by By MARK MURPHY , The Boston Herald

A league official confirmed yesterday that the NBA is investigating the incessant trash talking between the two guards during the C's win Sunday at the Garden, a development that drew a shrug from Ray Allen.

``Most of the time there's nothing there in something like that,'' Allen said. ``You're just out there competing and (trash talking) is one result. The times I got fined and talked to (NBA discipline czar) Stu Jackson afterward, he said you can't retaliate - you have to walk away. That's easy to say. It's hard when you're competing. You get emotional.''

Allen denied part of a Yahoo! Sports report that claimed he later went into the Charlotte locker room to apologize to Paul for Rondo's actions. Though he went into the locker room to meet with Paul, Allen said he didn't apologize.

``Chris was giving us an autographed jersey for the High Hopes Fund,'' Allen said of a charity his family supports that is sponsored by the Joslin Diabetes Center. ``Chris and I share the tie of being Brand Jordan athletes, so we're in contact.

``I did ask him, `What was going on between the two of you on the floor,' and he said, `It was just the two of us out there competing, that's all.' ''

Ainge deals with it

Danny Ainge met with Rondo late Sunday at the end of the negotiations that landed the player a five-year, $55 million extention to discuss so-called life issues, and how to carry himself on and off the court. Rondo has described his relationship with the general manager as a father-son association.

``I don't think I have to, I just think Rajon and I have a good relationship in that way,'' Ainge said. ``I just felt at that time that we had to have that talk. It's tough on young players. There are those who don't win when they come in, and have a lot of pressure put on them, and then there are those with a lot of pressure who do win and play for good teams.

``I think Rajon has been put in a good circumstance for himself. He does understand what he has here. He's appreciative of the opportunity that he has. He's also a bright kid and a talented player, and he's the kind who knows how to make the most of this kind of opportunity.''

Nobody shot J.R.

Overshadowed by the Celtics' ability to reach agreement with Rondo was the team's decision not to pick up the option on second-year swingman J.R. Giddens, who will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. Though Giddens obviously could return, he hasn't done enough to force the team's hand.

``It doesn't mean we don't like J.R., but J.R. hasn't separated himself from the other players on this team,'' Ainge said. ``But he has made great strides.''

The chance remains that Giddens could be sent back to the NBDL.

``Right now he's part of the team because we have so many injuries,'' Ainge said. ``If we were to make that consideration, it would mean that we had a completely healthy team.'' . . .

Rasheed Wallace, Philly native that he is, showed up for the 76ers game wearing a Phillies jacket.

Read the Celtics Insider at bostonherald.com.

Copyright 2009 Boston Herald Inc.
	Terms & Conditions     Privacy Copyright © 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.