Delonte West’s cast was removed on Monday. The gritty, left-handed guard will rehab for the next three weeks or so, at which time he can “start doing more.”

That doesn’t mean he’ll return to the court in three weeks, though. Danny Ainge said mid-February is a more likely target. (Boston Herald)

“I think (the All-Star break) sounds about right,” Ainge said. “He just got his cast off, so we have to see how it takes from here.”

West, though, simply wants to savor the short-term rewards for now, without looking too far ahead.

“It feels stiff, but it’s not painful,” West said. “I got great news from the doctors (yesterday, when the cast came off). They said maybe three weeks of rehabilitation, and then I can start doing more. I started working out, conditioning, ballhandling.

“Fortunately I’m left-handed, so I’m able to get shots on my left hand. It’s just a matter of time before I gain game strength in (the right) one.”

Doc Rivers has lost some confidence in “Nate Robinson, point guard,” and West’s return should solidify a Celtics’ bench that has been up and down. As it now stands, Glen Davis is the second unit’s only consistent player — and with Kevin Garnett injured, Davis now starts. So it’s safe to say the Celtics need Delonte West, but he should wait until he’s fully healthy to return. No rush, because champions aren’t made in January.

Cue Muhammad Ali: “Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”

Thanks for the input, Muhammad. Now, please make sure West’s rehab goes well.