Celtics Push Around Team China
by Jeff Clark on Jul 12, 2007 5:24 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics Games
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A lot of people believe that when the schedule was made for the NBA Vegas Summer League, Wednesday’s headline matchup between the Celtics and the Team China was supposed to showcase Yi Jianlian, playing for his national team against his new one. Alas, as we now know, the Celtics traded their first round draft pick and change for Ray Allen, which allowed Yi to be drafted by the Bucks instead, much to his chagrin.
But the games are still played, unless you are Greg Oden, at least, and the C’s prevailed by a score of 80-52. Yi failed to make an immediate impression, airballing his initial attempt (a hook shot, about 5 feet from the basket) and scoring his only two first quarter points on a couple free throws. Yi’s only field goal until the 7:56 mark of the third quarter. Of course part of that can be blamed on fatigue, as China was playing its fifth game in six days so they could finish up their schedule and get out of town. Or The United States. The Celtics, by comparison, played just their third game since the league started on Friday.
The Celtics built an 18-point lead at the half, behind Leon Powe, who had 12 points and 7 rebounds. Powe finished with a double double of 23 and 12. Rajon Rondo came out of the gate blazing scoring the first 8 points for Boston, showing a desire to take the ball to the basket that was absent in his first two games. After the game, Coach Armond Hill talked about the different look Rondo exhibited.
"I just told Rondo to see where he has the opportunity, and if he has the opportunity, take it. And there was a time in that game when he just said, ‘They can’t stop me full court,’" Hill explained. "And he started attacking, penetrating, finding people, going to the basket, and that’s what we want him to do."
Hill said that after Monday’s loss to the Spurs summer squad, he gave Rondo a tape of the game, not for the sake of taking apart the point guards’ play, but to demonstrate his lack of a rhythm. Against China, Rondo certainly found one.
"He was looking for everybody, and that’s what we want him to do," Hill said. [Before tonight] He was looking to execute but when he would penetrate, he wasn’t looking for himself.
"In order to be a threat, you’ve got to put that [opposing] guy on his heels and you’ve got to look for the basket, and then when they come, then you do it. He was looking to pass, cause he’s unselfish, and you can’t say nothing about a point guard who’s unselfish but he has to be able to see what his chances are."
Boston took advantage of the tired Chinese legs by pushing the ball at every opportunity. The team took great pains to get Gerald Green going. The rising third year player hadn’t shot well since the first quarter of the first game on Friday and missed his first seven shots. Rondo constantly found Green in the third, and, after a number of drives, the high flyer finally rewarded the crowd with a thunderous dunk to give the C’s a 24-point lead. Green had 6 points in the quarter and 10 for the game.
With only Wang Zhizhi (18 points) having prior NBA time, the exhausted Chinese were no match for the, by comparison, experienced Celtics. By the end of the third quarter, the Celtics had a 25-point lead; the route was on and the scrubs came in. The Celtics outpouring of points visibly slowed down after that, but China, who had held tough in the opening quarter when they were only down 4, could not stop the lead from expanding.
Big Baby Glen Davis filled up the paint and the stat sheet, with 10 points, 11 rebounds, 8 fouls and 6 turnovers. Rondo had 12 points and the summer league wonderkid, newly signed Brandon Wallace had 2 points, 5 rebounds and six assists. Zhizhi led China with 18 points and Yi had 7 points, 5 rebounds and 8 personal fouls.
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Sounds like Rondo was given orders and he followed them..
by havlicekstoletheball on Jul 12, 2007 6:12 AM EDT reply actions
Gerald Green was clearly pressing and I’m glad that he finally got a decent dunk as he seems to feed off that. I’m a little discouraged by his apparent lack of progress, but a couple of games isn’t the end of it all. I’ll give him this, he never stopped going for it. He seems to be hanging his head less these days, even on his bad nights.
