Sep 28, 2012; Waltham, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Dionte Christmas (12) during media day at the Celtics training facility. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

According to Pete Yannopoulos of TSN Radio in Montreal, there will be no Christmas in Boston this season. It was later confirmed by Gary Tanguay of CSNNE that the Celtics did indeed cut both Dionte Christmas and Jamar Smith. Kris Joseph, small forward from Syracuse and second round pick by the Celtics, has made the roster.

Speaking on behalf of a lot of Celtics fans this is a shock. I know for myself and some writers in Boston, Dionte Christmas was expected to make the roster. With these cuts, there is now an open spot for another point guard. It’s possible that Jason Terry or Courtney Lee will play some time at point guard, and with Avery Bradley returning in mid-December, there could be a logjam at shooting guard.

Across Celtics Nation the speculation has already begun. Some people think Keyon Dooling will return, while others believe that Boston will sign Derek Fisher. Like they’ve done throughout the Kevin Garnett era, I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep this roster spot open for an aging veteran looking for a team who has a chance at contending for a championship.

If Derek Fisher is a target for Boston, I expect they’ll sign him the week the Celtics have off in-between preseason and opening night.

Oct 13, 2012; Hartford, CT, USA; Boston Celtics center Darko Milicic (99), forward Jared Sullinger (7) and guard Rajon Rondo (9) celebrate during the first half against the New York Knicks at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

The Celtics came up just a bit short last night after playing their first preseason game in the states versus the New York Knicks. Just like the games in Turkey and Milan, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger were the bright spots for Boston and both led the team in scoring off the bench. While it’s only preseason, a lot can be taken away from last night’s game, not only for the players who are guaranteed a spot on the team, but for rookies and young guys who are fighting for the last spot on the Celtics roster.

The story of the game was mainly the fourth quarter and into overtime. Other than confirming who will be in the starting lineup on a nightly basis for Boston, for the rookies who are trying to make the team, last night’s game was important for them to show that they can play on this team.

Jared Sullinger continues to surprise, and quite honestly he’s making the case that he should be starting. I understand it’s only preseason, and I’ve told myself not to buy into the hype, but I believe he’s close to being ready for the starting job. His defense is definitely going to need some improvement however, but if he starts, playing along side Kevin Garnett will help his individual defense considerably. Sullinger finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds before fouling out. What I saw from him down in the post was not rookie-like. He has some real good post moves, and unlike some of the other rookie big men we’ve had in previous years, he is very polished when it comes to playing in the paint.

Oct 13, 2012; Hartford, CT, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jamar Smith (26), guard Dionte Christmas (12) and New York Knicks guard Pablo Prigioni (9) battles for a loose ball during the second half at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

For the guys like Dionte Christmas, Kris Joseph, Jamar Smith, and Micah Downs, last night’s game could have been a defining moment for some of them. Late in the fourth quarter it got sloppy, there were a lot of careless passes that could have been prevented, but it’s understandable seeing that their chemistry as a unit might not be there. Micah Downs probably impressed me the most, despite the fact he might not have a great shot at making the team. He was aggressive, not out of control, made shots in the clutch, and grabbed rebounds.

I’ve been asked a few times this week who will make the roster. Right now, I’m sticking with Dionte Christmas, only because he looks more poised and ready for the NBA. He didn’t have a spectacular night or fill up the stat sheet, but he just knows where to be and where to pass the ball. If given the opportunity, he can play in this league, if not for Boston, definitely for someone else. One thing I’d like to see from Christmas is for him to take more shots. He passed up a number of wide open looks, and I know from watching him in the summer league, he can make those shots.

The last thing to take away from last night’s game was the different lineups Doc Rivers was going with. Midway through the first quarter we got a look at one of their bigger lineups consisting of Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green, Brandon Bass, and Darko Milicic. Personally, I like the versatility that lineup brings, and the scoring threats of Pierce, Rondo, and Jeff Green on the court at the same time. Earlier in the week, Doc Rivers talked about changing up the starting lineups, but it also seems like he’s working on situational lineups that he can use during the course of a game.

The Celtics next game is against the Philadelphia 76ers. Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing Andrew Bynum, but it’s the first time Boston is playing Philadelphia since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. The game starts at 7 p.m., and if it’s anything like tonight, we’re in for one entertaining game. Especially if it’s close late in the fourth quarter.

Sep 28, 2012; Waltham, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Dionte Christmas (12) during media day at the Celtics training facility. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

As a Temple University alumni, I was stoked when I saw that Dionte Christmas was signed to the Boston Celtics’ training day roster. Christmas played four years as a Temple Owl and always had the ability to shoot the lights out, hitting 36 percent of his three point attempts throughout his college career. The two-time first team all Atlantic-10 member was a prolific scorer in college, averaging 20.0, 19.7 and 19.5 points a game respectively in his final three seasons at Temple.

Despite his college success, Christmas went undrafted in 2009. He was invited to play with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers summer league team in Orlando and also spent time with the Los Angeles Clippers on their Las Vegas summer league squad. None of those opportunities stuck however and Dionte became a bit of a basketball nomad for the next three seasons, playing abroad in Israel, Turkey and Greece.

To his credit, Dionte worked hard on his game over the past three seasons overseas and never gave up on his dream of being signed to an NBA team one day. Some knocks on his game coming out of Temple included the need to improve his ball handling and that he needed to get stronger. It was evident watching Christmas play in summer league that he had heard the critics, showcasing an improved handle and more chiseled physique. I was fortunate enough to be in attendance for one of Boston’s final summer league games in Las Vegas against the Milwaukee Bucks where Dionte displayed his all-around arsenal for the Celtics brass. Though Boston lost the game 88-87, it left a lasting impression on myself that Dionte Christmas could absolutely play in the NBA.

Boston’s front office apparently agreed when they signed Christmas to a partially guaranteed two-year contract after his performance in Las Vegas. Christmas shot very well out in Sin City hitting 47.9 percent from the field and a blistering 45 percent from 3-point range. He averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Though he is naturally a shooting guard Christmas played some point this past summer and proved to be adept at setting up his teammates. The Celtics back court is crowded with Rajon Rondo, Jason Terry, Courtney Lee and Avery Bradley though the unexpected retirement of Keyon Dooling opens up a roster spot. He is also tall enough at 6’5” to play the small forward position in spurts and this versatility can help him make the final cut. Minutes will be tough to come by in the Celtics current rotation but Christmas’ shooting skills are something he has going for him. Rookie Kris Joseph and Jamar Smith are Dionte’s biggest competition for one of the final Celtics roster spots. As of now, Boston has 13 roster spots taken with the recent acquisition of Darko Milicic.

Still only 26 years old, the best basketball of Christmas’ career is likely still ahead of him. He is a proven scorer and has already impressed Jason Terry and Paul Pierce with his shooting prowess. Assistant Coach Tyronn Lue has also sang Christmas’ praises which can’t hurt his case. As the Celtics kick off training camp in Istanbul, Turkey where Christmas played for eight months, Dionte is looking to make the most of this NBA opportunity. He turned down bigger contracts from European clubs to pursue his dream and judging by the work he has put into his game the past three seasons, I would not bet against Dionte making the Celtics final roster.