The following is the interview that TNT basketball analyst John Thompson, an ex-Celtic, did recently with the Celtics star trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. The interview will run tonight on TNT.

JOHN THOMPSON: Twenty four wins last year, how reluctant were you, to go to a team that had won only 24 games last year?

KEVIN GARNETT: I don’t think it was necessarily the 24 games, it was more the direction of the team and what they saw for the future as far as winning. When they did the trade for Ray it exemplified you know, we’re here to win now we’re not waiting on the young team. We’re not waiting on the young guys we’re here to win now, and before then I didn’t look at the situation like that, you know trying to figure out, one, wow like really grip it in my mind like why you’re about to be moved and there’s nothing you can do about it and embracing that was probably the hardest part. When I had to look at different options before the trade obviously they were similar to the situation I was already currently in and I didn’t want to do that. I knew that you know probably I wanted to play for the next probably 3, 4, 5 years or however long the number I came up with. I didn’t want to be in that position or in that current position so… Draft day changed all that for me, I started to take that option a lot more serious, and I did, at the end of the day I weighed all the options and looked at it I wasn’t gonna get two better teammates than this right here.

JOHN THOMPSON: Paul, everybody talks about the acceptance of you three guys of each other, Ray touches on an interesting point, how do you feel the three of you will be accepted by your teammates because of the attention that you guys will get because of who you are?

Paul Pierce: Well the crazy thing about it, even in a short period of time we’ve become a close-knit group and I think the trip to Rome really helped us out because we had a chance to go out there and bond, after practice it was all about us being together. And you know we talked about a lot of stuff, you know everybody understands that a lot of attention is gonna come this way but that’s part of the game and that’s what happens in this game so I don’t think they worry about this, everybody has a role in this and everybody has to understand their role and that’s important for us to let everybody know, the coaches, everybody know that everybody gonna play a big role in this. If you look at the championship teams you understand who the star players are, what they’re gonna do, but it’s the other guys that’s gonna get them over the top. If you look at the John Paxons’, the Robert Horrys’, the Steve Kerrs’, those are guys that help you win championships and you let them know.

COACH THOMPSON: How important was it for you three guys to be playing with somebody you were comfortable with, you know these guys are coming into your domain, its not just the fact they could play but how conscious are you of who they are and how you could get along?

Paul Pierce: Well I got so much respect for them, I’ve watched them over the years. These guys have established themselves and I wanted them to come in there and be themselves and that’s what I told them the first day they got here I want yall to be yallselves because I never played with a group of people that I trusted so much. That I’m willing to sacrifice whatever I done in the past for the better of the team anyway because of the level of trust I’m giving them. This is an unbelievable experience were gonna go through it definitely humbles you when you’ve been through the type of seasons I’ve been through and especially last year me going through a foot injury missing as many, I never missed so many games. And its like now on the weak side when I passed the ball before when I passed the ball I didn’t trust my teammates and now I got guys that when I make that pass I believe their gonna get the job done just as much as I feel like I can get the job done. Its so much of a relief that it doesn’t bother me. For them to come over here and see them successful means everything in the world for me because just to see KG make a all-star team or MVP or Ray make all-star or MVP if I don’t I’ll still be the happiest guy in the world because I’ll know I was a part of that.

COACH: Can you guys win the East with a rookie 2nd year point guard?

Kevin Garnett: Absolutely.

Paul Pierce: I don’t see why not.

Kevin Garnett: I don’t see why not either. The East is tough. It’s no different than the West. I mean you throw style out and stuff like that but, still good teams, guys that go out and play hard every night. Still guys with above average talent, still have stars that will be up for playing us every night. But I think Rondo is going to surprise a lot of ya’ll. A lot of people on the outside ask that question you asked because he’s aware that us three are going to be trapped and schemed defensively. He knows he’s that outlet. He’s going to surprise you. Kid’s got a great I.Q. for the game, scrappy, on every play on defense, runs this team like a point should. He’s young but very impressive.

Coach: You guys, I can see you get along, but in 80 games in the NBA you’ll have your ups and downs. And more will be made out of it because it’s you three…and it won’t be holding hands all the time, they’ll be differences.

KG: We’ll cross that bridge though. Granted w get along but like brothers, the beautiful fact is we can have differences. There’s a bigger objective here.

