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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 29, 2008 6:44:06 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1076768&format=textBaby, Powe tough combo Young C’s now take it out on foes By Mark Murphy | Friday, February 29, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Tara Caravalho Head-to-head in practice, they have been known to go at each other like two young bulls in a small ring. But when Doc Rivers plays Leon Powe and Glen Davis together in games - a recent ploy the Celtics [team stats] coach admits has worked surprisingly well - the result can be like a creation from WWE chairman Vince McMahon. “They’re sort of like Bruiser and Crusher from pro wrestling when they’re out there together,” Rivers said of his two young power forwards, who combined for 22 points and seven rebounds in Wednesday’s win against Cleveland. The good news for the Celtics is that Powe and Davis - a pair of second-round draft picks deemed too small and unorthodox for other teams to take - are just as tough on the opposition as they have been on each other. Blame it on the fire of competition, but these two generated some of the most notable sparks of training camp when they had to be separated following a practice last October. Both shrugged off the incident a day later and continued to compete for backup minutes. The remarkable part, given the experience on this team - which now includes veteran power forward P.J. Brown - is that both players have scrapped hard enough to maintain positions in the league’s most successful rotation. And they have done it together. “I think it can bond you - build respect,” Rivers said of that October skirmish. “You let the other guy know that you’re not backing down - that you’re not going anywhere. And it doesn’t mean that it won’t happen again. But you have to be careful, too.” In their own way, of course. But Rivers was right about the affinity that two battlers can build for each other. “I respect a man because he comes out and competes, too, just like the way that I do things,” Powe said. “(Davis) will play hard, and I’ll give it back. You know that I’m not going to back down from anyone. It’s what we’re both all about. “Playing out there with him is cool with me. I like that. We can talk without getting mad at each other. I’m just out here competing. Off the court, we hang out. He’s a nice dude. I’m easy to get along with and so is he.” Added Davis: “We’ve always been friends. Basketball’s basketball. Being in the situation we’re in, you can’t help but grow close. “Things happen. He helps me to play hard every day and to compete every day. And you see the way things have worked out now.” The most important result, according to Powe, is that the repeated banging has taught them the skill of defending without hacking. With 26 games left in the regular season - Davis’ first and Powe’s second - neither tough guy is particularly foul prone, a genuine accomplishment for young power players in the NBA. And a surprising degree of growth has followed each. “I think our defense is getting better from going against each other all the time,” Powe said. “We’ve both learned to play solid defense without fouling. That really got better as we went along. “Early there were a lot of fouls,” he added with a laugh. “There were a lot of guys going to the line and not a lot of defense being played.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 29, 2008 6:47:59 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1076765&format=textWaiting for right time on Cassell By Mark Murphy / Celtics Notebook | Friday, February 29, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP (file) The Los Angeles Clippers, as expected, waived guard Sam Cassell yesterday. But the Celtics [team stats], who want to sign the veteran point guard as a backup to Rajon Rondo [stats], will have to wait until the end of the business day Monday, when Cassell is expected to clear waivers. Though Cassell reportedly reached an agreement with the Clippers on a buyout of the $6.1 million due him this season, any team that claimed him off waivers would be responsible for that amount. If the Celtics decided to claim him off waivers, the amount would increase to $8.1 million, including roughly a $2 million luxury tax hit. As a result, all teams interested in Cassell’s services - also said to include Dallas, Phoenix and Denver - likely will wait until Monday, when Cassell can be signed to a veteran’s minimum contract. The Celtics, who signed P.J. Brown on Wednesday to the $1.2 million veteran’s minimum, are not expected to offer any more than that amount to Cassell. But Cassell, who expressed a desire on Feb. 6 to rejoin Kevin Garnett, his teammate in Minnesota, has a number of Celtics connections who could turn out to be important recruitment contacts over the next week or two. He also played with Ray Allen in Milwaukee. Allen and Paul Pierce [stats] were credited with