News 1/17

[FLCeltsFan]

Feel-good story
Allen creates sensation

By Jeff Horrigan | Thursday, January 17, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Ted Fitzgerald
Many scorers say they can “feel it’ when their shots are falling with consistency. For Celtics [team stats] guard Ray Allen, the sensation can become quite literal.

“I always tingle when I know a shot is possibly coming,” Allen said. “I was talking to (teammate Brian) Scalabrine early in the year and I told him, ‘You have to always know when that shot is about to come.’ For some reason, it’s almost like the hairs on my arms and the back of my neck start to stand up because I know the shot is about to come.”

Allen’s body must have felt as if static electricity filled the air last night at TD Banknorth Garden, considering the way the shots came to him in a 100-90 Celtics victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

After averaging only 10.2 points in his previous five games, Allen exploded for a season-high 35 against Portland to help the C’s end a season-high, two-game losing streak. He took over in the second half, scoring 26 points in the final two quarters, including eight in a 16-9 third-quarter run that erased a 54-52 deficit and put the Celtics ahead for the duration.

“That was fun to be a part of and watch,” said Paul Pierce [stats], who added 12 points and eight rebounds to the victory. “I told (Allen), ‘I’m going to try to get you the ball.’ When you’ve got a player like that who has done it so many times throughout his NBA career, you try to ride the hot hand. We tried to give him the ball as much as we could.”

Allen’s previous season high of 33 points came in the second game of the season, a Nov. 4 win at Toronto. He had struggled of late, in part due to returning numbness in the fingers of his shooting (right) hand caused by a pinched nerve. He hadn’t broken the 20-point plateau since Dec. 29 or led the team in scoring in a game since Dec. 26, but he broke through against the Blazers with an added jolt of aggressiveness.

Although his forte is a fluid jump shot, Allen repeatedly drove to the hoop, resulting in 11 points from drives to the basket.

“I thought he just attacked,” coach Doc Rivers said. “He was aggressive (and) didn’t do a lot of dancing with the ball tonight, (just) straight-line drives.”

Allen, who played the entire second half, took matters into his own, tingling hands when the Blazers narrowed the lead to 86-81 with just over three minutes remaining by scoring 12 of the Celtics’ final 14 points.

“(Last night) I wanted to be aggressive,” Allen said. “That’s what I worked on before the game, making sure, when I got the ball, I penetrated and put some pressure on the defense and just made the right play.”

Article URL: www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1067150

[FLCeltsFan]

Hotshot Allen, Celtics get their groove back
Guard hits for 35 to end slide

By Mark Murphy | Thursday, January 17, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Matt Stone
Sometimes the remedy is a slap, a scare from a team that is half their age.

The Celtics [team stats], their first losing streak standing at two games, absorbed the best the hottest team in the NBA could muster and walked out of the Garden last night with a 100-90 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, a team of kids who had won 18 of their previous 20 games.

Ray Allen, driving and later bombing his way to a season-high 35-point performance that included a 26-point second half, was at his most explosive in two months while also chasing Portland’s Brandon Roy (22 points) across the floor.

For a Celtics team that had lost its groove over the last week, Allen’s 9-of-13 second half shooting was a far cry from the 10.2 points he had averaged his previous five games.

That’s why, after the Blazers took a 52-45 lead with 10:12 left in the third, there was no question who was getting the ball.

“I told Ray, ‘I’m going to try and get you the ball,’ ” said Paul Pierce [stats], whose evening of trading in shots (3-of-11) for doing the little things (12 points, five assists, eight rebounds) provided a nice backdrop to Allen and Kevin Garnett (26 points, seven rebounds).

“It was great to watch,” Pierce said of Allen. “When you have a hot player like that, who has done it so many times in his career, you just have to go to the hot hand.”

The win was only the Celtics’ second in the last five games, as well as their second in the last three without point guard Rajon Rondo [stats] (hamstring, back).

In truth they haven’t had a healthy Rondo since late last month, when he first injured the hamstring during a Dec. 30 game in Utah, and their offense has suffered as a result.

The same trouble was apparent early last night with Eddie House making his first start of the season. House, Tony Allen and rookie Gabe Pruitt all attempted to fill the gap left by Rondo’s absence.

The Celtics shot 36 percent in the first half and, along with Ray Allen’s rise, had their best success defensively.

“The guys wanted to come out here,” said Pierce. “We realized we were on a two-game losing streak at home, so we wanted to defend our homecourt against a quality ballclub, one of the hottest teams in the NBA.”

Allen, who gave the Celtics their first serious injection of offense in three games with a 12-point third quarter, opened the fourth with a 15-footer for a 76-69 lead that quickly extended to their first 10-point lead (80-70) of the game.

Even when the Blazers responded with five straight points from Travis Outlaw, coinciding with four straight C’s misses, the Celtics maintained their hold.

Though Pierce had his second two-miss trip to the line with 4:56 left, a 20-footer and hook from Garnett were good for a pair of eight-point leads (84-76, 86-78), all-the-while with the clock starting to make life short for Portland.

When Allen scooped up a loose ball and buried his third trey of the night with two seconds on the shot clock for an 89-81 lead with 2:18 left, the Blazers finally started to cave in.

“I’m sitting there looking at that play in slow motion, and the ball rolls right to Ray Allen, of all people,” said Blazers coach Nate McMillan. “I’ve seen that form enough to know he had a good chance to knock that down. That was a big shot.”

As was Allen’s next - a 16-foot turnaround off the dribble with 1:14 left for a 91-84 lead.

Not even fouling could save the Blazers from just their third loss in 21 games.

“That’s going to be a good team in the Western Conference. You’ve got to respect them,” said Pierce. “Regardless of their age.”

Article URL: www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1067099

[FLCeltsFan]

Point is, Celtics miss Rondo

By Mark Murphy / Celtics Notebook | Thursday, January 17, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Matt Stone
The losing streak is over, but a void remains despite the Celtics [team stats]’ 100-90 win over Portland last night.

It may have been difficult to imagine just how much the Celtics miss their second-year point guard, especially when he’s at full speed, but this is a team that needs the return of Rajon Rondo [stats].

Rondo missed his second game in the last three last night due to hamstring and back trouble, but has probably not been the same since he initially injured the hamstring during a Dec. 29 game in Utah and then attempted to play through the injury.

The offense, deprived of his quickness and penetration, has suffered.

“We are a different ballclub in some ways because we don’t have his pressure defense full court, his quickness in the open court and his finish at the rim, and the way he gets to the lane and finds open guys,” said Paul Pierce [stats]. “We’ve got to make adjustments and find different ways to score, but the guys filling in for him are going to step up. Eddie House did a great job tonight and we were able to see Gabe Pruitt come out there and give us some quality minutes. It’s going to be good for us in the long run.”

Good for Gabe

Pruitt played 12 minutes, hit his first shot and missed the next five, including three 3-pointers.

But defense was going to be his stage last night against Blazers point guards Steve Blake and Jarrett Jack.

“He was great. He had shots, which is good,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. “But I was more excited on the defensive end. He got a couple of digs and strips. So he was terrific.”

