Celtics Jan 2002 Archive

• Pierce Gets His Starring Role

  | Jan 30, 2002

  The NBA announced the reserves for the 2002 All-Star Game yesterday and, as expected, Pierce joined starter Antoine Walker on the Eastern Conference team.

• Bucks Rout Celts in Brewtown

  | Jan 30, 2002

  ILWAUKEE - The best description of the third quarter came from Kenny Anderson.

• Bucks-Celtics rivalry yet to simmer

  | Jan 30, 2002

  Somewhere back when Kevin McHale tried to shut up a Bucks fan by hiking the knot of the fan's tie a few inches, back when Don Nelson and Danny Ainge, with help from Red Auerbach, exchanged insults about the other's testosterone levels, the Milwaukee Bucks' second-best rival was the Boston Celtics.

• Kenny Likes the Heat

  | Jan 29, 2002

  MILWAUKEE - During recent games, Kenny Anderson has had to put a heating pad on his lower back while he sits on the bench.

• Obie Looks Ahead

  | Jan 28, 2002

  MILWAUKEE - With a victory over Cleveland to begin a three-game road trip, a starting spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team now official, and a chance to visit family in nearby Chicago with practice canceled yesterday, Antoine Walker was a happy man.

• Notes: Never lacking offense, Celtics win with defense

  | Jan 27, 2002

  NBA fans don't have to be season-ticket holders of the Boston Celtics to be familiar with Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker.

• Pierce Provides Whole Package

  | Jan 27, 2002

  Although he'd get Steve Francis' vote, Paul Pierce is not the NBA's Most Valuable Player this season.

• Celts Surge at the Right Time

  | Jan 27, 2002

  CLEVELAND - Prior to tipoff, coach Jim O'Brien had spoken about the importance of playing with energy during a stretch some might call the dog days of the regular season.

• Will the Real Stars Be Out?

  | Jan 27, 2002

  he unstated but obvious intent of the All-Star Game is to have the best players on hand.

• Cavs' skid reaches a dirty dozen

  | Jan 27, 2002

  Neither a team meeting with owner Gordon Gund nor a season-high from Bryant Stith nor a triple-double from Andre Miller could stop the Cavaliers' brutal slide.

• Walker estatic to be an All-Star

  | Jan 27, 2002

  As soon as Boston Celtics forward Antoine Walker received a call from the league, he immediately tried to call Michael Jordan in Washington to tell him the news and to thank him.

• Cavaliers vs. Boston

  | Jan 26, 2002

  Tip-off: 8 tonight at Gund Arena.

• C's Injury List Grows

  | Jan 25, 2002

  It wasn't that long ago the Celtics were the picture of good health.

• Kedrick a No-go for Dunks

  | Jan 25, 2002

  ALTHAM - The NBA had hoped to announce yesterday the participants in next month's Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday.

• Strickland Knew Pacers Tendencies

  | Jan 24, 2002

  Celtics guard Erick Strickland went into last night's game at the FleetCenter with a tremendous working knowledge of the Indiana Pacers.

• Paul Sucks It Up

  | Jan 24, 2002

  Paul Pierce emerged from the Celtic trainer's room more than two hours after the game after receiving two units of intravenous fluid.

• Defense Has Been Key

  | Jan 24, 2002

  he Celtics picked the midway point of the season to play a game unlike any they've played all season.

• Celtics Halfway to Goal

  | Jan 24, 2002

  im O'Brien does not like to deal in hypotheticals.

• Strickland's Surprise Leader

  | Jan 24, 2002

  ast night's Celtics victory over the Indiana Pacers was one for the books.

• Obie Eases Off

  | Jan 23, 2002

  Even before the Celtics defeated the Raptors Monday night, the coaching staff had decided to give the team yesterday off.

• Kenny Finishs for Celtics

  | Jan 22, 2002

  His feet in a bucket of ice and munching on some postgame appetizers, Kenny Anderson took a slow, deliberate pause last night before divulging what midterm grade he'd give his 24-16 Celtics.

