Stars have found unlikely friendship
Given that Indiana and Boston have faced each other in the playoffs the past three seasons, Paul Pierce and Jermaine O'Neal forged an unlikely friendship last summer. The two Los Angeles-based All-Stars found common ground talking about the pressures of being centerpieces on NBA teams. They went to dinner, worked out, and even met in Las Vegas for a poker tournament.
''He's one of my best friends in the league," said O'Neal. ''He's willing to do whatever a person needs. He's there for you."
Most of all, O'Neal has the utmost respect for the way Pierce plays. ''To me, he's probably the best scorer in the league," said O'Neal. ''Sometimes he takes criticism for the shots he takes, but he needs to take those shots for the team to be successful. He needs a low-post player. We joke all the time that we could play together. He's a guy who's going to make a low-post player better, and vice versa."
Don't bank on it
Just how close did the Celtics come to activating Marcus Banks last night? Well, executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said earlier in the day the point guard would be in uniform. But coach Doc Rivers and Ainge discussed the issue and, along with input from the medical staff, they decided it would be best to wait. Banks could be in the lineup tomorrow night against Milwaukee. ''After [Tuesday's] practice, I was going to activate Marcus, at least I was thinking strongly on doing it," said Rivers. ''Then, after [yesterday] we thought we'd wait another day of practice."That said, Rivers commented that Banks (right leg stress fracture) would be able to make a more immediate impact than Tony Allen (right knee surgery) because of the nature of his injury and his style of play. So, expect the Celtics to make use of Banks pressuring the ball soon.
Meanwhile, it remains uncertain when Allen will be back. He reported yesterday that he still felt ''a little pain" in his knee. But the Celtics still have no plans to send Allen to Florida for a few games in the development league as part of his rehabilitation. ''No, because we haven't talked about it in quite awhile; I would be surprised," said Rivers.
Man of few words
Ricky Davis has been viewed by some as a player Boston could trade for Ron Artest. ''Whatever it is, is whatever it is," said Davis . . . A fan who is a fixture at Conseco Fieldhouse appeared behind the scorers' table with a placard that read: ''SayoRona Artest" . . . Rivers was recently named to the Marquette University board of trustees. ''It was so much an honor, I didn't know if I should take it, honestly," said Rivers, a Marquette alumnus. ''It's not only an honor, but you have to do some work. I had to think about it. I had to ask my wife. But it did catch me off guard." . . . Delonte West sported a super-short haircut at the request of his mother, Delphina Addison. ''My momma said I had to cut it because I was looking rough out there," said West . . . The Pacers were without starting point guard Jamaal Tinsley (left groin) and Austin Croshere (lower back bruise) . . . Back in the starting lineup for the past two games, Mark Blount has made his presence felt. He finished with 22 points (9 for 12), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a blocked shot. ''Mark's doing great," said Rivers. ''He's running the floor. He's doing a lot of little things." Pierce said Blount was an all-star caliber player. Still, Kendrick Perkins (eight rebounds) and Pierce (seven rebounds) led the way on the glass as Boston outrebounded Indiana, 44-36 . . . Raef LaFrentz played 17 minutes 5 seconds off the bench and left the locker room with his lower right leg wrapped in a bandage. It did not appear serious, although Pierce said LaFrentz has been dealing with nagging injuries.Mind games
Although Artest has been deactivated through at least the end of the week, and did not travel to last night's game, he was never far from the minds of those at the arena. The mind of Artest is an entirely different matter. In a phone interview earlier this season, the 2004 NBA defensive player of the year had some interesting comments about defending. ''With Paul Pierce, you've got to hope he has an off night," said Artest. ''He's in the top two [of tough players to guard]. I come first, then Paul, Tracy [McGrady], Kobe [Bryant], and LeBron [James]."