That said, the first shot felt good going down.

“You always have to hit the first one,” said Pruitt. “But defense was my main focus coming in. That was what they were looking for.” . . .

Leon Powe became a father last night. The Celtics forward’s girlfriend gave birth to a 7-pound, 14-ounce boy named Leon Powe III. . . .

State auditor Joe DeNucci took in the game along with the Patriots [team stats]’ Vince Wilfork [stats] and Adalius Thomas.

Raves from Raef

Raef LaFrentz’ old Celtics team is now scattered between Minneapolis, Seattle and a small but important bit still in Boston.

It’s that small part, considering the changes Danny Ainge was finally able to make, that amazes the Portland forward.

“I think it’s an awesome run they’re on,” LaFrentz said before last night’s game, in which he saw one minute of action.

“This is the vision that Danny had the entire time. Things had to happen first before he could complete it, but what’s amazing is that he was able to get his veterans without trading Paul (Pierce),” he said. “And that’s a great thing.”

Not even the Celtics’ burst out of the blocks can obscure what the Blazers are doing, however. The youngest team in the league, even with LaFrentz’ 31 years factored in, had won 18 of its previous 20 games before losing last night.

“Take away my age and we probably have the average age of a freshman in college,” he said with a laugh. “So I’m feeling a little old. It’s definitely a unique role.”

It’s not necessarily the most enjoyable, though. LaFrentz, who didn’t play in 11 games prior to his three-minute appearance against the Nets on Monday, has not received much consideration in Portland’s youth movement.

Article URL: www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1067143

[FLCeltsFan]

Oden finally takes seat in Boston

By Jeff Horrigan | Thursday, January 17, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Matt Stone
When the NBA draft lottery was held last spring, it appeared that date - May 22, 2007 - would be one that the Celtics [team stats] and Greg Oden would rue for perpetuity.

The Celtics, who were desperately counting on one of the top two choices in the lottery, lost the opportunity to select one of the two can’t-miss prospects in the draft - Ohio State center Oden or Texas forward Kevin Durant - when they were slapped hard across the face by lottery’s chance, which gave them the fifth overall pick.

And Oden, who had been embracing the idea of becoming the cornerstone in the latest rebuilding effort of one of the game’s most storied franchises, went instead to the dismal Portland Trail Blazers with the No. 1 overall selection.

Before training camp started, matters got even worse for the 7-footer, who learned that he would miss the entire 2007-08 season due to microfracture surgery needed on his right knee.

Amazing how quick hopeless situations can change, huh?

The Celtics ended up using their lottery pick in a deal to acquire Ray Allen from Seattle - the first of two major moves that eventually landed Kevin Garnett in Boston and instantly transformed the team into one of the NBA’s best.

The Blazers, meanwhile, have defied logic and expectations by recovering from a sluggish start to become the top team in the West, despite the absence of the young center who they expected to lead the turnaround. Portland was on an 18-2 roll that put them atop the Northwest Division before losing to the Celtics last night. It marked the latest that the Blazers had been alone atop their division since March 1, 2001.

Traveling with the Blazers as part of coach Nate McMillan’s plan to phase him into the professional game, Oden said that his new teammates’ winning ways have made his injury far more tolerable.

Oden admitted he wondered what it would have been like had the ping-pong balls bounced another way in the draft lottery and he ended up in Boston.

“It would have been nice,” he said. “Paul Pierce [stats] was already here and he’s a great player. To have the possibility of playing with someone like that is always good, (but) I’m enjoying Portland.”

Article URL: www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1067148

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/01/17/allen_celtics_on_beam?mode=PF

Allen, Celtics on beam
He sparks win over Portland
By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | January 17, 2008

"Jesus" saved the struggling Celtics last night.

Boston defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 100-90, at sold-out TD Banknorth Garden and snapped a two-game losing streak thanks to Ray Allen, nicknamed "Jesus" by his teammates because he played the character Jesus Shuttlesworth in the movie "He Got Game."

Allen scored 26 of his 35 points - a game high that matched his season high - in the second half. Kevin Garnett added 26 points.

"Every game I walk out of this building feeling like I left something on the table and I still feel that way tonight, regardless of the points I scored," Allen said. "I was telling someone before the game that I'm never completely satisfied."

Allen is one of the most feared shooters in the league, but entering the game, he was averaging 17.6 points, his lowest average since the 1998-99 season, and a career-low 41.2 percent from the field. He has been hampered by ankle problems and a pinched nerve in his neck.

But last night, Allen said he felt the best he has all season, and it showed.

"I still had shots I would like to see go down," he said. "I do feel like I'm turning the corner, though, being able to feel good out there on the floor after everything I've gone through early. Still being able to go out there and get those shots and run up and down the floor. For me, the biggest key is getting my conditioning, just being in the best possible shape I can be in."

The Celtics came in having lost three of their last four, but left all smiles, with a bit of their swagger back.

"To tell you the truth, we were kind of upset that we lost," said Paul Pierce, who had 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting, missed 5 of 11 free throws, but contributed 8 rebounds and 5 assists. "But by no means was our spirit down. We're going to take our bumps and it's about how we respond throughout the year."

Said Portland coach Nate McMillan: "They showed why they are the best team record-wise in the league right now."

The youthful Trail Blazers weren't exactly welcome whipping boys. Led by guard Brandon Roy, they came in with a surprising 23-14 record and only two losses since Dec. 2.

So not only did the Celtics get back to their winning ways, Garnett felt they did it with a quality victory.

"This is the hottest team in the league," he said.

Said Pierce: "This is going to be a good team in the Western Conference. You've got to respect them, regardless of age."

Allen made 3 of 6 first-half shots as the Celtics trailed, 45-43, at the break. Roy, who was being guarded by Allen, had 13 points through two quarters.

But in the second half, Allen made 9 of 14 shots, hit two 3-pointers, and nailed all six of his free throw attempts. Roy, meanwhile, scored 9 points on 3-of-8 shooting, including 0 for 2 from 3-point range.

"We came in tonight wanting to play well against them," said Roy, who had a team-high 22 points. "I don't think we believed we could beat them."

Boston finished the third quarter with a 74-69 lead after outscoring the Blazers, 31-24. With only one starter (Allen) on the floor, the Celtics opened the fourth with a 6-1 run to take an 80-70 lead. Garnett's 23-foot jumper with 4:31 left gave Boston an 84-76 lead.

A Travis Outlaw 3-pointer sliced Portland's deficit to 86-81 with 3:18 remaining. But Allen nailed a 3-pointer on a broken play at the shot-clock buzzer to give Boston an 89-81 lead with 2:18 left.

"I'm sitting there looking at that play in slow motion, and the ball rolls right to Ray Allen, out of all people," McMillan said. "And I've seen that form enough to know he has a good chance of knocking that down. That was a big shot. Our guys were scrambling and rotating and we got a finger on it and it was just a break for them."

