The Celtics took a step backward last night and we didn't run as much or defend as well as we did in the first 2 games and Doc is still putting some bizarre lineups out there. But there are positives to be seen. Last night there was one sequence where the ball never touched the floor all the way down the court. Telfair fired the ball to Pierce upcourt along the baseline. Pierce sent it to West in the middle who immediately fired it back to Telfair who send the touch pass inside to Gomes for a layup. What a thing of beauty!! It was an incredible sequence and as the team gets to know each other better, we will see much more of that, hopefully. Here is the news from around the web:

The Herald reports that the Jackson/Jones trade is all about money. The Celtics save a chunk of money by doing this trade and they were thinking of cutting Jones anyway. The fact remains that we still need to cut 3 players. I wonder if Allan Ray is on the bubble now that we have another outside shooter in Jackson.

Pierce left last night's game in the third quarter with a left hip contusion. Reports are that he will miss the next couple of practices but should be fine. West reports that he actually did have his passport but couldn't find it in time to make the trip to Canada. Positives from the game are Telfair and Wally's play, and the reduction of turnovers.

The Herald also has a report on the collaboration of Wyc Grousbeck and Derrek Lee to combat an eye disease that afflicts the children of both men.

The Globe also reports on the Jackson trade and Pierce's injury. Powe, Kandi, Akingbala and Jackson didn't play last night. I want to know why Powe hasn't gotten any playing time in the preseason when even Akingbala and Scal got an extended look. Powe has got to be better than Scal, even as a rookie.

The Worcester Telegram reports on Tommy's early comparisons of Rondo and Cousy. Rondo has a ways to go to equal Cousy's feats, but the fact is, there is a similarity. Rondo is also has a great attitude and is a hard worker. Both traits are great to have in a player. More on the Jackson/Jones deal.

The Patriot Ledger gives us more info on Green's work with John Lucas this summer.

‘‘It was extremely tough,’’ Green said. ‘‘He pushed me through a lot of things that I didn’t think a human being could even do, but I got through it: running hills, running when it was 105 out, doing a lot of drills. I was working out like three times a day. It was just a lot of hard stuff that he put me through - handling, shooting, everything.’’

“We’re still trying to find an identity,” Ainge said, “but I like how the chemistry is on our team. Guys get along well and they play hard.”