Ray Allen: It’s the respect though. What he does, what Paul does, what I do. When something goes wrong you can’t hide from it. You’ve got to clear the air. You have to know that each of these 12 guys has a career, and has a stake in this. When something goes wrong, you’ve got to own up to it. Because 2 points goes up there for the Celtics or against the Celtics. When you’re in that locker room we just have to respect each other. You have space, this is what I do, this is what you do. When you come together and understand that, you can deal with adversity. You can talk to someone like a man and say it’s my fault and move on. We’ve all been on bad teams, and you start pointing fingers and don’t take culpability for your own actions. We take culpability, and try to figure out how we get past this and then we’ll be fine.

Coach: I did an interview with you that was one of the most touching and honest interviews. And you came to tears about wanting to win and playing with guys who wanted to win. Do you have that now Kevin?

KG: I definitely have that. I, probably out of the three of us, am more grateful that anything. This is probably going to be, God willing, the last team I play on. When you have a little bit of success in this league, it bonds to you. And when that is taken away from you, for whatever reason, it hurts. It’s what it is. I’m rejuvenated man, I’m excited. The opportunity to play next to two guys who understand me and feel me. It’s a joy coming in here everyday. I know it sounds premature or commercial.

The Celtics picked up guard Rajon Rondo's option for the 2008-09 season on Tuesday. Rondo will make $1.2 million this season and $1.3 million next season.

Rondo averaged 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.43 steals per game during the preseason. The 6-foot-1 guard was acquired in a draft night trade from Phoenix with Brian Grant and cash considerations in exchange for a future first round pick on June 28, 2006. The Louisville, Ky., native averaged 6.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals as a rookie last season.

As expected, Celtics guard Tony Allen did not receive a contract extension as the deadline arrived today. Allen is coming off knee surgery and will be a restricted free agent next summer.

The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation's "Teaming Up For Kids" Dinner will be held Monday at the InterContinental Hotel at 5:30PM. WEEI personality John Dennis will act as emcee for former Celtics greats Robert Parish, Bill Walton, and Bob Cousy as they sit alongside current Celtics stars Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett for a candid discussion about the upcoming season and their individual experiences Celtics.

The Celtics are offering season ticket holders an opportunity to attend the Gala and meet the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics, coaches, and ownership. Individual tickets are $1,000 per seat with the option to buy a full table of ten. Every dinner guest will receive a 'Full-Court Press Gift Bag' and will have a chance to mingle with curret and past Celtics players and coaches.

The Shamrock Foundation benefits thousands of children through community-based programs and organizations that provide education, healthcare, shelter, and vital support services to youth and families in-need. Currently it is partnered with Children's Hospital Boston, Horizons for Homeless Children, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Perkins School for the Blind to help achieve our mission. To purchase tickets you can contact Rebekah Splaine at 617.854.8090 or bekah@celtics.com.

The NBA stated that there will be no punishment for any of the physical incidents that occurred during Monday night’s Celtics-Knicks preseason game.

The incidents involved most notably Boston's Paul Pierce and Tony Allen, according to an NBA official. When the Celtics' Ray Allen fell hard after being fouled by Jamal Crawford with 4:55 left in the third quarter, his teammates on the floor immediately ran to Allen's defense in Boston's intense 94-87 exhibition loss in New York. Pierce grabbed Crawford's chin during the commotion under the basket, but nothing further happened. Tony Allen also seemed to shove Knicks guard Nate Robinson after they got tangled up with 9:40 left in the fourth quarter.

(Ray Allen (left), Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce grace the cover of SI this week)

The Celtics' new Big Three were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. Too much pressure to put on a unit that has yet to play a regular season game together? We'll find out.

The Celtics cut guards Dahntay Jones and Jackie Manuel today, according to a press release from the team. The team's training camp roster now stands at 14 players.

The NBA is still reviewing film of the Celtics-Knicks game Monday night that included physical incidents involving most notably Boston's Paul Pierce and Tony Allen, according to an NBA official. The official also said Wednesday there is no timetable for a decision to be announced on whether there should be any punishment. One reason why the NBA might not be in a rush for an evaluation is because the Celtics don’t play a regular-season game until Nov. 2 against Washington.

