Celtics' slumber session

The Celtics held a 45-minute shootaround at Madison Square Garden Tuesday morning in preparation for the 7:30 p.m. exhibition game against the New York Knicks. But there are not going to be many more such sessions, according to coach Doc Rivers.

"We've done it, for the most part," Rivers said of reducing the shootarounds.

Asked why, Rivers replied: "Legs. I think if you're done with your work, I don't know why you need a shootaround. Guys are fresher, I think, if we walk it over right before (the game). They pick it up and they actually have a better chance of remembering it, rather than at 10 a.m. A lot of this comes from the sleep deprivation guy, this is the main reason we're doing it. Clearly, our practices this year have been noticeably better because they are later, they got more sleep, more rest."

The Celtics have been following the recommendations of sleep medicine specialist Dr. Charles A. Czeisler of Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women's Hospital.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/10/celtics_slumber.html

Celtics Sleep Their Way To The Top

November 10, 12:11 PM Boston Celtics Examiner Patrick Gilroy

If Father Time thought he was going to catch up to the aging stars of the Boston Celtics this season, he may have been mistaken. Through the first twelve days of the current NBA campaign no team had a more unrelenting schedule than the Green. Their schedule included 8 games in their first 12 nights, featured three back-to-back games, and included a stretch of 4 games in 5 nights. Through it all the Celtics managed to win 7 of their first 8, good enough for first place in the Eastern Conference. The argument can now be made that the Celtics have already played the toughest stretch of basketball that they will see the entire season.

Much has been made of the off season acquisitions of Racheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels. Both of the newcomers have played exceptionally well thus far. Danny Ainge did however add another piece to the Celtics puzzle this summer, a piece that little has been made of, but a piece that has played a pivotal role in the Celtics early season success. Doctor Charles A. Czeisler of Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women's Hospital, or “The Sleep Doctor” as the players like to call him, has changed not only the habits of the coaching staff, but also completely shifted the Celtics' usual routine. The theory behind what the sleep doctor preaches is simple. More sleep makes players (especially older players) more alert, gives them fresher legs thus improving shooting, and helps prevent injuries. On non game days the Celtics now practice 2 hours later than in years past, and they also don't practice quite as long. The last shift in habit and behavior is seen on game days where the Celtics have completely eliminated the morning shootaround, allowing the players to sleep in instead. Doc Rivers now relies 100% on the pre game walk through saying, “Guys are fresher, I think, if we walk it over right before the game. They pick it up, and they actually have a better chance of remembering it, rather than at 10 a.m. A lot of this comes from the sleep deprivation guy, this is the main reason we're doing it. Clearly, our practices this year have been noticeably better because they are later, they got more sleep, more rest.”

When the Celtics finally abandoned the youth movement two years ago the Green's management team seemed content with the “3 year championship window”. With one championship already in the books and year three of the window in full swing it is clear that Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, and the rest of the Celtics brain trust are no longer content with the window slamming at the end of this year. Who knows, if the Celtics are lucky maybe Father Time will take a long nap and stay outside that window for another year or two.

http://www.examiner.com/x-27314-Boston-Celtics-Examiner~y2009m11d10-Celtics-Sleep-Their-Way-To-The-Top