Perhaps it was due to weariness, but Yi got bullied in the paint all game. It would be entertaining to watch him get minutes against actual NBA bigs…not D-Leaguers or bench fodder. Well, entertaining in the When Animals Attack sorta way.
Off night for Gerald and another OFF night for Allan Ray.
Cest la vie.
I was impressed with China’s point guard Sun, the kid that the Lakers drafted…he looks like he might be a player. At least he did in the first quarter/half before he ran out of gas.
by gobo on Jul 12, 2007 7:12 AM EDT reply actions
Powe was great last night, setting picks, getting rebounds, playing defense, and just pushing people around. Love it. That type of play should earn him minutes this season.
Rondo looked like a different player from last game. He came out gunning. That’s encouraging. I’d still like to bring in a veteran backup PG though.
by fiddlesNdiddles on Jul 12, 2007 7:40 AM EDT reply actions
everybody seems so down on gerald right now. yes he’s been struggling offensively in the the all supper important “summer league”. But it does look like he really has been working on his defense, which is a big step forward for him. Everyone is so quick to judge. I’m gonna wait till the first month of the regular season is over before i start douting his scoring ability.
by tman31888 on Jul 12, 2007 7:42 AM EDT reply actions
Last year a lot of people were very critical of Al Jefferson’s performance in Summer League. How’d that turn out?
by PistolPete on Jul 12, 2007 7:54 AM EDT reply actions
Maybe they should have Gerald watch some video of Reggie Lewis. With GG’s lift, that stop and pop would be unstoppable. It would also open some driving lanes.
I’m not ready to give up on GG. It’s going to take time and coaching. He’ll learn a lot from Allen Ray.
by fiddlesNdiddles on Jul 12, 2007 8:00 AM EDT reply actions
perk said:
Hill gave rondo a tape of the game, not to pick apart
his game and demean him , but to use in a positive teaching tool.
question do you ever see docs name and the sentence not to pick
apart together?
Yeah I’ve actually read that when Doc shows film to the team or a single player he shows things that were done right and things that were done wrong.
Oh, yeah. Looks like it’s rip Gerald time. Lets wait a little longer before we consign Gerald to the scrap heap. Three summer league games does not a season make. He is a work in progress. He is going to be a player.
by Greg37 on Jul 12, 2007 8:03 AM EDT reply actions
Rondo demonstrated how an uptempo game enhances his talents. He will be tough
to stop in the open floor. He just needs to learn when to take his shot and
when to look for the other guys. That will come with more experience. But he can’t be up in the air looking to pass to guys. Cooz would tell him that you
leave your feet to shoot and not to pass.
by Greg37 on Jul 12, 2007 8:08 AM EDT reply actions
Yeah, with Gerald Green I think Rey Alan, Allen Rey, Rae Alan, Alan Rae will help him too
by bird01 on Jul 12, 2007 8:12 AM EDT reply actions
Actually Gerald Green has shown considerable improvement this Summer on the defensive end. He played good defense again last night.
He’s a streak shooter and he’s in a cold streak. He has good mechanics on his shot, so the hot streaks will come.
Team China is simply terrible. There is not a single player on that team with a midrange game, or who can beat anyone off the dribble. Maybe they are respectable when Yao plays, but without him they are completely overmatched.
Yi is not an NBA caliber player. If he doesn’t like Milwaukee he should go baxck to China, because the Bucks will be lucky to get a second round pick for him. He has a decent turn around jump shot and can elevate to block shots. But that’s his whole game. The rest simply isn’t there. Can’t dribble, can’t pass, can’t rebound, can’t stay in front of his man, foul prone.
Gerald Green is not a bust. In fact he’s in the perfect place to be mentored and challenged. He certainly needs that from a guy like Ray Allen. G Green’s contribution isn’t necessary with Allen on board. And with Wallace getting the defensive bench minutes at the 3 Gerald has plenty of incentive top work hard. We do need a banger and Leon clearly wants minutes next year. Based on last night we are better off with Big Baby than Ji.
