The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn’t mean we have to. Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day.

A. Sherrod Blakely, CSNNE – “Wilson Chandler, who had 19 points for New York, appeared to be driving into the lane for what should have been a lay-up. But there was Allen coming from behind, timing his swat attempt of Chandler’s lay-up perfectly as the loose ball soared out of bounds and the shot clock expired. Allen realized he was beat on the play, and simply wanted to get in position to at least foul Chandler. ‘But I got up high enough to make a play on the ball,’ he said. ‘If I was anybody in Boston and (I heard on the radio), ‘Ray comes out of nowhere on the block’ . . . I would have said, ‘Who they said blocked that?””

Rich Levine, CSNNE – “‘Nate’s gonna be fine. He’s gonna be fine for us,” Rajon Rondo said. ‘I’m gonna work with him, as far as knowing his sets, and what to look for. I was excited to play with him tonight. I didn’t have to bring the ball up a couple times, I was able to move off the ball and allow him to do what he does best. He just has to find that feel. He just has to get more comfortable with our set and our system and it’ll be good.’ Doc Rivers is also a big fan of the potential Rondo/Robinson combo, but despite his desires to utilize it more Tuesday night, he knew that the time just wasn’t right. ‘The combination will be terrific once we get it right,’ he said. ‘We had such a speed advantage on the floor but we just didn’t take advantage of it. Right now, they just don’t know how to take advantage of it. They almost ran into each other twice, trying to get to the basket. We’ll work that out, it’s just gonna take some time. But I do like the combination. I wanted Nate on the floor at the end of the game, because I thought match-up were great for us, but I just couldn’t trust it, because he doesn’t know our rotations. I couldn’t take a chance against a team that shoots threes. Tomorrow we’re gonna do a lot of rotation stuff. And on offense, we’re just gonna go one set at a time, and we’ll do that tomorrow.’”

Ron Borges, Boston Herald – “What he does with it is up to him but the loud and welcoming ovation he received was a sign that much awaits a guy if he lights up the floor the way he sometimes did in New York. ‘I’m known for dunking, winning the dunk contest three times, but that’s not all Nate Robinson, if you follow how I play the game,’ Robinson said about Nate Robinson when asked about (who else?) Nate Robinson. ‘I play hard. I play as a teammate. I get the crowd involved. I feed off the energy of the crowd and my teammates. I play for the love of the game. It’s not that I just dunk because in the games I barely dunk. I do a lot of other things that people overlook because they just watch me once a year in the dunk contest. There’s more to Nate Robinson than just that. I wanna be the best on the court, so I play accordingly. That’s who Nate Robinson is. That’s what you’re going to get out of me every night.’”

Julian Benbow, Boston Globe – [Doc Rivers said] “‘At halftime I just said we have to get stops to be able to win the game. We’re going to score. Scoring will not be an issue. But we have to get five, six, seven, eight in a row. If we get those in a row, we win the game. If we don’t, then it’s going to be tough.’ Making it equally difficult was Lee, who scored a game-high 28 points mostly by being crafty on pick and rolls. ‘He wasn’t even setting picks,’ said Kevin Garnett. ‘He was just slipping out and getting layups and our help was just late getting there.’”

Mark Murphy, Boston Herald – “The New York Knicks, restocked at the trade deadline with Tracy McGrady, Eddie House, Bill Walker and Sergio Rodriguez, tormented the C’s with a patchwork lineup. The Celtics, weaning Nate Robinson into the mix in a debut against his former team, looked just as ramshackle in a narrow 110-106 win against New York.”

Julian Benbow, Boston Globe – “‘It was hard to stay serious at times, but it was a lot of fun,’ House said. ‘I was glad to see those guys. I wish the best of luck to those guys, best of luck to Nate [Robinson, who came to Boston in the deal], and best of success to those guys.’ In the first quarter, a video tribute to House was played, flashing moments from the Celtics’ 2008 championship run, and House did his best not to look before finally coming onto the parquet and giving a nod to the fans and his former teammates. ‘I didn’t want to stare at it,’ House said. ‘I saw it happening and I was getting ready to check into the game so I had to focus on what coach was drawing up. I didn’t want to get lost on that and then come out on the floor and don’t execute. I saw a little bit of it. That was a class move by the organization. It was great. It just shows how much they appreciate me and I really appreciate them and all the opportunities they gave me. You don’t expect anything like that, but that’s what a class organization does.’”

Mark Murphy, Boston Herald – “‘It was no big deal – I didn’t put any more weight on this game than I did on my first game in Madison Square,’ House said. ‘Just play the game of basketball. Just no strain on this game at all. Just play the game the right way – that’s all I’m trying to do all the time.’ Before the game, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni couldn’t stop gushing about House. ‘It’s all just about basketball and winning,’ D’Antoni said. ‘He’s good. He has a role and knows his role. He’s a positive guy.’”

