NBA: Celtics Forever

2008-11-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

You gotta love 5 wins in a row! Let's keep it up for this week's games so we have even more to be thankful for!

2008-10-30T11:34:00.001-07:00

Get out there and vote next Tuesday, November 4th, Celtics fans!

2008-10-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of the front page article on the Celtics NBS website: The Celtics already know they have one of the best starting lineups in the NBA. After several exhibition games, they also know they have a strong supporting cast, too.

I am so stoked for a kick-ass season!

Remembering Red

2008-09-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

The old C's coach and patriarch Arnold "Red" Auerbach died a year ago, so the Celtics home page had a little write-up about him in tribute. Nobody has nicknames like "Red" anymore. What a great name. You can't really pull it off with any other color. Purple? Yellow? No way. Whitey might have been cool a long time ago, but now that will either offend people or make them giggle. I like "Blue" as a name, but my friend pointed out that it's also a past-tense verb that could be bad. Um, yeah. Arnold Blue Auerbach would sound a bit dirty.

The Celtics Go to Washington

2008-09-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

The Celtics just got honored at the White House for having such a great year. On the bus back,
Jeff Twiss, the VP of Media Relations said, "We started the season at the Vatican and ended at the White House. That's pretty neat."

It really is, isn't it? I mean, being in the NBA is cool enough. And of course there are the big paychecks, flocks of women, etc. But some of the other, weirder stuff is really cool. How many people ever even visit both the Vatican and the White House in their lives?

2008-09-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

When the internet first became usable, I found it so annoying. But now it's my lifeline. In this age of venue name changes that happen every week, imagine trying to look up Fleet Center information in a phone book. (Yeah, I searched for that out of old habit. Early onset Alzheimer's, maybe?) But TD Banknorth Garden information gets you to the same place. I love that. Spell check is also my friend.

2008-06-28T11:13:00.000-07:00

This was a great article about Kevin Garnett finally getting to win a championship. God, that has to feel great after so many years of hard work.

Ha! In your face, Lakers!

2008-06-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

A buddy from college moved to LA years ago, and he eventually turned to the dark side. I suppose that will happen when your boss frequently gives you sports tickets for local teams. He even got NBA playoffs tickets this year. Can you believe that? I need a new line of work. I get gift cards for Starbucks.

Anyway, I still got the last laugh this time, didn't I? Joey, it's just not that fun to watch your team lose, even in person. Am I right or am I right?

Time for a new logo?

2008-02-14T07:57:00.000-08:00

I'm as Celtic-happy as the next fan, but am I the only one who thinks the dumpy pipe-smoking guy logo is a little outdated? We're sleek, we're fast, we're hot, we're... overweight and using tobacco.

Or is it just me?

Boston Celtics' fists (and balls) a'flyin'

2007-07-04T00:49:00.001-07:00

Holy cow, this rocks. For those wanting a blast from the past (and a dramatic one at that), check this out. Larry Bird TOTALLY loses his cool, and I don't blame him! He was thrown to the floor (and when you're that tall, it's a long way to the floor).

Celtics anxious for lottery

2007-05-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

In what may be the deepest draft ever, the Celtics are in good position to profit from the draft. They are guaranteed a top 5 pick and the depth of the draft field makes later-round picks potentially more promising than usual. The C's certainly have some options.

Celtics Need to Shape up

2007-02-14T10:50:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that the Boston Celtics lost again!!! With this last game it will be the 18th game they've lost. Come on Celtics we are counting on you to get the ball going & make us proud. My girlfriend & I are hoping to buy Boston Celtics tickets to one of their games once they are past their losing streak to cheer them on. :)

Celtics healing

2007-01-17T14:30:00.000-08:00

Pending Thursday's outcome, the Celtics' expect to get their players back Friday. Delonte West (back) and Wally Szczerbiak (ankle) are both looking to return to the lineup on Friday against Sacramento after West ran through a full practice in Waltham today, while Szczerbiak sat out but spent the afternoon working on cardio. Brian Scalabrine (knee) also sat out practice, and while he was shooting around afterward, he's not expected to be ready for Friday.

ADIDAS AND THE CELTICS: LIKE CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER

2006-12-14T10:11:00.000-08:00

Adidas, possibly the coolest shoe company on the planet, partnered last week with the Boston Celtics. They will now be the official outfitter of the team. Adidas is set to sponsor a bunch of in-game promotions, including the "Adidas Fan Makeover", and they will a bigger presence on the Celtics official website. Adidas will also sponsor the noise meter in the arena. Right on!

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

2006-12-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, the Boston Celtics are teaming up the the US Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program. Donations of new, non-violent, unwrapped toys will be accepted at the turnstiles in the TD Banknorth Garden before Celtics games on 12/08 and 12/15. Upon donating a toy, you will receive a raffle ticket that puts you in the running to win a Celtics autographed basketball. Now that's the spirit of Christmas!

CELTICS CHEWED UP BY THE RAPTORS!

