Friday FT's: Perkins loses weight; Baby has ESP

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Welcome back to Friday Free Throws, a weekly recap of the most interesting news, notes, and information that have not made the headlines but are still worth a read.

With Media Day in the books and training camp underway, lets catch up on some former Celtics around the league as they get ready for the season . . .

Perkins Loses Weight, Keeps the Scowl

Kendrick Perkins was down 28 pounds when he appeared in Rajon Rondos charity game last month, and since then he has continued shedding weight in preparation for this season. Perkins reported to the Oklahoma City Thunders Media Day 32 pounds lighter than he was at the end of the playoffs, and the dramatic difference was a hot topic.

"I just worked hard this summer, he told the media. I was disappointed in myself last year in the playoffs. I don't like to blame anything on injuries but at the same time, I was out there so I should have made a difference. I just wanted to come back healthy and give it a shot . . . and just to show what I could do and be more productive."

While teammates and coaches were impressed with the weight loss, theres one thing head coach Scott Brooks doesnt want Perkins to lose.

"He's still mean, he said. He's still pushing people and he's grumpy. We need grumpy Perk."

BBDs ESP?

Glen Davis has made a career as a sixth man, but does he also possess a sixth sense?

While I wouldnt sign Davis up for the Psychic Friends Network, he did coincidentally enough don an Orlando Magic hat shortly before being traded to the team.

Its crazy, I was working out at IMG and now Im in Orlando, he told HOOPSWORLD. On Wednesday, two days before, I was wearing an Orlando Magic hat. It was the offseason and I didnt have a team so I could wear anything. I was wearing an Orlando Magic pinstriped hat and now Im here.

Davis is another former Celtic who slimmed down this offseason. (Yes, I am still referring to Big Baby.) Check out his photos from Magic Media Day here.

Delonte Goes West

After playing for the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, Delonte West has nearly 1,600 minutes of playoff experience under his belt. This season he is taking it to the reigning NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. The guard inked a one-year this week, sending him to yet another contender.

"I had a few options, he said, according to ESPNDallas.com. But then the world champions come knocking, and me just being a fan of the Dallas Mavericks, just the way they play, an opportunity to play with -- a lot might not agree, but -- I would say play with the best basketball player, one of the best basketball players in the world with Dirk Nowitzki, and being able to learn from Jason Kidd -- I actually think our games emulate each other in a way. With J.T. (Jason Terry) being the sixth man of the year, Lamar Odom, there's a lot of things that I can pick up from guys like that and I'm just excited to be here."

Mavs coach Rick Carlisle praised West for his toughness and versatilityI dont necessarily think hes a guy who plays this position or that position. He plays the game."

Celtics Tweet of the Week

@paulpierce34: "Is Tebow the Jordan of football wow"

Celtics Birthdays of the Week

Bryant Stith turned 41 on December 10. He played 78 games for the Celtics in the 2000-01 season . . . Decades before Paul Pierce wore number 34, Bevo Nordmann sported it for three games in the 1964-65 season. He turned 72 on December 11 . . . Two other players who appeared in three games for the Cs shared a birthday on December 13. Andre Turner turned 47 and Charles Claxton turned 41 . . . Charlie Scott turned 62 on December 15. He won a championship with the Celtics in 1976.

This Week in Celtics History

On December 10, 1985 the Celtics began their record-setting 38 straight home-game win streak with a 118-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks . . . The Celtics signed free agent Darren Daye on December 11, 1986 . . . Robert Parish became the fifth NBA player to appear in 1,200 career games on December 13, 1991 . . . On December 15, 2003, the Cs traded Tony Battie, Kedrick Brown, and Eric Williams to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ricky Davis, Chris Mihm, Michael Stewart, and a 2005 second round draft pick. They used the pick to select Ryan Gomes. On that night, Cedric Maxwells number (31) was retired by the Celtics.

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