BOSTON (AP) – He’s still so new to the Boston Celtics that the nameplate above his locker is nothing more than yellow tape. But it didn’t take long for Raef LaFrentz to make the right impression on his new teammates.

Boston acquired LaFrentz from Dallas Monday along with Jiri Welsch, Chris Mills and the Mavericks first-round pick in 2004 in exchange for Antoine Walker and Tony Delk because it believed he could provide them with an interior presence by blocking shots and rebounding.

LaFrentz, acquired from Dallas Monday in the trade that sent Antoine Walker to the Mavericks, got in his first practice with the Celtics on Wednesday morning after waiting until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday to be cleared by the Celtics medical staff.

“One thing about our team is that scoring is not what you’re going to be credited for. It’s what you do on the defensive end,” said Eric Williams, who played with LaFrentz in Denver during the 1998-1999 season. “In just the one practice we had this morning he was blocking shots and rebounding. That’s all we need.”

LaFrentz spent 4 1/2 seasons with Denver, who drafted him fourth overall in 1998, before being shipped to Dallas in February 2002. Last season LaFrentz played a career-low 23.3 minutes a game as he struggled to find a role on a Mavericks squad loaded with stars like Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Michael Finley.

But Boston hopes that by moving to the Eastern Conference and taking on an expanded role, LaFrentz can revert to the form he showed in 2001-2002 when he averaged 13.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and finished second in the NBA with 2.73 blocks per game.

LaFrentz made his first appearance for the Celtics midway through the first quarter in a preseason game against the Timberwolves Wednesday night.

“It was a good experience (in Dallas), but personally I’m excited about this move as far as the opportunity that’s in front of me to get better,” said LaFrentz.

LaFrentz has spent the majority of his career playing center, though at 6-foot-11 and 240 pounds he’s comparatively undersized. LaFrentz believes he can be most successful by using his quickness and perimeter shot to pull larger centers away from the basket, instead of trying to post them up.

He wasn’t used that way with the Mavericks, and LaFrentz says he’s looking forward to getting back to playing his game for a team that will allow him to do so.

“Initially it feels like they are going to give me the opportunity to do some of the things that I do best. Any time you’re in a system like that it’s a good thing,” he said.

AP-ES-10-22-03 1959EDT