BOSTON -- A collection of pregame notes before the Boston Celtics host the Chicago Bulls Friday night at the TD Garden:
--FAMILY REUNION AS SCALABRINE, THIBODEAU RETURN TO GARDEN--
It was a big pregame lovefest as Brian Scalabrine and Tom Thibodeau returned to Garden for the first time as members of the Chicago Bulls. Both gushed about their new situation, while expressing great gratitude for their time in Boston.
"The last three years were the funnest times I've ever had in basketball," said Scalabrine. "I learned the most and grew the most as a person, in those 3 1/2 years -- the 1/2 year and then when we got Kevin [Garnett] and those guys. It changed my life so much that I think my kids will take advantage of it, as well as their children. Just the way you should live life -- not make excuses, work hard, be respectful, grow up and be mature. Those are the type of things i learned."
Said Thibodeau: "There's a lot of memories. I wouldn't be in this position without those players, [coach] Doc [Rivers], [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge], and ownership, so I'm indebted to all of them."
More from Scal and Thibs later, check out the videos embedded here for more.
--DOC: SHAQ (KNEE) OUT FOR INDEFINITE PERIOD; RONDO (FOOT) ON SHORT LEASH--
Rivers said center Shaquille O'Neal (right knee bruise) will miss his third straight game Friday night against the Bulls (and is questionable to even travel with the team on the upcoming road trip), while point guard Rajon Rondo (sore foot) will be on a short leash during Friday's game after experiencing pain in his foot Wednesday night against the Bucks.
Rivers on Shaq: "I don’t know if it's looking good to be honest, but i don’t know. We’ll see. I don't even know, right now, if we'll bring him on this road trip, let alone if he’s going to play."
Rivers on Rondo: "He’s doing better. But I will say this, if i see anything, and I told him that today, I mean a limp or anything, he’s out. I’m not going to wait; You can’t take a chance with a foot."
The Celtics do get to add an additional active body for Friday's game thanks to the league's rule that a player suspended for five games or more can come off the active roster after the initial five-game period. Delonte West's 10-game suspension left Boston with only 11 available bodies to start the year, but, due to injuries, the additional spot simply means rookie Luke Harangody won't have to worry about bringing a suit to the arena each night. Avery Bradley (ankle) and Kendrick Perkins (knee) remain sidelined by injury, providing Boston with its two other inactives moving forward.