Every win counts, at this stage of the regular season. Sadly, the Boston Celtics don’t quite seem to realize that yet. Tonight’s loss, against the New Jersey Nets, makes three Celtics losses in their last four games. The Chicago Bulls, idle tonight, have now tied Boston in the Eastern Conference standings.

I could discuss how Deron Williams hit a three-pointer to ice the game, or how Brook Lopez hit a tough jump hook in the waning minutes, or how Rajon Rondo decided a pull-up 20-footer was the shot Boston wanted with 1:30 left in the game, down by only two points. But to dwell on the late occurrences would gloss over when Boston really lost the game, in the second and third quarters.

After one period, the C’s had New Jersey on the ropes. The Nets had scored 14 points in the opening frame, meaning the Celtics had allowed only 70 points in their last five quarters combined. But that was when Boston stopped making things easy. Missed rotations characterized the defense, as Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez freed themselves for layup after layup. Missed shots characterized the offense, as the Celtics shot only 41.2%. But to lose, to the New Jersey Nets, while allowing only 39.7% shooting? The Celtics displayed an utter lack of purpose, a willingness to allow the game to pass through their fingers like a pass through Kwame Brown’s hands (if you can call them that). Missing jumpers sucks. But settling for jumpers was evidence of Boston’s lacking energy. The game was the second night of a back-to-back, and the Celtics have struggled mightily on such nights. But it’s time to kick that habit, with the top seed in sight and the season drawing to a close.

Rondo began the game with a drive and dish to Kevin Garnett, who hit a jumper. Number Nine then stole the ensuing inbounds pass, resulting in another assist to Garnett. If you’re scoring at home, that was two assists within the opening thirty seconds, and an exhale from me. “Rondo’s back,” I thought with a smile on my face. Unfortunately, he was mostly a non-factor for the remaining 23 and a half minutes of the first half, and the “What the hell is wrong with Rondo?” school of thought will undoubtedly gain steam. If I thought anything would bring Rondo out of his brief hibernation, a matchup with Deron Williams would be near the top of the list. Instead, no.

If there was one thing that set apart Rondo’s start to the season from the rest of his career (besides all those 20-assist games), it was his consistency. Finally, he had learned to bring his ‘A’ game on every night, even when the opponent was not top-notch. Finally, he had begun to display his greatness on a nightly basis. Finally, game-long duds were erased from his repertoire, and in its place was a star who dominated (or at least controlled) every game. Not anymore. Rondo now looks either A) banged-up, B) entirely disinterested, or C) slightly buzzed on alcohol or marijuana, and has looked that way for three straight games, and off-and-on for quite a bit longer than that. I’ll confidently rule out option C, but I’d prefer the Rondo who was fully engaged for each of Boston’s first 30 or 40 games. Worse still, Rondo injured himself during the third quarter and had to ask out of the game. He was seen icing his ankle after the game, and “looked in pain.”

Backing up Rondo, Carlos Arroyo continued to play a good quarterback. He did not have perfect stats, and has not had a truly impressive statistical output since joining the Celtics. But he plays mostly mistake-free basketball, and gets teammates in the right place. Joining Arroyo on the “I liked what he did tonight, even if his box score line won’t make your eyes pop out” was Troy Murphy. The Irishman didn’t score, nor did he take a shot. But he fought for offensive rebounds, and his legs no longer look like anvils (though they don’t look super-swift, still). Murphy grabbed three offensive boards, and five overall, in only nine minutes and change. For a team that has been starved for offensive rebounds for years, the Celtics could use those types of contributions.

Not so stellar was Nenad Krstic. I don’t want to pile on Krstic, because he’s been better than expected since joining the Celtics. After two straight double-doubles, he was due for an off night. But he’s not due for such late defensive rotations, which are clearly habitual for the Serb. Many times, Krstic was a step or two late on the rotation. Many times, Humphries or Lopez made him pay for his lack of punctuality. I can handle the way Krstic has played since joining the Celtics. He’s been phenomenal, mostly. But the Celtics would benefit if he learned to make more crisp rotations, on a more consistent basis.

The Celtics have already benefitted from Glen Davis’ return, and it’s nice to have him back. At least, it’s nice to have the “Glen Davis who affects play on both ends, because of his hustle” back. Since many of Boston’s players decided to take a night off, Davis’ energy proved ever more visible.

