknorth Garden. "I knew I had to step up," Powe reasoned with Kevin Garnett (knee strain) among those out of action. "We are short of bigs. If I don't make nothing happen, we only have two left. I want to contribute as much as I can. Try to look for my shot. Try to still do the normal things I do when I come off the bench - setting picks for pick-and-rolls, trying to get my teammates open - but also in my mind be more aggressive too because I'm in the starting lineup and we need the offensive production." Powe's production was critical early when the C's went down nine points in the first quarter and continued throughout the game as his teammates finally got up to speed to put away the lowly Grizzlies in the fourth. "Since he's been in the starting role he's really been playing well for us," said Paul Pierce (17 points, 5 assists). "We already knew what he can do when he gets his opportunity and tonight it just showed. We got him in position to where he could make plays and that's what we need right now with the guys we have injured. He was tremendous tonight." Ray Allen had 22 points, and the C's welcomed Rajon Rondo (sprained right ankle) back to the starting lineup with an eight-rebound, eight-assist effort in 29 minutes. "The quickness was there from the beginning," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said of Rondo. "I thought he got more aggressive as the game went on. You have your quarterback back, so that's good. It's probably more important for Ray and Paul than for everybody else because those are our two best scorers." "It was good," agreed Pierce. "Our floor general was out there making the calls, understanding what we're trying to do. Everyone is comfortable." Newest Celtics Stephon Marbury (9 points, 5 assists) and Mikki Moore (6 points, 8 rebounds) had their best games in Boston, while rookie Bill Walker had the strongest game of his young career with six points and active defense in 19 minutes. "I was really happy with our bench," Rivers said. "They got us the lead in the second quarter and were able to finish the game." Powe had 18 points and seven rebounds in the first half as the C's rallied from down nine for a 47-44 lead at the break. With his team down by a point in the third, Powe rallied the C's and got the crowd riled up when he threw down a feed from Rondo for a 59-57 lead with 5:47 left. Then the C's went back up by six on an Allen basket and Rondo drive. An 11-4 run, including a pair of Allen (12 third-quarter points) 3-pointers, had the C's up as many as 10 late in the third before they hit the fourth up 76-69. After Memphis cut an 11-point deficit to six on a Darko Milicic three-point play 1:40 into the fourth, a long Marbury jumper and Powe drive from Walker got the lead back to double digits. Another Powe dunk and Moore baseline jumper put Boston up 88-76 into a Memphis timeout with 6:19 left. A Marbury 3-pointer capped a 7-0 run for a 95-78 lead with 4:26 to go and Powe sealed the deal with yet another right-handed flush that made it 97-80 with 3:38 left. "He did it tonight without really getting that many post plays," Rivers said. "He's just rolling (to the basket), and getting to the right spot. He's learning that when you play next to Ray, and Paul, and Rondo, and Steph even, they have to help. If you get your hands ready and you get to the right spot, good things will happen."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 14, 2009 8:05:08 GMT -5
www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x1828883870/Celtics-Notebook-Marbury-eases-himself-back-inCeltics Notebook: Marbury eases himself back in -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Scott Souza/Daily News staff GHS Posted Mar 14, 2009 @ 12:26 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON — When Stephon Marbury was plotting his escape from New York, all he said he wanted was a chance to contribute to a contender. He may have gotten a lot more than he bargained for in his first two weeks with the defending champions. Pressed into action hours after signing with the team Feb. 27, Marbury found himself in the starting lineup two straight games this week due to Rajon Rondo's right ankle sprain. Trying to run the show, on a new team, nearly 14 months removed from his last regular season NBA action, proved a daunting experience. "It's like you want to play, but at the same time you know you're not there (with conditioning) to be able to play at that level," said Marbury before last night's game against the Grizzlies at the TD Banknorth Garden. "When it happened (getting the start last Sunday vs. Orlando), I was like the turkey at Thanksgiving (poised to be carved up). Not being in shape. Not being able to be able to practice - we don't practice that much - that makes it difficult. My practices are the games." Last night Marbury returned to what will be a more likely role the rest of way - a backcourt reserve - with Rondo's return to the starting lineup. After shooting just 25.9 percent in his first six games in Boston - including 3-for-16 over the previous three games entering last night - Marbury seemed to be looking forward to easing his way into the system a little more. "Eventually, it's going to click," he determined. "It's going to happen. Coming in early, working on my shot, working on my game, and just getting to the point where I'm able to play at that level that I'm used to playing at is just taking some time. "It's frustrating at times, but at the same time I have to keep reminding myself I haven't played basketball in (14) months." "He just needs to play," Celtics coach Doc Rivers agreed. "It's just like it's taking Tiger Woods awhile after he was out for eight months. How long will it take Steph after over a year? I don't know the answer, I'm just asking." It appears Marbury is asking for help along the way. Ray Allen said the newcomer sought the workout maven's counsel during a shooting drill at yesterday's morning shootaround. Allen said his other advice to Marbury has been to remember to be himself before he worries too much about being what everyone else expects him to be. "I just always tell him to be aggressive," Allen said. "You want to make plays for other people. But making a play for yourself is helping us as well. "We haven't expected him to come in and be where he needs to be the first two weeks. Just like the two (late additions) we had last year (Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown), the two we had this year (Marbury and Mikki Moore) are going to make those adjustments. Dividends will be paid from here on out. It's not a short-term situation." *** Rivers said trainer Ed Lacerte gave Rondo the thumbs up during a series of drills before the shootaround and Rivers was convinced with the way Rondo moved during the workout to let him play last night. Rondo's return still left the Celtics with only 11 healthy players. Rivers said Kevin Garnett (knee strain) is still at least a week away from returning despite a good treadmill session yesterday. "He told me he felt great," Rivers said. "He told me it was the best he's felt in a while. That doesn't mean he's playing anytime soon, but that's a step forward for sure." ... Rivers said Glen Davis (right ankle sprain) would not travel to Milwaukee for tomorrow's game "unless I hear something different (today)." ... Tony Allen (thumb surgery) said he is getting the wrap on his left thumb removed on Monday and hopes to begin practicing within the next three or four weeks. ... The Weston High choir sang the national anthem before last night's game.
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