Today we may hear the first cuts of the preseason as Doc has said that he wants to pare down the roster before tonight's game against Cleveland.

After featuring the Guards in the first two games, I expect to see more of an emphasis on the bigs tonight. Doc said that he would be experimenting the first 4 games and the first 2 games featured small linups with very little emphasis on our bigs. I expect him to focus more on the play of the bigs in these next two games.

In spite of being 1-1 in the preseason there is a lot of excitement among Celtics fans about this team. The play of Telfair and especially Rondo has everyone excited about what is to come. Here is what is going on in the Celtics Nation today.

In Mark Murphy's Notebook in the Herald we check in on Delonte West, Rondo and Pittsnogle. Doc has gotten used to saying "Backs are tricky." In spite of being cleared for practice, West is still going through treatments on his "strained" back. I hope this isn't another Al Jefferson type coverup. Also with back problems are Dwayne Jones and Theo Ratliff. Rondo's poise and incredible 1 turnover performance in Wednesday's game are revisited. Cuts are expected today and Pittsnogle appears to be at the top of the list.

Also in the Herald is a piece by Mark Murphy discussing the lack of an identity for this team. It is a little early for the team to gel with just 2 games under their collective belts. But there are many promising signs that the identity and the gelling is taking place. We have several players coming back from injury and several getting used to a new system. But the talent is there and I believe that they will gel and get that identity sooner rather than later.

In her notebook in the Globe, Shira makes several points. First is Rondo is for real. This kid is impressing people with his poise and his speed and overall game. Also, the running game that the Celtics are playing is fun to watch and fun for the players as well. The Celtics are ready to win:

Boston newcomers Rondo and Telfair bring unmistakable competitiveness to the floor. By their body language and aggressive play at the end of regulation, it was clear they did not want to lose, even an exhibition game.