When the Celtics' Ray Allen fell hard after being fouled by Jamal Crawford with 4:55 left in the third quarter, his teammates on the floor immediately ran to Allen's defense in Boston's intense 94-87 exhibition loss in New York. Pierce grabbed Crawford's chin during the commotion under the basket, but nothing further happened. Tony Allen also seemed to shove Knicks guard Nate Robinson after they got tangled up with 9:40 left in the fourth quarter.

Tony Allen and Paul Pierce didn't seem comfortable talking about the situation last Tuesday. Celtics coach Doc Rivers and director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, however, didn’t seem overly concerned Tuesday. Rivers added Tuesday that nobody from the NBA called him or any of his players for interviews on the incident. Rivers gave the Celtics yesterday off following a four-game road trip in five days.

Celtics center Kendrick Perkins will be on hand at the Arsenal Mall, home to the original Boston Garden scoreboard since 1997, for the launch of the Simon Boston Celtics Giftcard. Refreshments will be served and activities will include basketball-related contests, raffle drawings, a presentation for the card’s official unveiling and a meet and greet with Perkins. A portion of the proceeds from the Simon Boston Celtics Giftcard will go to the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and the Simon Youth Foundation.


WHEN: Saturday, October 27, 2007 2:00 p.m.


WHERE: Arsenal Mall, 2nd Floor Food Court
485 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472

LC Experience vice president Kevin Bracey said Celtcs guard Ray Allen’s long-time girlfriend, Shannon Williams, ex-NBA player’s Mark Jackson’s wife, Desiree Coleman-Jackson and ex-NBA player Kenny Smith’s wife, Gwendolyn Smith, are slated to sing together on a to be recorded R&B song for Kenny Smith’s annual NBA All-Star Weekend party mix tape. Williams is an actress, song writer, runs a start up record label and used to sing for the Motown group Shades. Allen said Williams sang the national anthem when he played for Milwaukee, but there aren’t any current plans for her to do it in Boston.

“She has a phenomenal voice,” Bracey said.

NEW YORK -- An NBA official said today that the league is reviewing game film of the Celtics-Knicks game Monday night that included physical incidents with Boston's Paul Pierce and Tony Allen. The NBA official also said a decision on whether there will be punishment won't be made today.

After Celtics newcomer Ray Allen fell hard after being fouled by the Knicks' Jamal Crawford, teammates on the floor immediately ran to Allen's defense in Boston's intense 94-87 exhibition loss at Madison Square Garden last night. Pierce grabbed Crawford's chin afterward. Tony Allen also seemed to shove Knicks guard Nate Robinson after they got tangled up with 9:40 left in the fourth quarter.

The NBA announced Saturday that the Celtics-Nets preseason game that was canceled due to poor conditions on Friday will not count in the standings or statistically. The preseason game was canceled at halftime in Worcester because of condensation on the floor. The Celtics held a 36-33 lead at halftime.

WORCESTER – The Boston Celtics announced that they will offer fans the opportunity to receive discounted tickets for a future Celtics home game or receive a refund for tickets purchased for tonight’s Celtics-Nets game, which was cancelled after the first half due to condensation on the DCU Center floor. Detailed instructions for obtaining discounted tickets or refunds will be posted on Celtics.com on Saturday, October 20.

“We apologize to the Celtics fans of the Worcester area for any inconvenience they have experienced due to the problems with the playing surface which resulted in the cancellation of the second half of tonight’s game,” said Shawn Sullivan, senior vice president of ticket sales, marketing, and service.

The Celtics' roster was trimmed to 16 players after they waived free agent forward Esteban Batista on Tuesday. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Monday he hoped to have the roster trimmed to as low as 14 soon so his players could get more reps in practice and to keep one roster spot open just in case they wanted to add a player later. Boston can carry a maximum 15 players when the season begins. Batista only played in the second of the Celtics' two preseason games scoring 7 points in 15 minutes. Celtics on the bubble include rookie guard Jackie Manuel, rookie forward Brandon Wallace and guard Dahntay Jones

Celtics star forward Paul Pierce will be celebrating his 30th birthday with family, friends and Celtics fans at the Saint (90 Exeter Street) on Saturday night. New Celtics Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are expected to be on hand and there will be entertainment from Jason Scott, who is known as the “Mentalist to the Stars” and is currently performing in Las Vegas.