Portland wasn't quite done. LaMarcus Aldridge's jumper with 1:30 remaining made it 89-84. Allen's 16-foot jumper with 1:14 left gave Boston a 91-84 lead. Jarrett Jack's 3-point play with 56.9 seconds left kept Portland alive, 91-87. But Allen's 3-pointer with 49.3 seconds left gave Boston a 94-87 lead and sealed the game.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/01/17/beating_a_trail_of_success?mode=PF

Beating a trail of success
Young Portland surprises league

By Peter May, Globe Staff | January 17, 2008

The two best success stories of 2007-08 were in Boston last night. The Celtics, well, were expected to be good, maybe not this good, but still pretty good. The Trail Blazers? After Greg Oden went down for the season, a lot of people figured they'd make marginal gains, if any, over last season (when they went 32-50) and would be wise to make reservations for Secaucus.

What we saw in a spirited if uneven 48 minutes was the reemergence of Ray Allen (season-high 35 points) and the Celtics toughing it out to take a 100-90 victory over the hottest team in the NBA. Only problem - Portland did not play like a team that had won 18 of its last 20. It turned the ball over way too many times (21, leading to 23 points). It wasted way too many possessions by hoisting desperation no-hopers to beat the 24-second clock. It allowed the Celtics to attempt 38 free throws.

And yet, the Blazers still were in the game, down by 4, in the final minute.

So, in other words, as soon as Vegas is accepting bets on the 2009-10 season, go lay some money on the Trail Blazers. You'd say maybe this season, or certainly next season, if they had kept their own pick in 2005 and taken Chris Paul or Deron Williams, instead of trading down to take Martell Webster. (But they had Sebastian Telfair!)

Last night was a learning experience for the young lads from the Great Northwest. As coach Nate McMillan put it, "It showed us we got work to do. They're the better team. They showed it." Then he added, "I don't know if we really came in here feeling we could get this game."

But even with the loss, the Blazers remain on a remarkable run. Last night was only their third defeat in their last 21 games. They're eight games over .500, a place few imagined they'd be after they lost 12 of their first 17 games. Then a few things happened. McMillan conducted an Australian Rules practice, resulting in an altercation between Joel Przybilla and Webster. Super soph Brandon Roy requested more time at point guard. Request granted. And then, well, they started to win. And win. And win.

From Dec. 3 to Dec. 30, they ran off 13 straight victories, still the best streak in the league this season. After a loss at Utah, they ran off four more wins before losing last Sunday in double overtime in Toronto. They responded the next night by clubbing the Nets by 26 in New Jersey. They move on to Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, and New Orleans on this trip.

All this winning has led to what veteran Raef LaFrentz, the oldest Blazer (a grizzled 31), calls "the best chemistry of any team I've ever been on, period." The team still leads its division; the last Portland team to be in first place this late in the season was the 2000-01 team.

"Am I surprised? All I can say is that you go out there every day, try to improve, try to win, and wherever that lands you, that lands you," McMillan said earlier in the day. "This team is playing hard. This team is playing together. This team is playing the right way. If you do those things, you can win."

What makes this story even more amazing is that the Blazers are the NBA's youngest team. You know the axiom - the NBA is a league for veterans, a league that eats its young. Portland has only three players with more than four years of NBA experience, and one of those, Darius Miles, hasn't played this season because of injury.

"The thing with these young guys," LaFrentz said, "is that they all are older than their years. In a lot of ways, it's similar to the situation in Boston. But these guys came together quicker."

Blazerologists point to the altercation between Przybilla and Webster as one of the turning points. It happened in San Antonio Dec. 1.

"I was planning to hold a physical practice," McMillan said. "We needed to learn to play that way and to learn to play against that style. Tempers flared, but those things happen. But it turned out to be a big thing because our players learned that they have to take that style of play onto the court in games. How could we have that kind of aggression against each other in practice and not take it to the floor in games?"

Roy, who was otherworldly in December (21.2 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds) and had 22 points last night, started to assert himself. He won back-to-back Player of the Week honors. His appeal to the coach for more time with the ball came, not coincidentally, Dec. 3, the first game of their 13-game winning streak. That night, he had 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists and the Blazers won, 106-105, on a Travis Outlaw buzzer-beater.

You have to like this group going forward. In addition to Oden, they also are planning to welcome Rudy Fernandez next season. He's the reigning European Player of the Year and is an important player on Spain's very strong national team. Oden is merely the best defensive center to come into the league in a generation.

"It's pretty exciting for me knowing I got something really good to look forward to next year when I come back," Oden said.

Meanwhile, he's got a pretty good view of something really good going on right now.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/01/17/rondo_on_the_sideline_again?mode=PF

Rondo on the sideline again

By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | January 17, 2008

With the support of his general manager, coach, and veteran teammates, injured Celtics guard Rajon Rondo is taking time to make sure he's healthy.

Rondo sat out for the second time in three games last night against the Trail Blazers with a bruised back and a lingering strained right hamstring. He said his status is day to day, he will return "hopefully Friday" against the 76ers, and an MRI of his back Monday was negative.

Rondo also said director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, coach Doc Rivers, and his teammates have told him not to return until he's "fully ready to play."

Replacing Rondo in his first start of the season, Eddie House scored 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, nailed two 3-pointers, grabbed 4 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists in 34 minutes of the Celtics' 100-90 victory. Rookie Gabe Pruitt scored 2 points on 1-of-6 shooting and had 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist in 11 minutes.

"[Pruitt] was great," coach Doc Rivers said. "He had shots, which is good. But I was more excited on the defensive end. Got a couple [of good defensive plays], strips. So he was terrific."

Rondo shot jumpers after yesterday's shootaround but didn't run. "It's a little sore," he said. "I'm just going to take my time. It's not too bad. I feel a lot better, but it's still a lot different when you go out there and run full speed. I'm not going to try to test it. I'm just going to try to let it rest.

"I'm just listening to the vets. They say to take my time and don't rush back. Everybody wants to play. But you just got to take care of your body."

Rondo said he has been getting treatment on both injuries for about 30 minutes a day, including ice and electrical stimulation.

Playing 21 minutes in Monday's 88-83 loss to Washington at TD Banknorth Garden, he said he didn't have his normal explosiveness and felt worse after a third-quarter lay-in attempt on a fast break. Rivers said after the game he told trainer Ed Lacerte he wanted Rondo to rest until he is ready. Rondo added that he will return when he is "fully ready to play."

"Even Danny told me don't try to rush it," Rondo said. "I feel pretty comfortable in taking time off and getting rest to try to get my body together."

Said Rivers, "I just don't think he's moving well. He didn't practice [Tuesday] or [yesterday], so that told me enough."

Rivers said he has not spoken to Ainge about bringing in another point guard and that Pruitt will get an opportunity. Rivers also said he hasn't considered using Ray Allen or James Posey at the position and he's not panicking.

"I don't ever worry about guys who aren't playing. We need them all," Rivers said. "Having said that, when we don't have them, somebody else has to step in. That's been my attitude all year and my attitude since I've coached. I don't dwell on the injury."

Oden watching
Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, the top pick in the 2007 draft, has been rehabilitating smoothly from his knee injury and getting strong advice, too.

