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16 hours ago

Rondo Replacing Johnson on All-Star Team

The Herald got it right from Rondo’s agent. According to his agent, Bill Duffy, the Celtics point guard has been named to the Eastern Conference All-star roster, presumably to replace Joe Johnson, the injured Atlanta Hawks guard. This would be Rondo’s third all-star appearance. Nice birthday present for RR, who probably should have been selected [...]

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3 days ago

Comments Deleting?

We apologize if your comments are being deleted (provided that they are not offensive). We are looking into why this is happening. We also want to apologize for the lack of a game thread for last night’s game.  We had a premonition that the Celtics would play that poorly and thought if we pretended the [...]

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7 days ago

5 Questions With Greg Monroe

I talked with Detroit star forward Greg Monroe prior to the Celtics-Pistons game on Wednesday night.  Here is what the 2nd year big man out of Georgetown, who is averaging 16.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game had to say. 1. Just your 2nd year in the league, but playing so well, were you disappointed [...]

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8 days ago

Call for Responses: 5-on-5

Readers! Last week’s responses to the 5-on-5 questions were really, really great. We had way more qualified answers than we were able to use. So we’re going to keep doing it! FOREVER. Here are this week’s questions: 1. Are you concerned about Rondo’s media boycott this week? 2. The trade deadline is less than a [...]

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11 days ago

5 Questions With Ronnie Brewer

I talked with Chicago starting guard Ronnie Brewer prior to the Celtics-Bulls game on Sunday.  Here is what the 6th year man out of Arkansas who is averaging 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists had to say. 1. You guys have a lot of the same players back from last year’s team which was [...]

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13 days ago

5 Questions With Josh McRoberts

I talked to Los Angeles back up big man Josh McRoberts prior to the Celtics-Lakers game Thursday night at the Garden.  Here is what the former Duke Blue Devil, who is averaging 2.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in his first year in LA, had to say. 1. How have you guys been able to deal [...]

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Jermaine O’Neal Expected To Debut Sunday

Positive news out of Waltham today as Jermaine O’Neal returned to action for the first time in days since injuring his hamstring early last week. Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston has us covered as always:

“I’m tired today, but you gotta start somewhere,” said O’Neal. “I’ve gotta be able to build. My hamstring felt good, it felt really good. I’m looking forward to getting back on the court since I haven’t been able to play with guys in the real uniforms yet.”

Doc shared the optimism on Jermaine’s progress, noting he didn’t let up on the guys at all during the two hour practice. He did stress however, that O’Neal would be a gametime decision.

Meanwhile, in related news Shaquille O’Neal sat out the fesitivies in Waltham to give some rest to his hip. Doc stressed it was more of a precaution than anything:

“It’s just his hips,” said Rivers. ” That will be an issue on and off at times [throughout the season]. He got rest today.”

Now here’s my question on this situation. Was this a strategic rest? Or just a excuse for Doc and company to get a complete look at O’Neal running with the first unit for an uninterrupted practice session?

They’ve obviously seen what Shaq can do with those guys in the past week with Jermaine sitting out, but having to rotate both O’Neals throughout a practice likely makes it tough either guy to gain a real rhythm with the top unit.

I still maintain that when this is all said and done, Jermaine will be the guy that gets the nod opening night (health permitting), but tomorrow’s starter at center could be our first possible indication of who has the inside track thus far. Given Shaq has been the healthier body thus far, I wouldn’t be shocked at all if he is the choice, but this will be something to keep an eye on.

In more good news, Delonte West ran through the entire practice without any problems after leaving Thursday night’s game early with back spasms.

Rookie Avery Bradley also made his practice debut with the C’s, getting the green light to participate for the first time since his ankle surgery this past summer. No word yet on when he might be cleared to take part in exhibition game action.

That’s all for now, I’ll be at the Garden tomorrow night giving you complete coverage for the C’s true home debut this year.

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