• Piercing Pain

  | Jan 22, 2002

  After playing four quarters against the Toronto Raptors last night, Paul Pierce looked like he'd gone 12 rounds against Mike Tyson.

• Pierce Says Kedrick Is the Highest Flyer

  | Jan 22, 2002

  While his teammates continue to lobby for him to be selected for the dunk contest during All-Star Weekend next weekend in Philadelphia, Kedrick Brown is focusing his attention on his all-around game.

• Celts & Raps Get Intense

  | Jan 22, 2002

  The play was certainly intense enough when the Celtics met the Raptors last night, and the locals can only hope it was a preview of coming attractions.

• Pierce Perseveres, Erick's Excellent Acting

  | Jan 22, 2002

  It was the kind of spill that makes hearts skip a beat at the FleetCenter.

• Kedrick Gets a 'Did Play Coach's Decision'

  | Jan 22, 2002

  There have been plenty of ''Did Not Play - Coach's Decisions'' for Kedrick Brown this season - 24 in all.

• Celtics Finish Off Raptors

  | Jan 22, 2002

  ith the blessing of coach Jim O'Brien, Antoine Walker took over the Celtics huddles in the fourth quarter last night.

• Celts Hit Downdraft

  | Jan 21, 2002

  was a lost weekend for the Celtics.

• Celtics Working Hard

  | Jan 21, 2002

  ALTHAM - The Celtics are in full playoff mode, and it has nothing to do with some members of the team staying after practice yesterday to watch the conclusion of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore NFL game.

• Migraine Clears for Rockets Victory in Boston

  | Jan 20, 2002

  Francis planned to play through the pain, but minutes before the game was to start, he discovered he did not have to.

• Troubled Leon Has New Chance

  | Jan 20, 2002

  Leon Smith is back in the NBA via a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks.

• Big Lead Vanishes

  | Jan 20, 2002

  AUBURN HILLS, Mich.

• Celtics Dumped By Pistons

  | Jan 20, 2002

  AUBURN HILLS, Mich.

• Slumping JJ Rides the Bench

  | Jan 20, 2002

  AUBURN HILLS, Mich.

• Rockets Fire On Celtics

  | Jan 19, 2002

  Winners of three straight and with a nice homecourt edge working for them this season, the Celtics looked like a pretty good bet against the Houston Rockets last night at the FleetCenter.

• Francis Likes Pierce for MVP

  | Jan 19, 2002

  Forget a berth on the Eastern Conference All-Star Game.

• Stevie gives Pierce two thumbs up for MVP

  | Jan 19, 2002

  Ask Shaq and Kobe is the 2002 NBA MVP.

• Francis Gives Out Headaches

  | Jan 19, 2002

  spirin anyone? Cured of the migraine that forced him to miss the Rockets' game Wednesday, Steve Francis made up for lost statistics last night against the Celtics.

• Big Bill Drops In for Advice

  | Jan 18, 2002

  Bill Russell was back around yesterday.

• Forte Wants In

  | Jan 18, 2002

  Joseph Forte's antennae went up when Kenny Anderson went down - and when Milt Palacio twisted his ankle and Erick Strickland banged his shin.

• Russell and Obie Talk Trust

  | Jan 18, 2002

  ALTHAM - Consultant Bill Russell and the aura of 11 NBA titles are in town.

• Pierce Serves Up Treys

  | Jan 17, 2002

  Paul Pierce took 10 treys in last night's 101-100 win over the Knicks, but he swears he wasn't practicing for the All-Star Weekend 3-point shootout for which he was selected to be a participant earlier in the day.

• Celts Edge Knicks

  | Jan 17, 2002

  For the third straight time this season, the Celtics allowed the Knicks to stay tantalizingly close all evening before stepping on their dreams.