The 7-foot, 250-pounder is out for the season while recovering from microfracture surgery on his right knee Sept. 13. Oden said he definitely isn't returning this season or playing for USA Basketball this summer. He added he might work out with injured Heat center Alonzo Mourning during the offseason and has received advice about taking his time returning from Nets guard Jason Kidd.

"[My rehabilitation is going] really good," Oden said. "My knee is getting stronger. I'm getting bigger . . . I can't really run. I can't really jump. But I'm on the bike, in the pool running, on the elliptical [machine]."

The Celtics had a strong shot at getting Oden during the lottery since they had the second-worst record in the NBA last season. Some Boston fans were so excited about the possibility that they wore Celtics jerseys bearing his last name on the back during the team's lottery party. The Celtics landed the fifth pick.

"I was open to whatever, but there was a lot of [Boston] talk," Oden said. "I was actually on a plane [during the lottery]. By the time I got off the plane, I was like, 'All right, I was going to be open for everything.' When I got off the plane, I was like, 'It's going to be Boston or Memphis.' And then it was like Portland, Seattle [second]. I was like, 'All right.' "

Dad Powe not on hand
Forward Leon Powe missed the game after his significant other, Llorren Cook, gave birth at 4:50 p.m. to Leon Powe III. The baby weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces . . . The NBA and Turner Entertainment are expected to announce today that NBATV and NBA.com will be moving to Atlanta and be managed and operated by Turner under a multiyear deal.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x97765911

: Boston takes NBA showdown

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By Lenny Megliola/Daily News staff
GHS
Wed Jan 16, 2008, 11:39 PM EST

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In the long grind of an NBA season, what's so bad about having a really intriguing game show up a month before the All-Star Game? Look at it this way: Watching the Celtics and Trail Blazers play on Jan. 16 a year ago would have been about the 13th thing on your to-do list.

Last night, different story. You know about the Celtics. Their phenomenal start has long-suffering fans (plus radio and TV talking heads across the land) actually believing Boston can get to the NBA Finals. Oh, and Kevin Garnett's going to be the league MVP, Danny Ainge executive of the year. After flaming out in Orlando and struggling here, Doc Rivers is going to get some respect finally.

It was all changing for the Celtics.

Sure, they had stubbed their toes of late, losing three of their last four, two of them at home. "We liked the way we've been playing, until recently," Rivers said before the game. Reasons for the dip weren't hard to find. The Celtics shooting had fallen off and the defense, their m.o. so far, lacked commitment. Other than that ...

So why not use this game against Portland to retake the Celtics' temperature? And why would taking it against the Trail Blazers be a good measure? Because next to Boston, they're the biggest surprise in the NBA, with the Heat stinkin' out the joint a close third.

The storyline was enticing. You had Boston's mini-dip pitted against a Portland team that had won 18 of its last 20 after starting the season 5-12. From the moment Garnett came aboard, the Celtics became a sexy team. When the Trail Blazers got off to a lousy start, it just pushed them so below the radar. They were last spotted in Bogota.

What we found out was that any one among the glittering trio of Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can will (or at least shoot) the Celtics to a win. Last night it was Allen who poured in 35 points, 26 in the second half and 14 in the last quarter to punctuate Boston's 100-90 win. "It was a breakout game for him," said Eddie House. "He hasn't had one in a while."

"That was big, real big for us," said Garnett, who had 26 points himself. Pierce wasn't so fortunate. He had a dismal 3-for-11 night and even missed five free throws. But he was wise enough to know where the ball should go. "I said to Ray I'm going to get you the ball."

The Celtics were more upset than concerned about the recent losses. They were determined to change things against the Blazers. "We wanted to defend our home against a quality team," said Pierce.

Portland led 45-43 at the half, and even when Allen went on his rampage it wasn't easy killing off the visitors. They cut an 80-70 lead with 9:39 left to four with just under a minute to play. Allen's fourth 3-pointer re-adjusted that in Boston's favor. "He's done it many times," said Pierce.

"I do feel like I'm turning the corner, being able to feel good out there after everything I've gone through early," said Allen. "On any given night, anybody's number can be called, and tonight I wanted to be aggressive. That's what I worked on before the game."

All the Celtics were a lot more animated. "We talked, we were active in the second half," said Garnett.

There was one Blazer curious to check out the Celtics. That's because Greg Oden, the top pick in this year's draft, thought he had a real chance to wind up in Boston. Then the ping-pong balls exploded in the Celtics' faces, and Portland got to pick first. "There was a lot of talk about Boston or Memphis," said the seven-foot Oden, who is with the team on the East Coast swing. "Boston would have been nice. They had Paul Pierce here."

Oden is recovering from knee surgery and will miss the entire season. "Can't run, can't jump," he said. He was looking forward to a front row seat because "this is going to be my first time seeing Kevin Garnett in person."

With Oden's career on hold, Brandon Roy has carried a heavy load and been quite good at it. Rivers called the second-year guard "an MVP player, not just a good player. He does everything well. ... He takes the best player and guards him. He's running the show."

Garnett on Roy (22 points, 6 assists): "The young fella's really talented, man." Pierce sees a future for all the Blazers, once Oden signs on. "They're probably the youngest team in the league, but you've got to respect them," said the captain.

And vice versa. "The Celtics showed why they're the best team record-wise in the league right now," said Portland coach Nate McMillan.

It was a good little scrum for these teams, with lessons learned on both sides.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x97765913

Celtics 100, Trail Blazers 90: C's cool of sizzling Blazers

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GHS
Wed Jan 16, 2008, 11:42 PM EST

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Ray Allen impressed teammate Paul Pierce with his shooting. For Allen, satisfying himself proved to be a tougher task.

Allen scored a season-high 35 points, Kevin Garnett had 26 and the Boston Celtics rebounded from their first consecutive losses of the season with a 100-90 win over Portland last night.

Allen, who scored 26 points in the second half on 9-of-13 shooting, wasn't about to get caught up in the excitement of his scoring.

"Every time I leave here I feel like I've left something out there on the table," he said. "I feel that way right now. There were some shots I should have knocked down."

The 12-year veteran had Pierce enjoying his work, though.

"It was great to watch. When you've got a hot player like that who's done it so many times throughout his NBA career, you just try to ride the hot hand," Pierce said "We just tried to get him the ball as much as we could. He made plays off the ball, on the ball and finished it with the shot."

The Atlantic Division-leading Celtics, who had lost three of their last four games and two straight at home, also got 12 points from Pierce and 10 from Eddie House. Boston had lost its last two games, both to Washington.

Brandon Roy led the Northwest division-leading Trail Blazers with 22 points. Travis Outlaw and Jarrett Jack each had 17.

Portland, which lost for just the third time in 21 games overall, fell to just 6-12 on the road.

The surprising Trail Blazers may have come into the game hoping to compete with Boston instead of working like they have so far this season.

"I don't think we believed we could beat them," Roy said. "We've been playing to win lately, but tonight I think we just came in to give them a good game. The next time we play them we have to believe that we can actually beat them."

Allen scored 12 points, including eight straight in the third quarter, helping the Celtics take a 74-69 lead after three.

