Waltham ? Move over, Denis Leary, Lenny Clarke, Dane Cook, Steven Wright, Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien and Paula Poundstone. There is a new Boston comedian, and his name is Scot Pollard.
While the new Celtics center owns a dry sense of humor that keeps his teammates laughing, what hasn’t been a laughing matter is his inability to play or practice because of a lingering bone bruise on his left ankle. The 11-year veteran, however, is expected to work out with the team this weekend, although he will be limited.
“Once I realized the severity of my injury, I bought some black clothing and walked around in black for a while,” Pollard said. “You know, Johnny Cash. But I’m over that now. I’m all rainbows and daisies now. I see a light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Celtics need it to be all rainbows and daisies for former Kansas University standout Pollard soon. Pollard suffered the ankle sprain in offseason workouts in September, but didn’t think it was serious. The 6-foot-11-inch, 278-pounder, however, didn’t participate in the beginning of training camp in Europe, and was sent home early from Rome for evaluation and rehabilitation.
Pollard has gone from a walking boot to an air cast back to sneakers. After running in a swimming pool and riding a bicycle during rehab, he is now running lightly on a treadmill.
“The only way you can get into basketball shape is to play basketball,” Pollard said. “That’s the biggest issue in getting back, getting the timing and rust off.”
Coach Doc Rivers expects him to be ready for the season opener Nov. 2 against Washington at TD Banknorth Garden.
“I think Scot will be ready,” said Rivers. “He won’t be in great condition. But I think he’ll be ready to give us 10 minutes.”
Rivers doesn’t think Pollard will have a hard time picking up the Celtics’ plays since they are similar to what the Kings ran when Pollard played for them.
“It looks very familiar,” said Pollard, 32, who has averaged 4.5 points in his NBA career. “But at this point it’s going to be more about getting in shape.”
Pollard played with the Cavaliers last season. He views meeting the Spurs in the Finals as memorable – with one exception.
“That was a good experience except for the part about being swept,” Pollard said.
Pollard played sparingly. Pollard acknowledged that it pained him not to get a chance to slow down San Antonio’s Tim Duncan.
“I feel like I’ve had success against Tim Duncan,” Pollard said. “In the past, I haven’t stopped him. I’ve just slowed him down. It’s the same thing with all the big guys, Shaq (O’Neal) Yao (Ming). I don’t stop them, but I slow them down a little and make their lives a little bit tougher. I know what I do. It was really tough to watch.”
After sporting a Mohawk in the past, Pollard said about his current hairstyle: “I got the natural mullet going because it’s falling out on top … It’s just long in the back and short in front. So it’s nice.”
On life, Pollard said: “Life is short. Live hard. One of my favorite quotes is, ‘You only live once, and the way I live, once is enough.’ Frank Sinatra said that.”
