Celtics’ ‘oldies’ play for the moment

BOSTON – P. J. Brown and Sam Cassell are enjoying the thrill of playing in the NBA Finals but at 38, the Boston Celtics elders realize this could be the end of a long journey.

Both were midseason recruits, picked up by coach Doc Rivers to add experience to the Celtics looking forward to the playoffs.

Brown was out of a job when Celtics stars Paul Pierce and Ray Allen sought him out during the annual Players Association meeting in New Orleans last February.

“They double-teamed me,” Brown told The STAR yesterday. “They were in New Orleans, where I live, for the All-Star Weekend and we got together for the Players Association meeting.”

Pierce and Allen assured Brown of a place in the team, inviting him to participate in the quest for the Celtics’ 17th title.

“They felt I could contribute to make the team stronger,” said Brown. “I tossed and turned on it for a week. I talked to my wife and kids about it. Then, I decided. I just couldn’t turn down the chance to play for a champion team.”

Brown had played the last 14 seasons for New Jersey, Miami, Charlotte, New Orleans and Chicago and was unemployed when Pierce and Allen made an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“Playing overseas wasn’t an option, not at this stage of my career,” Brown went on. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve played abroad before, in Greece, and I loved it. But I just couldn’t do it again.”

Brown played in 18 regular season games for Boston then made his presence felt in Game 7 of the Cleveland playoff series, collecting 10 points (on 4-of-4 field goals and 2-of-2 free throws) and six rebounds with no turnover in 20 minutes as the Celtics clinched, 97-92.

Last Thursday, Brown came off the bench to provide quality minutes in Boston’s 98-88 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Finals at the TD Banknorth Garden. He had a key assist to Cassell and three pivotal rebounds in the fourth period.

Brown’s wife Dee and three of their four children, Briana, 13, Kalani, 11 and Javani, 6, were in the crowd dressed in Celtics green from head-to-toe, cheering themselves hoarse.

Brown described the Finals atmosphere as “awesome.” He said, “at one point in the third or fourth quarter, it got so loud you couldn’t hear anything ... the fans are going to give their best so we’ve got to give our best ... this is for all the marbles, that was about as emotional as you can get.”

Brown’s wife said, “it’s a lot deeper than the ring, I think it’s more important to have something good going on in our lives, the ring is just the icing on the cake.” The Browns lost their New Orleans home in the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s onslaught and had to rebuild from scratch. The call for Brown to play in Boston was like a gift from heaven.

Cassell, who hit eight points in 12 minutes in Game 1, said he’s playing for the moment and not thinking about tomorrow.

“There ain’t nothin’ wrong about growing old,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next year so I’m not concerned about that. I’m just playing for today. This is my opportunity to get another ring. The Gold Ball is what it’s all about. I won championships with Houston in 1994 and 1995. Man, that was a long time ago and I can’t believe I’m even still playing.”

Cassell is in his 15th NBA season and was signed by the Celtics as a free agent last March after he was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers. In six previous seasons, Cassell averaged at least 18 points. He had played for Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, New Jersey, Milwaukee, Minnesota and the Clippers.

Cassell said there was no doubt in his mind he would play last Thursday.

“This is the Finals,” he said. “Doc likes to go with experience. He understands that I can get it done and so far, so good right now. We won just one game. We are at home and we are supposed to win. Game 2 is going to be tougher.”

Cassell’s role is similar to what Gary Payton, in the twilight of his career, played for Miami in contributing to the Heat’s victory over Dallas in the 2006 Finals.