The world's fastest man, Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, visited the Celtics locker room after the C's 126-108 win over Chicago. But last night the Jamaican sprinter had nothing on the player who just might be the NBA's fastest man. According to Rajon Rondo, they should meet on the track - or out in the hallway - to settle the issue.
``I challenged him,'' said Rondo, who finished two assists shy of his career high with 15 helpers. ``I told him I don't think he wants it, though. Yeah, I told him that - you don't want it. ``But I also told him that he might see me in 2012. He said `OK, see you there.' '' Doc Rivers has some advice for his point guard: Keep the night job. ``If you put dribbling into it, then maybe Rondo has a chance,'' said the Celtics coach. ``I hope he was kidding, but you never know with Rondo.''
Tough sledding
Despite yesterday's storm, a good portion of the sellout crowd showed up for the game.
Paul Pierce, the longest tenured Celtic, was proud of the fans who braved the elements.
``This is Boston,'' he said. ``This is not going to stop them. I've seen worse snowstorms and they've come out. I saw a guy jogging today in shorts.''
Kevin Garnett, though he didn't think the storm measured up to the ones he's used to back home in Minnesota, had to agree with the toughness on display.
``I saw a woman jogging today and she didn't have a hat on,'' he said. ``Or I thought it was a hat. It was snow.''
Most of the players took the extra precaution of checking into a downtown hotel after yesterday's morning shootaround.
Not a special day
Talk is starting to build over the Celtics' Christmas Day matchup with the Lakers in Los Angeles. Pierce shrugged when asked about the first game between these two teams since last June's NBA Finals. ``We're not worried about anybody else,'' he said. ``We're going with what was said last year. We just want to get better as the season goes on.''
Rookies D-lightful
Though rookies Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens have quickly established themselves as leaders of the NBDL's Utah Flash, both players also have suffered their first injuries as pros.
Walker missed time last week with a strained neck, and Giddens sprained his right wrist after trying to cushion his fall from a dunk. ``He didn't use his right (shooting) hand for the next two games - he did everything with his left,'' said Danny Ainge. ``But it didn't stop him. He kept playing. He's a tough kid and he's playing hard.
``It's great for both of them,'' Ainge said of the pair's experience in the NBDL. ``They don't get a lot of time to practice up here. There's no surprises for either of them down there. They're both really talented players who are playing fantastic in stretches.'' . . .
Rondo, Ray Allen and Tony Allen all participated in charity events that helped provide for children in need this week.
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