Jermaine O'Neal: "I’m going to play tomorrow."

Jermaine O'Neal participated in a full practice tomorrow and, according to Julian Benbow, he is optimistic about his return: "I told them the plan is to play back-to-back games, the plan is to play as many minutes as I can without limitation.”

Doc Rivers also expressed a measured amount of enthusiasm about Jermaine's return:
"I thought his quickness and his activity [were surprising]," Rivers said. "He didn't surprise me where he didn't pick up some stuff. I don't blame him for that, but I was happy. I was very happy with it."

I, for one, (as has been previously discussed on this blog) have not given up on Jermaine. Obviously it will take some time for him to get back in to the swing of things, but I still maintain that for the limited role the Celtics need from him, he will be able to deliver. So consider me on #TeamJO. Also, irregardless of if he will be able to fully meld with the team (but who is fully melding on this team right now anyway?), he will still be a 7 footer who can come in and provide physicality in the middle that is desperately needed.

P.S.: Also participating fully in practice for the first time in a long time was Von Wafer. No word on if he's playing tomorrow or not, but it's a good sign that he's participating in full contact activities. I never thought I'd say this, but it'll be good to have him back.

Résumer: Celtics Vs. T'Wolves, game 33

The bottom line: This one was ugly, but a win is a win. The Celtics played from behind for 46 minutes and I sat around waiting for them to wake up, before showing up in the final 2 minutes, just in time to keep everyone on edge and win the game. You know. The usual.


Player of the game: Preface: It might become apparent as I keep blogging that I don't like Von Wafer. This is due to the fact that he has the tendency to only talk to naked women on twitter in an apparent effort to.... err.. connect... with them. However, I'm a grown up, so I should at least make the effort to make the distinction between what he does in his personal life and what he does on the court. That being said, the player of the game for last nights less than beautiful effort goes to both Von Wafer (for reaching double figures ((10 points)) for the first time in a Celtic uniform, forcing a rare 5 second violation in the beginning of the 4th frame and finishing with a team high +15... meaning that everyone else in Green played well while we was on the floor), and Paul Pierce (for having a monster second half and giving the team energy: 18 of his 23 points and 5 of his 6 rebounds came after the intermission. It never gets old!).

Tommy quote of the night: "IT WASN'T PRETTY BUT WHO NEEDS AN OIL PAINTING AT THIS POINT?" This came after Rondo squeezed the ball to Shaq at the end of the 4th, and Shaq managed to find the sunlight and lay the ball in.

Other goodies: Delonte West got his cast off. I can't wait to get this guy back. It will help everyone out, and we have some weary bodies hanging around. He also shared that since the cast was removed, he was able to wash his hand and get rid of the smell of Cheetos. Yum. Thanks.