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Celtics Four-Point Play 3-26

In this edition of the Four-Point Play, I’ll take a look at the KG winning Player of the Week, the Garden’s identity crisis, the “retirement” of Chris Webber, and the effect of Dirk Nowitzki’s injury on the rest of the NBA.

1. Earlier this week, Kevin Garnett was named the Eastern Conference player of the week for games played Monday March 17 through Sunday March 23, 2008. It was his second honor this season.

• As always, KG is deserving of this award. It helps that the Celtics were 3-1 during the week including a sweep of the Texas Triangle.
• According to Celtics.com, Garnett averaged 20.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block per game during the week, including 3 double-doubles.

2. Maine-based TD Banknorth will change its name upon completion of the purchase of Commerce Bank by its parent company. Once that happens, TD Banknorth and Commerce Bank will become TD Commerce Bank. The combined bank plans to retain Commerce’s slogan, “America’s Most Convenient Bank.” (info from the Associated Press)

• Yes, that’s the same TD Banknorth that has the naming rights to the Garden. One would assume that the change will happen next season to the TD Commerce Bank Garden. Or, just simply the Garden.
• It’s a shame that naming rights dominate most stadiums today, but it’s understandable considering the revenues from such a deal. I got so used to the FleetCenter, but I’m glad they reintroduced the name “Garden.” That makes more sense…

3. Chris Webber announced his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday, citing a knee injury that would probably keep him out for the rest of the season. He said of his Warriors chances in the playoffs:

“I really didn’t want to rehab and come back this season because I don’t think that was possible. Plus, because the way the team is playing, the chemistry is great with these guys, they’re on a roll. I feel like they’re going to win, they have a great chance to go very far in the playoffs.”

• Chris Webber had a nice, but injury-marred career in the NBA. He was a punk with the Wizards early in his career, but became a fixture with the great Kings teams of the late 90’s and early 00’s. His career was never the same once he was traded to the 76ers to play with Allen Iverson, and his decline continued in his final two years with Detroit and Golden State.
• I bet he has something left in the tank, but he’s getting older and like he said, he just felt “it was time to let the game go.”

4. Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain and a mildly sprained knee. The team announced the diagnosis Monday, the day after the reigning MVP was injured during a game against San Antonio.

• The way he reacted to the injury, it looked like his career was over. Lucky for him he’s only out with a high ankle sprain. In the NBA, that kind of injury can affect you for the rest of a season no matter how much rest you give it. He won’t be fully better until next year.
• The Mavs are definitely making the playoffs, but without Dirk, they’ll go absolutely nowhere. The Mavs desperately need Dirk to be healthy come playoff time, so he can do battle with players like Tim Duncan, Shaq, and Tyson Chandler, among the other big men of the West.

Tags: Celtics, Chris Webber, Dirk Nowitzki, Four-Point Play, Kevin Garnett, TD Banknorth Garden

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