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Dionte Christmas is in the fold.  The Boston Celtics are bringing Christmas to training camp, the partially-guaranteed deal is in place, and now we have to figure out exactly what we have on our hands.  Christmas was arguably our most effective perimeter player in Vegas, and if he makes the team, he’ll likely be the guy buried at the end of the bench, getting it done in practice but watching like the rest of us on game night.

I’m not ragging on Christmas.  Not trying to be a scrooge.  I’m just being realistic.  For him to make this team would be considered a big win, and a testament to him making the most of his opportunity.  I just don’t expect to turn on the tube this season and see Christmas logging major minutes.  Or even minor ones.

I hope I’m wrong, but the goal of this Celtics team is to win a championship.  And barring a rash of injuries, that means playing guys who can help this team win games now.  I just don’t see that in Christmas, not at this point.  Not with the players ahead of him on the depth chart.  But the Temple product shouldn’t let that get him down – what he’s done is worth celebrating, because the odds of Christmas getting any kind of invite was very long indeed.

Call it a Christmas wish granted.

And now the hard work begins.  Christmas must earn the trust of head coach Doc Rivers,and earn the respect of players like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo.  And he must also out-work the perimeter players in front of him just to get a chance of sniffing any regular season court time.  A daunting task to be sure, but at least Christmas is in the mix.  Nailing the audition in Vegas has ensured him of his shot at the big time.

Now let’s see what he does with it.