Celtics' depth shining through

This from Mark Murphy of the Herald:

http://bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1061165250&srvc=sports&position=4



ISTANBUL — The Celtics [team stats]’
green team — the starters, including Courtney Lee — were given a good
run in scrimmages today, not only by the second team, but also a third
unit featuring several rookies.

Jared Sullinger, whose passing has stood out, Fab Melo and Dionte
Christmas, who remains a great energy player, all had their moments
against the vets.

But the grind is fast approaching, especially with a pair of games
with a two-day turnaround between Istanbul (Friday) and Milan (Sunday).





“It’s good, because it can only make us better,” Paul Pierce [stats]
said of the competition. “Usually the third team gets blown out, but
that’s not the case here. With (Fab) Melo and Darko (Milicic) in there,
those guys are going to be good for us.”

For now, though, it’s the veterans who are pushing to overcome jet lag.

“Today was just tough from fatigue, pushing things mentally,” said
Kevin Garnett. “The young boys won’t feel the impact of things until we
get into the later parts of the season. The travel, things like that are
what wear on you a little bit. Up until then you won’t give in to the
mental part. We have a supporting cast of guys who have been through a
few things, and sharing experiences with those guys is important. Just
the support is a big thing for young guys.”

With additions like Jason Terry and Courtney Lee on the roster,
leadership duties won’t fall solely on the likes of Pierce, Garnett and Rajon Rondo [stats].

“It has to come from everybody, because we have a really good mix of
veterans,” said Pierce. “Rondo has six years, and Courtney is in his
fourth or fifth year. It’s not just going to come from me and Kevin.
It’s going to come from guys who have been here a few years. They have a
few things under their belts they can show these rookies.”

Celtics notes: Rondo, channeling his inner Brett Favre,
organized a football passing drill at the end of practice, with Terry
playing a solid cornerback against wideout Jeff Green.

Garnett opened a few eyes when he threw the ball 90 feet to Rondo, baseline-to-baseline, in a tight spiral, nonetheless. ...

Chris Wilcox missed his third practice today with a strained back, though the forward said he’s getting better. ...

The C’s open their exhibition season tomorrow night with a game against Fenerbache Ulker.




bob
MY NOTE: NOT good news about Wilcox. NOT. What is good news is that Darko seems to be holding his own.



.