Jefferson aims to cut recovery time after appendix surgery

The Celtics have learned a painful lesson this season: Recovery from an appendectomy is easier than recovery from a bulging disk in the lower back.

Just one week after undergoing an emergency appendectomy at New England Baptist, Al Jefferson said he hoped to return to action Wednesday at Charlotte, N.C. Meanwhile, no timetable exists for the return of Theo Ratliff, whose bulging disk prevents him from even sitting through a game.

"I've asked [when Ratliff will return], but I don't see," said coach Doc Rivers. "He's not even comfortable sitting at games. It's not good right now. You just hope it gets better. He has to stand, sit, go lay down. It's the back. So I think we're going to have to just let it run its course and we'll see."

When asked if the Ratliff's ailment might require surgery, Rivers said, "I have no idea."

In any event, it sounds as if the Celtics are prepared to go for a long while without Ratliff. But as soon as Jefferson decides he feels comfortable playing, he will be back on the floor. Jefferson did some shooting last night and ran on a treadmill. He has been cleared to resume weightlifting and eat a normal diet. Jefferson hopes to regain some of the 10 pounds he lost over the last week with a lot of pasta and baked chicken. He now checks in at 250 pounds, which he said he hasn't weighed since ninth grade.

"Last year, I would have killed anybody to be at 250," said Jefferson. "This year, I was happy to have my weight at 260."

Jefferson is still experiencing pain around his bellybutton, where a scope was inserted to remove his appendix. He expects to wear some padding around his midsection when he returns.

"I think Tuesday [I can practice] and if things go right I'll be able to play Wednesday of next week," said Jefferson. "That's my personal goal. The doctor is saying a week and a half to return to practice. It all depends on how I feel. I'm recovering real fast. I feel good. [Trainer] Ed [Lacerte] and the doc are behind me 100 percent. They're not trying to hold me back . . . I'm not going to come back if it's still giving me pain. I'm not going to rush it back, but I really believed it's going to be healed by next week."

Although Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird said chants of "Larry, Larry" in the third quarter and the standing ovation that followed was "embarrassing," he commented on the Pacers' loss and future prospects, the death of Red Auerbach, and his job description.

On the Pacers playing poorly: "It's sort of sad that we came out and played like we did. But I think Rick [Carlisle's] got to find the right combination."

On returning to Boston after the death of Auerbach: "Red lived a great life and was a great man. Obviously, if it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't have been here. So, I have a lot of great feelings for him and it's too bad, but you know what, things happen. What can you say for what he's done for this city."

On traveling with the team: "I am going to travel more this year. Not to spy on them, but I feel you know more if you are there."

On splitting duties with CEO/president Donnie Walsh: "Well, he's my boss. I just do what he tells me. I am smart enough to know who my boss is and a lot of people are not, but I have always been loyal to the people I work for. He has been awesome, a great learning experience."

On the Pacers evolving into a more athletic team: "[Last night] is not an indication of how we play, but we are trying to move the ball up the court. We do not want to get carried away with it. We do not want to score 120 points, but if we do that would be great. Any time you start running, you know you are going to give up points on the defensive end, and we do not want to do that. We want to be known as a defensive team, but we still want to push the ball."

Former Celtics guard Orien Greene made the Pacers' roster, despite fracturing his left pinkie in the team's first exhibition game. In a handful of training camp practices, Greene demonstrated enough to earn his spot. Last night against his former team, Greene was activated for the first time this season and had a point and an assist in 10 minutes. "He brings a dimension to our team that we didn't have," said Carlisle. "Orien's ability to defend and bring some athleticism to the position is a factor in the decision [to activate him]." The Celtics waived Greene this summer after picking up point guards Sebastian Telfair and Rajon Rondo on draft night . . . Pierce is sounding more and more like an amateur psychologist when he discusses the Celtics. He continues to remain positive, at least publicly. "If we're going to have these types of lulls, it's better early," Pierce said before the game. "Hopefully, we can learn from them and get better as the season goes along. These type of runs we don't want to have late in the season when we're pushing for the playoffs. So, hopefully we can learn from it and not get too deep into the hole, so we find ourselves scratching and clawing when it's time to make a run." . . . Last night's blowout was the third-largest margin of victory for the Celtics in Rivers's tenure (172 games).