WHEN: Saturday, October 13, 2007
Photo ops from 7:45pm - 8:30pm

WHERE: Saint
90 Exeter Street, Boston

LONDON -- The Celtics moved to 2-0 in preseason with a 92-81 victory over the Timberwolves on Wednesday night in front of a sold out crowd of 18,869 at the O2 Arena. New Celtics forward Kevin Garnett scored 9 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and had 3 blocks against his former team of 12 years. New Celtics guard Ray Allen, who spent three years growing up in England, scored a game-high 28 points. Ex-Celtics guard Ricky Davis scored a team-high 18 points for the Wolves.

BOSTON CELTICS RELEASE
BOSTON (October 9, 2007) — The Boston Celtics today announced “American Idol” finalist Elliott Yamin, who initially auditioned for the popular TV show in Boston, will perform a special concert immediately following the Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets game on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at the TD Banknorth Garden. This performance is the first of three post-game concerts presented this season by Verizon Wireless.

Yamin, who finished third in “Idol’s” fifth season and wowed the judges with R&B, soul and smooth jazz tunes, performs after Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen and the Celtics take on Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets. Celtics fans attending the contest are invited to stay and listen to one of music’s hottest acts perform at this exclusive post game show.

Tickets are available now and start at just $10 in the Rite Aid Pharmacy Family Section. To purchase tickets log on to www.celtics.com, call 1-800-4NBA-T.I.X. or visit the Garden Box Office. One ticket grants admission to both exciting Celtics NBA action and the special concert performance.

“We are thrilled to offer our fans Boston Celtics basketball followed by a performance by one of the most popular ‘American Idol’ contestants to ever appear on the show,” Shawn Sullivan said, Sr. Vice President, Ticket Sales, Marketing & Service for the Boston Celtics.

This special concert event supports Yamin’s March 2007 self-titled album, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart – the highest-ever debut for an independent artist on the music magazine’s historic chart. His first single, “Wait for You,” jumped 60 spots on Apple’s iTunes in just a few hours after he performed it live on May 16, 2007 on “American Idol’s” sixth season.

Yamin was born in Los Angeles, but spent most of his childhood in Richmond, VA. Although he is 90 percent deaf in his left ear, Yamin finished third in “Idol’s” tightest race. “Idol” guest coach Stevie Wonder told him to definitely pursue a career in music and judge Simon Cowell said Yamin was, “potentially the best male vocalist” to appear on “Idol.” Entertainment Weekly.com ranked Yamin’s performance of “A Song for You,” as the third greatest “Idol” performance of all-time. Diagnosed as a diabetic at age 16, Yamin works as a spokesman for different organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Yamin is also scheduled to perform at 8 p.m., Nov. 24 at The Roxy in Boston.

LONDON -- Wolves newcomer Greg Buckner has worn No. 21 previously. But when the Wolves asked him if he’d like to wear No. 21 for them, he quickly turned the offer down and opted for No. 7. Celtics newcomer forward Kevin Garnett, a 10-time NBA All-Star, wore No. 21 in Minnesota. Buckner thought it would be insulting to wear Garnett's old number in Minnesota.

"That number will be retired," Buckner said.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he had his team work primarily on defense today at practice at the O2 Arena. He also is “slowly adding” things into the offense.

New Celtics forward James Posey is a Cleveland native and a huge Indians fan. When asked about the Indians, who play the Red Sox in the American League Championship Series, Posey said: “They’re going to win it all, baby.”

Some of the Celtics were scheduled to go on a boat tour of London today, but rain caused the trip to be canceled.

LONDON -- While the Celtics were very busy during their recent NBA Europe live visit to Rome, coach Doc Rivers doesn't expect them to be as busy in London.

Several members of the Celtics will take a bus tour of the city tomorrow. R&B singer Chris Brown is expected to attend practice tomorrow and players might attend his concert tomorrow night at the O2 Arena. The Celtics play the Wolves in a preseason game at the O2 Arena on Wednesday night. There has been talk of the Celtics visiting the English National Soccer team, but such a visit seems doubtful right now.

Celtics new guard Ray Allen spent some of his childhood living in England. Word is that he drove to Chesterfield, England to see his old stomping grounds on Sunday. Remember, in England they drive on the other side of the road.

