Payton fits like a glove

Meet the new point guard. Same as the old point guard.

Gary Payton is back. Turns out he was unofficially the player to be named later in the deal that brought Antoine Walker home to Boston. For all practical purposes, Payton was traded for . . . Payton. Something like that.

The Celtics dealt Payton to the Hawks (along with Tom Gugliotta, Michael Stewart and a first-rounder in 2005 or 2006) in the mega-deal that brought Walker back to the New Garden just nine days ago. And last night Payton, who signed with the Celtics after being waived by Atlanta, was starting at the point, just as he did in his first 54 games with the Green. He scored 10 points and had 4 assists in 21 minutes in a 104-84 win over Charlotte. It was Boston's fourth straight victory since Danny Ainge traded Payton for Payton and got that other guy, Walker.

Say what you want, but the Celtics have a pretty formidable starting five these days. Payton is going to the Hall of Fame. Walker and Paul Pierce are, or have been, All-Stars. Ricky Davis has all-world skills and has been a team guy all season. And Raef LaFrentz is more than serviceable when healthy.

They are certainly more interesting than they were last season without Payton and Walker (not to mention Al Jefferson, Delonte West, and Tony Allen). You might even say they have a new identity.

"Ricky Davis looked around at practice this morning and said we're like the Oakland Raiders," said coach Doc Rivers. "I think I know what he means. Gary was basically an outcast. Gary . . . Ricky . . . Antoine."

Davis expanded on the thought briefly before playing the mighty Bobcats (go ahead, name three 'Cats). "It's just guys who can play that have a bad rep," said Davis. "But everybody's a good person."

For better or worse, these are your first-place Boston Celtics and these are the guys who'll be wearing the vaunted colors from now until the end of the season. Now that he's back, Payton's planning on a long postseason in Boston.

"I think we can go deep into the playoffs," said the 36-year-old guard before last night's game. "If we keep our minds focused and play the next [23] games hard, with intensity, we're going to the playoffs. I watched the game with the Lakers and we looked great. We're playing with a lot of energy. It's on a high right now. In the next week or so we'll find out what we are made of. We've just got to stay focused."

Payton had options after he was waived. The Suns, Kings, and Timberwolves allegedly were interested. But Boston was the choice. He said he was lured back by the prospect of further contributing to the hardwood educations of Jefferson, West (no turnovers in 29 minutes), and their young friends.

"I started here and I got a relationship with these kids," said Payton. "This is the right opportunity for me. It's a good fit. We can go far. The young kids were calling me every day."

Some of the kids scratched their heads when asked about making calls to the old guy, but Jefferson looked across the locker room at Payton and said, "I can't live without you, man. Who else is gonna cuss me out?"

There was some suspense regarding Payton's status before last night's game. On Thursday, Rivers said Payton probably wouldn't play right away and when Payton didn't get to the gym until 6:10 p.m., there was speculation Rivers might go with Bryce Florie at the point. But there was never any doubt in Payton's mind. Or Rivers's.

"I like to play the guys who have been playing," said Rivers. "I'm not big on easing guys in. I like to throw 'em in there. And the quicker I can get these guys playing in rhythm, the better."

Fans who were in the dark (figuratively and literally) stood and gave Payton the Walker Welcome Back when he was the first player introduced with the Celtic starters. Fox Sports's Willie Maye paid homage by wearing a Payton No. 20 jersey for his first live cut-in.

This isn't the 1980s, but Celtic Chic is making a comeback in the sports vacuum of March, 2005. Boston's lead in the woeful Atlantic is 2 1/2 games. Governor Mitt Romney watched from the front row last night. Ditto for Patriot tight end Daniel Graham. Even Wally the Green Monster was there.

Payton was stripped by Brevin Knight the first time he handled the ball in his return engagement. He stayed on the floor for the first 9 minutes (one assist, two free throws) and it was a 20-20 game when he was replaced by Marcus Banks.

"I can't imagine him playing 37 minutes [Payton averaged 33 minutes before the trade]," said Rivers. "One thing that will change is that when we had the two young guys [Banks and West], they pressured the ball up the floor. I don't ever want him doing that. I want him to live."

In his post-game comments, Rivers credited the Celtics' young guards. "I think they did a terrific job. It was nice to be able to hold the lead and let the other guys sit . . . I like our team, I really do. I like our spirit."

It was Banks and West who pushed the Celtics to their commanding lead. But there was still a magic moment for the older guys. Late in the first half, Payton feathered a beautiful pass to Walker on the break, resulting in an easy basket. It was a little weird to realize that this was the first time Payton and Walker ever played together. They looked like old BNBL teammates.

Celtics, Raiders. Call 'em whatever you want. It's fun watching the local basketball team and it's been a while since we've been able to say that.

Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. His e-mail address is dshaughnessy@globe.com.