Otto Kitsinger/NBAE via Getty ImagesFab Melo suffered a concussion off the court while with the Maine Red Claws."What did you have, Manny being Manny?" said Rivers, referencing the often mindless antics of former Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez. "I think in five years, when Fab is playing terrific for us here, we’re going to have some Fab being Fab moments. He just got a head start."
Literally.
Initially coy on the details of his head injury, Melo later divulged that he sustained the concussion while banging the top of his head on a middle-hanging metal door hinge that typically seals a double doorway at the team hotel in South Dakota. The 7-foot Melo, tabbed by Boston with the 22nd overall pick in June's draft, sheepishly admitted that he's often cognizant of low-hanging objects, but his awareness escaped him for a fleeting moment in Sioux Falls last week.
"I still have a little headache sometimes," said Melo. "I can't really focus on something for a long time. But that's it."
Melo's lore is growing and he has yet to play in a regular-season game for the Celtics.
Back at rookie orientation, Melo demolished a metal folding chair in a humorous moment preserved on YouTube. After a slow start up in Maine, he started to come on late last month, registering a monster triple-double that included a D-League record 14 blocks against Erie, then following it up with a 32-point, 9-rebound, 9-block effort against Idaho.
The only thing that could slow his development: a door hinge.
On the positive side, the mishap afforded him a brief stint back with the parent club. Melo was all smiles as he huddled with teammates inside the Celtics' locker room before Wednesday's game. He was expected to be examined by the team's medical staff during the game and was officially recalled Wednesday in order to see the training staff. He hopes to be back on the court with Maine later this week.
Melo at least seems to have a sense of humor. When Rajon Rondo shouted across the room asking if he'd be sitting on the bench tonight, Melo shouted back, "If there's room," then playfully noted how he sometimes takes up two chairs with his size.
Just Fab being Fab.
If you stand under 7feet don't ask me how I did it.
— Fab Melo (@Fabpmelo) January 3, 2013
PODCASTS
Barry Melrose, NHL
Broussard And Virk On Another Gronkowski Surgery
Russillo And Virk On Bruins Over Leafs
Play Podcast ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose talks about big wins for the Bruins and Sharks on Thursday night and compares the end of Wayne Gretzky's career to the end of Michael Jordan's career.
Play Podcast Adnan Virk and Chris Broussard discuss another surgery on Rob Gronkowski's broken forearm and wonder if Gronkowski's inability to heal from this injury is a red flag for the rest of Gronkowski's career.
Play Podcast Ryen Russillo and Adnan Virk discuss the Bruins' incredible comeback against the Leafs, put the game in historical perspective and talk about how crushing the loss is for the people of Toronto.
TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Paul Pierce
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | K. Garnett | 7.8 | ||||||||||
| Assists | R. Rondo | 11.1 | ||||||||||
| Steals | R. Rondo | 1.8 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | K. Garnett | 0.9 | ||||||||||






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