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GABE PRUITTSuspended last two games |
celtics notebook
Taking blame for arrest, Pruitt is eager to play
WALTHAM - Celtics guard Gabe Pruitt returned to practice yesterday and hopes to play as a reserve in tomorrow's game at New Jersey. Pruitt was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence in Hollywood early last Thursday morning, following the Celtics' game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
"This is the first time anything like that has happened to me, and it was scary," Pruitt said. "It's not like I'm an alcoholic or anything, it's just an individual experience, of one night.
"I just made a bad decision and I take responsibility for that - getting behind the wheel. I was able to drive. It's not like I was swerving or driving fast, but the fact I got behind the wheel - it's my fault."
Pruitt was stopped at a green light, conversing with people in another car, when he was pulled over. Pruitt's car had tinted windows, which is a violation of California law.
"I've been in that area a lot of times and I've never had any problems," Pruitt said. "This is the first time I've been in trouble with the law."
Pruitt was suspended by the Celtics for two games for "conduct detrimental to the team." He has appeared in 36 games and his playing time was expected to increase because of injuries. But the Celtics acquired guard Stephon Marbury, who played against Indiana (104-97 win) and Detroit (105-95 defeat) and is expected to take on a greater role.
"I just have to come in and work hard and not sit back and whatever happens happens," Pruitt said.
Inside the numbers
An NBA source said Marbury took a $2.2 million deduction from his $20.8 million contract to be bought out by the Knicks. Marbury made up more than half that by receiving a $1.2 million guaranteed contract from the Celtics from their mid-level salary exception. His contract, signed Friday, was expected to be prorated, but ESPN.com reported he was receiving the full $1.2 million and $52,174 per game the rest of the regular season.Necessary practice
Marbury and Mikki Moore had their first full training session with the Celtics yesterday."It was a hard practice," Marbury said. "Defensively, they work at it, they get after it. That's what it's all about, that's why they won the championship last year."
The Celtics practiced for about 90 minutes and will likely do the same this morning before taking an afternoon charter to Newark.
"It's one day," captain Paul Pierce said. "They got a chance to see how we practice, how we get in here early, get our shots up, how we lift weights, our preparation. And I think that's key.
"A lot of teams, when you're not winning, the preparation and doing the little things - you don't really look at. But when you are a championship-caliber team, you start looking at all the little things from the time you get in the gym getting ready to practice, to practice, and the things you do after."
Coach Doc Rivers said Pierce and Ray Allen will be candidates for added minutes as the Celtics await the return of Tony Allen (thumb surgery), Kevin Garnett (knee strain), and Brian Scalabrine (concussion, scheduled for more tests).
Pierce played all but the last 18 seconds in Sunday's loss to Detroit.
"Doc's aware of it and he's going to always try to get me more rest," Pierce said. "Whether it's playing other guys or playing guys out of position, it's important we go into the postseason rested and also healthy."
J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker will likely also play more.
"They've been around and they've practiced all year long," Pierce said. "So they can give us some minutes. The guys around them on the second unit can guide them along and we'll have to throw them into the fire and see what they can do."
"We'll have to see. They haven't gotten out there and played extended minutes, but the potential is there. Until they get out there and get extended minutes, we'll have to see."
Rivers predicted it will take at least three weeks to integrate Marbury and Moore into the Celtics' schemes.
"It's almost like having a five-player change on your team, and that upsets a lot of things, offensively and defensively," Rivers said of the additions and the injuries. "When you take three guys out that know and then put two guys in that don't know, that's a big change, in the second half of the year.
"[Marbury] is going to be fine. It's not just him adjusting, it's us adjusting to him as well, and that's probably more important. Just think of training camp - it takes you three or four weeks in preseason to get it right and it's probably going to take the same time."
Marc J. Spears of the Globe staff contributed to this report. 
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
