Move was just Posey minding his business

James Posey woke up July 18 feeling that he was still was going to be a Celtic. But as afternoon approached in Los Angeles, his stint in Boston abruptly ended at one season as he accepted a four-year, $25 million deal to become a New Orleans Hornet. As evening approached, Posey was put in the odd situation of celebrating his NBA championship publicly at the ESPY Awards with his suddenly former teammates.

It was a bittersweet day. It was also business.

"It was still sort of odd, just that whole ESPY day," said Posey. "We were sitting in the [hotel] lobby, waiting to go on the bus. [The Celtics] said congratulations and everything. They were happy. They understood the circumstances and why things happened the way they did.

"It was sort of a long day. It really didn't hit me, though. I was thinking I was going back. But it was a reality check that it was time to move on and just go from there."

No, Posey isn't Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, or Ray Allen. But he played an integral role in the Celtics' first NBA title in 22 years. Leadership. Tough defense. Key plays. Clutch 3-point shooting. Poise. The NBA Sixth Man of the Year candidate displayed all that in Boston.

But, after the most noted season of his career, the nine-year NBA veteran knew this was his last chance to get a lucrative long-term deal. Posey wanted to stay in Boston, but he also knew this was business. The Cleveland native had to use his mind, even though it was hard not to follow his heart.

"During the heat of the situation, I was still positive about coming back there," he said.

Posey learned not to think with his heart after being very upset when he was traded for the first time, from the Nuggets to Houston Dec. 18, 2002, with free agency on the horizon for him. Ex-Nuggets teammates Avery Johnson and Nick Van Exel explained to him that it's business, not personal. Since then, Posey has viewed his employment in the NBA in a more businesslike sense.

The Celtics initially offered a two-year deal, but even if they had offered a three-year deal, Posey said, "I would have still gone through the process. I told my agent I was going to make this call and live and die by this decision."

The Hornets' offer was too much money and years for a 31-year-old with two kids to turn down. Considering that the Hornets have All-Stars in Chris Paul and David West and a chance to compete for an NBA title for years, the move made competitive sense for Posey.

Can he envision his Hornets playing the Celtics in the 2009 Finals?

"The Celtics are very good," a cautious Posey said. "That would be lovely to go back there and to play. But we take it one game at a time to build everything up to get to that opportunity."

The Celtics know that the opportunity in New Orleans was too lucrative for Posey to pass up. Sure, there is disappointment. But there can't be bitterness when it's business.

"I feel like when you win it, I want to go back with that same team and try to win that title," said Posey. "I believe that's how things should be done. The reality was I wasn't going to have the opportunity.

"It was tough. But at the end of the day, it was just a business decision and everyone understands that."

Two hurricanes washed away James Posey's hopes of making it back to the White House.

Posey was one of three Celtics who opted not to visit the White House with the team Sept. 19. Despite reports that he wasn't comfortable being with his old team after signing with New Orleans, he said it was complications from Hurricane Gustav in New Orleans and Hurricane Ike in Houston that kept him from making the visit. His offseason home in Houston still has damage from Ike, he said.

"When Ike came through Houston, I wasn't able to get back to Houston because of the hurricane," Posey said. "I was basically stuck in Atlanta for about a week. I couldn't get myself together to come out there.

"[The Celtics] did extend that offer. They kept me up to date. They had one date scheduled before and then changed the date. Even with the date, I did think I had a good chance to go."

Posey visited the White House once before as a member of the Miami Heat's championship team in 2006, and he was looking forward to going again.

"Another trip to the White House with that team, how could you just not go to that?" Posey said.

Posey also said he hopes to get measured for his Celtics championship ring soon. As he did in Miami, he plans on buying a pair of championship cufflinks and commemorative items for his family and friends, too.

"I will not close any doors. That's why I'm working out every day, staying in shape. If the right situation does come, great. If not, I'll be a soccer dad in Indianapolis working on my next career [broadcasting]." - Former Celtic Scot Pollard, now a free agent, to the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World

2,860-1,979
The Celtics' all-time regular-season won-lost record.

Coach's candidate: Eight Hornets players, including Chris Paul and David West, visited with Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in Indianapolis last Wednesday prior to a preseason game against the Pacers. Although Hornets coach Byron Scott couldn't make it to that meeting, he endorses the senator. "I know we can't say the Hornets [support him]," said Scott, "but Byron Scott does."

The gold standard: Kobe Bryant was so proud of winning an Olympic gold medal that he wore it during the entire 13-hour flight back to Chicago from Beijing. So what's better, an NBA title or an Olympic gold medal? "No question, a gold medal," Bryant said.

House call: Three days after moving into a five-bedroom home in Weston in August 1999, Popeye Jones was traded from the Celtics to the Nuggets. Fortunately for Jones, the Brazilian consulate rented the house for the next nine years before departing in September. Jones, now an assistant coach for Dallas, is trying to sell the house for $2.2 million. "What a bad time to have real estate for sale," Jones said via e-mail. "I've had two Celtic players look at the property, with one of them wanting to lease it. I'm ready to get out of the leasing business and really want to sell it.

Wait and see: Don't be surprised if the Celtics don't make the one needed cut to get to the 15-man roster until the deadline day, Oct. 27. It also looks very doubtful that they will make a trade. Don't expect Brian Scalabrine to be waived since the Celtics wouldn't eat his salary.

It's just not the same: Scott is known for his intense practices in New Orleans, something new Hornet James Posey is getting a taste of. Watching a Celtics practice on NBATV, Posey was reminded of the difference. "Right now, I'm missing those practices," he said. "But it's all right. If you seen ours, ooh wee. But their situation is different."

Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com