1. Shaq is questionable for tomorrow night, which means Perk could start. (ESPN Boston)

Shaquille O’Neal did not participate in Thursday’s practice with Rivers noting, “He’s 38,” as the reason for his absence. Rivers said O’Neal is questionable for Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. …

With Shaq questionable Friday, Perkins could be thrust into the starting lineup by default, a spot he’s seemingly nearing a return to, anyhow.

2. Doc Rivers thinks he should have four players voted to the All-Star team. Amen, Doc. (WEEI)

“I think I should get four guys on the roster,” Rivers said following practice Thursday. “If I don’t, I’d be very disappointed and if I do, I’ll just play them all together. That way we can run offense in the All-Star Game. That’d be a first.”

“If it happens, and let’s hope it happens, then my choice will be who will be the fifth, Some interesting combinations you can throw out,” said Rivers, before adding who he might throw out onto the court with his four players.

“Whoever is closest to free agency just so they can see how it would feel. I think it should happen. It’s clear. It’d be nice. You look at the four guys, all of them have really sacrificed their individual numbers for team wins and sometimes that’s held against them and I hope it’s not in this case.”

3. Kendrick Perkins loved Ray Allen’s halftime outburst in Sacramento. (WEEI)

Ray Allen ripped into the second unit at halftime of Tuesday’s victory over the Kings. Perkins said he was surprised but pleased with the veteran’s rare outburst. “I was very shocked,” Perkins said. “Because you know, Ray is a guy who very seldom shows emotions. I think he’s always one of the most poised guys on the team. So, he was very frustrated at halftime, and he had a reason to be. I actually was shocked, but I actually was like, ‘Yeah, Ray!’ I loved it. First I thought it was KG when I walked in. But it was Ray, so I was loving it.”

4. Jessica Camerato’s great piece on Avery Bradley’s development. (CSNNE)

As Bradley continues to improve with the Red Claws, the Celtics are never out of mind. He also speaks with Ainge on a regular basis — “He’s just so positive with me and it really helps me out a lot. He just really wants the best for me,” Bradley said — as well as members of coaching staff, trainers, and teammates.

“I talk to one person on the phone, and somebody else is saying something in the background. Rondo’s always checking on me, sending me a text, seeing how I’m doing,” he said. “They were all happy that I got the chance to play. It made me feel good to know that my teammates are calling me, checking in on me. It just shows that they care.”

Of the Celtics, he talks to Nate Robinson the most often. The two hail from the Seattle area and have known each other since Bradley was in high school. They also sat next to each other in the Celtics locker room.

“He’s been telling me to play hard, just get my game back,” Bradley said. “That’s the main thing, just get my confidence back. He just told me to go out here and play hard. The main thing is my confidence level, that’s what he was so worried about.”

5. Should the Celtics bench Nate Robinson? (CelticsBlog)

Doc Rivers’ job, when it comes to coaching Nate Robinson, isn’t easy. In lieu of recent events, benching Robinson when West returns seems almost natural. But to bench Robinson means you won’t ever receive the fruits of his labor. You won’t have the days when he singlehandedly changes games in Boston’s favor. You won’t have a miniature weapon off the bench, who can, on a good day, light up the scoreboard like few other bench players can.

So yeah, benching Robinson might seem like a good option right now. But the Celtics would be better off if he can, somehow, find a way to play to his potential on a more consistent basis.

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