Just wrapped up writing the “At the Garden” column that will appear in tomorrow’s edition of The Standard-Times, and wanted to pass along a few observations from TD Garden in the Celtics’ season-opening win over the Charlotte Bobcats.
–There were stretches of this game where it was clear the Celtics were a little tired after last night’s win in Cleveland, but they certainly powered through it and led by a blowout margin throughout the second half. The minutes were pretty well dispersed through the nine-man rotation, and even second-year guard J.R. Giddens got some burn–including a few minutes in the first half.
–Shelden Williams was an unheralded pickup, probably due to the fact that he hasn’t live up to his first-round draft status. But for the second night, he gave the Celtics a solid performance off the bench, filling in for Glen Davis (if you aren’t aware of the Big Baby drama, get out from under your rock). With four minutes left in the game, Williams had put up an impressive eight rebounds and three assists, and he still doesn’t look comfortable out there yet.
–Opening Night always brings out the stars, but it was a New Kids kind of night. Donnie Wahlberg was seated in his usual courtside seat, and good friend and bandmate Danny Wood sat next to him and was honored as the night’s “Hero Among Us” by the Celtics for the foundation he created in honor of his mother, who passed away from cancer a few years ago.
–I don’t know why, but I’m just not as engaged by the new “Lucky” as I was with his predecessor. I still think it’s weird that the Celtics have a mascot that actually has a human face instead of a big, furry animal one, but this new guy certainly seems to have the athletic ability to put on a show each time he’s on the floor.
–My favorite NBA halftime act was on hand tonight, the puppeteer known as Christopher. Normally known for his Jackson Five performances featuring four dummies tethered together with himself in the middle dressed as Michael, this time around he and his puppets were instead performing as the Village People. Christopher was dressed as the Native American, and my buddy Pat, who was in attendance at the game, texted me to say he’d feel alot better about the game if Christopher was wearing pants.
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