Marcus

Banks

Rivers would prefer, once the season starts, not to have to rotate minutes for all three at point guard, mixing and matching. He wants someone to claim the job. “I have no clue about who’s going to be the backup guy right now,” said Rivers. The early rumors are that Welsch and West will be the second-team guard tandem.

“I thought Marcus struggled in the first half, and if you’re going to struggle in the first half I’ve got to go in another direction,” said coach Doc Rivers. “And I had to go with Ricky tonight. Is that where I want to go? No. But, you know, if I’m going to tell Al (Jefferson) that he has to earn minutes - if I’m going to tell Kendrick (Perkins) that he has to earn minutes - then I’ve got to tell Marcus he has to earn minutes, as well.”

Banks had 13 points and four assists in 17 minutes last night, drawing praise from The Glove: “You were a good pupil,’' Payton said from the adjacent locker. “You did all the right things.’'

Delonte West played poorly, so the battle rages on, though both players are likely to become Gary Payton’s backups again shortly.

Banks came off the bench to play most of the fourth quarter and finish with 12 points, four assists and three steals.

He came up just two short of the Celtics’ record held by Larry Bird and Paul Pierce, and he did it in just 17 minutes, adding 13 points.

Banks played only four second-quarter minutes Sunday, shooting 1-for-4, including two air balls and two turnovers. ''He has a pretty long way to go, as do most rookies in the NBA,’' coach Jim O’Brien said. ''He’s playing for a coach who is a stickler about how he plays defense.’' O’Brien added that he thought Banks has the potential to play defense as well as Jason Kidd.

Banks is expected to be available to back up Mike James tonight.

Banks is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game.

Two years ago, the Celtics and the Lakers made a trade that had Banks going to the Lakers for Gary Payton. However, Payton failed a physical and the deal was called off. The Lakers have been trying to land Banks ever since, and that is where he is likely to be when the 2006-2007 season starts.