convincing Brown to join the Celtics. Even Rondo appeared to welcome the possibility of a Cassell addition following Wednesday’s win over Cleveland when he said, “He could help me. He’s been in the game a long time and he knows a lot. Any veteran point guard would be a great addition, but that’s not my decision.” The Celts can’t comment on Cassell until he clears waivers. Finally a Celtic Brown, who went through his first practice as a Celtic yesterday, now understands the meaning of coming full circle. Back in 1992, when he was a raw power forward fresh out of Louisiana Tech, Brown had serious aspirations of joining the aging Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. Chris Ford, then the coach of the Celtics, on the advice of assistant Jon Jennings, brought Brown in for what was considered an impressive workout. “Yeah, I had a good workout here in ’92,” said Brown. “But people didn’t really know who I was. I was a late bloomer. “I didn’t come in here with a lot of fanfare. I was an under-the-radar type of player. But I know they felt real good about me at the time with the 21st pick.” Instead the Celtics took Jon Barry - a player they never signed - at No. 21. Brown lasted until the Nets took him in the second round with the 29th pick. “I thought that would have been awesome to join that (Celtics) team,” said Brown. “They were one of the greatest of all time. That’s why I was so blown away when I thought I had a chance of coming here. But it’s weird how things come around.” . . . Ross Vanelli, brother of the Canadian singer whose T-shirt is worn by the “Dancing Gino” character in the vintage video played on the Garden Jumbotron when the Celtics win, sent along a large box of those T-shirts to the team yesterday. The shirts are available in the Garden pro shop as well as on GinoV.com. Proceeds from the sales go to the Shamrock Foundation. . . . Tony Allen, still suffering from a strained calf muscle, was the only player to miss yesterday’s practice.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 29, 2008 6:50:27 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/29/cassell_bought_out_next_stop_boston/Cassell bought out; next stop Boston? Email|Print| Text size – + By Marc J. Spears Globe Staff / February 29, 2008 The first step toward veteran point guard Sam Cassell becoming a Celtic took place yesterday. more stories like this True value? Think hardware Cassell is expected to sign with Celtics Cassell buyout hits snag Celtics, other teams set to pounce if Clippers buy out Cassell Names bouncing around Cassell signed buyout papers with the Clippers and won't clear waivers until Monday at 6 p.m., assuming he clears. The 38-year-old is expected to sign with the Celtics over the Nuggets and Mavericks. An NBA source said that Cassell plans to be in Boston when he clears waivers. Since the two-time NBA champion will be waived prior to tomorrow's deadline, he will be eligible to play in the postseason. "I think it's a situation where the team [Clippers] gives me an opportunity to chase another dream of mine," Cassell told the Los Angeles Times. "I appreciate it. There was frustration from both parties with our team being hurt and it was just an opportunity to move on." Cassell spoke as if he will be wearing the green and white once he clears waivers. He said he would wear either No. 91 or 28. "I talked to [the Celtics] today and they said they want me," Cassell said. Cassell will receive about half of the $1.7 million remaining on his $6.1 million contract, according to the Los Angeles Times. Despite signing forward/center P.J. Brown Wednesday, the Celtics still have one roster spot remaining. Boston can offer a prorated $1.2 million veteran's minimum to Cassell. The Clippers are expected to sign free agent guard Ronald "Flip" Murray to replace Cassell. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers cannot comment on Cassell until he clears waivers. "We do have one spot available, but I am very happy with our team," Ainge said last night. Cassell averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 assists, and 25.7 minutes in 38 games for the Clippers, shooting 26 percent from 3-point range. Although he has been hampered by a hand injury, it's not a major concern. Experience is another factor in Cassell's favor; he has played in 115 postseason games and starting guard Rajon Rondo has not played in the postseason. Cassell has said he would have no problem backing up Rondo. Cassell, who has played with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, has skills the Celtics could use. "Leadership and another weapon, just direction," Cassell said. "Those guys are already playing well. I just want to fit in and make it easier for KG, Ray, Paul, and for the other guys." Although the odds are in Boston's favor, nothing can be finalized until Monday night. The Nuggets might try to woo Cassell, who played with coach George Karl and is close to fellow Baltimore native Carmelo Anthony. Dallas can offer Cassell an opportunity to play behind Jason Kidd.