Steve Bulpett, Boston Herald – “‘I’m low-key,’ Daniels said. ‘I like to be under the radar. I just go out there and play ball. I just let my action do more talking than I do. I just play the game. Everybody sees you. You don’t need to do anything to bring more attention to yourself.’ Not that he begrudges others their histrionics. ‘If that’s what they’ve been doing, keep doing it,’ he said. ‘Like Kevin, for instance. That gets him going. That pumps him up and gets the crowd going. That’s the way he’s been playing the game all his life. There’s nothing wrong with it; it’s just not me. You have to be yourself.’ Daniels’ self is appreciated by basketball people. ‘Marquis has been a good player for a while,’ Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. ‘He can play, and he gives them another look. He’s just solid, and that’s what they need. They’ve got the superstars; they just need solid players. That’s found money.’”

Julian Benbow, Boston Globe – Last night, with Paul Pierce out nursing a bad right thumb, Doc Rivers played Daniels with the starters. He scored 14 points, and although he’s not the only one to thrive in Pierce’s absences this season (see Tony Allen), he worked well with Rajon Rondo, who called him ‘probably the best cutter in the game. I think he can play with anybody,’ Rondo said. ‘I love playing with ‘Quis. I would say he’s probably the best cutter in the game. He moves very well without the ball. His man loses sight of him. He’s a great back cutter. Then of course, he’s a great defensive stopper. He’s probably our best defensive player on ball, him and TA. He does his role really very well. He doesn’t complain about anything. He just goes out there and does little things and you love to play with a guy like that.’”

Have a link I might want to look at? Send it my way by email (thomasking@celticstown.com) or Twitter.

Maine Red Claws (20-13) vs. Fort Wayne Mad Ants (12-19)
7:30PM Wednesday, February 24, Portland Expo
7:30PM Thursday, February 25, Portland Expo

The Maine Red Claws return to the Expo after, between the All-Star break and a road trip, two weeks away. They face off against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Indianapolis Pacers) in back-to-back games Wednesday and Thursday.
Read more »

Nate in white and green was an odd sight. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

On a night high in nostalgia, the Boston Celtics held on for dear life to a 110-106 victory over the New York Knicks.

The Celtics got off to a quick, 14-point first-half lead, but the Knicks made a quick comeback in the second quarter, tying the score in the second frame before the Celtics entered halftime with a 64-60 lead. The Knicks would eventually take a brief lead in the second half, but never kept the momentum as the Celtics were too strong down the stretch… Well, that or the Knicks were too weak. One or the other.

Eddie House, making his return to Boston after being traded away last week, was given a standing ovation and accompanying video tribute. As the crowd roared in adulation for its lost fan favorite, House blew kisses to the Boston fans. He would finish with 4 points and 5 assists for the Knicks.

But it was Bill Walker who had the biggest impact among ex-Celtics. He entered the game to minimal applause, with the weak spattering of cheers a sign that he was stuck mostly to the bench during his Boston tenure. He then spent his time on the floor showing he has the tools to become a solid player, with two vicious dunks and a three-pointer the highlights of a solid day. Fans who had been crying for Walker to play spot minutes for the past two years were validated, as Walker showed the makings of a quality player off the bench.

Rajon Rondo scored 15 points and led the Celtics with 16 assists, and Ray Allen led the team in scoring with 24 points, being guarded mostly by Sergio Rodriguez, a point guard who showed offensive skill but little to no defensive prowess. Kevin Garnett played another strong game, with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Marquis Daniels (14 points) and Kendrick Perkins (12 points) rounded out the C’s in double figures. Nate Robinson had a very unmemorable Celtics debut, entering to a rousing ovation but managing only 4 points on 2-7 shooting.  Paul Pierce, ailing from a sprained right thumb and a battle with the flu, did not play.

The game was a good one for someone who likes to see buckets left and right, but a mockery for the defensive purist who likes to see defensive rotations and — gasp — heart. Neither team could stop a parade to the hoop, as most of the 48 minutes were nothing but a glorified layup line. David Lee seemed to be doing the Mikan Drill for New York, with plenty of easy opportunities sprinkling his 28 points and 15 rebounds.

Ray Allen is still a Celtic.

A new-look New York Knicks squad will come to Boston tonight to take on the Celtics.  The C’s will have a new look, too, but it might be more jarring to see the diminutive backup guard wearing Blue and Orange tonight than it is to see the other diminutive backup guard making his Boston deput.

