http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/ce...s/celtics_blog/ <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Celtics' first training camp workout looked a lot like an open tryout this afternoon with a dizzying number of players (18 actually) making full use of their reversible, green and white practice jerseys. During a three hour-plus practice in which every player received ample court time, coach Doc Rivers and his assistants looked at a number of different combinations while emphasizing defense and conditioning. Some intriguing highlights from all the mixing and matching included Tony Allen taking on rookie Rajon Rondo. Undrafted free agent Akin Akingbala impressed those in the gym by taking a hard charge from center Dwayne Jones. Near the end of practice, the Green team consisted of Paul Pierce, Wally Szczerbiak, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and Ryan Gomes in what could be a glimpse of the starting lineup Doc Rivers hopes to use opening night. That version of the Green team scrimmaged in the halfcourt against a White team comprised of Rondo, Allen, Kendrick Perkins, Gerald Green and Al Jefferson, perhaps the players Rivers hopes will separate from the pack and become the rest of the rotation. Obviously, Delonte West, who sat out practice with a sore lower back will be part of the mix. But Rivers doesn't know when West will be healthy enough for practice. Rivers expects it could be a couple more days. Telfair also felt his back tighten during the Celtics' first workout. The point guard could not participate in the end of practice sprints, though he expects to be back on the floor tomorrow. Gomes also did not run sprints due to a strained left groin, but he also should be back practicing tomorrow as well. Of the big men doing sprints, Michael Olowokandi and Brian Scalabrine looked impressive, leading the pack for a couple sets. Meanwhile, Pierce found running up and down so easy he finished running backwards. While Telfair, Gomes, West and Scalabrine are assured of roster spots, the same cannot be said of Akingbala, Olowokandi and Kevin Pittsnogle. Rivers doesn't have a timetable for making cuts, though he hopes to trip down the training camp roster sooner rather than later to make numbers more manageable.</div> So, Pierce is well conditioned as usual. Excellent. But what I liked the most was that they ran with Telfair, Pierce, Wally, Gomes, and Theo. That may be the starting 5, huh? I know it was impossible to have them run with Delonte because he didn't practice, but I really like that lineup. While I would really want Perk to start, Theo gives us a veteran presence in the paint and when healthy he's easily one of the top shot blockers. For a little FYI, on FSN tonight at 6:30 (and the late edition is at 10), they will be covering some of Celtics training camp. They will be talking about it (Dickerson most likely was there), and they will probably show some highlights and maybe pull out an interview or 2 with players/Doc/Danny.
Yeah man the show is on every single day on FSN and has been for years. It starts at 6:30, it replays at 7:00, and they also show the "late edition" at 10:00, which sometimes has extra info on it. But throughout training camp, they will talk about it on the show every night.
I don't like all the injuries and stuff. I'm genuinely worried about delonte now. I mean, I'm gald it'll open up time for rondo, but I don't want to see arguably our second best player on the sidelines.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Oct 3 2006, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't like all the injuries and stuff.</div> What do you mean ALL the injuries? Delonte is the only one not playing. Theo is 100&, Wally is close to it, Big Al is in better shape than ever, Paul has been playing for a month, and I have heard nothing bad about TA's condition. Other than Delonte, we are healthy. But, yes I am very concerned about Delonte. I mean it's to the point where he couldn't participate at all today. Plus, back injuries never really fully go away, so I am very concerned. I expect Telfair to start our first preseason game because of this, also. I mean if Delonte can't play at all today, I can't really imagine him being able to play much, if at all, 1 week from now vs. Cleveland. By the way dogma, you are making threads for the first 2 preseason games (you are doing to away ones), so just reminding you.
I meant all the injuries including last season. and ryan gomes didn't finish because of a pulled groin and telfair didn't run the sprints at the end because of a tight back.
