Just a week into training camp and Indiana has all kinds of problems. It gave Doc a change to give an object lesson to our kids, though. I agree with Doc that no good can come at 3 am. What were these guys doing at a strip club and drinking at 3 am during training camp when they should be taking care of themselves and getting ready for a tough practice the next day? I think back to the Celtics last championship team. Going into that season, each of the players agreed not to drink any alcohol until they won the championship. They made that pact for solidarity and to keep their senses about them to avoid any lapses. We need more of that kind of committment and great things will happen.

Doc is planning to play a lot of small ball this season. He mentions that we will need to substitute more to run a lot and that shouldn't be a problem for this team. We have a very deep team with a lot of young athletic players. I can't wait to see this team play. It is going to be an exciting season.

More on playing small ball. I worry that in all this talk about small ball and in all the lineups Doc is talking about that Perk is already getting shoved to the back. Doc has had a history of playing veterans over young players even when it isn't the smartest decision. Raef definitely didn't earn playing time over Perk last year. Doc played Wally into the ground last season even after he was injured. I am afraid that Doc is going to play Ratliff too much because he is a veteran and Perk will not get the playing time he needs and deserves and Ratliff will be on the shelf by the time the playoffs come around. The good news in this article is that Wally's knee is doing great!

Cheap Seats has a good article on the battles that are going on in camp at various positions. There is some great competition there but the great thing is that there is also some great chemistry. Our players have great attitudes along with their great work ethic. They are fighting for the starting spots but are also willing to take any role given to them and run with it.

There is a new rule being put in place to try to curb complaining to the refs. Hopefully this will end the displays of dismay we have seen from our Captain while the other team goes on to get a fast break basket. Pierce has been guilty of this in the past, although not quite as bad last season. They should call it the Antoine Walker rule as he was one of the worst at complaining about calls. It should be interesting to see how this rule plays out this season.

The Celtics have arrived. They have their very own scratch off lottery tickets this year. They feel that the better the season that the team has the better the tickets will sell and they expect the Celtics to have a very good season. I like it!!

CelticsBlog has a great piece that equates the fall TV Lineup to the Celtics. He's got some good ones including the Six Degrees of Rajon Rondo and the Nine - a search for that elusive rotation. A fun read.

3 days till the first preseason game. I can't wait!!!