WALTHAM — Ray Allen wants his championship ring. He’s fielded too many questions about it since June.
“You know, I didn’t mean to disappoint (you), because I’ll probably never see you again,” he’s told many who’ve asked, “but I don’t have it.”
The ring ceremony, likely to be held before the home opener against Cleveland on Oct. 28, is the last remaining order of business before the Celtics’ victory lap ends.
“It’s the moment at which last year’s remembered,” Kevin Garnett said, “but at the same time this year begins.”
Once they get the baubles, Allen said, “We’ll be able to walk around and flash it in peoples’ face for a while.”
A couple quick lessons learned on media day:
The Big 3 isn’t complacent
Or so they say.
“A lot of the questions that I’ve been getting of late is if we’re still hungry,” Garnett said. “When you taste something, you want to continue that, you want to make sure that taste stays there.”
“The great teams, they did it more than once here with the Celtics,” Paul Pierce said.
The symbol of Pierce’s contribution, the 2008 championship banner, is already hanging in the top right corner of Boston’s practice gym.
James Posey will be missed
James Posey, a clutch shooting lock down defender, signed a four-year deal with New Orleans in July.
“I think we wish Pos well,” Garnett said. “He has things he wants to accomplish in his career, it’s cool.”
Diplomatic answer for sure. We’ll see who steps up in his place.
Injuries could be a concern
Kendrick Perkins was in the house, despite his hurting shoulder. Celtics Coach Doc Rivers says Perk will be back for the season opener. For now, he won’t be participating in full-contact drills in practice, Rivers said.
As for Paul Pierce’s knee (the one he famously injured during Game 1 of the NBA finals), it appears to be in good shape. A round of tests over the summer didn’t reveal any significant damage. “Structurally it was sound,” Rivers said.
Doc claimed he didn’t realize Pierce was wheeled back to the locker room after the injury.
“I didn’t know he was in a freaking wheelchair,” he said.
Admittedly, the whole thing would’ve seemed fishy to Rivers if he didn’t witness it.
“I would’ve thought, ‘this is (expletive),’” Rivers said, inadvertently pleasing Lakers fans across the country.
Sam Cassell’s still a wanted man
Good to see Baltimore’s finest with a big smile on his face, playfully wrestling with Garnett. He was officially re-signed last night.
He may be 38 and entering his 16th year as a pro, but Sam Cassell can be an adequate backup to point guard Rajon Rondo.
“You’re going to have to drag Sam away from the NBA,” said Rivers, who got several phone calls and text messages from Cassell over the summer. “Sam loves basketball. He’s a gym rat. Sam’s one of those guys who can play forever. It’s not like he relies on his speed. He hasn’t in 10 years. He’s still very effective.”
He does need to stop chucking up so many 3-pointers, Rivers said. The coach laughs about it now. We’ll see if that’s the case a few months from now.
“The difference is now when he takes one of those shots I know he broke the offense,” Rivers said. “Last year he kept saying he didn’t know the offense.”
Still, Rivers is confident Cassell will acquiesce to his role.
“When you get old, you do,” Rivers said. “And he’s old.”
