'Twas the night before a West Coast Road trip', when all through Eddie's House, Not a creature was stirring, not even Gino the disco mouse;
KG's 40 piece designer luggage was packed with great care,
In hopes that the Celtic Airport Limo soon would be there;
The bench players were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of more minutes danced in their heads;
And Doc with his clipboard, and Tibedeau is his "D" cap,
Had just settled down for a short little nap,
When out on the backyard basketball court there arose such a clatter,
I sprang into action to see what was the matter.
Away to the backdoor I flew like a flash,
Weaved through the tall hedges just like Steve Nash.
Gave a luster of an NBA Legend to the person below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But ole Gary Payton decked out in new Celtic warm-up gear.
He dribbled the ball still so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he never played for the Knicks.
He yelled out in a thunder to say why he came,
As he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Posey! now, KG! Paul Pierce and Leon Powe!
Hey, Perkins! Pruitt! And those two white stiffs ever so slow!
To the top of the key! to the deep in the paint!
I am your new back up point guard - oh don't tell me I ain't"
And then, in a twinkling, He started shooting some three's
and pointing and shouting to look at his round healthy knees.
He faked, and jumped and back cut to the rim,
He kept raining down 15 foot jumpers and shouting "I can do this again".
His eyes -- how they twinkled!, his grin still looked wily
It seems no one wants me, not even Miami and Coach Riley!
His long arms still stretched out like an old defensive star, and he kept saying to all that would listen "There's still gas in this car!"
The stump of a green mouthpiece he held tight in his teeth,
And an old school Celtic headband encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and the hint of a round little belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowl full of Scali.
He spoke ever so briefly of Rondo and all the things he could teach him, but he said that only can happen if you sign me for the rest of this season,
Hey Doc and GM Danny he yelled out to the window above,
I still know what I am doing, so give me some props and show me some contract love,
He sprang up and climbed in his old-school sleigh, and gave his future teammates one final plea,
There is no veteran PG's in this league who can still bring it like me.
.............And I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"I'll be at the airport on Wednesday, for that long West coast post Christmas flight."