2006-12-03T13:45:00.000-08:00

Despite Paul Pierce's impressive playing on Friday night, the Boston Celtics could not beat the Toronto Raptors in Toronto. The Celtics even outscored the Raptors by 4 points in the third quarter and scored the first 8 in the 4th. Even still, the Celtics are just one game behind New Jersey for first place in the Atlantic Division. I sure miss the days of Larry Bird!

Lookie, lookie at our rookie: Rajon Rondo

2006-10-31T15:16:00.000-08:00

One more comment inspired by preseason play: the word is that Portland Trailblazers’ Brandon Roy is at the head of the line to be Rookie of the Year. Celtics fans, I think we can nominate someone else. Rajon Rondo had the moves the other night against the New Jersey Nets. Okay, he has, by his own admission, some more to learn about when to pass and when to take the shot.

But Rondo is quick. I’ll want tickets just to watch him steal the ball.

Celtics Mourn Red Auerbach

2006-10-29T10:38:00.000-08:00

The headlines capture it: He was the greatest coach in the history of the NBA. Red Auerbach had already moved from the status of leader to legend. But Boston will still have a hard time gettting used to his not being here.

So Close to Stopping the Raptors

2006-10-26T11:51:00.000-07:00

I think the Boston Celtics came as close to snapping the streak of the Toronto Raptors as any NBA team that has encountered them this preseason. We came back from down by 13 and had the game all tied up at 101-101 with less than half a minute to go. Then along comes Jose Calderon sinking yet another free throw and another and a couple more (he was 11 for 11)...and the Raptors hung on to their perfect preseason.

But that's the operative word: preseason.

Complements from rivals?

2006-10-12T13:51:00.001-07:00

Wow, it never ceases to amaze me that there are a few sports reporters out there that can look past their own hometeam bias and complement a rival team when they earned it. A buddy of mine cued me in to this article where Mike Ulmer said that "Paul Pierce could score if you poked out his eyes and locked him in a closet. Celts super rookie Rajon Rondo (29 points last night) isn't far behind. " I find new hope in this cynical biased old world.

this season...

2006-10-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

I was looking at some articles about Celtics training camp. I don't know about anyone else but I'm thinking that we could be looking at a really good year. Green has a years experience under his belt and has been working all summer as has Gomes, Pierce has been pushing the rest of the team really hard as well, so they're really looking good. I'm anxious to see how they perform in the first game and see if all that training paid off.

doc's return

2006-10-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Doc Rivers’ return has sure attracted plenty of attention as he gives his support to Bill Belichick. One might say that they both had similarly unimpressive seasons last year. Training Camp kicks off Tuesday, and Rivers will be forced to bridge the 50% gap left gaping last season. Not everyone seems to be optimistic, though. How he let last season fall apart I don’t know, but I’m one fan that will be looking for a change this season. Rivers will have to protect his hide for now, until he proves himself once again anyway.

the ever looming question

2006-07-11T10:40:00.001-07:00

Some people ask me if I feel better knowing that the team who knocked the Boston Celtic out of the playoffs went on to win the final championship. I guess it is better to be beat by the best than some weaker enemy, but not winning is the same as losing no matter which way you cut it. I can say I have real hope for next season but can’t say I thought we were NBA Champ material last season.

the ever looming question

2006-07-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

If the Celtics can’t be there then I will cheer for the Mavs.

2006-05-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

Well the Mavericks beat the Spurs and are now one game up on the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals. I am hoping to see a Heat/Mavericks match up in the Finals and can’t wait to watch Detroit go down! I think Dirk Nowitzki should be names MVP of the Playoffs. Go Mavs!

Mavericks Face Spurs in Second Round

2006-05-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

The NBA Playoffs are really exciting this year. There have been a lot of close games and some overtime upsets. My interest is peaked this year more so than last and I am cheering on the Dallas Mavericks. They made short work of the Memphis Grizzlies and are now facing the San Antonio Spurs who took game one of their second round series.

Now I am a movie critic.

2006-04-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday’s loss to the New York Knicks was hard to watch. I ended up flipping channels a few times and then turned the game off to watch a movie called The Jacket. It was a pretty good film with a unique story line. Keira Knightly was better in this movie than she was in Pirates of the Caribbean and I thought Adrien Brody was excellent for the part of Jack Starks. It was basically the story of a man who is at the wrong place at the wrong time. I give The Jacket two thumbs up!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0366627/

A Sad Day for College Basketball

2006-03-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

A very sad thing has happened in Iowa. Evansville Purple Aces basketball player Eric Ottens died in a car crash in Iowa when he ran a stop sign and was hit by another car. The passenger was hurt but not fatally, and Ottens died instantly. He was a model student-athlete and a fine basketball player.

Boston Celtics All-Star Representative

2006-02-10T15:36:00.000-08:00

Paul Pierce has earned his fifth consecutive trip to the All-Star game. Pierce scored 19 points in just over twenty minutes in his first All-Star appearance. He is a great choice to represent the Boston Celtics because he is having the best year of his career shooting over forty percent and racking up the rebounds and assists.

Question?

2005-06-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Tell me the Truth guys.

