When Danny Ainge introduced Rajon Rando at a press conference the day after the draft he mentioned the difference he had made from the 2005 Under-21 championships.

"When I saw him in Argentina, and then I saw him again last year, it didn't even look like the same player."
   
"Obviously, we had a tough time last season," Tubby Smith said. "But it wasn't Rajon's fault. We lost a lot of guys last year and Rajon was one of the bright spots on the team.
   
"He was our leading rebounder, and he had a knack for that," Smith noted, "but when your point guard is your leading rebounder then you do have some issues."

Boston boss Danny Ainge last talked with Atlanta general manager Billy Knight a month ago about what it would take to bring Al Harrington to Boston, and the negative answer was predictable.

The Hawks, who the Boston Herald says still expected to follow through by sending the talented forward to Indiana for a $7.5 million trade exception and a first-round pick, aren?t interested in taking on matching salary - especially if it means paying Theo Ratliff $23 million for two more years.

Though characters including Bonzi Wells, Keith Van Horn and Reggie Evans are still available, Ainge may be taking a cue from the summer?s quiet tone.

The Celtics, as they stand now, appear to be the Celtics who you will see come October.

Celtics guard Tony Allen, facing a charge of aggravated battery for his role in a fight last August in a Chicago restaurant, was informed that his trial date was being pushed back due to an illness to the judge. An Aug. 30 status hearing was scheduled, at which time a new trial date is expected to be set, virtually guaranteeing that Allen will be shuttling between Chicago and the Celtics as the 2006-07 season wears on.

A spokesperson in the Cook County State?s Attorney office yesterday confirmed that judge James Linn, who is expected to hear the case, has fallen ill, delaying the case indefinitely.

Knee surgery, compounded by the criminal investigation into the incident, wiped out most of Allen?s second NBA season with the Celtics. The continuance doesn?t bode well for his third.

The Boston Celtics announced today that Paul Pierce had successful minor arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow at New England Baptist Hospital.

The surgery was performed by Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon and assisted by Dr. John Richmond.

Pierce is expected to begin rehabilitation immediately under the medical staff's supervision and is expected to return by the start of Training Camp.

Despite lengthy convincing, the state of Massachusetts will name basketball its state sport rather than baseball.

Most basketball historians agree that the game was invented by James A. Naismith in 1891 in Springfield.

Fourth-grade students at the Joseph P. Mulready School in Hudson came up with the idea to give the game a special designation.

The Boston Celtics announced today that forward Al Jefferson had successful minor arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle at New England Baptist Hospital. The surgery was performed by Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon and assisted by Dr. Mark Slovenkai.

Jefferson is expected to begin rehabilitation immediately under the medical staff?s supervision and is expected to return by the start of Training Camp.

Paul Pierce has reportedly pushed back his left elbow surgery from today until Aug. 9.

``The latest I've heard is he's getting surgery on Aug. 9," said Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge.