Cowens says he has no thoughts now about retirement. Currently in his eighth NBA season with the Celtics, he is still confident of his abilities.

"I certainly feel different than when I first started playing with the Celtics," he says. "You feel age especially in the position I play because it involves so much strength. But I feel I can still battle with the best of them."

Cowens says that with increasing age, you get tired a little faster and don't have that extra reserve late in the game that you used to have. "But," he adds, "you watch your diet a little more, get your rest, work out plenty, and pace yourself in the games."

Yet after the game there's more wear and tear, with thousand of miles to travel during the 82-game NBA season. And being on the road so much has its effects.

"Like John Havlicek says, it's possible that you have fewer distractions on the road with no phone calls or family business to worry about," Cowens explains. "You can just lock yourself in your hotel room and think about the game."

"Preparation-wise, it may be better on the road, but there's still nothing to replace a home-cooked meal no matter how gourmet-ish the restaurant."

Cowen likes the home-town crowd and the hometown cooking. But now he'd like some wins, home or away, more than anything else.

"We're definitely gonna do better than we're doing now," he predicts. "It's just a question of everyone realizing what it's going to take to turn things around. We have to get together."