Can’t get as excited about beating the Chinese team as disappointed at losing to San Antonio JC. There is a long way to go. We do seem to have a find in Cliff Ray as big man coach.
Green’s new swagger that was discussed on these pages is unfortunate. He is playing like an impetuous kid out there and someone is going to have to call him on it eventually. I is rushing shots, not setting his feet (see Ray Allen training video) and looking to make the big play. Fortunately his concept of what a “big” play is has expanded to include steals an rebounds; but he still has no concept of team defense or doing the little things that will make his team better. He will not be a bust; but does appear to have picked up some unfortunate habits. It is good to see him playing with passion, however you want to see him passionate about his team and not just about his “performance”.
by gar on Jul 12, 2007 8:23 AM EDT reply actions
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/basketball/story/168021.html—off topic, but a nice article on Bill Russell.
Let me add, in connection with Team China, that the stuff we were fed prior to the draft to the effect that in China Yi was playing against players who were superior to U.S. college players was a complete fabrication.
Isn’t this supposed to be an “all-star” team of the best players in China? Yet if you put Team China without Yao into the ACC, there is no way they would finish above .500. And back in China, most of the guys Yi was going up against weren’t good enough to make the team.
bird01 said: Yeah, with Gerald Green I think Rey Alan, Allen Rey, Rae Alan, Alan Rae will help him too
Ha! I just can’t keep these names straight. We’ve got to trade one of the Allen/Ray/Ray/Allans/Rachel/Ray. I’m not even sure how many Rays or Allens we have any more…
by fiddlesNdiddles on Jul 12, 2007 8:38 AM EDT reply actions
I mentioned to everyone before about Gerald Green and his work ethic…. sorry but I was right…just can’t inform anyone of my inside source ;)
But, the kid really has to grow up and not think that he is the next MJ or KB for that matter…he needs to understand that he has to work on his fundamentals of the game and he’s not willing to do that at this time
If he only had Ryan Gomes work ethic… but from what I’ve heard…Gerald is included along with Ratliff for any possible trades….
I just hope that maybe the kid gets it…..
Too bad about Darko signing with the Grizz – probably means Pau isn’t available.
Would’ve been nice to be able to put out a line of Powe and Pau, Allen and Allan.
by TedL on Jul 12, 2007 9:01 AM EDT reply actions
Example of what was said about Gerald Green when he was drafted:
Green’s draft night free fall from top 6 to 18 benefited the Celts immensely. Boston lands a player they could have only dreamt of getting. Still, he’s a few years away from contributing serious points and minutes, but he’ll develop within a solid organization.
A few years away means three, at least. By my count we are two years in. With Ray Allen and Paul Pierce at the wings. And hopefully Tony Allen backing up. Gerald Green is good enough to fill in as the shooter off the bench, and scrub minutes that he should be getting. He showed he could score at the NBA level last year – certainly he has room to improve offensively still; but most importantly he is playing better defense. With the additional of Brandon Wallace’s defense (hopefully) and the fact that Gomes is on the roster and the team plans to use him as a SF, the team can afford patience with Gerald. We have two more years of his rookie contract to see what he can do. Take a deep breath everyone.
My take on what transpired last night is a bit different than most bloggers. I guess that’s what makes this site entertaining and oftentimes controversal.
IMO GG played POOR defense lat night. He was sucked-in on every fake and found himself routinely trailing most plays. Even then he has poor timing and anticipation skills as to where the ball will be presented for a block. As for rebounding he most often stays at the foul line (or there-abouts) and gets mostly deflected balls. He doesn’t work to get in position for the most likely rebounding area (i.e., on corner shots, stay on opposite side of the hoop in inside position etc.). I could go on but you get the idea. It all comes down to a poor understanding of basketball FUNDAMENTALS.