How many of you Celtic fans out there are really Celtic fans?

How many of you fans jumped on the band wagon because of the play-off birth this past season?

For those of you who followed Boston all season, when did you become a Celtics Fan, and finally, how and why did you become a Celtics fan?

Kidney Foundation Walk

2005-05-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

Celtics Center Mark Blount helped in a good cause this past weekend by commencing the annual National Kidney Foundation walk. This walk takes place every year to help raise money to support the Kidney Foundation. The walk took place at the Franklin Park Zoo and assisted in raising money and awareness of the foundation. Boston Mayor Tom Menino was also present with Blount to get it going.

Top 5 Moments of the Season

2005-05-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

- from the official site of the Celtics

2) Antoine’s Return:
The return of Antoine Walker added a huge shot of energy to the Celtics season, as the team immediately won 11-of-12 games, including wins over Phoenix, Detroit and Houston. Overall the Celtics went 18-9 after #8’s return and went on to lock up the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Celtics Fans Make an Important Assist to Lawrence Basketball Star Hector Paniagua

2005-05-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

- from the official site of the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics family would like to thank our fans for their overwhelming generosity. During our last four regular season home games in April, proceeds from the sales of the green "I am a Celtic" wristbands as well as your donations, along with donations by members of the Celtics ownership group and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, enabled us to raise $50,000 for Hector Paniagua and his family.

Big Al Named to got milk? NBA All-Rookie Second Team

2005-05-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

- from the official site of the Boston Celtics

Celtics forward Al Jefferson was named to the 2004-05 got milk? NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Jefferson, the 15th overall selection in the 2004 NBA Draft, earned the honor and becomes the 15th Celtic overall to be named All-Rookie, and the first since J.R. Bremer was named All Rookie Third Team in 2003.

Celts Can't Extend Their Season

2005-05-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

- from the official site of the Boston Celtics

The Celtics trailed by only two points in the third quarter, but were unable to overtake the visiting Pacers in a 97-70 Game 7 loss Saturday. The defeat prevented the Atlantic Division champs from avenging their first-round sweep at the hands of Indiana last year. Boston was down 43-41 with less than seven minutes remaining in the third period, but the Pacers scored 11 of the next 13 points to take control. Antoine Walker led the Celts with 20 points and Paul Pierce had 19.

Losing Cool, Winning Game

2005-05-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

With a 92-89 victory over the Pacers, the Celtics made sure to extend the series into Game 7. We can’t be taken down so easily, right? Antoine Walker stepped up to score 24 points in place of Paul Pierce who was ejected from the game. Pierce put in 20 points before this took place. Ricky Davis also added 22 points.

The reason for Pierce’s ejection came in the form of a knock to the jaw by Jamaal Tinsley. With only about 27 seconds left in the game, Pierce lost his cool and knocked Tinsley to the ground in retribution. Of course, this got Pierce immediately ejected from the game.

"I lost my cool. It almost cost us the game and I'm happy we got the win. Our guys stepped up for me and now we're going to Game 7."
- Paul Pierce

2-2

2005-05-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

- from NBA.com

Paul Pierce and his supporting cast more than made up for the absence of Antoine Walker Saturday to knot the series at 2-2. With Walker out due to a one-game suspension, Pierce sparked the Celtics with 23 of his 30 points in the first half of the 110-79 win in Indiana. Boston led by nine at the half before breaking it wide-open after the break. Ricky Davis chipped in with 15 points and Gary Payton and Delonte West scored 14 each. The series returns to Boston Tuesday for Game 5 at 7:30 p.m. on NBATV.

Split

2005-04-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

The Indiana Pacers are putting up a fight. After a glorious victory in the first game, Reggie Miller led the Pacers to a slight victory in game 2. Miller held the team-high with 28 points scored.

"I was really disappointed in our defense down the stretch. We gave up too many easy baskets. They got a couple of dunks and a couple of layups. That can't happen. Not in the playoffs. Not at home. Not anywhere."
- Paul Pierce

Miller landed a shot with only 37 seconds left to gain the advantage in the 82-79 victory. Paul Pierce was fighting valiantly in the second half scoring 17 of his 33 points in the third quarter, temporarily grabbing the lead.

Games 3 and 4 now shift over to Indiana.

Divisions/Conferences/All that goodness

2005-04-19T16:21:00.000-07:00

Now everything is finally set in stone. The Heat and the Suns have officially clinched the best records in their conferences; therefore gaining the fun of home court advantage. The only possible remaining struggle is for the 8th spot between the Cavaliers and the Nets.

This is kind of ironic in a way because the Celtics will be facing the Cavaliers in their next upcoming game and then the Nets the following day.

The Celtics have officially placed as the Atlantic Division champs. This is the first time they have done so since the times of Larry Bird in 1991-92.

