For James, it's back to school

Trivia question: Who was the only Celtic to play under interim coach John Carroll before last night's game against the Pistons at the FleetCenter?

Answer: Mike James, who was recruited and coached by Carroll during James's freshman year at Duquesne University.

"I don't remember that much," said James. "It's been a while since I was a freshman in college." The season was 1994-95. But James does remember that Carroll made an impression on him. "I went to Duquesne because he believed in me. It was an opportunity to play Division 1 ball and it's just the way it happened."

James said Carroll differs from former coach Jim O'Brien. "What I remember is that he was so tense when he was at Duquesne," said James. "They might be different, but they have the same methods. Coach O'Brien is a laid-back coach and a laid-back person, while I think John Carroll is more aggressive. It's not that he's in your face, but he is intense."

James said he was shocked Tuesday when O'Brien informed the players he had resigned. "He was our general and he had the respect of all the players," said James. "He made a decision that he felt was best for himself at the time. There is nothing we can do about it. You hate to see him go, but I guess this is the way the business is.

"I don't know everything about what happened, so I can't say I'm disappointed. I don't know about his motives, so I can't say if they were the right motives.

"I know how much he loved the game. He told us that he believed in us. Just to give up in the middle of the season, there has to be a motive, and I don't know what it is."

Quite a mouthful

While Jumaine Jones is happy about the birth Sunday of his daughter, Kennedy, it hurts him to smile. That's because he caught an elbow in the mouth Monday in practice that required nine stitches.

"It hurts pretty good," said Jones, whose appetite for salty foods has diminished because of the wound. "I'm just about eating the same food as my new daughter."

Jones was also sorry to see O'Brien leave. "It's hard to see somebody that's been with the team when you started the season and to see them go," Jones said. "It's always tough seeing someone leave."

Jones doesn't expect to see many changes. "[Carroll] has been under Coach O'Brien, so I don't except too much difference. I'm not sure what's going on. I'm just going to be here, available to play when they call for me. It's [the coaches'] job to get the players ready to play, and it's our job as players to be ready to play."

Time for a change?

One of the last arrivals in the locker room before last night's game may be the biggest beneficiary of the coaching change. Rookie guard Marcus Banks, some figure, will get more playing time as the Celtics look to the future.

"The only thing I can do as a rookie is come to play every day," said Banks, who had 5 points and 2 assists in 18 minutes last night. As for more playing time? "I have no say in that. If I deserve the playing time, I'll get it. I don't want anything given to me. I'm working my way up. Down the line, if I continue to play, I believe it will come."