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 29, 2008 6:52:55 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/29/celtics_will_slowly_work_brown_into_mix/Home / Sports / Basketball / Celtics Celtics will slowly work Brown into mix Email|Print| Text size – + By Marc J. Spears Globe Staff / February 29, 2008 WALTHAM - It seemed odd for rookie forward Glen Davis to be explaining to 14-year veteran P.J. Brown what to do on an offensive play. But as the new guy on the Celtics, such is life for Brown. more stories like thisBrown practiced with the Celtics for the first time yesterday, but the 6-foot-11-inch, 239-pound forward/center isn't expected to make his season debut tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats at TD Banknorth Garden. "It was an adventure, I will say that," said Brown of practice. "We got a lot of things done. My brain is a little bit like scrambled eggs right now trying to learn the system, learn the plays and all that. Other than that, I thought it was an OK day. I'm glad I finally got it under my belt. "I felt OK. We got going up and down [the court] a little bit. I jumped in there. I didn't know what I was doing. I was a little winded at times. But I was better than I thought I would be." Brown, 38, hasn't played since the 2006-07 season, but he said he has been running and sprinting to stay in shape at his offseason home in Slidell, La. He acknowledges there is a difference between being in shape and being in NBA shape. "I'll never get away from [conditioning]," Brown said. "I will never let that go. I'm going to try to keep it tight, man. Keep it right, keep it tight." Brown has averaged 9.2 points and 7.8 rebounds during his career. He averaged 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 10 playoff games with Chicago last season. "I'm glad I'm here," Brown said. "I feel good about our team and they seem to feel good about me. So, I'm looking forward to the next 20-something-odd games." It was hard for coach Doc Rivers to see what Brown can do because practice lasted about an hour. Brown also worked on offensive sets after practice with Davis, Brian Scalabrine, rookie Gabe Pruitt, and assistant coach Armond Hill, who led the drills, and spent time with assistant coach Clifford Ray. Brown said the Celtics' offense was more complicated to pick up than the defense. "We'll have him pick up the stuff, slowly get it and everything will be good," Rivers said. Brown has intrigued the Celtics since he became a free agent in the offseason. But the need for Brown became stronger because of veteran center Scot Pollard's lingering left ankle sprain. "If Scot was healthy we may not do this," Rivers said. "Another thing is if you can try to improve your team with a player, you try to do it." Tony Allen is expected to miss his second straight game tonight with a left calf strain he suffered Monday against the Clippers. "I feel a little better," Allen said. "A tight calf. It was sore [Wednesday] and super tight [yesterday]. The pain went away a little bit."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 29, 2008 6:54:15 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/29/celtics_diehards_pass_test_of_time?mode=PFCeltics diehards pass test of time Season brings vindication for longstanding ticket-holders By Don Aucoin, Globe Staff | February 29, 2008 HINGHAM - Mike Rotondi's season tickets to Celtics games could not be any choicer - four front-row seats at center court - but there were many times over the past decade when he had trouble getting someone to sit in them. "I'd have to make a lot of calls to fill those three seats," recalled Rotondi, 61. "Now, one phone call, that does it." That, and one winning team. With the NBA's best record, three electrifying All-Star players, and boisterous crowds at the TD Banknorth Garden, the Celtics are back. But the sweetest vindication belongs to longtime season ticket-holders who never went away. For them, this annus mirabilis is a reward for enduring many an annus horribilis. They stuck with the Celtics during the wilderness years, when on-court mediocrity prompted off-court ridicule from friends, co-workers, and family members who couldn't understand why they didn't switch their allegiance to a winning local team. After all, while the Celtics were sinking, the Red Sox and Patriots were soaring. "For the last 10 years, I've heard the snickering behind my back when I would leave work and say, 'I'm going to the Celtics game,' " said John Nucci, 55, vice president for external affairs at Suffolk University and a season ticket-holder since the early 1970s. Year after dismal year, long after Larry Bird had traded his Celtics uniform for a business suit, these diehard fans ponied up thousands of dollars - a pair of season tickets can cost upward of $10,000 for great seats - to watch a generally subpar product. It sometimes raised eyebrows on the home front or at