Mar 5 2011 Celtics practice sets NBA.flv

WALTHAM, Mass. -- The Boston Celtics went through an open practice on Saturday afternoon at their practice facility, giving a sneak peek to fans and special guests into some of their basic defensive principles.

Defensive coach Lawrence Frank called out positions and assignments and helped Doc Rivers get the new players like Nenad Krstic, Jeff Green, Troy Murphy and Sasha Pavlovic accustomed to the Celtics' way of defending.

Afterward, Rivers said the newcomers need to learn "new habits" and forget the old ones they had with their new team.

Another player will be added to the "new" mix of reserves when the team welcomes guard Carlos Arroyo this weekend. The Boston Herald reports the Celtics agreed to terms on a pro-rated veteran minimum salary for the rest of the regular season and he will be eligible for the playoffs. The move was necessitated when guards Delonte West and Von Wafer went down with injuries in the last week.

Meanwhile, Shaquille O'Neal will likely not be able to return to the Celtics lineup on Wednesday after all, coach Doc Rivers said following Saturday's practice. Rivers indicated he was hoping to have both O'Neal and Delonte West back by Wednesday to help them begin getting playing time to gear up for the playoffs.

"Probably not going to be ready Wednesday because his foot is bothering him a little again," Rivers said. "Delonte, we're hoping Wednesday."

O'Neal has missed the last 12 games and has been out since Feb. 1 with a sore right lower leg and sore right achilles tendon. West missed his third straight game Friday with a sprained right ankle. Glen Davis shot free throws following Saturday's practice but is still nursing patellar tendinitis in his left knee and is expected to miss several more days of practice while Wafer, who injured his right calf during Friday's win over the Warriors is still in a walking boot.

Before agreeing to terms with Arroyo, the team informed center Chris Johnson that they will not renew his 10-day contract as Rivers announced the priority was to sign a back-up point guard.

Category:

Sports

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• Boston Celtics
• NBA
• Carlos Arroyo
• Doc Rivers
• open practice
• Mike Petraglia
• Trags
• WEEI

[kylegrtf94]

Sweet pass by Rondo.

[JMEASWHO]

want more! pls record a whole practice next time pls

[Nuhjeea]

how did you g et this footage?

[9arn]

Ray ray for 3

[bodidawson37]

theyre in the nba, and they dont practice with a heavy trainer...

[snuman06]

From this angle I can really tell how disciplined NBA teams are towards defense. It's a wonder anyones able to score period.

[timetraveler95]

Ray's 3 at 3:02 ;)

You're welcome.

[boygalak]

3:01 sick pass from rondo