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“But it’ll always be a special place in my heart when I face the Green, if it’s against different players or whoever’s on the team. I’ll always have an affiliation with that.”

His affiliation with the Nets is what concerns him now. Even with winning consecutive games for the first time this season, Brooklyn is just 7-14 — two games behind the Atlantic Division-leading Celts. Asked about the modest surge, KG broke the place up.

“Well, you have to be optimistic, man,” he began. “It’s a long year. You know, November was a (expletive) year for us . . . a (expletive) month . . .

“Ah, (expletive), sorry,” he added with a laugh. “They’re probably going to fine me for that one. I don’t give a (expletive).”

And Pierce made with the funny when talking about the protective glove he wore for the first time.

“It was a little uncomfortable,” he said. “I just got it today. It just came in today in the mail, so as I spend more time in it, get to know it, take it out to the movies, I don’t know, we can get to know each other and become comfortable with each other and then we can hit a home run together.”

Herald: Paul Pierce, KG know Boston return will be special

It was weird watching them play against the Celtics last night.  It’s just bizarre watching a game and trying to figure out how the Celtics can exploit their weaknesses.

Yelling for Jeff Green to drive on Pierce is just awkward.

And it gets no easier when you read about these guys yukking it up after the game.  One thing I miss most about KG’s time here in Boston are those great post-game press conferences he used to give.

Man I miss that guy.

I’m not going to dwell on it.  The Celtics did well with their trade, and we’re all moving forward.  Besides, it’s the game in Boston where the real emotion will come out.

Related links:  ESPN Boston: Celtics bring out best in KG, Pierce  |  WEEI:  Pierce & Garnett show Celtics love

Page 2:  This back-to-back was one big set up

“I think it was a setup,” a lighthearted Sullinger said. “I think once they saw the trade happen, I think they set it up to have a back-to-back — former teammates and then former head coach. I think it was all a setup. At the same time, it’s another game. That’s the beauty of the NBA. We took a loss today, but we’ve got another shot to get another win.”

ESPN Boston: Reunion week, act 2: What’s up, Doc?

This was a tough back-to-back regardless of the emotional attachments.

Last night we had to watch Pierce & KG in Brooklyn, tonight we’ve got to watch Doc Rivers roam the opposing sideline, yelling instructions to Chris Paul.

Fun.

There’s been some talk about whether the cheer or boo him, especially after Doc finally owned up to what happened here.

Rivers signed a five-year extension with Boston in 2011, prepared to go through the next rebuilding phase of the franchise. After skipping town for the Clippers last year, some (or most) fans feel that Rivers walked out on the team.

“I did at the end of the day,” Rivers admitted. “You make choices in your life, it happens… It was a very difficult decision for me to make; whether to walk away and sit a couple of years, which was another way I was leaning, or if the right job presented itself to walk away and do that.

“I was afforded a great opportunity here with the Clippers. This is the first time I’ve been able to coach a team and run a team,” Rivers continued. “This may work, it may not work. It’s a far bigger gamble for me than anyone else. So I thought it was the right time to take it.”

I have never blamed Doc for leaving, mainly because I think most people would do something similar in their line of work if they had the opportunity.  Our judgement is clouded when we add the Celtics to it, because we all think we’d be happy to make minimum wage if it meant working for the Celtics.  But that’s not how these guys think.  Doc didn’t want to be part of the rebuild, so he’s gone.

In the end, it worked out quite nicely.  We got a coach that’s better suited for this role and a draft pick as compensation for him breaking his contract.  There hasn’t been a single moment this season where I’ve thought “shit… I really wish Doc was here handling this team.”

Brad Stevens has done an excellent job so far, and it’s clear that he’s the right guy at the right time for this franchise.  If Doc didn’t bail, Stevens might be coaching the Nets, or Bucks, or Clippers, for all we know.  But instead, he’s coaching the Celtics, and I think the team is better for it.

So when Doc is introduced tonight, let out a cheer, even if you hate him for how he left.  Because him leaving helped put the Celtics on the right track.

Related links:  Herald:  First old mates, then ex-coach  |  Globe:  Rivers says return to Garden will be emotional

The rest of the links:

Herald: Frank talk, poor mark put on Kidd, Nets  |  Celtics cut down by Nets  |  Globe:  Pierce & Garnett more concerned with Nets than Celtics now  |  Nets prove too strong  |  CSNNE:  Did Celtics win trade with Nets?  |  Slow start returns vs. Nets, dooms Celtics  |  Pierce: Still see that Celtics pride  |  Garnett does the little things to help Nets win  |  ESPN Boston:  Stevens was on point