Cavaliers (1-4) at Celtics (3-3) 10/26

LOL, The last time PP took on the “LeBron challenge” there was that celebrated spitting incident. Hopefully both players will keep their saliva to themselves this evening.

rondo should have a good game tonight, if not i’m going to start fidgeting.

I agree, time to step it up, head into the season opener on a good note

While I may have been “justly” critical of Pruit’s failure to perform as a PG as well as equally prudent in exercising patience in his possible development as a SG, promising rookies cracking the NBA survivor’s list (despite their hype) is literaly a minefield of unmet expectations.

Much to his chagrin, Brick and other hopeful fans must have been disappointed to read that Mike Conley will start the season as the 3rd string PG. The NBA reality is that the upgrade in competition often neutralizes the performance effectiveness of players who (in the past) heavily relied on superior athleticism.

Whether Pruit or Mike Conley eventual earn their hype will depend upon how they respond to the formidable challenges ahead. While Mike was a high 1st round draft choice, Pruit was a high 2nd round draft choice. The playing field has now been leveled for both to overcome adversity and thereby justify their respective selections. The uphill climb will be steeper for Pruit (a natural SG) because he’s being asked to
learn an infinitely more difficult position, SG. If he has any doubts about how steep a climb he’ll have, refer him to Mike Conley!

Good PGs are a rare breed because the position is …perhaps… the most difficult to master. We may not see alot of Pruit as the preseason comes to a close because he, like Mike Conley, will be learning what it takes to make the grade.

Typo alert! PG instead of SG as in the sentence…The uphill climb will be steeper for Pruit (a natural SG) because he’s being asked to learn an infinitely more difficult position, PG.

Conley will be starting by the beginning of next year. He’s ostensibly the third string pg because the Grizz are showcasing Stoudamire, whom they would love to unload to a team like the Celtics.

I am more excited about this fame tonight than most of the games last year. I want to see how he works the rotation, who, of the PGA he takes out first (I’m guessing Allen), how Allen works with the 2nd quarter subs, what the depth chart a center is (I say Perk then Powe, but quickly yank Powe for Davis if Powe is ineffective), and if the passing is excellent. These guys from the hinterlands will soon understand how lucky they are to play in front of a sophisticated crowd that loves good passing more than a thunderdunk.

I want to see if House is the real deal. I want to see whether they have the skeleton of team defense moving in the right direction. And, I want to see who finishes the game, and how they figure out who takes the final shot. With so many choices for firepower now, it will be interesting to see if Rivers will see the nuances of the game as well as the veterans on the floor, and whether it will be a discussion or a dictatorship. And, many times, the last shot is a culmination of everything they have learned about the game up until that point.

I want to see the ballet of grace, athleticism, and brute force.

Well if the Coaches play their stars tonight it will be a fun game to watch. With Perk coming back from a hamstring problem, Pollard out and Batista gone we could be in for problems. I think the Celtics will pick up a Center on the waiver wire early next week. I think you will see Tony Allen play 1/2 point guard and 1/2 shooting guard when he is in the game. He can help bring the ball up with Eddie House and because of his size and driving ability can see the court better. Tony will need to play as Delonte did last year. He played the 2 but played the 1 both positions as he shared the ball with Telfair & Rondo last year. Eddie can dribble the ball up and be setup for his great shot. I would try this approach.