Celtics’ Magic Number Down to One

2005-04-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

- from the official site of the Boston Celtics

With nine seconds to go and his team trailing by a point, Paul Pierce calmly curled off a double screen and buried a jump shot to give the Celtics the lead for good in Friday’s 101-99 win over the Heat. Led by Antoine Walker’s 15 boards, Boston kept Miami’s big frontline off the glass, notching a 50-35 rebounding advantage and earning their fifth win in the last six outings. Pierce finished with 22 points and Al Jefferson chipped in a career-high 19.

The Celtics

2005-04-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

Lately, the Celtics have been too confident in themselves for having the 3rd spot. From the official standings, it is known that the Celtics have lost 6 of the last 10 games, including their latest loss against the Nets. The Chicago Bulls have currently clinched the fourth spot with a record that is better than the Celtics by about 3 or so wins.

In this past game, the Celtics coach Doc Rivers was ejected only after a few minutes of game play. He received two technical fouls quickly after arguing a call made on Antoine Walker.

"He (Rivers) worked for the first technical, but I didn't think the second was warranted. No coach wants to get tossed from the game. We're battling for a playoff spot in our division and two minutes in the game to get tossed is kind of quick."
- assistant Tony Brown

Dr. A's Who's Hot

2005-04-07T14:39:00.000-07:00

- from FOXSports.com

Gary Payton appears to still be on the verge of shutting it down, but is showing no signs of actually doing so. His back is not well, but he continues to play, which is admirable. If he goes down, Delonte West is a good pickup, but Payton appears to be determined on leading this playoff drive.

Celtics

2005-04-02T16:51:00.000-08:00

Overall, the Boston Celtics are ranked #3 in the Eastern Conference. They are very lucky, in the sense of playing in a pretty crappy division. Sure, the Southwest Division has its sucky teams holding up the base of the foodchain, but no team in the Atlantic Division has really been holding a very unbelievable season.

The Celtics are holding up the first position, but this is with a record of 39-33. Both Washington and Chicago have better records as of now.

But, the Celtics won’t crash and burn. They had victory in their last game and have won 6 of their last 10 games.

The Knicks give the Celtics run for Money

2005-03-24T17:31:00.000-08:00

After having great presence with an eight game winning streak, the Celtics are forced to give it up to the Knicks. Not only did the Knicks win, they crushed any possibility the Celtics held of high-scoring. The final score was 107-82.

Only Antoine Walker broke double digits and scored 13 points. The Celtics have averaged 110.7 points on the three previous encounters with the Knicks.

"I thought we ignited them. We came out running our mouths and acted like a low-class basketball team. We didn't show them any respect. I really thought the first two minutes our guys were ready to play, but we had guys yapping with guys on their bench, and that is not winning basketball. That is not a winning team. That is a team excited about a winning streak and not acting like a winning team."
- Boston coach Doc Rivers

Celtics/Knicks Preview

2005-03-22T14:33:00.000-08:00

- from FOXSports.com

STANDINGS: Celtics - 1st place, Atlantic Division. Knicks - 4th place, 9 GB, Atlantic Division.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Celtics - F Walker, F Pierce, C Raef LaFrentz, G Tony Allen, G Payton. Knicks - F Michael Sweetney, F Tim Thomas, C Kurt Thomas or Malik Rose, G Jamal Crawford, G Marbury.

TEAM LEADERS: Celtics - Pierce, 21.7 ppg; Walker, 9.3 rpg; Payton, 6.0 apg. Knicks - Marbury, 21.3 ppg and 8.1 apg; Kurt Thomas, 10.3 rpg.

SEASON SERIES: Celtics, 3-0.

LAST MEETING: Feb. 11; Celtics, 111-94. At Boston, Davis scored 25 points, Pierce had 17 and LaFrentz added 15 points and 14 rebounds to help the Celtics move above .500 for the first time since Nov. 12. Marbury scored 31 points for the Knicks.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Celtics - 13-19 on the road; Knicks - 20-14 at home.

INJURIES: Celtics - None. Knicks - F-C Kurt Thomas (elbow); G-F Penny Hardaway (hamstring); G Allan Houston (knee).

Boston vs. Charlotte

2005-03-15T15:32:00.000-08:00

The Boston Celtics have won eight of their last nine games. This makes a four-game winning streak stacking up. In their game against Charlotte, Boston took the victory with a score of 119-110. Antoine Walker continues to be a great driving force for the Celtics since returning onto the court.

"I think I brought leadership, experience, a will to win and another option. I'm a versatile player who commands a double team. Right now, we're playing good basketball and with a high energy level and we're trying to make a run for this Atlantic Division title."
- Antoine Walker

Walker contributed to the winning effort with 25 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Ricky Davis added in 27 points and had a much better game than his previous. Against the Wizards, Davis was held back to only scoring 12 points. This is a complete turnaround in his game on account of making 12 of 15 shots. Sometimes you got it, sometimes you don’t.

Wizards-Celtics Preview

2005-03-12T16:31:00.000-08:00

- from FOXSports.com

Boston has won five of the last seven meetings with Washington, including three straight at home.

STANDINGS (through March 11): Wizards - 2nd place, 12 GB, Southeast Division. Celtics - 1st place, Atlantic Division.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Wizards - F Kwame Brown, F Jared Jeffries, C Brendan Haywood, G Arenas, G Hughes. Celtics - F Walker, F Pierce, C Raef LaFrentz, G Gary Payton, G Tony Allen.

