Allen gave an assist to friend
Call to Mumbai was protective
A phone call from Celtics guard Ray Allen helped an American friend stay safe during the recent terrorist attack in Mumbai, India.
Allen's longtime friend Daryl Jones was in the Oberoi Trident Hotel when it was attacked with grenades and assault rifles in a rampage beginning Nov. 26. The
Allen learned of the attack during a phone call from his wife, Shannon, after a win over Golden State that night. Upon arriving home, Allen gave a whispering Jones an updated television news report for about 20 minutes. Worried that Jones could be targeted because he was an American, Allen also told his friend that if a terrorist asked for his passport to say he didn't have it and that he was Jamaican.
"When I called him, I was telling him everything I heard on TV," Allen said yesterday. "[Jones learned] about the hotel being on fire and I told him that there was police outside. I told him, 'This is what is happening. From what they are saying, there are still terrorists running around shooting people and throwing grenades. You need to hide and don't open the door if someone knocks on it.'
"We talked for about 20 minutes and I told him, 'We'll be [by the phone] if you need to call back. If you call back, we'll be up waiting, and if you [don't call], just leave us a message letting us know you're all right.' "
Allen said Jones was able to make it back safely to the United States after stopovers in Germany and the Netherlands for interviews by officials.
"It's a tragic situation for everyone involved," Allen said. "People suffered and have gone through seeing the tragedy that was taking place. A lot of people are going to have to go through therapy. So for him to be able to survive is great. He's alive back here on American soil."
Jones was a guest of Allen when the Celtics clinched the NBA title last season.
Tony Allen out
Tony Allen missed last night's game against Indiana with a sprained right ankle he suffered against Orlando in the second quarter Monday. While he hopes to play tomorrow against Portland, coach Doc Rivers was more hopeful for Sunday at Indiana. Allen, who is averaging 8.8 points, expects to have an MRI."It is just sore," he said. "Basically, I should have stayed out in that game when we played Orlando. It tightened up when I got it taped and came back and I fought through it. I think I put a lot more pressure on it than was already on it from the twist. Hopefully, I can get some treatment and be ready for Friday's game."
Celtics president Danny Ainge said he wasn't tempted to recall J.R. Giddens or Bill Walker from Utah of the NBA Development League to replace Allen. Through three games, Giddens was averaging 23.3 points. 7.7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks for the Flash, while Walker was averaging 22 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2 steals.
"I don't want to disrupt from what they're doing," said Ainge. "They're benefiting from being down there."
They're No. 9
The Celtics cracked the top 10 of the Forbes 2008 NBA Team Valuations, ranking ninth with a value of $447 million. Their value increased 14 percent ($56 million) from last year, when they were ranked 11th. Forbes also reported that the Celtics have $149 million in revenue and an operating income of $20.1 million.The Knicks were No. 1 in value at $613 million, followed by the Lakers ($584 million) and Bulls ($504 million).
"I am pretty sure none of those teams listed would be for sale at those prices," Celtics CEO Wyc Grousbeck said via e-mail. "The upward trend is correct but the valuations are low. I would also comment that the sports sector generally has held up well by comparison to other parts of the economy. We thank the Celtics fans for supporting our team and helping us win banner 17."
Out of mind
Kevin Garnett spoke briefly about the circus surrounding suspended Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, who is seeking a buyout of the final year of his contract and has been banished from the team. Garnett and Marbury were teammates in Minnesota from 1996-99."We're not close at all, not really as close as we used to be," Garnett said. "I haven't really been following [the Marbury situation]. I watch it here and there when I go through the locker room when it's on TV. I hear about it. It's unfortunate. But I haven't been following it or had an assessment of it."
Rooting for Rogers
Pacers coach Jim O'Brien was saddened by the news that ex-Celtic Rodney Rogers was reportedly partially paralyzed in a recent all-terrain vehicle accident. O'Brien coached Rogers in Boston during the 2001-02 season."He's one of the finest people I've ever coached in the NBA," O'Brien said. "I spent a lot of time with Rodney out in Phoenix during the summer when we were trying to sign him. A great family and a man of immense faith. He certainly is going to need that family and great faith to get through this." 