On an odd note, DJ Jazzy Jeff is doing the color commentary for a London television station during the game on Wednesday. DJ Jazzy Jeff used to be linked with the Fresh Prince, Will Smith, as rap stars and turned down some deejay gigs for the hoops assignment.

The MRI results on injured Celtics newcomer center Scot Pollard's left ankle revealed a bone bruise and soft tissue inflammation. He will receive treatment and will be re-evaluated by Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon on Friday. Pollard left the Celtics training camp early last week due to the ankle injury.

ROME -- "The Big Three" combined for 50 points through three quarters as the Celtics won their preseason opener 89-85 against the Raptors tonight at the PalaLottomatica in front of a soldout crowd of 11,118.

Celtics newcomer Kevin Garnett had 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting and 16 rebounds in 33 minutes. Celtics forward Paul Pierce had 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting but missed all four 3-point attempts in 33 minutes. And the third member of the The Big Three, newcomer guard Ray Allen, missed 9 of 13 field goal attempts and 5 of 6 3-point attempts to finish with 10 points and 4 assists in 30 minutes. The Celtics held a 70-68 lead through three quarters against their Atlantic Division rival before "The Big Three" sat out the fourth quarter.

The Celtics announced today that they'll be releasing a a limited number of extra tickets (they said they got some extra seats back from the NBA and TV partners) for all games today at noon. They instructed fans to click here to buy the tickets at noon.

The Celtics will be releasing a very limited amount of inventory for all games today at 12:00 p.m. They have just received tickets back from the NBA and TV partners and are happy to be releasing them for public sale. To purchase your tickets, please visit Celtics.com at 12:00 p.m. There are no special passwords or links to access these tickets.

Celtics center Scot Pollard will be returning to Boston later today. He will have an MRI on his left ankle, which has been giving him problems during camp.

The 6-foot-11-inch, 265-pound Scot Pollard signed an one year deal with the Celtics in August.

Pollard, who played two years with Paul Pierce while at Kansas is known in the league as a "quirky" guy with all his different hair styles. He played for the Cavaliers last season, which lost to the Spurs in the NBA Finals.

ROME -- The Celtics franchise enjoyed a traditional, and long, Italian team dinner late tonight. But the players have been enjoying meals and spending a lot of time together since arriving to Rome last Sunday.

“We’ve been getting together every night, pretty much,” forward Paul Pierce said. “Last night was pretty much like the official team dinner with the coaches and the whole staff. But as far as the team, we’ve been hanging with one another and soaking this whole atmosphere up.

“It was about a three-hour dinner. But it was all fun, and we got to be around each other and constantly build something. When we got here we started from ground zero, but I can see the foundation and we’re definitely growing.”

Pierce was also still happy about his bald head that he now has as a way with bonding with the four other players he will be starting with. But while the five-time NBA All-Star is happy with the shaved head, he is curious to what the Celtics fans think.

“I’m really feeling it,” Pierce said. “I’ve been getting some positive feed back. Hopefully, the fans on Celtics.com approve it. NBA.com, if they want to put a poll out, we’ll see if ya’ll approve it. It’s all about giving the people what they want. If they don’t like it, then I’m going to have to bring the hair back. If they approve it, I might keep it.”

Said Celtics coach Doc Rivers: “We learned the Italian tradition of having five-hour dinners. That got a little long.”

The Celtics also took a private tour of the Vatican Museum Wednesday afternoon after practice. Celtics forward Leon Powe also took a tour of Rome today.

“I just loved it,” said Rivers, about the Vatican tour. “Just the attention to detail, the little things that you see when you got there. The history. All the guys were walking around together and talking and learning stuff that you clearly wouldn’t learn on the basketball court about Michelangelo. It was absolutely a fantastic tour for us.”

On Friday, several Celtics and Raptors players are going to visit the Mayor of Rome. The Celtics and Raptors open preseason play against each other here Saturday. The Celtics also will use special uniforms with red, white and green colors in it Saturday in tribute of Italy’s national colors, but the jerseys won’t be for sale

While the Celtics’ starting five includes perennial NBA All-Stars Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, they weren’t even the first or second best team during practice on Wednesday. The first team was defeated by both the second- and third-team and had to run sprints after for losing twice.

