We lost our 3rd preseason game in a row last night to the Knicks and face the Nets tonight in the TD Banknorth Garden where we will get our first sight of the new scoreboard and also of the new Celtics Dancers. Here is what is going on around the Celtics Nation today:

Steve Bulpett focuses on Telfair and his return to MSG along with his relationship with Stephon Marbury. Telfair was off to his best game as a Celtic when he was sidelined by some mysterious stomach ailment. Hopefully it was just nerves and he will be back to play tonight.

The Celtics Notebook in the Herald begins with some well deserved praise for Rondo. Once again, he was the brightest spot on the team. You just have to be excited about this kid. Perk also very quietly had an excellent game with 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. We also learn that Danny said yesterday that he does plan to pick up Tony's option.

The Globe Notebook also centers on Telfair's return to the Garden. Shira also mentions that the injuries gave Doc a chance to evaluate Powe, Akingbala and Pittsnogle who combined played just over 1 minute. Doc is so absorbed with playing small ball, he forgets he has bigs that need to be developed as well.

CelticsBlog has a good interview with Danny Ainge. I like the fact that Danny isn't going to make a trade just to bring in a veteran. Unless he gets a good veteran, he isn't going to trade away any of our young players. By the time a talented veteran becomes available, many of our young players will be talented veterans themselves.

The Berkshire Eagle reports that the owners are willing to be patient and build our team with young talent and watch them develop. Without tanking, that is the only way a team picking in the middle of the pack can get better unless they somehow luck into an unbelievable trade.

ESPN reports that Telfair had a gold necklace worth 50,000 stolen from around his neck outside of a club. Later the same night, the rapper Fabolous was shot and killed outside the same club. When will these kids learn to stay away from the clubs where they can get into trouble?

Matt Maguire feels that Rondo is the missing link that the Celtics need to get to the next level. He certainly appears to be the pass first PG that we have needed. And we don't need to wait for him to develop because he is already showing the game and poise of a veteran. Now if Doc would just learn to play his bigs and use their strengths, we may have something here!