He's still a good fit

Posey will receive his title ring tonight

December 12, 2008|Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff

The ear-piercing pyrotechnics were spectacular. A symbolic pit called "The Ring of Faith," including cards reading "15 Strong," sat on the hardwood floor at AmericanAirlines Arena. Highlights of the 2005-06 season were shown on mammoth video screens. And at the conclusion of the ceremony, the Miami Heat's 2006 NBA championship banner was raised to the rafters to the accompaniment of Gary Glitter's "Rock 'n' Roll Part 2 (Hey)."

James Posey will never forget the glamorous celebration of his first NBA title with the Heat alongside the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade. Tonight at TD Banknorth Garden, however, the New Orleans Hornets swingman will be the focus of a less sensational solo ring ceremony in recognition of his 2008 NBA title, achieved with the Celtics. Then he'll take the court with New Orleans against his old team. Posey didn't attend the Celtics' ring ceremony Oct. 28 because he was with the Hornets in the Bay Area in preparation for their season opener the next night.

"It's going to feel odd," said Posey in a phone interview Monday. "I'll be out there by myself. I wish I could've had the experience with those guys because it was a lot of those guys' first time and also from just the bond that we had from doing something real special."

Posey came to the Celtics in the summer of 2007 from the Heat after signing a one-year deal with a player's option for another season. The 6-foot-8-inch, 217-pounder will be remembered by Celtics fans for his leadership, defense, and scoring off the bench during the franchise's first championship in 22 years. Not long after the Celtics became champs, Posey, who averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds, became a coveted free agent as he opted out of his contract.

"[Posey] was the captain of the bench on and off the floor," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "I just thought he was just so important to us in the locker room and on the floor. He had the ability to make shots. Basketball-wise, he was just so versatile for us."

Said Celtics president Danny Ainge, "[Posey] played a big role for us, a big role in the locker room and on the court. He hit big shots. He was very important. He will always be remembered as a key component to last year's championship."

No encore

Posey and the Celtics had mutual strong interest in getting him re-signed. But Boston offered a three-year deal paying the midlevel exception that would have started at $5.5 million this season. In need of a leader and scoring punch off the bench, the Hornets bettered that offer, dangling a four-year, $24 million deal that Posey agreed to on the mid-July day the Celtics were honored in Los Angeles at the ESPY Awards as Best Team.