TEAM LEADERS: Wizards - Arenas, 25.4 ppg and 5.2 apg; Jamison, 8 rpg. Celtics - Pierce, 21.9 ppg; Walker, 9.3 rpg; Payton, 6 apg.

SEASON SERIES: 1-1.

LAST MEETING: Dec. 31; Celtics, 108-103. At Boston, Pierce scored seven of his 26 points in the final six minutes and Payton added 18 points for the Celtics. Hughes made all six of his 3-point attempts and matched a season high with 33 points.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Wizards - 11-17 on the road; Celtics - 23-10 at home.

INJURIES: Wizards - F Jamison (knee); F-C Etan Thomas (flu); F Jarvis Hayes (knee); C Peter John Ramos (foot); F Samaki Walker (back). Celtics - None.

The Celtics destroy the Bobcats

2005-03-06T14:42:00.000-08:00

After a glorious defeat of the Bobcats, the Celtics rack up a fourth victory in their up and coming streak. Being at the top of their division, the Celtics are struggling to bring themselves up in their conference. The final score was 104-84, making the third victory for the Celtics against the Bobcats.

"We came out with the right energy ... defensively. The second unit gave us an eight- to 10-point cushion and then we were able to stretch it to 18 in the second half. Gary did a good job of establishing tempo with his defensive pressure."
- Antoine Walker

Leading Scorers for the Celtics (six players in double figures):

Ricky Davis: 18 points
Antoine Walker: 18 points
Gary Payton (returning to the Celtics): 10 points

Jiri Welsch

2005-02-24T12:58:00.000-08:00

Former member of the Boston Celtics, Jiri Welsch has been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been traded for a first round draft pick. Welsch, who had been with the Celtics for about a season and a half, started his career playing in Europe.

Born in the Czech Republic, Welsch began his career after arriving to America as a first round draft pick (#16 in the round). Before he could even play a game with them, he was moved to the Golden State Warriors. After one season, he was traded to Boston.

Celtic Victory over Knicks

2005-02-13T15:18:00.000-08:00

Boston keeps their spot at the top of the Atlantic conference with another win over the Knicks. The Celtics have been sitting in the third spot in overall standings, but Philadelphia is quickly creeping onto them in their conference. They have won five of the last six games to make a 1 ½ game lead over Philadelphia.

Ricky Davis and Raef LaFrentz led the Celtics to the victory with a score of 111-94. Davis scored 25 points. But, LaFrentz led a decisive third quarter. With 7 buckets and 7 rebounds in the quarter alone, he made a vicious impact on the game. LaFrentz ended up with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

"When you've got a team that's struggling, you want to take it to them early. When you're a losing team and you're down, you tend to lose your confidence. We wanted to come out strong in the third quarter knowing that we could take this game away if we could push the lead."
- Celtics captain Paul Pierce

Celtics Giving Bulls a Hard Time

2005-01-30T13:11:00.000-08:00

With a 101-97 win for the Celtics over the Bulls, the Celtics prove that they will stay seated up at first in the Atlantic division. This is not a sure spot since Philadelphia only trails by one win. Boston is third in standings in the Eastern Conference.

This victory shut down a five game winning streak for the Bulls. Gary Payton led the Celtics by scoring 23 points throughout the game and landing a key three-pointer in the fourth to solidify the advantage.

The game kept pretty back and forth with the Bulls taking a strong lead in the first 23 seconds of the final period, but this did not last for long.

The Celtics have brought the Bulls a record of 13-3. By this, I mean two out of the three losses chalked up for the Bulls have been to the Celtics. Both teams are doing fairly well and hopefully will advance as the season progresses.

The Lakers take on the Rockets on January 31st.

The Upside

2005-01-03T13:24:00.000-08:00

Despite being 13-17 and, loosing 4 out of their last 5 games, the Celtics are only 3 games behind in their division.

Recently the Celtics dropped one against the Pistons 100-88.
"The Pistons almost never score 100 points, but we let them do it. I don't know what it will take, but we've got to start playing defense as a team again." - Pierce

The one brights spot was rookie Tony Allen who led Boston with his career-best 18 points, and Paul Pierce had 13.

Celtics Can't Stand the Heat

2004-12-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

from NBA.com

The absence of superstar Shaquille O'Neal was not enough to keep the Miami Heat from setting a record for the best start in team history.

Dwyane Wade scored 12 of his 33 points in the decisive third quarter and dished out 11 assists as the Heat extended their winning streak to nine games with a 108-100 triumph over the Boston Celtics.

Although O'Neal missed the game with an injured left calf, Miami improved to 20-7, its best mark after 27 games. The Heat need a victory at Sacramento on Thursday to match the second-longest winning streak in team history, a 10-game stretch from Feb. 13-March 1, 1998.

"When there is no Shaq, the ball certainly gets driven a lot more than shooting jumpers," Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. "However, we held them in the second half."