Portland tied it at 56 before Kendrick Perkins' free throw moved the Celtics ahead for good. House followed with a 3 from the right corner before Allen took over, scoring off drives to the basket three times and hitting a pair of free throws to give Boston 68-63 lead.

After the Trail Blazers cut it to 71-69, Allen completed his quarter with a reverse layup. He then opened the fourth with a jumper from the right baseline on Boston's first possession and Tony Allen had a breakaway dunk, giving the Celtics a 78-69 advantage.

Portland cut it to 80-75 on Outlaw's 3 with 7:55 to go, but Ray Allen hit a key 3, followed that with a turnaround jumper and added a 3 with 50 seconds left to help Boston seal the win.

Ray Allen capped his second half with four free throws in the final 31 seconds.

"They showed why they're the best team record-wise in the league right now," Portland coach Nate McMillan said.

Portland led 45-43 at halftime.

[FLCeltsFan]

aol.nba.com/celtics/news/blog/post-ups.html

Postagme Wrap Up
Tonight's postgame media access is chock-full of nutty quotes and a bit of tomfoolery to boot. Kevin and Paul had their press conference Kings of Comedy routine, this time busting each other on verbal crutches ("you know"). Doc Rivers made Rajon Rondo act as his press conference proxy as part of the team's media training, and Ray Allen had the line of the night, telling reporters that he "tingles" when he knows he's about to take a shot.

It's all waiting for you in the Audio Archive in the right-hand sidebar.

Live Game Blog
100-90 Celtics, FINAL: Allen's 35 is a season high...

98-88 Celtics, :30.1/4th: Allen hit another three to put the C's up 94-87 with 49 seconds, and Paul knocked down a pair of freebies. Allen went to the line again for two more. This one is all but over...

91-84 Celtics, 1:14/4th: Ray Allen knocked down a pair of huge jumpers to put the Celtics up by seven. His 28 points puts him just shy of his Celtics high water mark (33 points, Nov 4 vs. Toronto).

86-81 Celtics, 2:42/4th: KG and Aldridge continue to battle down low. KG just induced a traveling violation with the old pull-the-chair move, a staple of veteran vs. rookie post-up defense.

82-75 Celtics, 5:44/4th: Eddie House has a quiet 10 points, but we're most interested in the battle going on between LaMarcus Aldridge and KG. Aldridge (12 points) hasn't backed down from Garnett yet, and has had a nice game inside. Before the game, Nate McMillan talked about the team needing him to play more inside rather than settling for outside shots. So far, three of his hoops have been in the paint, and he's grabbed six rebounds.

74-69 Celtics, End of 3rd: Ray Allen (21 points) has a 12-point quarter going, while Brandon Roy (21 points) is warming up for Portland.

54-54, 6:33/3rd: Kevin Garnett's got 22 points and it doesn't appear that the Blazers will have an answer for him tonight.

45-43 Blazers, Halftime: The Celtics put together a nice run over the last 4:30 to take a 43-42 lead, only to have Steve Blake nail a three at the buzzer. Raef LaFrentz also checked in during the last minute and grabbed a rebound. Raef hadn't played in nearly a month (healthy DNPs) before going three minutes against New Jersey Monday night.

38-33 Blazers, 4:31/2nd: The Celtics have not shot the ball well this half and nobody seems to want to heat up. No Celtic has hit more than three field goals, and Paul Pierce is just 1-6 from the field. They've settled for a lot of long-range jumpers and have hit just 4 of their 14 perimeter jump shots.

23-25 Blazers, 8:18/2nd: Big Baby only has two rebounds, but he's been working hard under the glass battling Joel Przybilla and company and seems a little extra juiced tonight. Przybilla's length makes him a tough guy for Baby to outrebound but Davis appears to have a slight strength advantage in the paint.

19-19/ End of 1st: Gabe Pruitt checked in with just under two minutes to play in the quarter and buried a jumper on his first offensive trip down the floor. Before the game, Doc was talking about Pruitt's shooting ability and seemed relatively comfortable about throwing Pruitt into the fire, noting that he's played more point guard than TA or Eddie House -- we'll assume he's talking about their careers and not in practice this year.

Coming into tonight, Pruitt's played in just seven games and logged just 26 minutes overall. Half of those minutes came in garbage time of the ridiculous blowout win over the Knicks here on November 29.

Stat of the first quarter: The Celtics are 0-5 on three-pointers in the quarter.

12-12, 5:44/1st: The C's are clearly trying to establish KG in the post (rather than the elbow) and run the offense through him early. Meanwhile, the Blazers have been a bit sloppy with the rock and turned it over five times early, twice throwing out of bounds into their own bench.

6-3 Celtics, 9:52/1st: Eddie House got the start tonight rather than Tony Allen...Rajon Rondo hinted at this during pregame but it wasn't really official at the time.

Pregame Media Access: Rondo Out, Oden Arrives in Boston
Thoughts while wondering if we have any old Raef LaFrentz bobbleheads sitting around in the marketing closet we can hand out at the game tonight...

#1 draft pick Greg Oden traveled with the Portland Trailblazers on their road trip and met with reporters outside the Portland locker room, and up close, in person, Oden seems bigger than advertised.

He's also already mastered the art of saying nothing during interviews. Sure, he'll probably get the same questions in different cities, but he rode the cliche train all the way through his five minute hallway media junket. You can listen in to his interview in the Audio Archive, along with thoughts from Blazers coach Nate McMillan.

As expected, Rajon Rondo will sit out tonight's game, and Doc Rivers suggested that rookie point guard Gabe Pruitt may see some action tonight.

"It's tough, just throwing him out there, but hell, you've got to start somewhere," Rivers said.

And finally, we just got word that Leon Powe III arrived this afternoon at 4:50 p.m, weighing in at 7 lbs 14 oz. Mom, Leon and Leon Jr. are all well..

[FLCeltsFan]

www.hoopsworld.com/Blogs/CourtsideBlog.asp?GAME_ID=21592&LEAGUE_CODE=NBA

Post-Game: Ray Reigns in Celtics Win
Date Posted: 1/16/2008 10:20:00 PM By: Jessica Camerato
The Celtics losing streak is over and Ray Allen is back in business. After averaging less than 13 points in his last 10 games, Allen scored a season-high 35 points to help the Celtics snap their two-game skid. Allen came up big when it counted and poured in 26 points off of 9-for-13 shooting in the second half. He said tonight's game was the best he has felt physically the entire season.

The Trail Blazers were disappointed by the loss but not surprised. Quite frankly, they didn't expect to win this game and 19 turnovers did them in. The Celtics, on the other hand, committed just eight turnovers. To add insult to injury, LaMarcus Aldridge sprained his right hand when his thumb got jammed on one of the Celtics jerseys in the first half. No word yet on his prognosis.

Odds and Ends … The Trail Blazers out-shot the Celtics 45% to 27% from three-point range … Portland also out-shot Boston from the free throw line, 71% to 66% … There were seven lead changes and 12 ties during this game … The Celtics will take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday in Boston … The Trail Blazers will continue on their road trip against the Miami Heat on Friday.