Yi will play better against NBA competition than he has fared in SL..The refs have been very inconsistent in how they call fouls but Yi has been “bodied” so much that it’s thrown his rythmn off. There have been so many ..reach-in…fouls that weren’t called/…. foul shots weren’t rewarded unless the player was in the act of shooting. In other words, the game was played like it’s played in the “city” streets. Ten fouls permitted for a 40 minute game gives plenty of opportunity for rough play.
There were several beautifully blocked shots last night where fouls were called because the refs were anticipating the call and not calling the action. Yi, Glenn, Powe and Wallace each had nice blocks but fouls were called. Thus, I agree with Gobo and his take on the style of play in SL and how it negatively affected Yi’s game. I don’t think Yi’s bleeding and packed nose were positive influences either. I can’t remember seeing such a rough and roughshod game where at least one fight didn’t highlight the slugfest.
by moskqq on Jul 12, 2007 9:34 AM EDT reply actions
Mike Gorman said last night that in his opinion Telfair will never be a successful NBA PG because he has a “shoot-first” mindset and isn’t willing to change. Reminds me of Marcus Banks and we see how well his career has gone. Yet there are those that applaud his 42 points and even suggest that he return to the Celtic’s. Sorry, we already have Telfair.
A prior post suggested that Gerald Green doesn’t want to spend the off-season training in Boston where the schedule would include something other than the shooting exercises that Lucas apparently is stressing (i.e., perhaps a needed dose of basketball fundamentals?). That GG is resistent to this idea begins to sound like the mindset of Telfair and Banks who might respond with the comment…“don’t confuse me with facts, my mind is already made up”… I always suspected that GG was slow on the uptake but perhaps it’s more a case that he knows what’s best for Gerald???
by moskqq on Jul 12, 2007 9:49 AM EDT reply actions
I want to return to Hill’s comments about giving the tape to Rondo. Isnt it significant that he seemingly made the point of saying that he provided the tape NOT to knock the kid down. Mightn’t this be a back-handed criticism of Doc…Why else even mention it? Or is Rondo that sensitive that there is some concern of being seen to criticise him through the media? Somehow I doubt that….
I think the idea that GG is a bust is an absurdity. However, he does seem the most likely candidate for trade given his seeming value and the log jam at the 2-3. I am actually more interested in seeing TA or even Wallace getting minutees given what they can bring defensively. And Gomes is a smart player whose upside we havent yet seen. His range was increasing steadily at the end of the year and could be part of a very solid 8 or 9 man rotation. I wish I had any faith whatsoever that Doc could manage a rotation with more than 6 parts….
by Rick Robeys Return on Jul 12, 2007 10:09 AM EDT reply actions
I think Green has visions of defending his Dunk Champion status this year.
I think Green has omnipresent visions of flying to the hole and slamming it home.
Sorry to say it, but it seems he may be packaged in any trade Danny is working on.
So he’ll likely be dunking over tables & cardboard cutouts in a different uniform this season.
He’s appears to be a flashy player and not a fundamental player.
Not what the C’s need.
Maybe I’m wrong on all of the above…he’s still a kid and all.
I don’t think GG was taking too many bad shots last night, they just weren’t falling for him. He does look like someone who, while in shape, hasn’t played competitive basketball in a while, and so his shooting rhythm in these games is a bit off. But he’s looked like he is playing harder, and with more intensity, in these games — there were times he seemed content to fade into the background last season.
I do wish he’d be more willing to spend summers training with the team; that said, I’m not at all confident in the ability of most of our coaches to instill team basketball fundamentals.
