This originally appeared on the FSN webpage

For the Celtics, the first week after the All Star break has to be considered a success. Things weren’t looking so hot at the onset of their second West coast trip of the season as both Kendrick Perkins and Al Jefferson continued to be sidelined with injuries, and then to start the trip, Wally Szczerbiak came down with an injury three minutes into the trip in a game at Utah and was lost for the rest of the night and the next night in Phoenix. Despite the adversity, the Celtics ploughed though and managed their most successful swing to the left coast in recent memory going 3-1 with wins over Utah, Portland and Sunday night on national television against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. The lone loss on the trip came on Wednesday night in Phoenix, on the second night of a road back-to-back and on the night that Shawn Marion went off for a career high 44 points.

The week saw several Celtics step up and make the most of increased playing time. Ryan Gomes has to lead the pack in this category as the rookie step in at power forward and averaged 14 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on the four stop trip. Impressive indeed, considering that the Providence college product had barely seen the floor for much of the first half of the season. With Szczerbiak ailing in the first two games of the trip, Delonte West scored 22 and 30 points in the games against Utah and Phoenix. Then after a down night in Portland, West then had 19 points and 10 assists against the Lakers before fouling out.

While Gomes and West were the most noticeable as far as stepping up, a couple of other Celtics had their moments during the week as well. Michael Olowokandi had 12 points and 11 rebounds against the Jazz, and rookie Gerald Green made the most of his first significant playing time of the season in the game against Phoenix, as the high school product was on the floor for 23 minutes, including some crunch time, and contributed 13 points and 9 rebounds in that time. It was perhaps a brief window to the future for Celtics fans, who glimpsed for the first time, the type of skills that the youngster possesses.

While we’re heaping praise on the supporting cast for playing well, we cannot overlook the continued excellence of Paul Pierce. Despite an off shooting night in Phoenix, the captain averaged 31.5 points a game on the trip. This was actually a little down from what he had done so far in the month, in which he is averaging 32.9 points a game, tops in the entire NBA. As Mike Gorman pointed out in our Q&A session last week, Pierce seems to be underrated and misunderstood nationally, and when it comes to getting to the basket, he has no peer in the league.

There is much to be encouraged about with this team, which continues to make small strides in their development. We’re still a ways off from having a contender, but people are noticing that things seem to be looking up for the green. Even noted Celtics critic Glenn Ordway noted this week that for the first time he is really starting to feel that there is something good being built here. Over the last two months of the season, we can hope that Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins can get back on the court, and along with Gomes, make up a formidable and flexible young frontcourt and that Delonte West Tony Allen and Orien Greene can make progress on the perimeter to help take some of the load off of Paul Pierce and Wally Szczerbiak. If those young players can continue to get experience while the team stays competitive, (The Celtics rarely get blown out) a potential playoff chase, even if unsuccessful in the end, can still reap great benefits for the future. Perhaps we might also get to see a little more of Gerald Green and his obvious offensive gifts as the year goes on. This week was encouraging, lets hope for more like it as this 2005-2006 regular season for the Boston Celtics moves into its final eight weeks.

(This interview orginally appeared on the FSN website)

1) Ryan Gomes has seen big minutes since Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins went down with injuries. He seems to have made the most of his opportunity. What do you see his role being over the second half of the season? How do you feel about his potential?

MG: Once Al and Kendrick come back Ryan’s minutes will decrease as there are only so many ways to divide 48. That said, Ryan will remain an essential piece of the puzzle. He is a legit NBA player who can be a contributing member of the Celtics for a long time.

2) Do you think Wally Szczerbiak might be a better fit for this team in the long run than Ricky Davis was? What does he bring to the team that Ricky didn’t? What did Ricky do well that will be missed?

MG: I do believe Wally is a better fit. He moves the ball, plays hard all the time, is better defensively than people think, and will shoot a better percentage than Ricky did. Wally certainly is not going to have the Sportscenter moments that Ricky does, but dunks usually don’t win games. Ricky is electric, Wally is solid. As long as I have Paul Pierce on my roster, I’ll take solid every time.

3) Paul Pierce is having another outstanding season, his 50 point game recently was the highest by a Celtics since some guy named Bird. Do you think he gets the recognition locally and nation-wide for just how good, versatile and dominant that he is?

MG: Paul Pierce is a top ten player who has demonstrated both maturity and leadership in what is shaping up as the best year of his career. He seems to be misunderstood nationally but perception seems to always trail reality. Take it from some one who sits courtside at close to 100 games a year, you cannot have any legitimate discussion about the best 2/3 players in the league without Paul in the mix. And for my money nobody, not Kobe, not Lebron, not Dwayne, gets to the basket more effectively than Paul Pierce does.

4) Raef LaFrentz has been a bit up and down this season. He’s been a pretty consistent guy in the past, is there anything that you might be able to attribute his struggles to?

MG: Raef has been asked to do many different things this season and play with different people with different styles. Once Perk gets settled into the 5 slot and Al is healthy again at the 4, Raef can go back to doing what he does best - shooting 3’s, stretching the defense, and getting timely blocks and rebounds.

5) Since you’re on another road trip this week, what’s your favorite NBA city to visit and stay in on the road? What makes it so?

MG: I’m really partial to Toronto. It’s very walkable with great restaurants, theaters, shopping, and museums. In the past the exchange rate has also been very favorable. I have to admit Phoenix in February also is very appealing.