Rondo drew a -13 plus/minus. Paul Pierce could not buy a bucket, though he did add another reminder that, yes, his legs are quite a bit more bouncy than before. Jeff Green continued to easily find shots, but perhaps creating shot attempts come too easy for him. Too often, he settled for tough jumpers, when his physical skills should allow him to find layups. At least Ray Allen hit some difficult shots, Kevin Garnett played rather well on both ends, and Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar both sucked.

“We’re just not playing well right now, number one,” said Doc Rivers. “And you go through that. Sometimes you have to wait for your team. Now, I’m kind of waiting for them to kick back into gear.”

Me too, Doc. Me too. If they don’t, the number one seed may soon fall out of their grasp.

The Celtics were ahead 25-10 once, early in tonight’s game, at which point I boldly predicted a Luke Harangody double double. Quite understandably, the double double never came (Rats!). Neither did the blowout which once, after Avery Johnson already called two time outs within the game’s first 2:05, seemed so certain.

Johnson’s first time out came just 29 seconds in, and he — in a voice I assume resembled the sound of scratching on a blackboard — spent the time out’s entirety yelling at Brook Lopez. The Nets center, who often plays with the excitement of a man who has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness, had just allowed an easy C’s bucket on an out of bounds play. Needless to say, Johnson wasn’t exactly enthused. With 9:55 still remaining in the first quarter, after the Nets responded to Johnson’s first time out like roofie victims, he called another.

Less than a minute later, Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar were subbed into the game, in an apparent attempt to provide the Nets with energy. If New Jersey’s substitutions didn’t do the trick, Boston’s did. The Celtics bench entered the game, and that 15-point lead I previously discussed evaporated within a matter of minutes.

The brightest positive to come from tonight, perhaps excluding the win, was Paul Pierce’s 31-point explosion. I guess those two days he skipped practice healed his body pretty well, because Pierce was explosive tonight. He blew past his defenders with ease, which should make sense considering Anthony Morrow and Travis Outlaw took turns ole’ing him to the hoop. Pierce drew 13 foul shots, tying the most he’s taken all year (November 21, Toronto). He also did this:

With the game suddenly very much in doubt during the second half, the Celtics ramped up their defensive efforts. Lopez, despite his loafing tendencies and laissez faire play, had made shot after shot (after shot, after shot) to lead New Jersey’s run, and the C’s sent more help for Kendrick Perkins. Perk normally handles opposing big men all by himself, but Lopez was making Perk look like, well, Brook Lopez on the defensive end. So the C’s sent more help. It wasn’t a double team, necessarily, but the C’s were quite obviously aware of Lopez’ location at all times. Suddenly, with a second (and sometimes third) defender running his way, Lopez started turning the ball over like it was scorching hot, and missing the shots he had previously made.

Von Wafer did some nice things off the bench for Boston. He made one tough jumper as the shot clock wound down; penetrated and left a sweet dime for Perk (the play was called off when Wafer drew a foul); drove hard to the hoop for a transition layup (which missed, but he again drew a foul); drilled an open (and long) jumper; and attempted to defy gravity by taking off of two feet, outside the paint, to release a reverse layup on the opposite side of the hoop. His layup hit the bottom of the backboard, but still, Wafer impressed. He continues to make the most out of his increased minutes.

I already told you I predicted a Luke Harangody double double, but I couldn’t possibly have predicted Tommy Heinsohn calling Harangody “a decent leaper.” That’s like calling Shaq “a decent free throw shooter,” or calling Vince Carter “a decent clutch player,” or Brook Lopez “a decent energy guy.” It just doesn’t work, and just serves to offer the latest proof of Tommy’s senility. That said, I couldn’t complain about Harangody’s body of work tonight.

Want another symptom of Tommy’s senility? When Nate Robinson came off a screen to hit a midrange jumper, Tommy noted, “If I were the Celtics, I’d be running Nate’s play right there forever. That’s his shot.” Which was funny, because if I were the Celtics, the only play I’d be running for Nate would be “go take a seat.” I joke at Nate’s expense, but he wasn’t half bad tonight. Sure, he shot 2-7, and sure, his jumper’s about as reliable as a black-out drunk brain surgeon. But he was energetic, and had a nice couple takes to the rim. Then again, if I’m pleased with a backup point guard who shoots 2-7 and provides only one assist, maybe my expectations aren’t high enough.