Van Gundy said he was pleased with the way the Heat opened the floor and kept the Celtics wondering who would get the next pass.

"Without (O'Neal), the important thing is that the ball had to keep moving," Van Gundy said. "It could not be a stand-around game tonight."

Picking up the slack for the injured O'Neal, Udonis Haslem had 18 points and a career-high 17 rebounds and Eddie Jones scored 17 points despite being hampered by a pulled left groin.

"My mind-set from the tip was to take the ball inside and pick up as much of the slack as I could for the big guy,' Haslem said. "I was definitely going to crash the boards and be a presense in there."

Van Gundy referred to Haslem's effort as fabulous.

"Udonis is a worker," Van Gundy said. "He is young and can play the whole game, and that is what he did."

After Ricky Davis' 3-pointer tied the score, 76-76, with 4:48 to go in the third quarter, the Heat responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead for good.

During that stretch, Wade collected one of his season-high four steals and raced to the other end of the floor before Davis knocked him to ground and was whistled for a flagrant-2 foul, an automatic ejection.

"That was the longest two seconds of my life while I was airborne," Wade said of the hit. "It shook me up, but once I got up I realized all the pieces were still there and I was OK."

Davis said there was no intent to injure Wade and Boston coach Doc Rivers questioned the call.

"I just made a hustle play and tried to make a good block," said Davis, who was tossed with 3:26 left in the third quarter. "I was definitely surprised by the ejection."

"I thought he made a play on the ball," Rivers said. "The last I knew, you were allowed to try and block a shot."

Wade hit 1-of-2 free throws and scored the final four points of the quarter for Miami, which scored 19 points off of 19 turnovers by Boston.

Paul Pierce scored 25 points and rookie Al Jefferson added 15 and nine rebounds for Boston. Davis chipped in 12 points off the bench and was one of six Celtics in double figures.

None of that was enough for Rivers, whose team shot 55 percent from the floor in the first half but fell victim to Miami's second straight solid defensive effort in the second half.

"I just felt we got completely outworked," Rivers said. "We had a golden opportunity to win tonight without Shaq; we just didn't take advantage of it."

4th Quarter Argument Appears Resolved

2004-12-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

by the Associated Press, from ESPN.com

Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce apologized for arguing with coach Doc Rivers, one day after being benched for not hustling.

"Emotions got involved. I really didn't handle it the right way," Pierce said. "So, I'm just going to come out and apologize to my teammates, the coaching staff, the fans of Boston for what happened last night."

Pierce and Rivers argued during Wednesday night's 101-100 win over Milwaukee.

"It was uncalled for," Pierce said. "I reacted at the moment. That's all it was. We handled it like men. I apologized to the team this morning and we move on."

Pierce said that he and Rivers had not talked things out, but the conversation doesn't need to be a long one.

"He's the coach," Pierce said. "Whatever he says goes, and that's it."

Pierce was pulled from the game against the Bucks with just over 4½ minutes to play and the Celtics holding a 92-91 lead. The star guard appeared agitated when Jiri Welsch came in for him. Pierce then got into a brief shouting match that Rivers ended by shouting, "You sit."

Rivers said he was upset because he didn't think Pierce was heading out quickly enough on the fast break. The coach, in his first year with the Celtics, said the argument "looked a lot worse than it was."

"I sat him because I didn't think we were doing the right things," Rivers said. "I'd rather for him to be upset. I don't want a guy on my team who shows no passion. ... It's never personal."

The two chatted in the huddle during a timeout, and Pierce returned to hit a 3-pointer on Boston's first possession to give the Celtics a 97-93 lead with 2:40 to go.

"Regardless of what happens, I can't let it affect this team in winning and losing," Pierce said, adding that he wants to set a better example for the young players on the team.

"I was upset because I couldn't remember the last time I got snatched out of a game for something that was minor. But as a coach he makes the decisions and I've got to deal with it and move on."

Rivers said benching Pierce, the team's best player, was not intended as a message.

"I didn't intend it that way. It probably ended up that way," Rivers said. "I'm sure they see we'll take anybody out. Of all the times not to sit him it might have been that time. It was a tough one. I'm sitting there taking Paul off the floor knowing there's a chance we could lose this game, but I thought that we had to make that call."

Celts’ Early Spurt Floods Magic

2004-11-30T16:32:00.000-08:00

from NBA.com

Doc Rivers certainly got his troops ready to dish out revenge against his former team.

Paul Pierce scored 24 points and Marcus Banks came off the bench to add a season-high 20 as the Boston Celtics ended a four-game skid with a resounding 117-101 triumph over the Orlando Magic.

Rivers coached the Magic from 1999-2003, losing his job after a 1-10 start last season. He had a 171-168 regular-season record, taking the team to the playoffs in his last three full seasons.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to come here and win," Rivers said. "Not because I dislike Orlando's team. More because I've been here. I know (coach) Johnny (Davis), I know Pat (Garrity), I know Grant (Hill) and I'm going to have dinner with them this summer at some point and I don't want them talking about how they killed us."

