Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 1, 2008 10:15:49 GMT -5
blogs.metrowestdailynews.com/celtics/?p=1021
Post deadline thoughts from Friday night
Posted on March 1, 2008 by Scott Souza
Filed Under Uncategorized |
BOSTON - P.J. Brown stood in the Celtics lockerroom about a half hour after the Celtics dispatched the Bobcats, 108-100. The bulk of the media was still down the hall listening to Coach Doc Rivers. A few folks were over at Ray Allen’s locker talking with the game-high scorer. A camera and one scribe were waiting a couple of feet in the other direction for co-game-MVP Kendrick Perkins (19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks).
P.J. Brown just stood there in the suit and mock turtleneck he watched the game in and soaked some of it in.
“What are you doing over there?” Perkins asked with a smile as he quickly dressed before addressing the press.
“Just thinking,” responded Brown, “about the past, the present and the future.”
Other than Brian Scalabrine, lingering in the lockerroom is not a big thing for the Celtics. Last night, Rajon Rondo - the other game co-MVP - and his 16 assists was gone before most of the media even made it down from hearing from Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. But for someone new to the team with the best record in the NBA, apparently lingering isn’t such a bad thing.
It may say someting about Brown, who most would say gives Allen a run as the most respected and classy player in the league. Or it may say something about what it means to be dropped on a team that has gone from lottery contender to championship contender.
Allen said before the game that he has to remind players like Glen Davis and Gabe Pruitt that it isn’t always like this in the NBA. The 38-year-old Brown knows that better than anyone. Maybe that’s why he took an extra few minutes to savor the scene last night.
In other postgame thoughts…
While Perkins and Rondo impressed the most, Glen Davis and Leon Powe (9 points, 4 rebounds) also played very well last night. Whether it was the power of motivation of having Brown on the bench or not is just a qualified guess. …
Speaking of qualifiers, you can say all you want that the Sam Cassell deal won’t be official until Monday night at 6 - Danny Ainge wouldn’t confirm it last night either - but every last indication is that it is going to happen. While it didn’t make TV, Kevin Garnett was asked about Cassell in the postgame press conference and gave the questioner the eyes saying: “Do you know something I don’t know?”
No, he knows exactly what you know. As Allen noted before the game, Cassell has had an interest in the Celtics ever since the Garnett trade in August. Monday night, that interest will be realized. …
You get the feeling you might not be seeing too much more of Scot Pollard this season. The guy just has a lot of trouble moving these days. Gabe Pruitt and Brian Scalabrine may have to send some of their inactive attire to the dry cleaners as well. …
Cassell’s impending addition could mean a few less minutes, but maybe even more open 3s for Eddie House. Not a bad trade for the well-traveled veteran. …
It will be interesting late in the season if Celtics coach Doc Rivers gets a little veteran crazy when it comes to Rondo/Cassell or Perkins/Brown. If the pair of younger players play the way they played last night, they have nothing to worry about.