Halftime: Keep an Eye on This One
Date Posted: 1/16/2008 7:50:00 PM By: Jessica Camerato
When Greg Oden went down many deemed tonight's Celtics-Trail Blazers game a wash out. But if you're not keeping an eye on the score, you should be. This is a close one.

The Trail Blazers capitalized on the Celtics sluggish shooting and took and early lead in the first half. Boston was 0-for-8 from beyond the arc until Ray Allen and Eddie House drained threes and Paul Pierce has added just six points. hardly scored for most. As expected, Brandon Roy is leading the Trail Blazers (13 points).

A drive by Pierce late in the second quarter breathed some life into the Celtics but Steve Blake dealt a blow with a buzzer-beating three to end the half. The Cs are outrebounding the Trail Blazers 26-21 but poor shooting by the home team (3-14 3P, 36% FG) has them trailing at the half.

(Note: Congratulations to Leon Powe who is celebrating the birth of his son and is not at the Garden.)



Pre-Game: Oden Holds Court at the Garden
Date Posted: 1/16/2008 6:11:00 PM By: Jessica Camerato
Greg Oden is in the building tonight. The towering rookie addressed reporters before the game and was one of the most enjoyable interviews of the season. In contrast to his tough play on the court, Oden came across as a gentle giant, a softspoken big man who lets his game do the talking. He said there is no chance he will return this season but he has enjoyed the opportunity to travel with the team. Oden also added that although he was surprised when the Trail Blazers landed the number one pick, he is happy to be playing in Portland. One of Oden's childhood idols was Kevin Garnett and he hopes to pick up a few moves from KG tonight.

On the court, D-League frequenter Taurean Green was knocking down shot after shot from the arc. As I sat down to talk to Green about improving his range, Channing Frye chimed in with comedic interjections and tried to ruffle the feathers of his rookie teammate. It was easy to see why they Trail Blazers have been winning -- they have extremely strong chemistry.

Over in the Celtics locker room, Rajon Rondo said he will not play tonight (hamstring, back). Doc Rivers explained that Eddie House will get the start over Tony Allen because he likes the way House spreads the floor against a zone. Expect to see more minutes from Gabe Pruitt as well.

There was little talk of the Celtics two-game losing streak. Chances are, the Cs aren't focused on what happened with the Wizards. They are facing the Trail Blazers tonight and that's what counts.

For more on the Celtics and Trail Blazers, click here. Check back at halftime for all the sights and sounds of the first two quarters.



Can the Celtics Stop the Skid?
Date Posted: 1/16/2008 8:02:00 AM By: Jessica Camerato
A two-game losing streak is not out of the ordinary in the NBA, but the Celtics skid has caused many to worry. What happened to the team who steamrolled their opponents early in the season? The Celtics look tired and the Portland Trail Blazers have been running 100 MPH. Can this determined young team take out the league leading Celts?

Tip-off is at 7:30 tonight so post your questions early and often. Or, shoot me an email at [e-mail].

[FLCeltsFan]

forum.connpost.com/celticscentral/2008/01/ray_rains_cs_shine.html#comments

Ray Rains; Cs Shine


Allen wrenches a W for Boston - drills 35. Celtics hammer Trailblazers 100-90.


Ray Allen busted out his 'A' game tonight as he rained down 35 points to snuff out the fire on a white hot Portland team that was on an 18-2 rip coming in.


Ray's A game was stuck somewhere in a trunk he hadn't unpacked since returning from the now famed 'west coast trip' on December 30th. In his last 6 games Ray has scored 13, 2, 9, 16, 8, and 16 while shooting 37%.


Tonight Ray was 12-20 from the field and 7-8 from the foul line to more than double the point total of any of his recent games. He and Kevin Garnett (26 points) carried the Celtics to victory over an earnest, but slightly intimidated young Portland team.


The Blazers were surprised at the physicality, the intensity of the game and the fan involvement, calling it a play-off atmosphere and play-off type game.




Brandon Roy said afterward, "They bullied us tonight. I mean, they got after us tonight. They got in our face. They pushed us around. They beat us tonight because they were the tougher team."




Joel Pryzbilla added, "This was a very physical game. We weren't ready for that. It was a good game to see what we have to do to be a top team."


The Celtics experience and star power most likely played a part in tonight's win. The younger Portland team, to a man, said they were a little unprepared for tonight's intense match.




Coach McMillan, "I thought this was a good game for us, and what it does is it shows us that
we've got work to do."


Speaking of work to do, that is exactly what the Celtics had coming into this game after losing 3 of 4. The Celtics offense continued to struggle tonight, mightily at times in the first half, before Ray Allen unleashed his rim attack as he aggressively drove to the hoop for a number of assorted lay-ups. Actually, Ray was pretty much 'on' the whole game, but he really took over at the end as he scored 12 of the Celtics last 14 points to win by 10 in the last two minutes. This 4th quarter lead would not slip away as a few others have recently.


The Celtics made Portland hurry and turn the ball over 19 times to the Celtics 8. The Celtics missed a whole lot of foul shots, but improved that stat at the end when Ray and Paul went 6-6 for 25-38 for the game.


Eddie House started at PG and did a commendable job, playing 34 minutes with 5 assists, 4 rebounds, a block, a steal, and 10 points. Tony Allen played some PG as well and seldom used Gabe Pruitt logged 12 important minutes when the game was still on the line. With starting PG Rajon Rondo out, all three, plus Ray and Paul did an excellent job as they got the team into their offense usually with 19-21 seconds left on the shot clock.


With what seemed to be a little reminding from Doc, Ray Allen played a physical defense against Brandon Roy and quite effectively, limiting his scoring when he was guarding him, while drawing 5 fouls.


Pierce was often the playmaker this evening and was happy to do it for Ray. Paul was having an off shooting night but had 5 assists and 8 rebounds, and played solid defense. They rode the hot hand and that hand belonged to Ray. He brought them home a winner.


The Celtics get back on track with a quality win against the league's hottest team.


Next up: Philadelphia on Friday at TDBanknorth Garden.

[FLCeltsFan]

msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7684262#

Defense makes difference for Celtics
By Charley Rosen
Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 13 books about hoops, the current one being "The pivotal season — How the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers changed the NBA."

Updated: January 17, 2008, 12:52 AM EST

Game Time: Celtics 100, Blazers 90
This was an intriguing matchup between the red-hot Blazers and the not-so-hot Celtics. Among other developments, Boston's home-court win showed why the young Blazers are not quite ready for top-of-the-line competition.


Why Boston won

The key man was Ray Allen — 12-20, 35 points. When the Celtics' offense was misfiring from the perimeter, and Portland's defense had apparently locked up the lane, it was Allen who revved up his team. He did so by being able to get into the middle when the Blazers switched on high screen/rolls — and also by finding open lanes along the baseline.

The Celtics were able to create several extra shots by dominating their offensive boards. They had 13 retrievals to the Blazers' six.

While Kevin Garnett wasn't extremely effective from the low post, he still managed to generate points on hustle and mid-range jumpers — 9-17 for 26 points.

