West gets first shot at point

PITTSBURGH -- Somehow, the official announcement that Delonte West would start at point guard in the Celtics' first exhibition game -- a 96-86 loss to Cleveland -- lacked the expected pomp and circumstance. You half-expected trumpeters, or at the very least a kid with a snare drum, outside the Boston locker room at Mellon Arena last night.

After all, the point guard rotation has been hyped as the great mystery of training camp. Coach Doc Rivers further diminished the announcement by revealing that Dan Dickau will probably start Friday night's game against the Raptors in Manchester, N.H.

So point guard, like the rest of the rotation, remains very much in flux.

''I'm probably going to give them both a crack at playing with the starting lineup, and even Marcus [Banks], too," said Rivers. ''Don't read a whole bunch into it. Delonte was here last year. There really wasn't much more to it than that. And I think Delonte defensively did more things to help the team and we're going to need that presence early.

''My focus was more defense, and I think that's what Delonte does better than all of them. Marcus probably pressures the ball better, but I think Delonte does more things on the defensive end than all of them."

For the record, and whatever it's worth, the starting lineup also featured Mark Blount at center, Raef LaFrentz at power forward, Paul Pierce at small forward, and Ricky Davis at shooting guard. The only place the Celtics' lineup received much attention was in the Cavaliers locker room. Damon Jones, who is competing with Eric Snow to start for Cleveland at point guard, expected to face Dan Dickau. LeBron James wondered, ''What happened to Marcus Banks?"

James did not have to worry about who was playing, though, as he sat out with a strained chest muscle.

Rivers may have hit upon something, as the first unit sprinted to a 17-2 lead before Boston entered halftime trailing, 45-41. Pierce was the unquestioned leader among the starters, finishing with a team-high 18 points and 7 rebounds. Ricky Davis impressed by earning a team-high 4 assists by halftime.

''We came out with all guns a-blazing," said Rivers. ''The first unit, I thought, was great. The whole game they were. I thought they played unselfish. I thought they moved the ball. They got great shots.

''Then our second unit came in and they got the same shots. They just didn't make any of them. Then they started pressing and turning the ball over. I thought the second unit was trying too hard and all looking for their shot. Whereas the first unit was just letting things develop."

Added Pierce: ''We moved the ball well and played well together. We still have a ways to go, but we definitely see something there with that first unit."

Rivers went big with the second unit, playing Kendrick Perkins at center, Brian Scalabrine and Ryan Gomes at forward, Justin Reed at shooting guard, and Dickau at point guard. Rivers particularly likes Reed and Gomes on the floor at the same time. They give the second unit a toughness and defensive intensity that was lacking last season. Perkins grabbed a team-high 9 rebounds.

For now, it's a 10-man rotation, but Rivers made no promises it would stay that way.

''I don't know if we can outrun anybody [with that second unit], but one of the things we made a concerted effort with that group is to play a little power basketball," said Rivers. ''That's what we're going to try to do. It works against us. But that doesn't say a whole bunch."

When asked about Reed guarding the opposing shooting guard, Rivers said, ''I think Justin can guard twos. It will be a tough guard for him, especially if it's guys who move without the ball. That's where he struggles a little bit."

Reed had no doubt he would be equal to the task. ''As long as defense is involved, I'm up to it," he said. On the other end, Rivers thought Reed focused too much on scoring and not enough on his defense and filling his role.

But combinations are sure to change, especially when Al Jefferson and Tony Allen return from injury. Jefferson (sprained left ankle) hopes to play Friday night. Allen (right knee surgery) will not be back until at least November.

It just goes to show how far the Celtics may be from setting their rotation.

''Right now, we never know with coach," said West. ''He's trying different lineups, throwing guys here, throwing guys there. We're just trying to click as a team and win some games."