--The Celtics weren't pleased that G Ray Allen didn't get selected to the Eastern Conference reserves for the All-Star Game.
"I am disappointed obviously because I think Ray has done more than scoring numbers," said coach Doc Rivers. "He's done what you ask him to do to be a winning team. He's sacrificed his game for the good of the team on an All-Star level. We won a title because of that, and we have one of the best record in the NBA this year because of that. And he's the most efficient two-guard in the NBA, scoring-wise. Why I was disappointed is that it's the coaches that vote for that, and every time I see a coach they say, 'Man, I love how you have your guys sacrificing for the team.' "That's what we want all our players to do, and then when it's time to vote they go by numbers. So that was disappointing."
--Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was happy for the Celtics last season -- and a little jealous.
"It was great," he said. "I told Wyc (Grousbeck, co-owner of the Celts), 'how come I can't get one of those trades?'"
He was referring to the acquisition of Kevin Garnett, but the Mavs did bring in future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd last season.
"No question, but we had to give up a player (Devin Harris)," said Cuban before correcting himself. "No, actually they gave up Al Jefferson, and he's going to be an All-Star for a long time to come. But the Celtics made two great trades. You have to give them all the credit in the world.
"You know, it's funny. Everybody talks about what you should do and what you shouldn't do. Here in Boston, people were all saying, 'hey, you should trade Paul Pierce and break it up and rebuild,' and look how that turned out. The Lakers were supposed to trade Kobe (Bryant), and then they ended up not trading him and they get Pau Gasol. Look how that turned out. So the moral of the story is that bloggers aren't very good general managers."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We played good in spurts, but with a team that good and that experienced, we just have to play good the whole game." -- Detroit G Allen Iverson.