Eddie House did a fine job of pushing the ball in the second half, thereby attacking Portland's defense before it could get ensconced.

Boston took care of the ball on offense, committing only eight turnovers.

Its interior passing was always unselfish and almost always on the mark.

Above all, the Celtics gained the victory on the back of their quick, spidery defense. They pressured the ball, jammed the middle, were relentless in doubling S/Rs, battled for low-post position (especially KG), and challenged every shot. Their defense was so aggressive that Portland had to struggle on virtually every possession just to get off a clean shot.

Channing Frye (0-4) and Martell Webster (2-4) were nowhere to be found for Portland.

After bagging his first four shots, LaMarcus Aldridge was only 3-8 for the duration.


The Blazers had no post-up game whatsoever.

Portland was guilty of 19 turnovers of every variety — errors in passing, handling, catching, and setting screens. The Celtics' adhesive defense accounted for about 10 of these TOs, the rest were self-inflicted.

The veteran Celtics never got rattled. They found the Blazers' weak points and attacked them with relentless precision.


Why Portland hung in
Subtract Allen's perimeter shooting (6-13) and the Celtics were only 8-31 from 15 feet and beyond.

The Celtics missed nine layups — three by Paul Pierce, two by Kendrick Perkins, and one each by James Posey, Tony Allen, Gabe Pruitt and Glen Davis.

Subtract Ray Allen's 7-8 free-throw shooting and Boston was 18-30 from the stripe.

Especially in the first half, Boston over-committed to collapsing on ball penetration and yielded too many uncontested treys — the Blazers finished 9-20 from the great beyond.

Even though he was hounded throughout, Brandon Roy — 7-16, 6 assists, 22 points — helped keep the Blazers in touch.

Travis Outlaw was the Blazers' most consistent point-maker — 6-8, for 17 points — but also registered five turnovers (that included two passes to nobody).

Jarrett Jack showed his toughness — 6-12, 5 assists, 17 points. Two of his misses occurred when Boston's defense strung out the Blazers' screen/rolls and Jack was forced to launch last-second prayers.

The Blazers never lost their poise and never stopped playing hard. But when the game was up for grabs, they simply couldn't find any way to contain Ray Allen.

Despite losing by 10 points, the Blazers proved that they're legit. Given that Greg Oden makes a full recovery, this team is two years away from being a serious championship contender.

And the Celts? Forget about their Big Three — they'll go as far as their defense will carry them. Which should be into the Finals.


Straight Shooting

In Stephon Marbury's latest episode of foot-in-mouth disease, he claimed that he's paid to score points and that playing the "passive" role required by Isiah Thomas is not appropriate.

Interesting that Starbury said nothing about doing whatever was necessary for the Knicks to win. As ever, his basketball horizons extend only to the stat sheet and don't include the scoreboard.

It's no accident that New York has won three straight during Marbury's latest absence nor that Zeke has emphasized how much better the ball is moving on offense. The assists are up and the turnovers are down.

With the probability of foot surgery in Marbury's immediate future, his selfish play and sour disposition won't be missed by his coach, his teammates or his employers. In fact, the only semi-graceful exit left for Marbury is to use his injury and/or surgery as an excuse to sit out the rest of the season.

Whether he returns to action this season or not, Marbury has already provided one more piece of evidence that he always makes his team better — when he leaves it.


Vox Populi
Hey, Charley. Keep up the good work. You keep saying that almost every team needs "a big man who can provide a scoring threat in the low post." Which teams currently have that kind of player? Thanks. — Andres Chavez, Maracaibo, Venezuela

Several do, but not all of these biggies are totally legit. The top-of-the line dreadnaughts in the paint are:




Tim Duncan — The best in the business.
Yao Ming — Although he continues to have trouble maintaining possession when he's doubled on the move.
Dwight Howard — He is slowly expanding his inside game, but is also flummoxed by double-teaming.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas — Playing on the wrong team where his scoring potential is not emphasized.
Rasheed Wallace — Only when the spirit moves him, which isn't often enough.
Carlos Boozer — The best left hand in the business.
The middle echelon consists of:


Eddy Curry — He can score against anybody if he catches the ball with one foot in the paint, but that's all he can do. Surround him with the right players, however, and he'd be a force.
Zach Randolph — He's a scoring machine in the low post, at the foul line, and at the short wing. Too bad he's so selfish. Still, with the right playmates and enough forceful — i.e., championship-winning — veterans and coaches, Zach could also become a monster in the middle.
Al Jefferson — Still has lots to learn about how to play the game, but he can dominate the lane.
Jermaine O'Neal — A reluctant pivot-person.
Chris Kaman — Better, but still turnover-prone and somewhat predictable.
Andrew Bogut — Not athletic enough.
Pau Gasol — He would rather be sunning himself on a beach in Spain.
Shaq — The Big Socrates has imbibed too much hemlock.
And at the bottom of the list are:


Andrew Bynum — Rapidly increasing his ability to score one-on-one, but still a neophyte.
Nenad Krstic — Go right, young man.
Brendan Haywood — A classic underachiever.

Travels with Charley
Here's another reason why I don't send Christmas cards to referees.


I was coaching the Oklahoma City Cavalry and our chartered bus ran out of gas about halfway through a three-hour trip to Wichita Falls, TX. We had to stay put for another three hours before another bus appeared and our journey resumed.

We arrived in Wichita Falls about 15 minutes before the scheduled tip-off, but the refs (if I remember correctly, Duke Callahan was one of them) refused to delay the starting time. We got dressed in a rush and then warmed up for all of two minutes.

It was no surprise when the home team (the Texans) broke out to a quick 10-point lead and routed us from wall-to-wall. Nor was it a surprise when I rode the officials so furiously that I got ejected before halftime.

Apparently CBA refs didn't get paid by the hour.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-articles/the-ray-allen-phenomenon-ar47005.html

The Ray Allen Phenomenon
01.17.2008 - Updated on 01.17.2008


Every now and then I like to shave my beard.

People generally tend not to know who I am afterward. This is because all that’s left behind of my former identity lies around the sink and down the drain. Along with a new identity, I’ve repeatedly found that I also pick up super powers.

I’ve called it the Ray Allen phenomenon.

When a man shaves his beard or shaves completely hairless, he becomes a confident superstar. Sometimes, his identity changes to an all-time great, provided he already has game in the first place.

Last night smooth Ray scored a season-high 35 points and the Boston C’s rebounded from their first consecutive losses of the season with a 100-90 win over the Blaze.

Dude single-handedly won the game with 26 points in the second half alone. Don’t tell me the old vet didn’t do some having at halftime!

Razor television ads are not kidding about how you turn into a new man when you’re clean-shaven. Ray Allen apparently knows it. When you have the smooth, refreshing feel of only a super sharp, five-blader can provide, there’s no question you’ll be playing above the rim!

Having tried this myself, I contend beards in the NBA must cease if we ever to see another Golden Age anywhere near the likes of the 1980’s.

Pundits have been scratching their heads since Jordan’s (another bald man) retirement about if and when the NBA will revitalize. The answer has always been simple.