Tonight wasn’t a pretty win, not even for the ultimate optimist. But at least it’s always fun to see Sasha Vujacic lose.

P.S. – The Lakers lost to the Cavaliers. I would laugh, but the game only brings back painful memories of last season. Does the term “5-52 New Jersey Nets” ring a bell?

The Morning Walkthrough is a set of links to Boston Celtics articles throughout the internet, designed to get your day started the right way.

The most important Celtic?

Kevin Garnett, Anta – “When I’m not playing, I hate talking hoops, so sorry for not blogging. You know how when you ain’t a part of something, it hurts to talk about it. That’s how I feel. Know what I mean? Don’t get it messed up, just cause I ain’t playing don’t mean I’m not working out. I’m working super hard and feeling good. Didn’t get to tell you about the tough game against San Antonio we had on Wed. Game was CRAZY. We were up 9 with 57 seconds and we somehow almost blew it. They had the ball down by 2 with 7 seconds left. It was crazy how it happened. P2 got the block to save the win and Rondo had a triple double. Big game by him. He was doing amazing stuff. Friday we had Toronto and young fella Luke played great. He stepped up and had a double double (17pts and 11 rebounds). He’s hard working and knows how to play. If he keeps working hard, he’ll be good. It was nice to get the starters some rest and let the young guys play. We won by a bunch, so it was nice. After the game, Dr. looked at my leg and we’re close. Real close to getting back. Took the flight to Chicago and got in at 2am, so watch a movie and then shut it down. Chicago is a city I lived in, so always have a special place for Chi-town. Pre game, I worked out at the arena in the Bull’s workout room. Anytime I get to workout around another team, my gas gets going. I was killing the weights and wanted to play. When I was in there, Scal (Scalabrine old teammate) came in and got me going even more. Good to see him. I don’t know how to describe the game as the guys energy was low, the ball was ‘sticking’ and not popping around. Guys were not doing their jobs. Frustrating watching and not being able to help. We played 6games in 9 days, so the guys need a break. Off day tomorrow for them, but I’ll be getting my stuff in. The loss just makes me more motivated to get back and help my guys.”

Mark Murphy, Boston Herald – “‘He’s human,’ Rondo said of Davis. ‘It’s going to be a tough challenge every night. It’s never easy, and he has to continue to grow. He has to accept that he won’t play well every night. Maybe it will be the next night,’ he said. ‘But he’s taking that next step to where people are looking at him as a challenge. I just told him to keep working hard, stay humble, and play every night as if it’s your last.’ That, and to also keep these performances in perspective. Davis took more shots than any Celtic Saturday night and also missed more, as evidenced by his 4-for-17 performance. But last Wednesday against a far better San Antonio team, Davis had one of his finest shooting nights of the season with a 23-point, 10-for-18 display. But Saturday’s matchup carried an extra sting because Davis was matched against one of the stars of his position. Boozer, from going right at Davis with nine straight points in the second quarter to banging him with impunity, easily established turf. ‘It didn’t affect me. Just a learning experience for me, especially if I ever want to be on the same type of level as the KGs and the Carlos Boozers,’ said Davis. ‘You guys have seen me grow a lot, and now it’s time to hit a different level, a different notch. Carlos Boozer got the best of it today,’ he said. ‘But at the same time, I want that success. I want all that, being that guy. So I take things in stride, get better each day and keep working. I have to get the credentials to play in this league — to play against the Carlos Boozers and Kevin Loves of this league.’”

Gary Washburn, Boston Globe – “The class of the NBA field has separated itself approaching the halfway point of the season. And as much as teams choose not to acknowledge closely following the progress of their peers, that cannot be denied this season, especially with the Celtics. Boston is skittish after last season, when a fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs meant losing home-court advantage for the final three series of the postseason, especially the NBA Finals. A five-horse race for the top seed in the East appears to be brewing and losses such as Saturday night’s 90-79 drubbing by the Chicago Bulls damage the Celtics’ quest for No. 1. Just five games separate the top five teams in the East, and the conference-leading Celtics (28-8, .778) have been caught by the Heat (30-9, .769), despite Miami’s well-chronicled dismal start. The Orlando Magic, who beat the Celtics on Christmas Day, are winners of nine straight, and the Atlanta Hawks are 8-2 in their past 10. There is an increased emphasis on the regular season, and scoreboard-watching has begun in earnest. Each time one of the other four teams drops a game, Boston realizes it has a chance to create more distance. That’s why the Celtics can’t afford to waste opportunities, such as Saturday night’s.”