• Gritty Eric Shows Up

  | Jan 17, 2002

  Celtics small forward Eric Williams is known to play both ends of the court with such grit that it's difficult to determine who has it worse: the player he guards or the player who guards him.

• Walker Gets His Start as a Star

  | Jan 17, 2002

  e is now, without question, a veteran.

• Celts Nip Knicks

  | Jan 17, 2002

  atricia Williams of Newark is a diehard Knicks fan.

• Celts Like Being a Target

  | Jan 16, 2002

  The Celtics have to go back a full decade to point to the last time they won three straight against the Knicks.

• Erick the Energizer to the Point

  | Jan 16, 2002

  There are certain guys in the NBA that you just have to root for.

• Remembering the Big Three

  | Jan 16, 2002

  WALTHAM - In this increasingly surprising Celtics season, we find ourselves going back to the Big Three Era for a lot of topics under the heading: ''The Best Since .

• Spoon Officially Back

  | Jan 15, 2002

  The Knicks finally get Clarence Weatherspoon back who has been out since November 21.

• Celtics Need Time Out

  | Jan 15, 2002

  ALTHAM - Three days between games are a luxury at this time of year, and the Celtics are happy to see them.

• JJ Needs to Assert Himself

  | Jan 14, 2002

  Joe Johnson is a quiet, reserved kind of guy - qualities that were endearing to the Celtics when the rookie was busting Ray Allen for 23 points in Milwaukee and scoring 13 in the last quarter to beat Indiana.

• Celtics Learning to Lead

  | Jan 14, 2002

  he thrill-in-the-last-minute Celtics have started to live a basketball life that produces fewer heart palpitations and gray hairs and more comfortable wins.

• Obie Thinks Outside the Box

  | Jan 13, 2002

  ATLANTA - Sounding more like a man who holds an MBA from Maryland (which he does) than an NBA head coach, Jim O'Brien explained the behind-the-scenes decision-making process of the Celtics.

• Ratliff Sits Out Loss

  | Jan 13, 2002

  It was a simple 22-word handwritten statement, but the ramifications raised some complex questions: "Atlanta Hawks center Theo Ratliff will not play in tonight's game because of a sore hip.

• Obie Leaves Walker In

  | Jan 12, 2002

  The Celtics were cruising along with a 20-point-plus lead for much of the second half of last night's 104-90 victory over Detroit at the FleetCenter, prompting Celtics coach Jim O'Brien to pull all of his starters early in the fourth quarter.

• Bench Gang Blasts Pistons

  | Jan 12, 2002

  The Celtics didn't merely end their mini-slump last night at the FleetCenter.

• Walker Sucks It Up & Plays

  | Jan 12, 2002

  rior to last night's game against the Pistons, Antoine Walker was more active than usual.

• Carlisle Searching to Get Pistons On Track

  | Jan 12, 2002

  ick Carlisle got a long look at his reserves last night.

• Supporting Cast Stars

  | Jan 12, 2002

  hen your name isn't Antoine Walker or Paul Pierce, you take most of your shots before, during, and after practice.

• Slumping Celts and Pistons Meet

  | Jan 11, 2002

  Hoping to turn the corner on their worst stretch since a four-game losing streak in November, the Celtics entertain the Detroit Pistons tonight at the FleetCenter.

• Walker's Knee Sore But Not Serious

  | Jan 11, 2002

  ALTHAM - The Celtics have played the Bulls and Magic three times.

• Walker to miss Pistons game?

  | Jan 11, 2002

  Antoine Walker and the Boston Celtics are just relieved that a MRI test performed on Walker's knee did not reveal any structural damage, meaning that he will soon be back in uniform.

• Workhorse Walker Hurts Knee

  | Jan 10, 2002

• Smith Rises Up for Spurs

  | Jan 10, 2002

  Neither rain, nor darkness, nor gloom of matchup, nor Paul Pierce foul trouble could keep the Celtics from the completion of their appointed rounds against the Spurs last night.

