1. Rajon Rondo interviewed with ESPN about the new NBA 2k11, but his rare humility when discussing the Big Three was most interesting. “It’s still the Big Three,” he says. “Shaq is four. Shaq is an enforcer. I know that from experience. He knocks guards like myself down, but he can’t hit me no more, so I’m excited about that.” Rondo continued, “I’m just one of the guys. I’m not saying I’m not important, but this is a team game. The Big Three still get a lot of attention, and I’m just really excited to start the season with them and be a part of this team. I’m excited.”
2. Speaking of NBA 2k11, it sounds pretty damn amazing. Just read this review: “NBA 2K11 is a love letter to basketball fans. If you don’t follow hoops, a lot of the subtleties will be lost on you. And if you are looking for a loose, fun, crazy dunkfest experience like NBA Jam, you’re going to get hosed. But if you are serious about basketball, this will fill a long-standing void in your hoops-loving heart. This is the NBA. No one else has come close to representing it in such great and accurate detail as this. Honestly, the stuff with Michael Jordan is reason enough to pick up NBA 2K11. The fact that 2K Sports did so much more with this game and improved it so greatly over last year’s title is stunning. This isn’t just the best basketball game ever; it’s the best sports game of this generation.”
3. Doc Rivers on all the locker room shenanigans: “I could really care less, they’re serious in practice,” said Rivers. “After that, they’re grown men, I don’t care how they act. If they wanna have fun or embarrass themselves, or do whatever they want to do, I really don’t care. The only rule I always have is called the respect rule. If anything is getting where to disrespecting someone to point where problem, then it’s a problem. They enjoy each other. I’m sure they’ll cross the line at some point … they’ll get it. That’s fine.” I love the “if they wanna have fun or embarrass themselves” line.
4. Remember when we were worried about this team’s chemistry? Those fears are dwindling, writes Paul Flannery. “Jermaine O’Neal has only been with the Celtics for a little more than a week, but he’s already marveling about how things are done here. There was movie night in Newport and team dinners on other evenings. Back in Boston, the team gathered for a duck boat ride and then ate brunch together on their off day. All of that: the dinners, the team events, and the clowning make up the foundation of what we like to call chemistry. But this is something a little more than that and when O’Neal sees it, he recognizes what it isn’t as much as what it is. ‘That’s a real situation in pro sports that people don’t talk about,’ he said. ‘In Indiana we had some really good teams, but we couldn’t get over the hump because that togetherness wasn’t quite there.’”
5. Shaq says he’s Harvard and MIT material, but he’s “not going to [take classes there] unless it can help me.” Which reminds me of the time I boasted I could drink a gallon of milk in less than an hour, but then said I wouldn’t do it unless it would help me.
6. From WEEI: “On the Sportsbook.com website, the Celtics are 10-1 to win the NBA title this season, tied with the Orlando Magic behind the Lakers (5-2) and Heat (8-5).” If anyone wants to spot me money so I can place the bet, please feel free. I can’t do it myself because I have $88.17 to my name. Seriously.
7. Funniest news of the week, by far? The Indiana Pacers’ starting power forward spot “is Josh McRoberts’ to lose.” No need to do crunches today. That line gave me all the ab exercise I’ll need.
8.  Shannon Brown’s back at it again. Let Shannon Brown dunk. Just don’t let him do it in the dunk contest.
9. Gerald Wallace says what anyone who’s seen Tyrus Thomas play basketball already knows. “I think he’s still a little immature.” Also, Larry Brown compared Thomas to Rasheed Wallace, because neither reached their potential. The only difference? Thomas always has sucked, still does suck, and probably always will suck.
10. And before you go, this video is hilarious.

Got a tip? An article you think should be included? Send an email to jayking@celticstown.com or hit me up on Twitter @CelticsTown.