The man walked slowly, hunched over and looking like he was in a lot of pain. No, this wasn't an elderly man with failing health. Rather, this was injured Celtics forward James Posey.
Posey headed to the locker room with about six minutes remaining before halftime with lower-back spasms during the 119-93 victory over the Nuggets last night at TD Banknorth Garden. The first-year Celtic didn't return to the game and is expected to have an MRI today.
Posey declined comment on the injury afterward, saying he'd prefer to talk today.
"His lower back, he said it just went out," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "And they're going to do an MRI [today]. Obviously, I'm extremely concerned. We need him. He does so many little things, taking charges, just his leadership and his voice."
Gone in Flash?
Rivers confirmed that first-year players Glen Davis, Gabe Pruitt, and Brandon Wallace are candidates to play for the NBA Developmental League Utah Flash. Rivers added that two of the aforementioned rookies could be sent to the Flash soon.Director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, however, said it is less likely that the 6-foot-9-inch, 289-pound Davis will be sent since "we need his size."
"I want to pretty much wait and see what we got and then go from there," Rivers said. "I'm a believer in the D-League. I do think that it helps the guys that don't play a lot of minutes or any minutes. But we're going to wait to get a good feel on who that 12th man is going to be."
The expansion Flash begin training camp Saturday night and will play in Orem, Utah, about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. The Flash play their lone preseason game Nov. 19 at Idaho and open regular-season play Nov. 24 at Anaheim. The Flash are affiliated with the Celtics and Jazz.
Last season, then-Celtics rookie Allan Ray was the team's only D-League player.
Flash general manager David Fredman was excited about the possibility of adding a Celtic.
"That would be terrific," Fredman said. "With the Celtics and the Jazz, we'd be happy to have their players to make our team better whenever or wherever they want to send, whether it's home or the road."
Davis has been spending a lot of time after practices developing his post game, midrange jumper, and other skills with assistant coach Clifford Ray. Pruitt and Wallace have been working on their jumpers and other skills with assistant coach Kevin Eastman.
Davis, who had played sparingly entering last night's game, got nine minutes of playing time in the Celtics' victory, scoring 3 points and nabbing three steals. Pruitt and Wallace have yet to be activated to make their NBA debuts. Playing time would likely be plentiful for Davis, Pruitt, and Wallace with the Flash.
"[Playing for the Flash] is something that could be good for us [rookies] from the simple fact that our playing time isn't as much," Pruitt said. "It's up to Danny and Doc, what they want to do, and what they feel is best for us."
Got tickets?
The Celtics rank third in average ticket price in the NBA at $65.43 per game, behind the Lakers ($89.24) and Knicks ($70.51), according to the Team Marketing Report. The Fan Cost Index for a Celtics game also ranks third at $358.72, behind the Lakers ($453.95) and Knicks ($394.52). The Fan Cost Index is based on the price of four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking for one car, two game programs, and two least-expensive, adult-size adjustable caps.In honor of DJ
Donna Johnson, the widow of Celtics great Dennis Johnson, announced the formation of a nonprofit group called The Dennis (DJ) Johnson Foundation. The foundation will join with the American Heart Association to help people build healthier lives. Donations can be sent to Wells Fargo Bank, 7101 Highway 71 West, Austin, Texas 78735, or any Wells Fargo Bank. A website to honor Johnson, dennis.johnson.muchloved.com, has also been formed . . . Celtics assistant Armond Hill will serve as a celebrity coach during the 3-on-3 Challenge tournament in New York Saturday; proceeds will benefit New Heights Youth Inc., a youth development program . . . The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation raised more than $1 million for children's charities at its "Teaming Up For Kids" dinner Monday.
