Miles, who missed the previous two seasons with Portland after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee, was given a chance to restart his NBA career when the Celtics invited him to training camp. As the only nonguaranteed training camp invitee, the odds were against the 6-foot-9-inch, 235-pounder making the defending champions' roster. Before he was waived Oct. 20, Miles proved he could still play and said he enjoyed a camaraderie he had never experienced since entering the NBA in 2000.

"That was the best team I've ever been on as far as the coach, general manager, owner, and players," said Miles, who signed with Memphis Dec. 13. "That was a great experience. It put sunlight on a rainy cloud. I told them I cherished the time. I felt like I was leaving brothers, the city. I can't think of anything that I didn't like. Well, I didn't like the tolls.

"I was around three future Hall of Famers. I saw Rajon Rondo develop. No one acted bigger than the game."

Other than the tolls, the only thing that Miles was disappointed about in Boston was himself.

"I would have been more aggressive [if given another chance]," Miles said. "I was more worried about defense and fitting in. I wasn't worried about being Darius."

The Celtics gave a favorable review of Miles to other NBA teams, but his looming 10-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug program caused squads needing help immediately to shy away. Miles kept in shape by working out with trainer Tim Grover five days a week. The Clippers recently worked out Miles and Charlotte also showed interest. The 2001 All-Rookie first-team selection will be eligible to play for Memphis Jan. 4 against Dallas.

"I'm counting the days," Miles said. "I'm working so hard right now. I don't want to disappoint. I want to succeed."

After an independent doctor determined Miles's right knee damage could be considered career-ending, the Blazers ended his drama-filled five-year stint in Portland by waiving him April 14.

Portland expected Miles wouldn't play again in the NBA. But if Miles plays in 10 games, the Blazers will be on the hook for $18 million left on his contract, which would count against their salary cap and leave Portland significantly less to spend on free agents next summer.

After he was waived by the Celtics, Miles believes the Blazers bad-mouthed him.

"[They were] calling teams," Miles said. "I wish it wouldn't have to be like that. I have no hard feelings toward them. I want them to succeed. I watch their games. LaMarcus [Aldridge] is going to be an All-Star. I really wish I could have played.

"I didn't feel I did anything wrong. I wanted to play for the team. It's not that I didn't want to play. They didn't want me."

Rare game on Christmas presents challenges

The Celtics will be playing on Christmas for the first time in six years when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday. The Celtics played on Christmas for the first time in 1948 and are 10-14 on that day (one home game). The Lakers will be playing on Christmas for the 10th straight time and 35th overall. The Celtics will leave Boston for Los Angeles after Tuesday night's game against the 76ers.

"Right now I'm trying to wrap my brain around it and how to approach it with the family," said Celtics guard Ray Allen, a father of three, about playing an NBA game on Christmas for the first time. "Do we have Christmas early? [My two sons] are young. They can open up presents tomorrow and we can say it was Christmas and they wouldn't know any better."

The Lakers beat the Celtics, 123-113, in 1970 in Inglewood, Calif., in their only previous Christmas meeting. Celtics forward John Havlicek had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists. Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain didn't start after showing up late to the game and didn't talk to reporters following a 24-point, 22-rebound performance.

This year's Celtics-Lakers Christmas game marks the first time these teams will meet since the 2008 NBA Finals. On StubHub.com last week, courtside tickets for the soldout game were going for as high as $10,000.

"You go out and grab a bite to eat, and everyone randomly around town asks, `Hey, got any extra tickets to the Boston game?"' chuckling Lakers center Chris Mihm, an ex-Celtic, told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. "It's like, `Oh yeah, let me just reach into my pocket."'

ETC.

Not-so-fast break

While the Nets had no control over Nenad Krstic going to Russia, they may very well stop him from going to Oklahoma City.

The restricted free agent center is expected to sign a three-year, $15 million offer sheet with Oklahoma City soon after he leaves Triumph Moscow, according to an NBA source. Krstic played with New Jersey from 2004-08 before signing a two-year deal with Triumph worth about $16 million during the offseason. DraftExpress.com reported that the 7-foot, 240-pounder is displeased with his situation in Russia and intends to return the money he's received from Triumph to get out of his contract. Krstic averaged 11.7 points and 6.1 rebounds through his first 13 games with Triumph Moscow.

The Nets will have seven days to decide whether to match an offer sheet Krstic signs with the Thunder. New Jersey likely wouldn't land in luxury tax territory by re-signing Krstic, but it has several big men on the roster (Josh Boone, Yi Jianlian, rookies Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson, Eduardo Najera, Stromile Swift, and Sean Williams). Struggling Oklahoma City could certainly use a veteran inside threat such as Krstic.

Greening of Marbury?

Two NBA general managers said they were so impressed with suspended Knicks guard Stephon Marbury's play in the preseason that they believe teams will overlook the drama that surrounds him and sign him if he becomes a free agent. The two-time All-Star averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 assists while making 3 of 10 3-pointers in seven games. While Marbury might fit in well with the Celtics, a veteran team making a run at back-to-back championships, he would have to come off the bench. If Boston decides to pursue the outspoken guard, team president Danny Ainge, coach Doc Rivers, and stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce would all likely have to agree that it's the right thing to do.

Empty seats = hot seat

A record six NBA coaches have been fired before Jan. 1 this season. "It's disappointing," said National Basketball Coaches Association president and University of Minnesota coach Tubby Smith. "It's a sign of the times. You learn early in this business that you have to be productive and put people in the stands. Empty seats don't pay the bills. It's a business at that level and [the college] level." ... According to an NBA GM, a major reason why the Miami Heat haven't been able to move forward Shawn Marion is because teams believe he'll want a long-term deal in the offseason. The GM said teams would rather wait until this summer and hope his price ($17.8 million this season) drops ... An NBA scout described Boston College senior guard Tyrese Rice as a potential second-round pick in the 2009 draft. Going scoreless against winless South Carolina Upstate surely didn't help his cause.

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Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com