“Defensively, we did a poor job,” Allen said. “Offensively, we didn’t help each other out. That is one of those days where we are only going to be better because our second team played pretty well and our third team beat us. We can’t just come in thinking we’re going to win.”

The Celtics' projected starting five of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo were playing cards Tuesday night when an idea arrived that they all should shave their heads as a sign of unity. Allen and Garnett, both Celtics newcomers, were already shaven bald. So Perkins, Rondo and Pierce agreed to follow suit and came to practice bald-headed Wednesday. Celtics vice president of media services Jeff Twiss nicknamed them "The Bald Five."

"They've been looking at me and KG's dome for a long time and it became a trend," Allen said. "From these last three or four days we've been together we've developed a pretty good bond. And that right there is a sign that we are all on the same page."

The Celtics visited the Vatican museum Wednesday and had a team dinner that night. Several players were disappointed that the late team dinner killed any hope of going to a soccer game between Real Madrid and Lazio in Rome. But, to make up for it the Celtics are expected to go see Arsenal play Sunderland in London on Sunday.

ROME -- New Celtics forward Kevin Garnett is a huge soccer fan. Following the Celtics' practice in Rome on Tuesday, the 10-time NBA All-Star talked about his love for soccer and how it began with the media.

How did you begin liking soccer?

"My best friend since I was four, we used to give him a hard time about playing. He's always kept up with it. He's always watched it. On DirecTV he has the soccer package, the Euro TV, all that stuff. He showed me a clip on You Tube when it just kicked off and he showed me the clips of Ronaldino and Christiano Ronaldo. If you look up You Tube you can see why I'm a fan and see why I'm hooked."

How did you learn the game of soccer?

"With video games you learn. It teaches you how to play, believe it or not. I finally learned what an off sides was. I've played (video games) and watched it. So now I have the patience to watch it in person."

Have you spoken to Suns guard Steve Nash about soccer?

"Nash is so good that he plays. He plays very often. I've spoken to him a couple times. He's in Phoenix. I can't bear that heat there during the summer. I told him if he's ever in L.A. playing, let me know. I'll at least give it a try."

How was the game in Los Angeles you attended to watch David Beckham's debut with the Los Angeles Galaxy over the summer?

"It was great. Steve gave me some (ribbing) about that. He said, 'You're not a true soccer fan. You're going for the hype. Let me see you at a Chivas game or something.' He gave me some (ribbing). I was actually trying to catch the game this week (Lazio versus Real Madrid in Rome on Wednesday). Obviously, we're here in for camp and that's the primary (focus). But if we get some time and I have some time and we get our hands on some tickets, than we'll check it out."

Would that be great to see the Lazio versus Rome game?

"Absolutely. I've told they live soccer or live football. It would definitely be an experience. But we're here to play basketball and focus on getting better. That's secondary."

You met Italian soccer legend Alessandro Del Piero after Monday's practice. Did you enjoy that meeting?

"Absolutely. I told him I played with you on the video game. He looked at me like I was a little kid. It's kind of cool. It's good to see athletes that appreciate each other's sport."

What is Beckham like?

"I haven't met Beckham. I just got to see him play."

Celtics rookie point guard Gabe Pruitt injured his left ankle during Monday's practice while scrimmaging in Rome. The 32nd overall pick of the second round in this year's draft has been listed as day-to-day. Celtics coach Doc Rivers acknowledged recently that Pruitt has been very impressive and is playing the best of all the rookies.

At the end of Monday's practice, Italian soccer legend Alessandro Del Piero made an appearance and hung out with the players. While Celtics newcomers Kevin Garnett and Esteban Batista are both huge soccer fans who knew who Del Piero was, Batista said most of his teammates probably had no clue. The striker is arguably the best soccer player in Italian history, is Juventus' all-time leading scorer and has won seven Italian championships. After an NBA official explained Del Piero's background, Celtics coach Doc Rivers described him as "the Kevin Garnett" of Italian soccer.

Garnett and Del Piero seemed to really enjoy interacting with one another as they joined in on an interview and took numerous pictures. While Piero kicked the soccer ball around with Garnett and fellow Celtics Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, Pierce accidentally nearly kicked the ball in Garnett's face. It was also interesting to see the 6-foot-10 Batista, who played goalie in his native Uruguay, sheepishly ask Del Piero to autograph a soccer ball for him.