In the spirit of what should be a memorable night, I’d love to see three standing ovations tonight.  The first should go to Eddie House, for his return to the building where he made his first real NBA home.  The second should go to Nate Robinson for the debut of his Celtics career that might last only a few months, but will hopefully be littered with slam dunks, steals, wins, and championships.

And the third?  No, I don’t think Bill Walker or J.R. Giddens deserve a standing ovation.  Is it T-Mac?  Dream on.  I’d almost rather give an ovation to Pau Gasol.  And I don’t think anybody would know Marcus Landry from the ballboy, so that rules him out.

Before you start guessing who else we should stand and cheer for, let me just tell you.  That last standing ovation should be for Ray Allen.  He wasn’t even supposed to be in Boston tonight, remember?  Rumored to be headed anywhere from Golden St. to Philly, Allen was all but a goner.  He wasn’t supposed to be in the Garden.  He was supposed to be in some foreign uniform, launching his picture-perfect jumper in some enemy arena, epitomizing class for some opposing fanbase.

But instead he’s here, back in the Bean, and starting to get hot as Boston prepares for the stretch run.  Whether Danny Ainge ever seriously considered trading Ray we might never know.  And, really, it probably doesn’t matter that we don’t.  Ray Allen is a Boston Celtic, and that’s all there is to it.

There was a time only a few days ago when I thought he would never play another game in front of a Boston home crowd.  I thought his last home game in Boston would forever be remembered for an abysmal third quarter, as the Magic gave Boston the worst 7-point shellacking ever witnessed and Ray walked off the court, probably wondering if he would ever don the Celtics home whites again.

Now, he has his answer.  The white #20 will once again be in use, and the man wearing it will be the same one who’s used it for the past two and a half years.  The white shooting sleeve will be pulled over his arm, and Allen will go through the same pre-game shooting routine he always does.

Tonight, he’ll come around screens and release a quick trigger three that seems more natural than anyone else’s.  He’ll pull up in transition, letting his shot go with a somewhat low trajectory for such a dead-eye shooter.  He’ll step to the free throw line, practice his form with one hand, then dribble the ball a few times, spin it a couple more, and unleash a devastatingly accurate dart at the rim.  He’ll drive to the hoop, creating swooping layups from either hand that make it look like finishing over and around seven-footers is effortless.  He’ll stop on a dime in the lane, floating in a ten-foot tear-drop jump shot high over a defender’s outstretched arms.

And he’ll do it as a Boston Celtic.

For a few months, at least, the Big Three live on.

*****

Three things to look for in tonight’s game:

1. Will Paul Pierce play? – Pierce’s status is up in the air for now.  I’d prefer if he wouldn’t play tonight, but I understand that he’s a competitor who hates to miss games.  If he plays, let’s hope he shoots better than the 2-10 he put up against Denver.
2. Eddie House’s return – It’ll be tough to see Eddie come back in a visitor’s uniform.  I’ll find it hard not to cheer for him.
3. Nate Robinson’s debut – How much does Nate help?  Does he fit in?  Can he play consistent defense and learn Boston’s defensive rotations?  Not all of that will be answered tonight, but it will be exciting to see Tiny Tim in Celtics colors.

Your newest Boston Celtic. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Nate Robinson is finally, officially, a Boston Celtic.  Two sources — Newsday’s Alan Hahn and the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn — have confirmed that the trade has officially gone through.  Hahn thinks the trade is as Real GM reported:

Nate Robinson trade official: Nate and Marcus Landry for Eddie House, JR Giddens and Bill Walker.

More analysis on the trade to come later.

I'm not even sure this IS Marcus Landry. Anyone who's ever heard of him know what he looks like?

Nate Robinson talks are complete or nearing completion, and the rumored trade involves Marcus Landry joining Robinson on his way to Boston. The trade, according to Real GM, is as follows:

Multiple sources say the Knicks have reached a tentative agreement on a deal with Boston sending Nate Robinson and a second player to the Celtics for Eddie House, J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker.

Marcus Landry will be the other player sent to Boston, according to a source that spoke with RealGM’s Christopher Reina.

If this is it — and I haven’t heard any rumblings of any other Boston possibilities — I can assume Danny Ainge is not happy with the trades. The Celtics have been in a tailspin and I don’t think anybody believes Marcus Landry and Nate Robinson will come to the rescue.

Still, adding Walker to the mix adds some interesting possibilities. Specifically, will they make another trade to make use of the two roster spots? (All signs say no.) Or are they planning to fill those spots after some buy-outs have been made?

I can’t be more disappointed. Nate Robinson’s the best the Celtics could do? NATE ROBINSON?? And I even like the trade, on its own. I just think Boston needed to do something more — something bigger  — to change the momentum.

If anything happens between 2:10 and 3:30, I’ll be back right after to fill you in. I have a paper due at the worse possible time.