the office. "My wife used to give me a hard time: 'You're wasting your money,' " recalled Steve Devine, a 54-year-old Hopkinton architect and season ticket-holder since 1979. Joe Nowlan, a 53-year-old magazine editor from the North End who has had season tickets since 1980, got used to hearing this refrain: "You're still going?" Yes, he's still going. And these days, he has a lot of company. The Green are golden again in the eyes of the ever-fickle Hub, and the Celtics bandwagon is bulging with fair-weather fans. Curiously, the diehards do not seem to resent this. They're just happy to finally have some company in the Garden. No longer must they listen to the echo of their own handclaps. No longer must they look up at darkened corporate boxes or down at rows of empty seats. "This year has been just unbelievable," exulted Devine. "Nobody expected it to be this good. . . . I like it, because the place is now alive." He added jokingly: "It stinks at the beer line, though, because I have to stand there a little longer." There is an undeniable buzz around the Celtics, thanks largely to a pair of dazzling newcomers, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, who have joined with veteran star Paul Pierce to return the team to a long-vanished place of prominence. Not since the fabled "Big Three" of Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale led the Celtics to their last championship in 1986 have the Green generated such excitement. "You'll have a Tuesday night game against a so-so team, and the place will be pretty full," said Nowlan, in tones of wonderment. "It had been a while since I'd seen that happen." Rotondi, the owner of Boyle & Chase Inc., a national door hardware distributor, has seldom missed a game since 1981, when he purchased season tickets. Even sportswriters, he says, have voiced surprise over the years that he kept showing up, night after night. No one is asking that question this year. "This year is the first year that the Garden has had anything like the electricity the Garden had in the 1980s," Rotondi said. "The place is pretty crazy these days." For all their present jubilation, though, these Celtics devotees are never more than one flashback away from some very bad memories. The 1996-1997 season, when the Celtics won only 15 games. The shocking deaths of Celtics star Reggie Lewis in 1993 and top draft pick Len Bias in 1986. Bird's retirement in 1992. The dark day in 1997 when Rick Pitino, the head coach and chief of basketball operations, stripped Celtics legend Red Auerbach of his title as team president. The endless palaver about "rebuilding" via a "youth movement." The endless promises about "next year." So why did they keep going to the games? Out of loyalty to the team, a love of basketball, and a conviction that true fans don't desert even a sinking ship, they say. Still, it wasn't easy. "When you live and die with the fortunes of a team, it can be joyful, but also incredibly painful," noted Nucci. Now, the joy is back and the Garden is rocking every game. As these diehards settle in for Celtics home games, all the seats around them are occupied. But there are some people who will not be sitting in those seats. It's one thing, the diehards say, to grant a general amnesty to the born-again hoop aficionados now filling up the Garden. But it's quite another to share their own seats with fair-weather fans now that the long years of struggle have finally blossomed into a year of triumph. Declares Nucci: "Now I say 'If you didn't call me then, don't call me now.' "
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 29, 2008 6:55:56 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/green_room/2008/02/home_cookin.html Text size – + Home cookin' Email|Link|Comments (0) Posted by Jesse Nunes February 28, 2008 01:00 PM By Matt Hafele The Celtics finally returned to the Garden last night to face the new-look Cavaliers. Coming into the game I thought it would be close but also thought the Celtics would pull it out. The Celts started out great and even though Pierce struggled all night, Garnett and Ray were there to carry the load with 18 and 22 points respectively. Rondo also played a big role, and although he only had 8 points, he added 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals. Those are the types of games Rondo has to have. I’d much rather see him end a game with 8 assists instead of 20+ points. Powe and Big Baby were huge off the bench after Perkins got in early foul trouble. The Celtics managed to jump out to an early lead in the first quarter and were able to hold onto it throughout the game. King James suffered an “injury” in the second quarter, but was able to somehow return to the game after halftime. It initially looked like it could’ve been serious, as LeBron was wincing in pain on the sidelines, but I’m thinking there was a lot of acting involved since he was back in the game to start the second half. If he actually hurt himself seriously I’m sure