Hoop Masters Blog

It is often said one should be careful what one asks for. But Gabe Pruitt feels very comfortable this morning after receiving the playing time for which he’s longed. A bit sore, but comfortable.

The second-year point guard got off the end of the bench, started and went for 11 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 44 minutes of the Celtics [team stats]’ 83-66 preseason victory over New Jersey yesterday. He also picked up a few bumps.

“It’s funny,” Doc Rivers said. “He was so tired and had all these bruises all over him, and he was grabbing everything. I told him he did today what Allen Iverson [stats] has done for 10 years. He plays 82 games, 45 minutes a night.” Now, Pruitt can relate.

“That makes me (have) more respect for Kevin (Garnett), Paul (Pierce) and Ray (Allen),” he said. “Those guys have been doing it for 10-plus years now. I got a taste of what it’s like to be one of those stars. I think I showed I can play with the Big Three. I can be on the floor if they need me. I can play solid, and putting me on the floor won’t be a step back.

“I’m trying to make the most of the minutes I do get and open the coaches’ eyes (so) that maybe they’ll say ‘He can play.’ ”

Yesterday he accomplished that mission.

“You know, if he can continue to play like that, we may have something with him,” Pierce said. “He might be able to solidify a backup role. . . . He just had an overall solid performance.”

Garnett agreed with Pierce and said he isn’t at all surprised by Pruitt’s play, based on the youngster’s work during the offseason. Pruitt did commit six turnovers vs. the Nets.

“To his credit, he worked really, really hard this summer,” said Garnett. “He came back bragging, talking about how he was going to get at (Pierce) and some of the other guys, but that’s what you want to see from your young guys. You want to see that they’re hungry and they’re going to be competitive. So, no, I’m not surprised at all.”

The coach may be, but it’s pleasantly so.

“He’s definitely worked himself in with Eddie (House) and Rajon (Rondo),” said Rivers. “He’s ready to play. I think he is. It’s not the offense for us. You know, he doesn’t see certain things yet, (but) that will come. It’s more that defensively (is) where he’s made his biggest improvement. He stays in front of the ball and he stays long, and that’s good.”