A. Sherrod Blakely, CSNNE – “A year ago, losses got the same treatment as losing a couple of pennies. It happens. Not that big a deal. But as we near the halfway point of this season, finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference isn’t just lip service. Look no further than Saturday’s 90-79 loss at Chicago. You would have thought the C’s lost Game Three or Four of a playoff series by their glum expressions. ‘We find ways to win these type of games,’ said Paul Pierce, easily bothered more than most by the loss. ‘We don’t concede anything. We don’t say, ‘Six games in nine nights. The last game we don’t give a damn about.’ We’re trying to win them all.’ And it is that desire to not just finish well, but finish atop the Eastern Conference standings, that makes this team unlike the previous units since the C’s Big Three joined forces in 2007.”

Chris Forsberg, ESPN Boston – “Screens lead to open looks, which leads to easy baskets. Allen leads the NBA in plays off screens this season, running off screens on 33.7 percent of his touches. Only two players in the NBA use screens for more than 25 percent of their offensive plays — Allen and Chicago’s Kyle Korver. Considering that 17.4 percent of Allen’s touches come in transition and another 20.2 percent are spot-up jumpers, it’s amazing that so many of his offensive looks require his teammates’ grunt work. And on Saturday, his teammates didn’t create space for him, which is why Rivers might again have to stress the importance of screens. ‘It’s a film thing,’ Rivers said. ‘It’s better to reinforce in practice, but when you don’t have practice time, you reinforce it by film — by showing the ones they’re not setting. It’s not the most positive way of doing it, and I’d rather work it out on the floor than using film, because it’s always a negative weapon, but sometimes you do it.’ Saturday’s loss was a reminder of the perils of not putting in that effort. ‘Offensively, from the start of the game, we didn’t create any rhythm,’ Allen said. ‘It is [surprising] because [the offense] has been pretty good. [Saturday] was definitely a break from the normal, from what we were doing offensively. For whatever reason, this was an example of why we lose games. Statistically, it’s so glaring.’ Zero shots for Allen in a fourth quarter that opened as a one-possession game. Credit the Bulls for their ability to chase Allen around the court, but don’t let it screen the truth: Boston sputtered because it didn’t do enough to get Allen and its other shooters open.”

Ken Berger, CBS Sports – “Carmelo Anthony “does not need to be convinced” to sign a contact extension as part of a blockbuster, three-team trade that would send the three-time All-Star to New Jersey, league sources told CBSSports.com Sunday night. One executive involved in the trade talks called Anthony’s stance on an extension with the Nets “a non-factor,” because the teams involved “already know it won’t hold up the deal.” The tipping point in moving Melo toward giving up his preference to wind up with the Knicks was the involvement of the Pistons, who would send Richard Hamilton to the Nets to help Anthony with his reclamation project in Newark, N.J., for the next year-and-a-half. That key component was close to agreement Sunday night, with the Pistons poised to send Hamilton to New Jersey in exchange for Troy Murphy’s expiring contract and Johan Petro — who may go to the Pistons or somewhere else, sources said. Hamilton, who has two years and $25 million left on his deal, was the key cog in a broader plan to entice Anthony to give up his resistance to extending with the Nets instead of insisting on a deal to his preferred destination. The other part of that equation involves Chauncey Billups joining Anthony and reuniting with Hamilton in New Jersey, sources said. The principle pieces New Jersey has offered to the Nuggets all along — Derrick Favors and multiple first-round picks — would still go to Denver in this three-team scenario. The involvement of Billups, who has stated that he wants to retire with the Nuggets, necessitates the Nets sending Devin Harris to the Nuggets. Though Billups would prefer to stay in Denver, a person with direct knowledge of his thinking rejected the notion of the Nets buying him out this season if he is sent to New Jersey in this trade. “Highly unlikely,” the person said. … Despite repeated assurances from Anthony’s camp, the Nets did not yet have approval from Anthony’s mouth as of Sunday night, according to one person familiar with the situation. Last month, a person directly involved in Anthony’s decision told CBSSports.com that the only team he’d agree to an extension with via a trade was the Knicks. There have been no indications from Anthony himself that he has changed his stance. However, given the perceived risk of leaving tens of millions of dollars on the table with a punitive new collective bargaining agreement looming — and with the addition of Hamilton and Billups meaning Anthony wouldn’t have to go it alone in Newark — the Nets and Nuggets are convinced the contractual issue won’t blow up the deal.”

Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports – “The Nets and Detroit Pistons believed they had an arrangement in place Sunday that would’ve sent Anthony, Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups(notes) and Pistons guard Richard Hamilton(notes) to the Nets as part of the blockbuster deal. Once the Nets and Pistons worked out the details of a side component to the 13-player deal on Sunday afternoon, the two teams were surprised to find Denver general manager Masai Ujiri wanting to replace players in the framework of the overall trade, sources said. Nevertheless, Nuggets officials were angry with the insinuation they had backed away, insisting they never agreed to a scenario where they would complete the deal. As one Denver official told Yahoo! Sports late Sunday, “People are trying to pressure us.” Still, everyone involved in the trade believed the Nuggets had come too far to walk away, and talks continued between Denver’s Ujiri and New Jersey GM Billy King late Sunday.”‘

David Aldridge, NBA.com – “Anthony refused to discuss a potential deal before the Nuggets played New Orleans in Denver on Sunday night. He said afterward he didn’t think a 96-87 loss was his last game in a Nuggets uniform. ‘Uh-uh, not at all,’ he said, repeating the phrase ‘not at all’ four times. Asked if that was an indication he wouldn’t sign the extension so the trade with the Nets could be consummated, Anthony demurred, saying: ‘I haven’t heard anything. Only, that it’s just been speculation as of right now.’ Anthony noted that team executive Josh Kroenke and general manager Masai Ujiri “are not even here, so I don’t see that happening.’ In what time frame was he referring to? ‘I’m just saying I don’t see it happening right now,’ Anthony said. This week sometime? ‘No.’”

Chris Broussard and Marc Stein, ESPN – “Denver, however, elected to play Anthony and Billups in its home game against New Orleans on Sunday night, suggesting that the Nuggets might not be ready to sign off on the trade and, according to sources, frustrating both the Nets and the Pistons at the end of a chaotic 72 hours. A similar scenario played out in the September deal, when the Nets and Nuggets hammered out the framework of a four-team swap with Charlotte and Utah, only for the Nuggets to decide that they weren’t ready to end their relationship with Anthony and back out of the deal. … Denver’s decision to play Anthony and Billups against New Orleans and a Bergen Record report Sunday night that the Nuggets want to make unspecified changes to the latest trade layout clearly rankled the Nets. The Record of New Jersey quoted an unnamed team official within the league as saying: ‘The deal is close. But Denver is looking to hit a home run.’ Earlier Sunday, one source close to the talks told ESPN.com that Sunday’s proposed trade was ‘on the 10-yard-line.’ Said another source with knowledge of the state of negotiations: ‘Almost there.’”

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

Uh-oh. That’s the one response I could muster to the lineup Doc Rivers used to begin yesterday’s second quarter. Avery Bradley running the point? Von Wafer at the two? Marquis Daniels, Glen Davis, and Shaq rounding out the unit? I know injuries have started to take a toll on the Boston Celtics, but still: Where does the insanity end? Where does it end????

Well, the lineup I thought was insanity actually changed the game. For the better, even. By the time Ray Allen and Nate Robinson entered the game with 7:03 left in the second quarter, breaking up the eclectic fivesome, the Celtics had gone on a long, 8-2 run. Yes, the Nets only scored two points in five minutes. The Celtics would go on to outscore New Jersey in the period, 30-12.

Instead of showing its inexperience, the odd crew played inspired basketball. The group didn’t exactly set the world on fire with offense — hell, it took the Celtics two minutes to score a point. But a two-minute drought doesn’t look so bad when your opponent takes almost five minutes to get on the board. Read more »

Quisy led the Celtics in minutes, scoring in double figures for the third time this season.

All you need to know about the game is this: Von Wafer, Semih Erden, Luke Harangody, and Avery Bradley all played extended minutes.

New Jersey played with almost no effort and Boston rolled to its seventh consecutive victory, 100-75 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

I feel bad for anybody who paid money to see the Nets play today. In fact, I feel bad for any Nets fans in general–if there are any left after today. Read more »

Delonte West in good mental state

If you watched The Association a couple nights ago, you heard Delonte West profess his love for basketball. “Basketball is my life,” he said. He was emotional after the Celtics gave him a second lease on his NBA career, and happy to be back on the court. Basketball is like a safe haven to West, whose life off the court has been a roller-coaster the last couple years.

With West’s bi-polar disorder, which makes highs better and lows worse, I wondered how he would react to his broken right wrist. Facing months away from the game that means so much to him, I wondered how West would be affected. Would it tear him down? Would it bring back the monsters of his past? Would he be okay?

West joined the team at yesterday’s game, the first time he’d watched a game since the injury. Though he said the injury was the worst broken bone in his life (he has broken eight bones), he said his wrist is good. His cast should be off in two weeks, and he expects to play later this season. For now, he is limited to jump-shooting (the broken wrist was his non-shooting one) and conditioning.

But really, when it comes to West, basketball isn’t most important. His mental health, so fragile at times, takes precedent. From that standpoint, West passed the first test.

“You know what? I got right back up and can’t feel sorry for myself,’’ he said. “Feeling sorry for myself, them days are over with. I gotta get back up again. The Lord is trying to get my attention, trying to show me something. He has my undivided attention now. And my eyes are open, seeing what I can do to help out in the community, help out off the court, and wait this out.’’

And so he continues to ready himself for the return he is certain will come this season.

“That’s what I have to do,’’ he said. “I can’t hang my head and cry about it, it happened. It’s over. It’s on to the next mission.’’

(Source: Boston Globe)

Kevin Garnett expresses uncertainty about future

Want to scare an entire fanbase? Be as vital to a franchise as Kevin Garnett, then say, “Who knows if this is my last year?” Of course, Garnett qualified that question with extenuating circumstances, but this is still the first time Garnett leaving has crossed my mind. Here’s what Garnett actually said (WEEI):

“At some point, especially with the lockout coming up, who knows if this is my last year or if we don’t play next what it’s going to be. So I’m trying to enjoy the guys now, you know.”

Enjoy the guys now, KG. But don’t tell me this might be your last season. Say it ain’t so.

The Noah-Garnett feud continues

Kevin Garnett finished exacting revenge on Joakim Noah last night, he kinda-sorta called Noah a nobody. That was to be expected. If a player talks shit about KG, the normal response from KG was exactly what he said yesterday: “I’m not entertaining nor addressing nobodies.”

Is Joakim Noah really a nobody? Absolutely not. He’s one of the league’s best big men, and a potential All-Star. You’ll just never get KG to admit any of Noah’s potential. After Noah’s disrespect, you’re more likely to see KG stop cussing for an entire year than you are to see him praise Noah.

Did KG have any extra motivation last night?

“It’s not that he’s up for [Friday's game], it’s that these young cats have no respect,” Shaq told CSNNE. “So Kevin just has to teach them.”

It looks like Noah learned his lesson.

“Maybe sometimes, you’re right,” he told CSNNE. “Maybe sometimes it’s better to just shut your mouth. And my mouth definitely, my mouth definitely gets me in trouble. But, you know, you’re right. Maybe sometimes it’s better to not say anything and let your game do the speaking. He (Garnett, 20 points, 17 rebounds) did that tonight, and I don’t like that.”

There’s a reason Noah and Garnett don’t like each other: they’re both competitors. Throwbacks to the days when players didn’t help opponents off the floor, the days when nobody gave a damn about being liked. Once Kevin Garnett steps on a basketball court, all of his opponents are nobodies. (Boston Globe)

“No way, unless you’re on the same team as him,” Glen Davis said of what players actually get shown respect. “Other than that, he’s just a fierce competitor. He doesn’t care who comes in. You can be my friend, but at the end of the day he’s trying to rip your head off. That’s the way he plays.”

