Embracing Posey

12/2/2007

In terms of surprises to the coach, the clear-cut winner for the Celtics thus far has been James Posey. Doc Rivers pretty much knew what he was getting from the ultra-intense Kevin Garnett and the smooth Ray Allen. He had no real read on Posey, other than hearing that Posey was a good guy to have in the locker room.

"To me, being good in the locker room means he's not bad in the locker room," Rivers said. "That's how coaches think. But when we got him, we soon realized what they meant by 'good in the locker room.'

"He says the right things and he's not afraid to be a dissenter. If he feels, as a team, we should do something different, he speaks his mind. But in the right way.

"I didn't know any of that. It's been a very pleasant surprise and it's been very important. He is the guy who has won a championship, so he comes with some cachet."

Here's something else Rivers didn't know about Posey: The guy stands at midcourt before every game and gives each starter a hug and some words of encouragement. These aren't just hugs. These are HUGS, the kind a mom gives her son just returning from the service. Each guy gets one, from Garnett to Rajon Rondo.

Check him out this afternoon, if you're lucky enough to be among the 18,624 in attendance for the first of two visits by the LeBrons.

"It's not necessarily the hug. It's what he's saying to me and reminding us what we need to do to go out and be successful," Garnett said. "It's kind of good before you hit the floor. He's not just talking the talk. It really means something.

"You guys see it as a hug, but it's the unity of what he's saying. It's all motivating. It's all positive."

Posey said he has been doing the hugging thing for a while.

"At first, it was talking to certain players to get them going," he said. "Then, in Miami, I did it to everybody. I tried to get them to go out there and get them thinking positive. You know, a little pep talk. That's what I try to do. 'You guys hold the fort down and when I get in I'll try and do my job.' That sort of stuff."

Posey must have a long list of motivational speeches.

"It's always something different every game," he said. "I say something different to each guy. Sometimes I may repeat it to another guy, but I try to do something to get them going.

"I think they appreciate it. It's the last thing they hear, so I want it to be something positive and encouraging."

Rivers has noticed the routine. In his mind, it's 100 percent genuine.

"Whatever helps," the coach said. "It's pure. It's not fake. That's what I like.

"He's been great. I've been extremely surprised and happy. And he's playing well, which helps. If he couldn't play, they wouldn't listen. And the reason they do listen is because he walks the walk."

Rivers points to a couple of Posey moments that have made an impression on him. One was just before the team was to begin the second half of the game in Indiana. The first half had been a bit chippy and, according to Rivers, Posey said, "Cut the crap. It's got to be about our play."

"I was about to say the same thing," Rivers said. "I'm thinking, 'That's my line.' But it's better when it comes from a player."

Another occasion came when Posey, one of the best in the NBA at drawing charges, was trying to persuade Kendrick Perkins to be more conscious of the art. So when Posey took one, and Perkins was watching on the bench, Posey got up, pointed to the bench, and said, "That's how you do it."

Posey said he has no qualms about speaking out, even though he's new.

"There's a time and place for everything," he said. "You got to pick and choose. If something needs to be said, there's a time and place for it. But through the course of the game, everything is positive."

And before the game as well. Which leads to the question: What happens if he starts?