the Cavaliers would have take a little more caution with him. It was nice to see the Celtics come home fresh and get a big win. Hopefully they can put together a nice little run during the next month and a half before the playoffs to keep that all-important No. 1 seed in the East. They got some help last night as Utah was able to top the Pistons in comeback fashion last night, so Boston upped it’s lead to three games (four in the loss column) over the Pistons for the East’s top spot. More returns Delonte doesn’t look like himself without Celtic green Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak returned to Boston after being involved in the trade that sent them to Cleveland (from Seattle) before the deadline. Delonte put forth a nice effort against his former team, and seems to fit in nicely with the Cavs. Wally struggled from the field all night and it was almost comical watching him trying to run through screens to keep up with Ray Allen. Wally had an off shooting night but I think he’ll work out in Cleveland. He should be able to get plenty of open shots while he is on the court with LeBron. Milestones reached A couple of milestones were reached during the Cleveland game as well. First LeBron reached the 10,000 point plateau, and then Garnett pulled down the 11,000th rebound of his NBA career. Both are impressive (especially seeing as how LeBron is only 23) and attributable to the skills and effort they display every time they step foot on the court. If KG hadn’t been out for a month I’d say he would be right in the MVP race with LeBron. Scalabrine thought of the day Have you ever wondered if Scal is the same way off the court as he is on it? I was thinking during last night’s game, while he was on one of his high-five rampages, if he brings the same charismatic gratitude home with him. When his kid is at home learning how to walk, do you think he is constantly clapping and waving a towel while shouting words of encouragement? If his wife comes home from the grocery store is he the first one out of the house to congratulate her as she steps out of the car? I’m willing to bet that these types of Scalabrine moments happen everyday. Sure, Scal can’t pull down a rebound in 15 minutes of action or fix the water heater that’s been acting up lately, but who else is going to be there rooting you on every step of the way, no matter the situation? That’s right, the one and only Brian Scalabrine. And how does he do it, you ask? One word: Yoga.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 29, 2008 6:57:02 GMT -5
www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x898435020Hard sell helped Celtics get Brown -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Scott Souza/Daily News staff GHS Fri Feb 29, 2008, 12:28 AM EST -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Story Tools: Email This | Print This When the Celtics broke training camp, they were aware of a potentially fatal flaw in their frontcourt. They did an admirable job of masking a lack of depth, height and experience off the bench in the paint through the first three months of the year. But as Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett, Glen Davis and Scot Pollard were all sidelined in the weeks leading up to the All-Star break, the ominous implications of missing even one or two of them for a playoff series was evident. Without Perkins and the chronically slowed Pollard (bad ankles), the Celtics would have to rely on 6-foot-8 Davis and 6-foot-7 Leon Powe to share the paint with Garnett. Even with a full complement of healthy big men, the three main guys alongside Garnett who have seen significant action this year - Perkins, Powe and Davis - have a combined seven games of playoff experience. Perhaps that's why when Paul Pierce saw free agent power forward P.J. Brown for a quick second at a busy intersection in New Orleans last week, he made sure to seek him out later in the weekend when the two could really talk. And Pierce made sure to bring company this time. "We just kind of said how we do things around here and how he can help us," Pierce said of the hard sell he and Ray Allen delivered in the Big Easy. "He has been through a lot of NBA wars and has a lot of experience. We think that is going to come into play here somewhere in the playoffs." The sales pitch worked. "This is the No. 1 team in the league," Brown said he realized. "They have the best record in the whole league, they are playing great basketball, and these are two of the best players in the league, man. For them to take the time out just to say, 'Hey, we feel like you can help us. We need you to be here.' That just meant a lot." On Wednesday, Brown signed with the Celtics for the rest of the season, and emerged from his semi-retirement as he sat on the Boston bench during a 92-87 victory over the Cavaliers. Yesterday, he got his first taste of practice with a Celtics club that instantly became a lot older, wiser and deeper with him in uniform. "I just want to keep it going in the right direction," said Brown, who played 20 minutes a game for the Bulls last season and has averaged 9.