Category: Boston Celtics Blog

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Danny Ainge on his later playing days

The Boston Globe (Marc J. Spears) reports: “I was fortunate enough to play in the heyday of the Celtics in the ’80s,” Danny Ainge said. “As things were going downhill, I was fortunate to play with Portland for two years and go to the Finals and also play for Phoenix for three and go to the Finals. Those experiences helped me and taught me there is more than one way to win and different personalities. “I feel fortunate that I had a chance to play with Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle, Tom Chambers, and Charles Barkley. It was different than in Boston.” Ainge joined the Suns as a free agent before the 1992-93 season, as did Barkley, now a Hall of Famer. Phoenix had the league’s best record (62-20) that season and advanced to the Finals to play Michael Jordan and the Bulls. In Ainge’s sixth and last Finals appearance, the Suns lost the series in six games. The Suns were eliminated by Houston in the second round of the playoffs in 1994 and ’95.

Ray Allen talks about winning

Here’s what Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen said at 2009 NBA All-Star weekend about his legacy and how important it is to win games that matter:

Ray Allen: (Winning) does take you over the hump.  People talk about great players in the league and you compare greatness with what you did on winning teams.  Did you ever win the big game? I remember for the longest time that discussion, and that discussion still takes place today with Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing, two guys we feel are two of the best players in the history of the game. That’s the one negative that people always talk about.  Now I’m talking about it.  It does take you to that next level.  Then they start comparing you to other players that have won and are on that level caliber of player.

Rondo triple-double, Celtics beat Mavericks 99-92

The AP reports: Kevin Garnett was frustrated and sitting on the Boston bench after getting three fouls in a matter of seconds while battling with Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas’ lone All-Star. Celtics coach Doc Rivers was already in the locker room because of the same sequence late in the third quarter, ejected after two quick technical fouls… And they would go on to a physical 99-92 victory Thursday night over the Mavericks. Pierce scored 18 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, but gave plenty of credit to his argumentative coach… Nowitzki led Dallas with 37 and Howard had 17 before fouling out. Ray Allen, playing a night after injuring his thumb in the Celtics’ victory at New Orleans, had 20 points and will play in the All-Star game still. Rajon Rondo had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 14 assists for his second career triple-double, both this season.

Pierce scores 30, Celtics beat Hornets 89-77

The AP reports: Not even the return of the Hornets’ Chris Paul or the departure of Boston’s Ray Allen could stop the Celtics from winning yet again on the road. Paul Pierce scored 30 points and the Celtics won their eighth straight away from home, 89-77 over New Orleans on Wednesday night. The victory was even sweeter for the Celtics in light of recent losses at home to two other top Western Conference teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs… Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Eddie House scored eight of his 12 points in the final period to help Boston pull away despite the absence of Allen, who hyperextended his right thumb in the first half.

Robert Horry wants to play for Spurs or Celtics

Robert Horry is tall, old, good at three-point shooting and making clutch shots, and if you only see him from the neck on up you can pretend you’re talking to Will Smith, which would be neat and stuff.  The Sacramento Bee (Scott Howard-Cooper) reports (via blog):

Robert Horry wants to play again this season. That much is obvious after talking with him in advance of the Kings arriving in his adopted hometown of Houston and in the aftermath of the Sam Amick report that the Spurs weighed a bid for Brad Miller or John Salmons and could use Horry in a sign-and-trade for salary-cap purposes. The important league-wide development is that Horry rates the Spurs and Celtics as his most-likely landing spots. Both understandable. San Antonio is a contender and familiar from the past five seasons there and close to Houston, an important consideration to stay near his family. Boston is the defending champion and has kept him on the radar all along as a potential stretch-drive signing.

I’m not sure how much game he has left. At this point Horry should probably only be considered useful as a bench contributor to come in, play five minutes per half, fire three three-pointers, hit one or two of them, and sit down.

Mason’s 3, Ginobili steal help Spurs beat Celtics 105-99

The AP reports: Roger Mason pulled up and leaned into a 3-pointer with 20.4 seconds left to give San Antonio the lead, then hit a pair of free throws after Manu Ginobili hit four as the Spurs pulled away from the Celtics. Tim Duncan scored 23 points with 13 rebounds and Matt Bonner had 23 points—the second-most in his career— including 3-of-6 from 3-point range… Ginobili scored 19 points off the bench, playing more than 31 minutes after sitting out Tuesday’s game against Denver with a bruised hip… Kevin Garnett scored 26 points with 12 rebounds, Paul Pierce had 19 and eight and Rajon Rondo had 16 assists for Boston.

Celtics set moving picks, says Jackson

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson is fun sometimes. Here’s an example. The Los Angeles Daily News (Elliot Teaford) reports:

Asked about the difference between having Kobe Bryant guard Boston’s Ray Allen and having him check Cleveland’s LeBron James, Jackson said.”Chasing Ray Allen off multiple picks, especially ones that move as often as Boston’s do, it’s just not feasible to wear him out and get run into by (Kendrick) Perkins and (Kevin) Garnett.”

That’s gold.

Cavs make words up to describe Mo Williams snub

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Mo Williams is having an excellent season for his 39-win, 9-loss team, but wasn’t picked by coaches as a reserve for the East All-Star team. Then, Jameer Nelson, who was selected, suffered an injury, though Mo Williams again wasn’t named, with the spot instead going to Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen.

The AP reports:

The Cavs found the second rejection of Williams so absurd that they’re making up words to describe their feelings. “Ben Wallace was right when he called Mo originally being passed over for the all-star game a shamockery,” Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said in a tongue-in-cheek e-mail to the Associated Press on Friday. “But not naming him as the natural and obvious replacement for the unfortunately injured Jameer Nelson is stupidiculous, idillogical and preposterageous.” Cleveland will be represented by James, who was selected in fan voting, and by coach Mike Brown and his assistants, who will coach the East squad.

If passing on Mo Williams instead of selecting him means the Cavs are going to continue making up fun words, then I’m all in favor of it.

Lakers show pride, beat Celtics in OT 110-109

The AP reports: “I wish we would have come here last year with this kind of attitude,” said Pau Gasol, who scored 24 points with 14 rebounds Thursday night to lead the Lakers to a 110-109 overtime victory over Boston… Kobe Bryant scored 26 points with 10 rebounds to help the Lakers take a five-game winning streak into Sunday’s game against Cleveland. L.A. also snapped Boston’s 19-game winning streak on Christmas Day and sent the Celtics into a 2-7 skid that is the worst stretch of the New Big Three era… Paul Pierce scored 21, and Allen had 22, but they both missed off-balance shots in the final seconds. Allen was knocked to the court at the buzzer while Boston fans clamored for a foul call, but none came. Rajon Rondo scored 16 with 12 assists.