As regards Doc and his lack of a rotation last year, I’m very pleased that we have three players added to our roster who have a high BBIQ and a skill set to match. I’m referring the Ray Allen, Glenn Davis and Brandon Wallace. In the case of the rookies, I think that they will eventually contribute more than Scal was able to last year because they are more athletically gifted
I totally agree about Gomes too. Although limited in size and athleticism, this guy finds a way to maximize his effectiveness and just improves every year. I don’t believe that he has yet maximized his upside. He rarely is a liability on the floor and does many of the extra things that usually go unnoticed.
by moskqq on Jul 12, 2007 10:24 AM EDT reply actions
I really think there is a Ray of hope this year-I think we can Pierce the darkness of the Powe negative Celtics fans out there. We just need people to Telfair stories about the players. I can see a Rajon fire in the future as we Gome to the future with a great group of young guys. Al have to say that the Celtic Green will Ratliff some cages this year. Even the concession sales could benefit if they sell Olowokandi during the games. :P
by bird01 on Jul 12, 2007 11:45 AM EDT reply actions
I’m kind of late to the conversation, but I posted the following on another thread that isn’t getting any action, and since it’s relevant here, I am pasting it in:
I know summer league doesn’t mean much, but Gerald Green looks like crap.
Corey Brewer looked real good in yesterday’s game. Too bad we couldn’t draft a guy like … d’oh!
I’ve seen tons of trades proposed here using Gerald Green as a centerpiece. If the Cs have any hope of making that happen, they should bench the kid with a mystery flu right now. I think other GMs have seen the truth about him. He’s 21, not a kid by NBA standards, and shows no signs of getting it. If there is a team out there interested in him, and we could get something of value, I say do it now.
Cousin It,
I’d say he’s still a kid…but it’s clear he’s having some troubles.
Like Brick said earlier, he did play pretty good defense last night.
They did play CHINESE people, so it’s hard to gauge from last night.
Let’em play Friday @ 8 versus the Bucks (where YI should be!!!)
Let’em play Saturday @ 4PM versus NY
Then submit your final analysis.
I’m willing to give him this season to develop…he is the dunk Champion and all…and did have some sweet games last year popping and shooting.
Brendan: the quote does say that it will take a few years. But it also says within a quality organization. With how the Celts have been running these past few years from ownership on down, that’s a questionable term to match to Celtics, unfortunately. Now, had he landed on the Patriots, he’d be a quality wide receiver/cornerback/place kicker/edge rusher by now.
by jarobiso on Jul 12, 2007 3:36 PM EDT reply actions
“He’s 21, not a kid by NBA standards, and shows no signs of getting it. If there is a team out there interested in him, and we could get something of value, I say do it now.”
Yes, he’s still a kid by NBA standards. Come on. Shows no signs of getting it, again, he was twice the player last year than he was the year before.
bird01 said:
I really think there is a Ray of hope this year-I think we can Pierce the darkness of the Powe negative Celtics fans out there. We just need people to Telfair stories about the players. I can see a Rajon fire in the future as we Gome to the future with a great group of young guys. Al have to say that the Celtic Green will Ratliff some cages this year. Even the concession sales could benefit if they sell Olowokandi during the games. smilies/tongue.gif
Thanks for your much-needed post. The most original I’ve seen.
Soap07 said…“he was twice the player last year than he was the year before”…(speaking of Gerald Green). To emphasize his point I did the math…1st year=0, second year 2×0=0. Yup, I fully understand why so many teams are anxious to trade for GG’s POTENTIAL UPSIDE!
by moskqq on Jul 12, 2007 5:16 PM EDT reply actions
Sixteen other teams decided not to have GG on their team. The kid may have has some issues but he can shoot. I don’t have a problem trading anyone, just not at their low point. GG will make some plays and his value will go up. As for not training in Boston this summer, how about Leon? is he not in Oakland? how about Doc? is he in Orlando? Is Danny in Utah or Phoenix? Doesn’t it start at the top? Doc? How can a young player look up to an organization who in tries to lose games. They couldn’t sign their assistant coach. If Tony Brown wasn’t worth a two year extension, why didn’t they fire him in mid season? It was 24 win team. It’s sad. Call me a whiner, call me bitter but I was a Celtic fan before Danny and Doc and they’ll be long gone before I am. I hope, knock on wood.
