Namely, Tony Battie.

"I'm on a winning team," he says. "I'm going to the playoffs. Good things come to those who are patient and who work hard.
"And I think I was both."

The patience part wasn't easy. When you are the No. 5 overall pick of the 1997 draft and you get labeled "El Busto" during your rookie season, it's difficult to focus on the big picture.

Well, it has taken three stops and five NBA seasons, but the 6-11, 240-pound South Oak Cliff High School graduate and former Texas Tech player seems to have found a home and earned a niche.

Battie (pronounced buh-TEE) has started 63 games this season for a Celtics team that has the Eastern Conference's third best record.