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#Celtics coach Doc Rivers: Courtney Lee will continue to start in backcourt.
— Scott Souza (@scott_souza) January 29, 2013
#Celtics coach Doc Rivers: Rookie Jared Sullinger stays in starting lineup.
— Scott Souza (@scott_souza) January 29, 2013
Doc Rivers said Keyon Dooling coming back is a possibility and he has told Dooling to start getting in shape #celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) January 29, 2013
Even before we lost Rondo with the ACL tear, I thought the most effective way for this roster to play with each other without RR on the floor was like that 2011 Dallas Mavericks championship team that simplified their offense and played to their playmaking strengths. Without a true point guard playing with KG and Pierce in the starting lineup, I think we're going to see a lot more freelancing and flow without Rondo as a trigger for their offensive sets.
On a purely emotional level, I like the idea of Keyon coming back and returning to his role as locker room reverend and team chemist, but I tend to agree with Danny's estimation yesterday that them team is stocked with four very different and very unique guards that will fill in the gaps in Rondo's absence. Dooling (and even suiting up assistant coach Tyrone Lue as a fifth guard off the bench) is a nice insurance policy, but we don't have to pull that cord just yet.
Also, The Captain also addressed some of the trade rumors:
#Celtics captain Paul Pierce: I want to retire a Celtic. It's been my long-time goal. But it's not in my control.
— Scott Souza (@scott_souza) January 29, 2013
That last bit ("it's not in my control") scares me a little, but he's a 14-year vet that understands the business side of the sport. I'm hoping that this 3-game week all at home provides him with a little rest and he gets his game back on track. He's going to be playing a lot more point forward going forward, but he's still going to need to be a scoring threat.
And for what it's worth:
Fab Melo is with the Celtics for today's practice in Waltham img.ly/scTz
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 29, 2013
The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled center Fab Melo from their NBA Development League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 29, 2013
Fab's been called up, everybody. You have to figure that without Rondo, the C's only have 12 healthy bodies (with two free roster spots still available) and could use all the help they can get. I wouldn't be surprised if he started getting some run this week against Sacramento and Orlando. Hopefully, he'll be able to translate his D-League success into meaningful minutes in the big leagues.
UPDATE:
Fab Melo brought down from Portland to practice with the varsity today. Ainge texted that nothing should be read into it.
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) January 29, 2013
Though published report says that Doc told Keyon Dooling to get in shape, Ainge texted "no" when asked if Dooling now a possibility.
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) January 29, 2013
So for anybody that got really excited for any Dooling-to-Melo alley oops, Ainge cleared up any confusion to those rumors in a pair of text messages to the Herald's Mark Murphy. Really, Dooling's return seemed unlikely. Danny will either use the two remaining roster spots for incoming players via trade or a late season vet addition like a Kenyon Martin.