• JJ Gets Starring Role

  | Jan 10, 2002

  Joe Johnson was selected yesterday to play in the Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend, and Jim O'Brien is hoping it will be more than just an honor for the Celtics' top pick.

• Spurs Win as Walker's Shot Short

  | Jan 10, 2002

  he plan for the final play was obvious.

• Antoine Sproings Knee

  | Jan 10, 2002

  you are an alarmist, it's probably best to stop reading.

• San Antonio-Boston Recap

  | Jan 10, 2002

  When the lights finally warmed up, however, so did Steve Smith and Paul Pierce.

• No Dog Day Afternoon for O'Brien

  | Jan 9, 2002

  The Celtics' practice at The Sports Authority Center in Waltham yesterday was not unlike any other during the season.

• Spurs Offer Big Test

  | Jan 9, 2002

  Of the many high-powered teams in the Western Conference, San Antonio has given the Celtics the most headaches in recent years.

• Obie Checks In Okay

  | Jan 9, 2002

  WALTHAM - Jim O'Brien officially enters his second year as head coach of the Celtics today.

• Dee Remembers Obie Fondly

  | Jan 8, 2002

  ORLANDO, Fla.

• Celtic's Giveaway in Orlando

  | Jan 8, 2002

  ORLANDO, Fla.

• Celtics Turn One Over to Magic

  | Jan 8, 2002

  RLANDO, Fla.

• Magic beat Celtics despite illness, injury

  | Jan 8, 2002

  Even if Horace Grant hadn't vomited twice during the game, it would be fitting to claim the Orlando Magic gutted out a 98-87 victory Monday night over the Boston Celtics at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

• Magic beat Celtics to break even

  | Jan 8, 2002

  Darrell Armstrong stole the ball -- again, and again, and again -- and stole the game from the Boston Celtics.

• Calm Seas for C's

  | Jan 7, 2002

  ORLANDO, Fla.

• Celtics Choose the Hard Road

  | Jan 7, 2002

  RLANDO, Fla.

• Magic host Celtics

  | Jan 7, 2002

  Who: Orlando Magic (17-18) vs.

• Magic scouting report

  | Jan 7, 2002

  TONIGHT: Boston Celtics, 7:30 WHERE: TD Waterhouse Centre.

• Celts using familiar formula

  | Jan 7, 2002

  It's enough to make all those championship banners start to flutter again.

• McCarty Remembers Ground Zero

  | Jan 6, 2002

  NEW YORK - More than three weeks went by since the Celtics last visited New York City, but Walter McCarty can't get a side trip from then out of his mind.

• Saturday Night Fever at Garden

  | Jan 6, 2002

  NEW YORK - It was '70s night at Madison Square Garden last night and one really can't blame the Knicks for trying to revel in the decade of their last two championships.

• Dynamic Duo May Be All-Stars

  | Jan 6, 2002

  Sharing Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors was the first step.

• Harter Earns His Pay

  | Jan 6, 2002

  here's rarely one certifiable, identifiable reason for a team going from bad to good or ugly to pretty.

• Celtics Stifle Marcus

  | Jan 6, 2002

  EW YORK - The Celtics' ability to blank big man Marcus Camby in the final quarter was key to their 90-81 victory over the Knicks last night.

• Celts Defense Does It Against Knicks

  | Jan 6, 2002

  EW YORK - The Celtics were on the receiving end of lessons in defensive play Friday night.

• How Effective is Webber?

  | Jan 6, 2002

  Mike Wise of the New York Times talks about how Chris Webber's return to the Kings after his injury hasn't done much to help the league's third best team.

• Finally: `Heat of old'

  | Jan 5, 2002

  It took more than two months, but the Heat is finally the proud owner of a modest two-game winning streak.

• O'Brien Says Heat Are Powerful Inside

  | Jan 5, 2002

  BOSTON -- NBA coaches can say the funniest things.