"I know Doc is feeling pretty good about this team and the fact they (Orlando) let him go last year, but it worked out for him and the team tonight," Pierce said.

Boston took control of the game with a 22-4 run that began just two minutes into the game. Pierce scored seven of his 11 first-quarter points during the run, and the Celtics held a 37-20 advantage at the end of the period.

"We just played with a better sense of urgency tonight," Pierce said. "We just didn't want to come off this road trip without at least a win tonight."

In the second period, the lead swelled to as many as 27 points, as Boston took a 69-45 lead at halftime -- its most points for any half this season. Seven Celtics reached double figures in the contest.

Orlando cut the lead to 12 less than one minute into the final period, but Banks, who had been in Rivers' dog house, scored nine in the quarter to keep the Celtics safely ahead.

"Marcus Banks was huge tonight," Rivers said. "Sometimes when you sit a guy and another guy gets his minutes, then when that guy gets another chance, he comes back with a vengeance and I thought Marcus did that tonight."

"He (Banks) really grew up tonight," Pierce said. "Last night, he didn't even play a single minute. Someone goes down and he comes out and has his best game of the year."

The Magic struggled to keep the Celtics out of the paint -- surrendering 11 layups or dunks in the first quarter alone -- en route to giving up 70 points inside.

"I thought the story tonight was the lack of defense on our part," Davis said. "We didn't get back in transition, and even when we got back, we allowed people to penetrate to the basket."

Hedo Turkoglu scored 18 off the bench for Orlando. Steve Francis fouled out with 6½ minutes remaining after scoring just 14 on 5-of-16 shooting.

Payton Reaches Milestones

2004-11-14T16:59:00.000-08:00

from NBA.com

Congratulations to Celtics guard Gary Payton... with 5:01 remaining in the Celtics' 90-88 victory over Portland on Wednesday night, Payton scored his 20,000th career point. Last week against Indiana, Payton recorded his 8,000th career field goal, making him the only player other than Oscar Robertson in NBA history to record 8,00 field goals and 8,000 assists.

This Just In...’Let Me Tell You A Story’ Is Just Out!

2004-11-01T09:29:00.000-08:00

From NBA, By Jeff Twiss

“You know where it is, don’t you? You know how to get there, right? 11:00 o’clock sharp!” barks the Coach into the telephone, between puffs on one of his famous cigars.

I feel like I am Bob Cousy or K.C. Jones being instructed on how to run the old play #1 play with the option going to either Tommy Heinsohn or Sam Jones. But this is for lunch, and the Coach is the Coach – Red Auerbach.

That’s right, lunch. And if it’s Tuesday, it’s a very special lunch.

Sure as it is daylight outside, they are like bees coming back to the hive. They arrive by car from points all over our nation’s capital or from the Washington, DC suburbs. Many must have been sharp athletes as several arrive as early as 10:45 AM (remember when your coach said to be at the bus by 11:00 – it usually meant 10:45 because by 11:00 the bus would be long gone).

Now where is this famous rendezvous, you ask? Near the Jefferson Memorial, no. Must be near the Capitol building near powerful politicians, wrong again. Chinatown, where else… no better place to get Chinese food – right?

To be very precise, the hot lunch spot is the China Doll, located at 627 H. Street, near 7th Street and just a very long three-point shot away from the MCI Center in downtown Washington, DC. Oh, and I am sure this wasn’t a prerequisite; the awning over the entrance to the restaurant is green with the words China Doll in white script (Celtics mystique, again?).

The China Doll is a very simple restaurant. If it seats 100 people, it could be bulging at the seams. But what is most interesting is the fact that it could pass (almost) for an extra-wide bowling alley (with lots of glass mirrors on all the walls). The place is dimly lit, which isn’t to be confused with the dim sum. There is just one big round table (the kind that sits eight comfortably) only the table gets overdosed by three or four additional bodies on most late Tuesday mornings. Throw a couple square 4-by-4 tables together and there you have it – the Tuesday lunch set-up for 16, 18, 20? And, if someone is late? The orders are to sit him down at the end, sort of like a middle reliever waiting his turn coming out of the bullpen rotation. But the bottom line is, a seat will be made available for that person at this table – somehow and someway.

Why the China Doll, you ask? Good question.

This lunch (and eventually the new publication, Let Me Tell You A Story with Red Auerbach and written by the legendary sports writer John Feinstein) originated out of a conversation between Coach Auerbach and his brother, Zang. The two brothers lived approximately 30 minutes away from each other and they were both getting older and they thought that making a point to see each other, at least, once a week seemed like the next best thing to winning another world championship. Hey, how about 11:00 AM every Tuesday… at the China Doll.

At first, it was just the two them. Winter set in, driving was touch-and-go and a friend or buddy from their club would join them. And, over a short amount of time, the lunch grew and grew some more into what it is today –a collection and a mixture of wonderful, successful and very recognizable gentlemen who enjoy life for all it’s worth for 60-75 minutes.

What’s amazing about all of this is, that this isn’t a big deal… but it is a big deal.