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in his career. "I don't want to mess up the chemistry. These guys have a great bond here, a great camaraderie, and I don't want to mess with that. I just want to be P.J. I have a saying: If you can't get along with P.J. Brown, you can't get along with nobody. "If I can help these guys in any kind of way, I want to let them know I am here for them," he added. "If I play, I play. If I am called upon, I want to be prepared. But, if not, I want to be the biggest cheerleader just like M.L. Carr was back in the day." Known as both a strong one-on-one and team defender throughout his career - along with being one of the league's most respected players - Brown feels he can benefit Perkins, Davis and Powe (all 24 years old or younger) in ways that go beyond his contributions in games. "With young guys, they really don't know what it's all about," said the 38-year-old Brown. "They don't know how tough it is going to be when the playoffs start. I just want to have these guys ready to go, and say: 'Hey, get your game ready. Get better every day. Do what you have been doing the whole season, but make sure you are peaking at the end when the playoffs are here."' While Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he did not intend to play Brown tonight against the Bobcats (TD Banknorth Garden, 7:30), his first chance on the parquet will likely come soon with three more home games next week. "I throw anyone in for the most part," Rivers said of his trial-by-fire coaching mentality when it comes to veterans. "You give him a shot, let him feel it out, and you don't have a lot of expectations to start with. You let him feel his way through the process and you try to get him through the process without messing the game up."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 29, 2008 7:09:30 GMT -5
www.enterprisenews.com/sports/x608102466Is Cassell bound for Boston? The veteran point guard would provide the Celtics an experienced backup to Rajon Rondo. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Jim Fenton ENTERPRISE staff writer Posted Feb 29, 2008 @ 02:59 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON — He became the early leader for the NBA executive of the year award with the acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen last summer. Now, with seven weeks to go before the playoffs, Boston Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge appears to be strengthening his case. On Wednesday, Ainge shored up the Celtics’ frontcourt depth by signing 38-year-old P.J. Brown, a proven rebounder and defender. On the heels of that move, it looks like Ainge is about to make an even more valuable piece to the puzzle. The Celtics seemed poised to sign veteran point guard Sam Cassell, who was placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday afternoon after having his contract bought out. Cassell told the Los Angeles Times that he has already talked to the Celtics, “and they said they want me.’’ Asked what he could offer the Celtics, Cassell said, “Leadership and another weapon. Just direction. Those guys are already playing well. I just want to fit in and make it easier for KG, Ray, Paul (Pierce) and for the other guys.’’ The 38-year-old Cassell, who cannot be signed until Monday at 6 p.m., would give the Celtics a capable and experienced backup to second-year point guard Rajon Rondo. The Celtics have been getting by with Eddie House, who is more of a shooter, spelling Rondo, but come playoff time when the likes of Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Pistons must be dealt with, Cassell will be a much better option. Cassell, a former teammate of both Garnett in Minnesota and Allen in Milwaukee, is well past his prime and far removed from being part of championship teams in Houston in the mid-1990s. When playoff basketball arrives in the spring, though, there is nothing like having experienced players. Ainge has added one in Brown, who has played 1,071 regular-season and 81 playoff games. Should, as expected, Cassell join the Celtics early next week, he brings 976 regular-season and 115 postseason games. Experience like that will come in handy in April, May and June, even if Brown and Cassell aren’t going to be playing extended minutes. Cassell, who reportedly received nearly half of the $1.7 million he was owed by the Clippers, would sign with the Celtics for the pro-rated veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million. The Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks also are interested in Cassell, who has missed the last four games with a wrist injury, but being reunited with Garnett and playing for the team with the best record is the lure. While some view the addition of Cassell as being a negative for Rondo, the young point guard disagrees. Rondo has gotten better and better with each passing month this season and is becoming a reliable player for a team that is loaded with veteran leaders. “He’s been in the game a long time and he knows a lot,’’ said Rondo of Cassell on Wednesday night. “Any veteran point guard would be a great addition to add to the team, but that’s not my decision.’’ Rondo’s minutes won’t be drastically cut by the presence of Cassell, and the two could play together at times in the backcourt. Having Cassell is all about giving the Celtics more depth and experience as they try to get out of the Eastern Conference and into the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987. Since he was waived before the March 1 deadline, Cassell will be eligible for the playoffs. The Celtics will have plenty of time — there are 26 games left beginning with a home matchup tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats — to get Cassell and Brown acquainted. The signing of Brown and the expected addition of Cassell next week aren’t exactly blockbuster moves. They just may go down, though, as the transactions that got the Celtics over the hump.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 29, 2008 7:25:59 GMT -5
blogs.metrowestdailynews.com/celtics/?p=1002Brown could be on floor soon Posted on February 28, 2008 by Scott Souza Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment WALTHAM - P.J. Brown went through his first practice as a member of the Boston Celtics today and said that he was in better shape than even thought he would be after sitting out the first half of the season in semi-retirement. “It was an adventure,” he said after the hourlong workout. “I will say that. But I got a lot of things done. My brain is like scrambled eggs right now trying to learn the system, learn the plays and all that. But other than that I thought it was an OK day. I am glad I finally got it up under my belt so I am looking forward to tomorrow.” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said the suddenly favorable practice schedule will help get Brown into the mix, and that you could see him sooner rather than later with four home games in a row coming up over the next nine days. “We may dress him pretty soon, but not right away, and then just throw him in the fire,” Rivers said. “At the end of the day, the only way you are going to get things down is to get right in there playing and get familiar with your teammates.” That could mean a debut on Sunday against the Hawks, and likely Wednesday’s big showdown with the Pistons at the latest. The Celtics signed the 6-foot-11 power forward on Tuesday. “In the regular routine I would go through the offseason conditioning, then the regular training camp,” Brown later added. “But this is a lot different. I really don’t know (how long it will take to get back in playing condition). All I can do is get in here and work hard. Right now I am just trying to tear the body down and build it back up. When it comes back up, I really don’t know. But if today was any indication, I feel positive about it. I just have to keep working and I will be ready soon.” Brown worked with Kevin Eastman on shooting right after practice and then went through the paces on some offensive sets with Gabe Pruitt and Glen Davis after meeting with reporters. XXX In other practice notes … While Brown was making his practice debut in Waltham today, you might not have blamed many of the Celtics for feeling like they were in unfamiliar surroundings since it was the first full team workout at the home court since Feb. 4 due to days off, the All-Star break and long road trip. “It’s nice,” said Rivers of being at HealthPoint. “I don’t know when the hell was the last time we had a practice in this building. It feels like a month ago.” Rivers said he will continue to be judicious with practice time even as the playoffs approach. “Rest is still just as important - that won’t change,” he said. “We may go with more rest. Rest is the key. We have to keep fresh, keep our minds fresh. Sometimes mental freshness is better than physical freshness. We are going to do everything we can to keep that.” … Tony Allen (strained right calf) did not practice today after missing last night’s game following and injury suffered late in the Clippers game on Monday. … Rivers said that while he thought Kevin Garnett did not move as well last night against the Cavaliers as he had been in the games prior, that he we much improved during what was mostly a light workout. … The Gino Phenomenon continues to grow as the team was shipped a couple of boxes of vintage Gino Vannelli T-Shirts from the original 70s music artist - not the actual fan-favorite dancer who is seen wearing the T-shirt on “American Bandstand” during the clip that plays to great response at the Garden late in Celtic victories. Most of the players took the T-shirt and seemed mildly amused at the design and the mere existence of a Gino T-shirt.
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