Consistent Throughout Playoffs, Posey Knows His Role

By Scott Tribble
Celtics.com Correspondent
May 25, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, MI - At Sunday's media session, the Celtics' quiet contributor assumed a modest position. While Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen stood front and center, illuminated by several cameras, their words echoing throughout a vast hall at the team hotel, James Posey stood alone in a dark corner. Well, not entirely alone, as the 6-8 forward stood in the shadow of a large potted plant.

While the three Celtics' leaders have garnered most of the headlines in the team's playoff run thus far, Posey has been a key contributor off the bench. The forward has drawn the likes of LeBron James, Joe Johnson, Richard Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince in defensive assignments, while complementing Garnett and Kendrick Perkins on the boards. Posey also has made opponents pay dearly for double-covering Allen and Pierce, knocking down open three after open three.

James Posey, fighting for the ball against the Cavs in Game 7 at the Garden, isn't afraid to hit the deck and do the dirty work for the Celtics in the postseason.
Jim Rogash/NBAE/Getty

In Saturday night's Game 3 win over the Pistons, the veteran forward once again played a key role. Posey scored 12 off the bench and collected four rebounds, while helping to limit Prince to four points on 2 of 11 shooting.

The final two minutes of the first quarter typified Posey's night, and, to some degree, underscored his importance to the Celtics throughout the playoffs. After struggling out of the gate, the Pistons rebounded from an early deficit and tied the game. With the Detroit crowd surging, Posey stepped to the line and coolly knocked down two free throws. After a Paul Pierce steal, Posey nailed a three-pointer to give the Celtics a five point lead. The forward next collected a Rasheed Wallace miss and set the stage for Sam Cassell's quarter-ending trey. In just ninety seconds, Posey and his teammates had reestablished an eight point lead. The Celtics never looked back.

When asked about his overall consistency and contributions to the team, Posey, not surprisingly, was a man of few words.

"I don't know. I just go out there and play hard and try to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves," Posey said. "Just go out there and play hard...that's all I can really control."

By contrast, Posey's teammates proved much more willing to sing the forward's praises.

Asked what Posey brings to the Celtics, Sam Cassell said flatly: "Everything."

"He is our primary defender. There's always dirty work -- he takes charges and things that don't show up on stat sheets, deflections. He also can shoot the long ball pretty good so he does it all for us."

According to Coach Doc Rivers, Posey has been so reliable over the course of the year that it has been easy to take the veteran for granted.

"He [has been] great defensively for sure, and [he's] doing a lot of other little things for us. He's done it all year, though. We've come to expect it from him sometimes we take it for granted. We probably shouldn't, but we do."

Prior to this season, Posey had played in 34 playoff games and, in 2005-06, earned a ring with the Miami Heat. Though somewhat guarded in drawing comparisons to that team, Posey nevertheless acknowledged some parallels with this year's Celtics.

"For the most part, just like this team, that team was put together that year, so it was like on-the-job training. Guys had been to the playoffs, but, for being together, in those heat-of-the-moment battles and things like that, it was new for us. We worked it out and were able to get it done," Posey said.

According to Posey, his previous playoff experience manifests itself less in on-court situations and much more so in his overall preparation for games.

"You want to be focused, pay attention to great detail, and try to play a perfect game. It's not going to happen, but at least you want to have that mind set."

Perhaps relieved to field a question about someone other than himself, Ray Allen smiled when asked about Posey's place on this year's Celtics' team.

"He's one of those players that are rare. Championship teams always have a player like Posey."

Fortunately for the Celtics, who now stand six wins away from a title, they already have Posey in hand.