Giddens resets his sights

He was 23 when the Celtics took him with their first-round pick in 2008, and he was immediately surrounded by championship rings. Future Hall of Famers were scattered around the room. And even though Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo were close to him in age - after being on one of the worst teams in Celtics history, then being on the franchise’s best team in two decades - those two had already been through a couple of NBA lifetimes.

Giddens wanted to jump right in and be a part of the equation, not realizing how unrealistic he was being. He wound up playing eight NBA minutes last season, not for lack of talent, but for lack of room and maybe readiness.

“It changed my perspective a lot,’’ he said. “It was my first year and I was unable to be kind of realistic with it. Not being sure what they want me to do or where I stand on the team or with my teammates. Now, I kind of know that because I’ve been here a year.

“A year ago, I had more of an ‘I just want to play’ mind-set. Now, it’s like I just want to help the team any way I can. I still want to play, but last year I was focusing on just getting out there on the court instead of focusing on what do I need to do to get on the court. I was still working on things, but I think I have a better understanding now.’’

Coach Doc Rivers has a reputation for being able to develop young players. But he also has an affinity for veterans. When Rivers won Coach of the Year honors with Orlando in 2000, he did it with Earl Boykins, Michael Doleac, and Matt Harpring. A year later, he imported Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady, and the only player on the roster without any NBA experience was Mike Miller, who won Rookie of the Year.

The Celtics have put a premium on experience in the past two years, and it only begins with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Eddie House was a proven professional shooter when the Celtics signed him. James Posey had a championship ring to back up his leadership. P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell were big-game tested.

Meanwhile, Glen Davis was able to learn and contribute from the bench, and the Celtics sent Gabe Pruitt to the D-League to mature, like Giddens and Bill Walker last year.

This summer, the Celtics added Marquis Daniels, Rasheed Wallace, and Sheldon Williams, and invited Michael Sweetney to camp, for a combined 27 years of NBA experience. Their only draft pick was Lester Hudson, at 25 a year older than Giddens. And if you’re Giddens or Walker or Hudson, it only makes the challenge that much more difficult.

“It’s hard for him,’’ said Kendrick Perkins. “I think the thing is with J.R., I think he has to just stay positive. He has to stay ready at all times. With this team that we have, nothing’s going to be given to him. So I just feel like stay positive, keep working, and every time, whether he gets 30 seconds to a minute, he should take advantage of it.’’

The challenge isn’t just showing he can play with the veterans, but it’s earning the trust of his coach.

“You’ve got to prove yourself, not only to the players but to Doc most importantly,’’ Perkins said. “It’s a difficult thing, but every time he’s getting in right now, he’s showing something. So every time he’s got to take advantage.’’

He has to prove what every young player does. Not necessarily that he’s the best player on the court, but that he can be one of the most responsible and reliable. It means more rebounds, fewer shots, better defending, and, ultimately, more role-playing.

“This preseason I feel a lot more comfortable, a lot more acclimated with the system,’’ Giddens said. “I’m playing more minutes. I feel like I’ve performed better. With another year under my belt to mature and get better and the whole summer to work, I feel like my hard work is paying off and it shows out there when I get in.

“Every day, I figured out a little bit more. So I’d say, day by day, I’m gaining more knowledge on finding my niche for this team.’’

Julian Benbow can be reached at jbenbow@globe.com.