Soap07,
As I said in my response to mcpu40, I should be more patient—I’ll definitely admit that. But I also think he should be more developed by now. Despite the fact that he’s only 2 years out of HS, coming into this year he will be as old as most college grads, and older than most NBA rookies (he was very old for a HS grad). 21 is 21. What I’m saying is, if he doesn’t make HUGE, remarkable progress this year … I don’t think he will ever be the player people have been hoping for.
BTW, the McGrady comparisons are just ridiculous. I’m not even sure where those come from. Maybe because they both came straight from HS and can jump? I see no other similarities.
The difference between Leon Powe training in California (in the off season) and Gerald Green training in Vegas has more to do with how they are presently performing than on difference in geography. It’s obvious that what Leon is feasting on in California is doing more for him than what Gerald Green is feeding on in Vegas.
One might just expect that Gerald would want to do any and everything possible to improve his game.
by moskqq on Jul 12, 2007 5:59 PM EDT reply actions
moskqq,
Well no kidding. The point being made here is you need the same program for all your young inexperienced players. Including the Coach. Weren’t they saying two weeks ago Leon didn’t know the play book? Or was that just in the local media (I don’t know where you are). Even so, it’s not like Leon was burning up the court in our 24 win season. Please, I’m not bashing Leon, I was using him as an example of the system Celtic management is running.
I would really like you to stay around this summer and work on your game, if you have any questions you can call me, I’ll be in Orlando with my family!
Little D…You obviously are very impressed with GG’s shooting range and offensive potential. If only he showed a similar knowledge of basketball fundamentals and could similarly contribute on the defensive side of the ball I’d be in his camp too.
So far GG has been a lonely fish wandering aimlessly and has contributed very little to the TEAM concept of basketball.
by moskqq on Jul 12, 2007 6:34 PM EDT reply actions
Little D…as for your comment about the “detached” posture of the Celtic’s organization (to include Doc Rivers) as regards organizing a structured summer program for their youth. I’m in total agreement.
Part of the reluctance to do this type of thing has to do with cost (who finances room/board/instructors etc.) and historical precedent. We are in a new era in drafting high school youth who lack the more refined knowledge of college graduates of the past.
by moskqq on Jul 12, 2007 6:43 PM EDT reply actions
It may seem like defending GG, I’m not. I took a few good things he does and commented on it. The McGrady comment was in response to Cousin It’s post.
I believe they should all be working on their game. GG has a long way to go before making it in this league. He’s demonstrated he can shoot three’s, not a lot of dunkers have his range. His 1st year he had to stand out on the perimeter and stay out of the way (don’t run curls, don’t cut across the lane, just stand there). If he got half the shots Adam Morrison got in his rookie year he would be three years ahead of where he is now on offense. No rookie should get that many shots, okay, maybe Durant.
My comment about the 16 teams that passed on him, they obviously saw some flaws, some flaws that maybe he won’t be able to overcome (work ethic, just rumors to me but you never know).
How many teams passed on Glen Davis? He must have twice the flaws that GG
had at draft time. Last year you hoop savants were ripping AL. This year it is Gerald. I suppose you have some one lined up to rip in the summmer of 08.
I can’t wait.
by Greg37 on Jul 12, 2007 7:55 PM EDT reply actions
If you must rip someone, rip the coach who can’t teach and rip the GM who can’t decide if he is in a rebuilding mode or going for the playoffs.
by Greg37 on Jul 12, 2007 7:58 PM EDT reply actions
Gerald Green is very immature. That is the bottom line. It is obvious with the addition of Ray he will be the last off the bench. I will say this. He has a vast amount of potential, if we trade him fine or by that time we may just waive him. I disagree with the “you can’t teach IQ comment” actually it was a dumb blog comment but oh well. He can learn and in case people disagree with me the brain has the ability to grow. If you disagree just do a little research or we would all be pretty dumb. Enough of this tangent. Gerald has decided to work on his D. I would give him one year with Allen before I dump him.
We all are hard on the Green for Dumping Johnson, Billups etc. Give hime time it took them a bit.
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