Meeting Obama one of their goals

Bonus of repeating is White House visit

By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff  |  November 6, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Celtics were enthusiastic about being invited to the White House to commemorate their NBA title in September. And the team set a goal to return, this time to be greeted by Barack Obama.

"That's what we said when we went there," guard Rajon Rondo said before last night's 96-83 Celtics victory over the Thunder. "We want to go back next year to see Obama. He's in office now and it's up to us to do our part."

Rondo said the team needed little motivation in a quest to win successive championships. But the players' political awareness has increased in recent months, and the team was plugged into election results following a 103-99 win at Houston Tuesday night.

"As soon as the game was over, we went to the locker room and a security guard told us Obama was president," Rondo said. "It hasn't hit me yet. After the game, you need to get your sleep and focus on the next game. But by [today] we should have time to really enjoy and appreciate it.

"We want to be the first Celtics team to win back-to-back [since 1969], and it would also be an honor to go back to the White House. I want to win as many championships as possible with this group of players. Our main priority is to win the championship, but it's a little something we say - 'Let's go see Obama.' "

Asked if he thought Obama would greet the Celtics as a fan, Rondo said, "He's probably a Celtics fan now. A lot of people love to watch us play."

Special anniversary

Election day was the one-year anniversary of coach Doc Rivers's father's death.

"I talked to my mom [Tuesday] night, and he missed us winning the title," Rivers said. "She said, 'He would be more proud last night [of the election results]. He always envisioned you winning the championship, but he never envisioned this.'

"Right after the game, the guys were celebrating Obama's victory, and we had just beaten the Rockets on the road. I thought it was cool. Usually basketball players are quiet politically. I told them I don't care who you vote for, I just want you to vote."

McDyess lottery

More than half the NBA's teams, including the Celtics, are expected to give the Detroit Pistons competition in an attempt to add Antonio McDyess.

McDyess was dealt along with Chauncey Billups and Cheikh Samb from Detroit to Denver Monday for Allen Iverson. McDyess is expected to re-sign with the Pistons if bought out of his contract. An NBA source said 17 teams have inquired about obtaining McDyess, a 2001 All-Star.

The Nuggets are working on a buyout of $6.8 million that McDyess, a 6-foot-9-inch, 240-pounder, is owed this season and next season. The complicated buyout package needs a few more days to be completed. Once a player is bought out, it would take 48 hours for him to clear waivers.

McDyess has been hoping to cap his career with a championship, which would seem to make title-caliber teams front-runners. The Celtics have a $2.392 million midlevel exception they could offer McDyess. Other NBA power teams with lucrative exceptions available include Cleveland ($5.1 million), the Lakers ($5.5 million), San Antonio ($2.085 million), Orlando ($3 million), Houston ($4.5 million), Utah ($5.5 million), and Toronto ($4.3 million).

Celtics president Danny Ainge, who declined comment, coached McDyess in Phoenix during the 1997-98 season. Celtics forward Kevin Garnett and McDyess were close friends until both were ejected during Detroit's 107-98 double-overtime win over Minnesota Jan. 19, 2007. Garnett and McDyess have the same agent, Andy Miller, and it's uncertain if the two have reconciled. McDyess averaged 8.8 points and 8.5 rebounds off the bench for Detroit last season. He could replace free agent forward-center P.J. Brown, who is unsigned and expected to retire.

Givin' it up

Glen Davis scored 9 points in 12 minutes against the Rockets and defended well against Yao Ming.

"I don't know if I'm surprised, I'm just proud of him," Rivers said of Davis. "It's maturity. He hasn't just been good, he's been fantastic. He's one guy who gives up his body. We set a lot of picks, we were off the charts setting picks [against the Rockets], and Ray [ Allen] getting open was not an accident."

Rain delay?

The first half included a delay because of condensation (from the ice below the floor) near the Thunder basket. And the second-half tipoff was delayed to repair a loose net at the opposite end of the court.

Banner semantics

The Spurs' championship banners designate the team as "NBA champions." And this week, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich questioned the Celtics' banners, which call the team "World champions."

"There's no such thing," Popovich told the Dallas Morning News. "Why can't we just be happy with 'NBA champions.' That's pretty cool. In the middle of the Celtics' [banner] it says 'world champions' in giant letters and 'Boston Celtics.' In the middle, in little teeny letters, 'NBA.' In brackets. What is that? Ashamed to be in the NBA? Or, I know it's really the NBA championship, but I'm going to go ahead and say world championship, anyway. I don't understand it."

Marc J. Spears of the Globe staff contributed to this report