By Mary Paoletti
CSNNE.com
Went to my first Celtics game last night since January 10.
The core crew was there -- Ray Ray, P-Twice, KG, Ray-jhonRah-jhon Rondo -- but, aside from Glen Davis (WHO SHOULD NEVER TAKE THAT SHOT AGAIN), the supporting cast looked a lot different.
When the Rockets visited Boston two months ago the box score included Nate Robinson, Jermaine O'Neal, Luke Harangody, Marquis Daniels, Von Wafer, Semih Erden (DNP) and Shaquille O'Neal.
None of those guys played for the Green Team last night, in thanks to trades or old age.
Wednesday's Celtics loss included Jeff Green (Georgetown Hoya -- I am not over it), Delonte West (He get his donuts yet?), Troy Murphy, Avery Bradley (DNP vs. Houston) and Sasha Pavlovic. I've had time to get used to all the transactions, but to realize the difference in my two game nights was jarring.
Maybe that's why I was so relieved that other things about the Celtics experience hadn't changed.
A GUY BEHIND ME SCREAMS STUFF ALL GAME
It's always some middle-aged dude who gets to escape the fam for one night a year to hang out with his other don't-get-out-much buddies: Goatee, glasses, button down shirt. You know.
Broski would have done Tommy Heinsohn proud with his ripping on the refs last night. "Hey! HEY. TRY CALLING ONE ON NUMBER 50 FOR A CHANGE. YOU'RE TERRIBLE. WHAT GAME YOU WATCHING?"
He also raised his voice at Tony Allen and Leon Powe whenever the former Celtics touched the ball, hollering 'TRAITOOOOOOOR!" Funny, considering that Powe wanted to come back and TA said "I'm a Celtic. Unfortunately, I'm wearing a Grizzlies uniform now," after the game. Minor details that Screaming Goatee Guy can't be bothered with. He had like, four beers! Oh, man, the wife's gonna be pissed, but he doesn't care-- nuh-uh! Tonight he's his own man. His own, loud man.
A KID THINKS HE WON'T SURVIVE THE MBTA
I was underground at North Station waiting in the crowd to go through the gate when I overheard a dad comforting his young son.
"You're not going to die!" The dad reassured his eight-year old.
"I'm going to get SMOOSHED!" The kid wailed, overlooking the mob of drunk basketball fans with dinner plate-sized eyes.
He didn't get smooshed as far as I know. But I didn't actually see them get on the train because a gate malfunction caused me to get held back for a solid 10 minutes and miss a few trains; BS, but typical.
So the kid is actually pretty perceptive. Even at eight, he was able to recognize that the T is the Electric Passenger Railway of Evil. It may not smoosh actual people that often, but it crushes souls on the daily.
TANGER IS STILL CHEERING FOR THE GREEN TEAM
Ayy! Gar-Bear made it on the jumbotron! And that's a nice Paul Pierce jersey no matter what Felger says.