As George Solomon, the former Executive Sports Editor for the Washington Post for 28 years explained to me on the sidewalk before entering, “The conversation is very stimulating. The banter is very good. And, you never walk away from here feeling you haven’t learned something.”

I did mention this lunch was Chinese food at 11:00 in the morning, didn’t I? Well, wait a minute, ok, so I lied a little, the food really doesn’t make a grand entrance until approximately 11:20-11:30.

At 11:00AM and after introductions, greetings, cordial salutations, and well wishes – it feels like the pre-game warm-up period and the lay-up line is over – it’s now game time! (As far as I can conclude, the only gentlemen with ‘assigned’ seats at this table are: Coach Auerbach, former DeMatha High School mentor Coach Morgan Wootten, Feinstein, Solomon, and former NBA star and Washington Bullets General Manager Bob Ferry).

The clock ticks to approximately 11:02 – and they’re off…. and the many topics fly around the table as if torpedoed out of the starting gates at Churchill Downs. Topics? From politics, sports, home design, home repair, automobiles, colleges, college education, the history of the NBA, horse racing, salaries, the airline business, petroleum prices, The Big Dig… you name it and it’s fair game. And, soup. The conversations only settle to a dull roar when the words ‘does anyone want soup?’ comes up. But these four words draw the same comparison to ‘gentlemen start your engines’ as the next wave of topics are racing around the table faster than time trials at the Indy 500, until the piping-hot soup arrives.

11:10AM and it’s Emma and the waiters. No, this isn’t a modern-day version of Danny and the Juniors. Emma is the boss-lady of the restaurant and along three other young men they make sure the soup makes it safely (along with plenty of duck sauce and hot mustard). With pen in hand, Emma tackles each main dish order like a Baltimore Ravens lineman. No need to see the menu with this crowd either. If you’ve been to any Chinese food restaurant and you have a favorite dish… just order it.

What you have to understand is that this is friendship at its very best. Everyone gets needled and everyone needles right back. There are better serves and volleys than a match at center court at Wimbledon.

The dialog begins in full force during soup and continues even when the main course is served. ‘Remember that guy who played for…’ or ‘how come he didn’t make the Hall of Fame?’ or ‘that player could have been a hell-of-a-player,’ And it keeps flowing, ‘this or that US President was good for the country’ or ‘what about this team, how good will they be this year?’ ‘Who is better (Tiger) Woods or (Vijay) Singh?’ Four, six, eight conversations happening at once. It is wise to be on your toes. It only gets derailed when an all-important question like, ‘who ordered the shrimp chow mien?’ gets asked by Emma, pulling off her best Judge Judy line of direct questioning.

For the final half-hour or so, the dialog never stops. Never.

For a break in the action, I could not help but look at the customers at some of the other tables. I can’t help thinking that their first reaction is, ‘where is the hidden camera for all this?’ This must be being filmed for some show. In between bites of their egg roll, I swear these people are saying, ‘isn’t that?’ or ‘that sure looks like…’

But, as quickly as they assemble, it is with the same swiftness that they depart. When Coach Auerbach pays the bill (he always pays the bill and don’t even try to pay it), that’s it! Done! Exit stage left (or right?) to H Street. Goodbyes are exchanged, slaps on the backs are handed out generously (no high-fives with this lunch crowd) and sincere wishes for continued good health and the chance to do it all over again in 168 hours (or one week for those keeping score at home).

Why is this so special? Let’s hear it from a few of the “veterans”:

“Oh my gosh,” beams Fox News Correspondent Chris Wallace. “First of all, you are having lunch with Red Auerbach… you are having lunch with one of the legends. In a world where you got so many errands to do and so many obligations… to have one day a week, starting at 11 in the morning, where all you are doing is having lunch with a bunch of guys talking sports, telling jokes, needling each other – what could be better than that?”

Coach Wootten adds, “Well, Red makes them special. He gets things going talking about basketball, talking about life, talking about the old days – great stories. It’s just a pleasure to sit around a legend, like him, and hear everything. There is no question that you got to be alert (at these luncheons), and if you are lucky you’ll pick up about 80% of what goes on.”

And, some final reflections from the author, John Feinstein. “First of all, it’s Red. His ability to tell stories, knowing who he is and what he has meant to the NBA and to basketball. But, I also think it’s the camaraderie. It’s almost like an extended family. For everybody who is involved, everybody looks forward to Tuesday at 11:00, and you know you are going to see people that you like. I think Morgan Wooten said it very well, he said, ‘there are very few things in life that live up to their hype and the lunches every Tuesday live up to everybody’s expectations and more so, so that’s why we all look forward to this so much.”

In closing, I learned a great deal in a short amount of time. It was a very memorable and truly special hour in my life. I have been asked before, ‘what is important in life – fame and fortune or family and friends?’ I think it is safe to assume that the gentlemen at this lunch have been blessed with all four.

Welcome!

2004-08-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks for checking out my Celtics blog! Sorry it's not really up yet, but if you come back soon there'll be a lot more to see, I promise!