That’s how EVERYBODY should play. In high school, I was really good friends with a lot of my opponents. I would hang out with them all the time, we’d play AAU basketball together, yada yada yada. But as soon as I stepped on that court and my friends were on the other side, those friends were just like anybody else –they were enemies. I wasn’t going to take it easy on them just because we had slumber parties once in a while. Fuck, if anything I wanted to beat them even more. Bragging rights are a powerful thing. Even my best friends were never immune to a nicely timed elbow.

I’m not saying, “Hey, guys! I did everything right! Model yourself after me!” Not at all. I was a mediocre basketball player. I had Eddy Curry’s vertical leap, Dwight Howard’s handle and Chris Quinn’s frame. Nothing about my basketball game was perfect. But I was a competitor, and I never wanted to lose. I feel like that aspect of basketball has partially been lost (see: Cleveland Cavaliers in Lebron’s return). But not within Garnett and Noah. Those guys, whether you like them or not, are warriors. They always come out to play.

Von Wafer wants what’s best for the team

It’s natural to desire playing time. If you didn’t, well, why do you play basketball again? So I didn’t dislike Von Wafer’s preseason “I don’t just want to make the team; I want to play real minutes” comment (I paraphrased) because he wanted minutes. Everyone in the NBA wants minutes, I assume. I disliked Von’s comments because it was evident he hadn’t quite grasped the team concept.

Now? Everything that comes out of his mouth is about the team. Yesterday, Wafer spoke about his role (or lack thereof) so far this season. He still wants minutes (again, who doesn’t?), but Wafer now understands he’s part of something greater. (Boston Globe)

“It’s tough. It’s very tough, because I’m a rhythm player. I need my rhythm. But it’s not about me, it’s about the team. I’ve just got to play the cards that have been given.’’

At this point, Wafer said, he’s more interested in making shots than making waves.

“Just do what I’ve been doing,’’ Wafer said. “Coming to the gym early, staying out of the way, listening to what they say. Just don’t become a distraction.

“Hopefully, they’ll eventually notice the work I’m putting in and how bad I want to be a part of this, because it’s something special.’’

Wafer said he will stay ready in case his opportunity comes, but he wants to keep his hopes down. He doesn’t expect to be subbed into games, yet he will be prepared when his name does get called. And that might happen sooner than Wafer thinks.

“We’ve got to get one more guy to play,’’ said Rivers. “Von is probably the first candidate.

“We’ve got to figure out a way of getting him going a little bit. He’ll figure it out. He’s close, he’s working. He’s just got to remember why we play him, and he’ll figure it out.’’

So Von, remember why the Celtics play you — because all other options are exhausted. I kid, I kid. Wafer’s coming around, but he still has to learn the Celtic way to play. At least he’s now headed in the right direction. The intentions are good. Now, the Celtics just have to work on defense and shot selection.

Injury news

– Rajon Rondo is still bothered by two ailments: plantar fasciitis and a sore hamstring. Early in the first quarter of Friday’s game, reports Chris Forsberg, Rondo actually asked Doc Rivers to replace him with Nate Robinson. Rondo’s hamstring was THAT stiff. Says Paul Pierce, “He’s battling through a lot of injuries right now.”

Even Doc Rivers admitted Rondo’s minutes have to be cut down. “”Rondo’s a guy, we have to lower his minutes. There’s no doubt about that.”

I bet you $100 Rondo plays at least 39 minutes today.

– Nate Robinson, limited by symptoms similar to those caused by plantar fasciitis, played only three minutes against Portland. He bounced back with 13 minutes against Chicago, and — despite registering more shot attempts (6) than points (5) — didn’t look any worse for the wear.

– Kendrick Perkins continues to recover from his offseason ACL surgery. Perk targets a February return, saying he intends to take the recovery slow and safe. Perk has been okayed, he said, for all activity except side-to-side movement. He can now run on a treadmill, and has been shooting jump shots for quite some time. By all accounts, he looks to be slimmer (in a good way) than he was before the injury.

– Jermaine O’Neal could be cleared for activity sometime this week. Still, according to Forsberg, “no return is imminent.” Yes, I know the Celtics originally said he would miss 2-3 weeks, and now it has (already) been damn near a month, but — hey — better late than never. Also, it’s not like the Celtics have a reputation of being open about injuries. They’re more Belichickian than Belichick himself.

– Devin Harris will likely return to the court today when the Celtics play the Nets. He has missed the last two games with a strained left knee.