Weiss Observations

perk is a beast and he has been having a feast on nice inside passes, especially from kg. also looked good at the free throw line- a big bonus if he can keep that up. too many ticky tacky, almost impulsive fouls like he feels guilty and wants to be punished. agree tony looks like he is still nursing his knee-can’t blame him and will need time to get together internally or til the knee feels right to him. rondo is rondo and even though he has his limitations, is very consistent being himself on the floor. he knows what he wants to do most of the time and has a srong ego which is a major plus having to feed the big three troika.

Nice report, Eric, but I disagree with your assessment of Batista. He was very active, especially on the boards. Yes, he has a ways to go defensively, but it was not for lack of effort. He strikes me as a good back-up 4 and 5, which is more valuable if KG is going to swing between the 4 and 5. Pollard clearly is only a 5. I say Batista will be making the team.

I like Batista better than Wallace because of his size and aggressiveness. Granted, we haven’t seen Wallace; but, I’ll take Batista’s experience over his as well. Remember, he’s fighting to be the 10-12th man. It’s not like we need him to be a star. Once the season begins I don’t expect that all of The Three will ever sit at the same time, so we’re not asking any of these guys to be a focal point ever. We just need some big bodies around to throw in there if we have an injury crisis at the 4 and 5 spots. Wallace is playing the 3 in practice, and we’re crowed at that spot.

Well Jackie Manuel is going to be cut. The question is, who will be the other player cut? It should be Dahntay Jones or Pollard (who I predict will be hurt all year), but it probably will be Batista, even though I thought he looked like a useful player.

Pruitt and Wallace will likely go to the D-league. Pruitt looks simply horrible out there.

It’s too bad that Ainge can’t package Scalabrine and something else to bring in a Kevin Ollie type.

Great assesment of Perk. What you saw in those two games was exactly what I expected. If he hangs around the front of the rim he will get 2-3 dunks a game without much effort. He appears to be shooting the free throws better as well. Must have worked on that in the offseason. I love Perks scowl all game!

Batista didn’t get enough minutes to judge his potential. Neither did Wallace for that matter. Same for Jones. I think that will come down to the last few preseason games/practice play. I would cut Jones because he isn’t really a need as much as the bigs.

Everyone keeps saying that Davis lacks the elevation to get his shot off. Having great hops may be the easiest way to get a shot off in traffic, but it certainly isn’t the only way. He is like a lot of players who move up to a new level. He hasn’t faced competition where he beats his man and still eat the ball. He needs to develop one more wrinkle to avoid the help defender. Most of the players in the NBA don’t do it by powering over the top. Watch Alan Iverson. When he beats his man, he changes direction again in the lane even though no one is in front of him. It works.

Two quick comments: I diasgree with Batista’s performance yesterday – He’s a beast on the boards! I also think he could become a great rebounder in the NBA with minutes.

As for Big Baby and your observation he won’t be able to play with his back to the basket or simply close to the basket. I ask that you recall ADrian Dantley’s game – a much shorter player with a strong build that became quite the inside presence and made a living going to the foul line.

Why would we be foolish and cut Batista?
He is just coming into his own and like many big men
24 is just the right age to make an impression.

He had 7 pts 5 reb 1 ast 2 stls
I bet you his 5 reb in just this one game will be more than
scali and pollard get the entire preseason combined.
and whats this cut wallace when we have scali and pollard
who cant even back up Batista and davis

Perk definitely looked more “polished” than BigAl. It did not “hurt” as much as I thought it would seeing BigAl, Gomes and GG in a different uniform. I have moved on and could care less how the Timberwolves do. And keep Batista on the 12 man roster.

This team is SERIOUS.

Core of 3 selfless A superstars that KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE RIGHT WAY, and are all capable of dominating in the flow of the offense without ever forcing anything……… they complement each other so perfect in every way. Its amazing, a perfect fit in EVERY way.

Defense looked great, and the depth is much better than given credit for. Good bench. Rondo looked good, I like house at backup pointguard. Scal and Posey looked good, T.A aint there yet but we all know he’s good….. bench is good.

And PERK IS A BEAST!!!! The paint is closed with KG and Perk down there, and on offense KG just opens up everything with his great passing from down-low, and the double HAS TO come because if not he is just unstoppable down there. Too dominant…. opens it up for Ray and Paul who are 2 GREAT GREAT allaround offensive players, and also for Perk and Rondo……. oh yeah, the perimeter Defense, I said the lane/paint is closed due to KG and Perk and that is TRUE, but also the perimeter Defense by Rondo, Ray and Pierce was GREAT. Thibodeau is doing great with that, and apparently Ray and Pierce are backing up the good game they were talking about defense, because theyve done a great job thus far.

Awesome team.

Scal and Pollard will be playing AHEAD of Batista (who may not evne make the team and if does at best will be backup if pollard aint healthy, and 3rd string dnp-coaches decision when pollard is healthy) and Davis.

Bastone I agree. How about Elton Brand? or Charles Barkley?

My take on rounding out the roster (and it has been my gut feeling all along):

• Batista is in. He has shown enough in team scrimages and in his limited action we have the need for his size (Pollard could end up giving the team more hair styles than rebounds with his injuries).
• Manual is gone. Leaving Wallace Vs Jones for the final cut. Jones could be serviceable (TA insurance/assist with the point) but Wallace has too many advantages over him for mine – length, age and potential. Jones and Wallace will serve the same purpose on this team (defensive stopper behind Posey/healthy TA) and I’ll take Wallace six days a week and twice on Sunday over Jones.
• Did I mention Wallace is also getting $$$ on the contract.
• Don’t get me wrong I like Jones (loved his highlight dunk last year for Griz) but the guy will be better elsewhere.
• Wallace and Pruitt to development league.

Funny how KG has got me this opinionated in the PRESEASON…