Yes, there will be, with proper razor product placement.

Players like LeBron James and teammate Drew Gooden have the wrong idea. They’re thinking of the Biblical Samson story which described man deriving strength and power from not cutting his hair.

The Bible was wrong…well, at least when it came to shaving recommendations.

If LeBron and Drew were to accidentally pick up a razor and clean up their faces before a game, there’s no telling what they might become. Seriously, we might be in the midst of another NBA Golden Age on our hands…if players want to use the now frighteningly efficient Quatro technology.

No one would recognize James as himself, but rather an Oscar Robertson reincarnation, as a shaved James would become the first to average a trip-dub in over 30 years!

Gooden would transform his identity as well. He’d become the second coming of the great Daryl Dawkins who shattered the backboard twice in 40 days. In place of a beard, his legs and arms would grow extra muscles strong enough to break even the new, supposedly “shatter proof” glass.

“Chocolate Thunder Flying, Glass Flying, Robinzine Crying, Babies Crying, Glass Still Flying, Catch Crap, Rump Roasting, Bun Toasting, Thank You, Wham, Bam, I Am Jam!" Gooden would recite.

Pau Gasol not only would look more like his well-combed self from his rookie season but also like Pistons retired forward Bill Laimbeer. The oft-soft Gas Man will become the NBA’s enforcer, kicking !!!GREENIAC!!! and taking names.

The beardless potential of Baron Davis? He’d be second to only Nate "Tiny" Archibald to lead the League in both scoring and assists in the same season.

Guaren-Sheed? Oh yeah, Wallace in D-Town, well, his secret beardless identity would be Elvin Hayes – an offensive machine who could rebound and defend. Big E is a Top 50 player of all-time and is still Washington’s leader in points and blocked shots.

Just imagine what would happen if not only these players took on new razor-induced identities, but also DeShawn Stevenson ,Tyson Chandler, Ronny Turiaf, Chris Wilcox, Scott Pollard, Anthony Johnson, Jeff Foster, and (of course) Brian Skinner!

Yes, Ray Allen would be out of a job.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.telegram.com/article/20080117/NEWS/801170634/1009/SPORTS

Rondo injury a liability

Boston a slower team without its point guard

CELTICS NOTES

By Bill Doyle TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
[e-mail]






BOSTON— Ask Celtics fans to name the team’s most valuable player and most would answer Kevin Garnett, but Rajon Rondo is gaining ground.

Rondo is the team’s only true point guard. When he’s healthy, the Celtics have a high-scoring, fast-breaking attack. When he’s not, they walk the ball down the court and make life easier for opposing defenses.

“I don’t want to consider myself as MVP,” Rondo insisted. “I haven’t proven anything yet. This is basically my first year in the NBA getting some playing time. I’ve got a lot to learn. I don’t really know anything now.”


A tight hamstring has slowed Rondo all month and he hurt his back when he fell Friday at New Jersey. Rondo sat out Saturday at Washington and the Celtics scored a season-low 78. When the hamstring and back kept him on the bench during the fourth quarter of Monday’s rematch against Washington, the Celtics scored only one basket — a tip-in — in the final 6:22 while blowing a 14-point lead.

Rondo sat out last night when Portland visited the Garden. Eddie House started in his place.

“I feel pretty good,” Rondo said. “I don’t want to rush back though too soon.”

Rondo admitted that his hamstring bothers him as much as his back. In his first game back after sitting out against the Lakers on Dec. 30 with his tight hamstring, Rondo collected 13 points — on 6-of-11 shooting — and 9 assists on Jan. 2 against Houston. In his last five games, however, he’s made only 13 of 41 shots (31.7 percent) and has just 7 assists to go with 11 turnovers.

The Celtics miss Rondo’s speed and ability to drive to the basket when he sits out and they really don’t have an experienced backup. House is more of a spot-up shooter and Tony Allen is more of a one-on-one defender. Neither gets the Celtics into their offensive sets as quickly as Rondo or has his quick hands on defense.

Rookie Gabe Pruitt is the only other point guard on the roster. He’s hardly left the bench this season, but he backed up House last night.

Danny Ainge, Celtics executive director of basketball operations, continues to resist the urge to acquire an experienced point such as Gary Payton or Damon Stoudamire to back up Rondo. But Ainge has never been one to sit still around the trading deadline. That date is Feb. 21 this year.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers wants Rondo healthy for the playoffs, but that will be easier said than done. Rondo can’t remember getting hurt on the basketball court before this season, but at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, he’s an injury waiting to happen. It won’t be easy for him to withstand the rigors of playoff basketball. The bigger Chauncey Billups has already proven to be a nightmare of a matchup. Rondo must counter-punch with his speed, but count on opponents to try to slow him down by being as physical as possible with him.

Rondo believes he’ll hold up fine physically, looking to Allen Iverson for inspiration as a little guy who has held up well.

“He hits the floor a lot and he’s still in the league to this day,” Rondo said. “Maybe because he doesn’t drive as much, but I’m sure he’s learned how to take certain hits.”

Rondo plans to take Garnett’s suggestion that he take up tumbling this summer to learn how to brace himself during falls.

Rondo may not be the team’s MVP, but Rivers thinks so highly of him he had his point guard accompany him to his post-game interview last night and answer questions for him.

Oden disappointed
All last season, Celtics fans lusted over Greg Oden. The 7-foot rookie center finally made it to Boston last night, but as an injured member of the Portland Trail Blazers. Oden underwent season-ending knee surgery in September.

Memphis and Boston had the best chances of landing Oden in the NBA Lottery, but the Ping Pong balls bounced Portland’s way. The thought of becoming a part of the Celtics’ rich tradition did cross Oden’s mind.

“It would have been nice,” Oden said. “Paul Pierce was already here and he’s a great player. To have the possibility of playing with somebody like that is always good.”

Oden has no second thoughts about going to Portland, especially with the Blazers having won 18 of their last 20 entering last night.

“Was it a letdown?” Oden asked. “I’m enjoying Portland, that’s all.”

Oden said he was devastated when he had to undergo knee surgery.

“I was looking forward to playing myself,” he said, “and seeing what I could do against this better talent out there and these guys who are greats. Knowing that I’ve got to wait another year kind of sucks.”

Oden said his knee is growing stronger, but he still can’t run or jump. He limits himself to riding an exercise bike and walking in a pool. Oden wouldn’t say how much weight he gained. “A hefty amount,” was all he’d admit. But he said he planned to take some off this month.

Oden won’t be ready even if the Blazers make the playoffs, but he enjoys traveling with the team any way. Last night was the first time he saw Garnett play in person.

Jason Kidd and Amare Stoudemire suffered similar knee injuries.

“Jason Kidd told me,” Oden said, “you don’t want rush back because Amare rushed back and he had to sit out another couple of more months after that. So I don’t want to do that.”

Oden was in Miami for the NBA marketing meeting when his Ohio State Buckeyes lost to LSU in the BCS championship game last week.

“It hurt,” he said. “I had to go back to my hotel room and be by myself for a little bit.”