Jones itching to get started with Celtics

Coach Jim O'Brien wants Jones back ASAP, although Jones said he doesn't think ASAP means tomorrow night in Auburn Hills, Mich., against the Pistons or even Friday night at home against the Nets. The forward wants to be ultra-careful not to aggravate two hamstring injuries that forced him to miss all of training camp, all eight exhibitions, and the first three games of the 2003-04 season.

"I'm probably going to sit out these next couple games, get some practices in, get my wind back up to game shape, and go from there," Jones said yesterday after a long workout at HealthPoint.

Asked what he thought he could add, Jones said, "At this point, nothing. Once I get into shape, I can help guys on the defensive end and also get out on the break. And hit some open shots."

A quick Jones refresher: A free agent this past summer (and essentially unwanted by Cleveland), Jones re-signed with the Cavs as the prelude to a sign-and-trade deal with the Celtics July 29. Cleveland received J.R. Bremer and Bruno Sundov in the trade (as well as a conditional second-round pick). Jones got a three-year deal and is now with his third team in five years, having played two seasons each with Philadelphia and Cleveland.

He has playoff experience; Larry Brown made him a starter in the 2001 postseason after George Lynch was injured. Jones started 14 of the Sixers' 23 playoff games as Philadelphia marched to the NBA Finals.

He also has been durable the last few years. After a bout with plantar fasciitis as a rookie, Jones played 65 games for the 2000-01 Sixers and then missed only three games the last two seasons with Cleveland, averaging 8.3 and 9.8 points, respectively. He's a 6-foot-8-incher who can play either forward position and has 3-point range. The Celtics also like his defense and rebounding.

Asked yesterday what the team has missed by not having Jones out there, O'Brien went right to the last game, Saturday's 97-90 loss to New Orleans. Eric Williams (right knee) was unavailable. Kedrick Brown fouled out. Having Jones around would have been a big help.

"We missed the opportunity for him to get into the flow," O'Brien said. "We think he's going to be a very strong defensive player. We miss his ability to space the opposition and [we miss] his rebounding. He's a heck of a talent. We just missed getting him repetitions in every phase of the game."

O'Brien said Jones looked winded yesterday -- "he should be, this is his first real practice of the year" -- but held out hope that another strong practice might lead to some kind of appearance tomorrow night.

"We need him to be ready to go as quickly as possible," O'Brien said. "If he can be ready by [tomorrow], let's go."

Jones would like nothing more. He is not on the injured list, so he could return before the first five games without the Celtics having to invent an injury to someone else. (Yes, it happens.)

But recent history preaches caution. On the first day of training camp, Jones tweaked his left hamstring. Then, on the last day of two-a-days in Week 2, he tweaked his right hamstring. Therefore, you can understand when he says, "I just don't want to come back too soon."

On the other hand, he said it's killing him not to be a part of things.

"It's been real rough, especially for a player like me who loves the game and wants to be on the court," he said. "It's real rough when you want to be on the court and an injury prevents you from being out there. Especially when you know you can help your team.

"You can't do too much talking to your teammates when you're on the sidelines. There were things I wanted to say, but you don't feel good about saying anything if you're not out there."

So all the watching and running on the treadmill and all the other nonbasketball stuff got him mentally ready for yesterday. Then, he discovered, it wasn't quite so seamless. As O'Brien noted, "It's one thing conditioning on the treadmill. It's another thing, as your conditioning, guys are out there slugging you."

Agreed Jones, "I've been watching practices, plays, guys do certain things and I thought it looked pretty easy. Then I got out there and got brain-locked a lot of times. You've got to react a lot quicker than just watching." . . .

O'Brien was encouraged by the results of the MRI on Williams's hyperextended right knee, which forced the rugged forward to miss Saturday's game. "Eric is pretty good. He should be fine within a couple days," said the coach, who added that he and Williams both endured a sleepless night Saturday until the MRI results came down. As to when Williams would be available, O'Brien couldn't say. The coach doubted Williams could go tomorrow night and even Friday might be a reach. "I don't want to say there's no chance [tomorrow], but I doubt it," O'Brien said. "I don't even know if Friday is realistic. They're saying seven days, maybe sooner." Williams first nicked the knee in the season opener against Miami and then hurt it again two nights later in Memphis, watching the end of that game in street clothes. Asked for an update from the trainer's room, Williams flashed a thumbs-up . . . Through Sunday, the Celtics ranked fifth in the league in field goal percentage, a quantum leap from last year, when they were near the bottom. One reason: They've attempted a mere 55 treys over three games, or a shade more than 18 per game. Last year, they hoisted 26.3 per game . . . O'Brien also wants more touches for Vin Baker. The Celtics guards were pressured by the Hornets, which took them a little out of their offense. O'Brien said the team worked on that yesterday and he hopes to have his playmakers deliver the ball more fluidly in halfcourt situations . . . Once again, general manager Chris Wallace is auctioning off his four seats to several home games, the proceeds of which will go to Toys for Tots. The seats go for $140 a pop and there are 13 games for which they will be available. Anyone wishing to get in on the auction should send an email to toys@celtics.com specifying the amount and date.