Telfair gets backing of Celtics

File the recent Sebastian Telfair incident under Cautionary NBA Tale No. 3,613. OK, no one is counting how many times an NBA player finds himself connected to a crime. But Telfair is not the first NBA player involved in such an unfortunate situation this season and he will not be the last; commissioner David Stern can enforce all the rules he wants regarding tucking in uniform jerseys, but he can't legislate good judgment or forbid players from wearing $50,000 gold chains when dining out.

Since the Celtics did not practice yesterday, Telfair was not available for further comment about what happened when he was robbed Monday night outside Justin's Restaurant and Bar in New York City. But according to details confirmed by Telfair Wednesday night, and a league source who gave a description of events, the point guard was not involved in the shooting of rapper Fabolous, which occurred in the same area a couple of hours after the robbery. Telfair said he only knew the rapper, who was shot in the leg, as a celebrity, that they were both from Brooklyn, and that ``everyone in New York knows who [Fabolous] is."

``We have inquired about the circumstances and we do not believe that Sebastian was involved in the shooting," said Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge late yesterday. ``We believe Sebastian was a victim."

The shooting, however, took place at the parking garage where Telfair moved his car during dinner with his fiancee. On his way from the parking garage back to the restaurant, a walk of about 100 feet, Telfair was harassed by four men and had his chain ripped from his neck. According to a league source, police believe the four men might be connected to the shooting.

The Celtics are familiar with what happens when a player finds himself connected to a crime. Paul Pierce was stabbed at a Boston nightclub in 2000. Tony Allen awaits trial on aggravated battery charges for his role in a Chicago nightclub shooting in August 2005. People close to Allen said yesterday there have been no new developments in the matter and he awaits his next status hearing date Nov. 21. Ainge and coach Doc Rivers hope Telfair put the matter behind him by viewing four police lineups during the second half of Monday night's exhibition game against the Knicks.

Telfair did not immediately tell the Celtics about the robbery, and the team misled reporters and claimed the starting point guard missed the second half with a stomach ailment. Rivers faulted Telfair only for the late notice.

``One of the things [he told me] is he's trying so hard to just be a clean kid and not have any problems," said Rivers. ``He said, `I didn't do anything and now I'm in the middle of this.' So, I think that's what led to his judgment [not to tell the team earlier] more than anything.

``It's not a big distraction [for the team]. It would be, obviously, if he was the robber . . . It is [a distraction] for him. There's no doubt about that. When I found out, I was amazed at how well he played [Tuesday] night. I know I wouldn't have been able to function. He'll get through this. You only hope as a coach that it is not a long distraction. I hope this is the end of it."

When asked if he learned anything from the robbery and the events that followed, Telfair hinted he would be more cautious about going out alone. He initially laughed at the suggestion he might need a bodyguard, especially in New York City. But then he said, ``Maybe, if that's what it calls for." Telfair grew up on Coney Island and starred at Lincoln High School, making him more recognizable in New York than any other NBA city.

The Celtics return to the New York area five times this season, beginning Tuesday when they play an exhibition game against New Jersey at Continental Airlines Arena. During the regular season, Boston plays at New York twice and at New Jersey twice. In past seasons, the team stayed at the same Manhattan hotel for those four trips. Rivers does not have any concern about Telfair returning to his hometown multiple times this season, though he believes Telfair and every other NBA player needs to be careful when enjoying an evening on the town.

``The only thing I told the guys is when Danny and I played we were just basketball players," said Rivers. ``We weren't celebrities. We were NBA players and you were big in the sports world. Now, athletes are celebrities. They're on TV shows. They do commercials. They make more money. More people know about the money. I said, `Actors and entertainers call restaurants ahead of time. They have bodyguards.' I hope we're not at this stage, but when you see stuff like what happened, we might be. And that would be a shame."

Shira Springer can be reached at springer@globe.com.