• Pierce Still Likes Heat's Chances

  | Jan 5, 2002

  There are a lot of folks who will open their newspaper to the NBA standings this morning and figure the Miami Heat to be lottery fodder.

• Walker Misfires

  | Jan 5, 2002

  Antoine Walker had the dubious distinction of tallying a season low for points last night.

• Riley's Looking Good

  | Jan 5, 2002

  was noted actor-philosopher Fernando Lamas who said, ``It's not how you feel; it's how you look.

• Riley Says He Hasn't Given Up

  | Jan 5, 2002

  hile it is difficult to exaggerate the demise of the Miami Heat as they occupy last place in the Atlantic Division, president/head coach Pat Riley contends that reports of his downfall have been overstated.

• Time On Heat's Side

  | Jan 5, 2002

  he Miami Heat gave a clinic in time management last night.

• No Mourning for Zo

  | Jan 5, 2002

  lonzo Mourning endured a nightmarish campaign last season, and his team, the Miami Heat, has compiled a nightmarish record this season.

• Misfiring Celtics Lose Big

  | Jan 5, 2002

  When he prepares for an opponent, Celtics coach Jim O'Brien says he never pays attention to records.

• Celts Go Cold Against Heat

  | Jan 5, 2002

  he telltale signs of a bad loss were present at the FleetCenter last night.

• Third Option Hunt

  | Jan 4, 2002

  The concept has been kicked around so often that it has taken on a life of its own.

• O'Brien Says Their Are No Role Players

  | Jan 4, 2002

  ALTHAM - Perhaps Eric Williams said it best when he explained the Celtics' team concept with the motto, ''This ain't no ego thang.

• Win against Heat spurred Celtics' rise

  | Jan 4, 2002

  It's not exactly a New Year's resolution, but Eddie Jones would like to forget much of the last two months of 2001 and the 23 Heat losses that came with it.

• Friday: Heat at Celtics

  | Jan 4, 2002

  When: 7:30 p.

• Welcome back, Celtics

  | Jan 4, 2002

  Sports fans will tell you baseball isn't baseball if the Yankees are losing and the NFL isn't quite right when the Cowboys are near the bottom.

• Kenny Gets the Point

  | Jan 3, 2002

  In the wisdom acquired during his 10 complete NBA seasons, Kenny Anderson is constantly reminded that on this Celtics team there's no going back to his free-flowing offensive days of the past.

• Home Sweet Home

  | Jan 3, 2002

  Hoping to distance themselves from a disappointing West Coast trip, the Celtics staged an entertaining homecoming party last night at the FleetCenter, running the Orlando Magic off the parquet, 110-94.

• A & P are POTM

  | Jan 3, 2002

  The Celtics made a little history yesterday.

• Road Trip Forgotten

  | Jan 3, 2002

  oad trip? What road trip? Was there just a road trip? There was, of course, and it wasn't a good one.

• Celtics Get D Right

  | Jan 3, 2002

• Celtics cruise by Magic

  | Jan 3, 2002

  The opportunity turned out to be just a reprieve.

• Walker and Pierce Miss Practice

  | Jan 2, 2002

  For the Celtics, the sight of Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce nursing injuries on the sideline at practice would normally be a major cause for alarm.

• Pierce and Walker Wounded

  | Jan 2, 2002

  ALTHAM - Paul Pierce nursing a slightly sprained right foot was not a welcome sight at Celtics practice yesterday.

• Magic meet Celtics tonight

  | Jan 2, 2002

  Who: Orlando Magic (15-17) vs.

• Magic scouting report

  | Jan 2, 2002

  Tonight: Boston Celtics, 7 WHERE: FleetCenter.

• Heat Throw Cold Water On Pacers

  | Jan 1, 2002

  In a fitting end to the evening, the showers spewed cold water on the Indiana Pacers Monday.

• Celts Top of Tier II

  | Jan 1, 2002

  It may be a little difficult this morning to decipher just how good these Celtics are.