Others Questioning the PG Spot
by Jeff Clark on Sep 6, 2007 5:34 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics News & Links
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PrintI've said enough about the point guard position, so I won't say anything more. I will, however, link and quote.
What's more, the Celtics don't have a proven backup at the position. Tony Allen, Eddie House and rookie Gabe Pruitt are more combo guards than pure points.
Still, Ainge appears to be taking a calculated risk by not looking to add another veteran floor leader to his roster. What if Rondo can't handle the job? What if he gets injured?
It's enough to at least temper some of the enthusiasm among those Celtics fans.
Cranky Charlie Rosen - Fox Sports
The Celtics are hopeful that the untested Rajon Rondo can assume the starting point-guard slot. For sure, the youngster can run with anybody, but he can't shoot a lick and he has a tendency to be somewhat wild with the ball. The other semi-credible candidate is Tony Allen, who has a scorer's mind-set, and will most likely back up Rondo. There's also been some talk about Ray Allen playing some point, but not much good will come of this if it ever does happen. The reason being that the added stress is risky business for an aging player who had surgery on both ankles during the summer.
That's why Ainge might have been wiser to recruit a point guard who's more of a facilitator than a scorer. Somebody like Brevin Knight, for example.
Ainge recently stated that since most of the Celtics' offense will run through either Pierce or Garnett at the high post, a traditional point guard won't be absolutely necessary.
Hmmm. Apparently Ainge isn't at all concerned about the importance of having someone who can safely carry the ball across the time-line, make appropriate decisions whenever the Celts are on the run, and execute timely passes into Pierce/Garnett. Could it be that Ainge — who believed that Antoine Walker was, then wasn't, then was, then wasn't Boston's savior — is once again deluding himself?
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Since this is Danny’s Plan A, we can reassured that eventual Plans B, C and D will pan out better for us. Who knows, Sam Cassell may be option C. Let’s hope that the luck we’ve experienced this summer, since getting draft position 5 instead of 1-2, doesn’t stop. Who knows Plan B may be one of the last keys needed for our championship run.
I only hope Time is our benefactor in the PG position.
I’m glad to see someone else come out and say what I’ve thought – Rondo often seems to be a little wild with the ball. It’s going to be a big challenge to see how he meshes with the new guys, and whether they can find a suitable style of play over the first half of the year.
by TedL on Sep 6, 2007 6:56 AM EDT reply actions
Rosen’s got a point (the same point everyone else has — we could use a reliable backup PG), but I love how national columnists can just glance over details in the name of sounding clever.
When did Ainge think Walker was anything close to a “savior”. He didn’t like him before his was the GM, he immediately shipped him out of town when he became GM, rented him for a few months (likely at the behest of ownership), and cut him loose. In short, he never liked him much, and never invested much in him.
But Rosen looks smarter if he finds some brilliant parallel to present times, so let’s just ignore all those boring details and pretend Ainge’s opinion on Walker veered wildly and back and forth.
Anytime a columnist makes himself sound like, if he were a GM, he’d be the best one in the league, they’re probably lying (or mistaken) about something.
The real problem is that Rondo thrives in the up tempo style and is not so good in the half court. So will the team run, or not? I think Ray Allen will run, but will Pierce get up the floor? Will Posey? Can Rivers even teach a coherent up tempo style? Probably not.
If all they want Rondo to do is bring the ball over half court and pass to Garnett, Rondo’s real talents will be wasted and his deficiences (e.g his questionable shooting and his inexperience running the half court sets) will be magnified.
Rondo is a bad fit for this coach and these three “stars.”
This whole backup PG issue is being blown way out of proportion. Every so often some schmuck writes an article about and here we go discussing it ad nauseum…again and again…
My only concern with this team is health due to the fact it’s an older team. Other than that, there’s not much else to cry about.
Look at the other rosters and compare to ours. It’s just a question of can these guys play well together or are they “paper champions”?
Out of curiousity. In view of all the hypercritical columns that Charlie Rosen has written in years past, does anyone remember any occasions where he admits he was wrong about something negative he had written about some player or coach?
I know the guy can dish it out. Just wondering if he ever bothers to take it.
Somehow I am much more confident the pg/back up point will take care of itself as time goes on compared to what we have to rely on with Perk.
A hobbling Perk will hurt more than the point as I don’t think Pollard, Davis, Powe can step up as starters. Having to rely on KG to play center is going to take its toll on this team if Perk can’t remain healthy.
After 40 games the needs of this team and every other NBA team will be evident. Again though, I hold my breath more with the center than I do with the pg, chemistry, Doc coaching, et at this point and time.
by docextension on Sep 6, 2007 11:47 AM EDT reply actions
In defense of Rondo, no NBA team will have more offensive options than he with KG/Pierce/Ray Allen. Thus teams can’t rely on shutting down 1 or 2 guys like a Lebron, Kobe, D.Wade.
Secondly the guy has been shooting the jumper 200 times a day. He will probably get at least a half dozen open looks at the hoop. Maybe, just maybe, this outside shot can come around from being awful to somewhat respectable.
Thirdly, no way are the Celts a running club, however there are going to be at least a few buckets or more each game that come off cheap fast break points from turnovers and long rebounds. It is not all or nothing, Rondo will probably be able to benefit from his speed during certain fast break opportunities that pop up.
Fourthly, if nothing else, Rondo gives you a turbo effort on the court. His defense, with KG, coach Tim T. is going to pay dividends with the Celtics. Rondo also is one of the best rebounding points in the league right now. There will be ways he contributes that won’t show up in the box score.
Last but not least, Rondo simply at this point has to take care of the ball and distribute it wisely. Hopefully as the year progresses he can take advantage of the pick and rolls on offense, etc. Although Rondo and the back up point are considered by many to be the weak link of this team, I have a much more postive outlook than many on this.
by docextension on Sep 6, 2007 11:57 AM EDT reply actions
Where to begin. Still a long way til the season starts. Maybe someone will come available between now and then due to roster cuts, teams moving on etc. that Ainge thinks will fit into our system well. Odds are good he didn’t like the options that were available and he’s not sure something better will come up so he says he likes what he has (This is the correct position to take).
What’s he supposed to say? Gee, our pg situation is crappy, but there’s no better option available so we’ll deal with the junk we’ve got?
Yes, we have some depth questions at 1 and 5, it’s possible that the pieces we have in place pan out and we do very well (I certainly hope so). If they don’t I’m certain DA will address them in the next off season when veteran free agents will be clamoring to come to Boston for a chance at the ring.
Here we go again. If the Cs run, Rondo will be in his
element and will do very well. If they don’t run, walk it up and get into one of Doc’s boring sets and run one of his crappy plays, it won’t matter. The problem is Doc is not a fast break coach. So in close games, they
will walk it up, run some B.S. play and Doc will be outcoached. Again.
by Greg37 on Sep 6, 2007 6:06 PM EDT reply actions
docextension:
A hobbling Perk will hurt more than the point
This thought has crossed my mind too. I know I’ll get blasted, but Perk could be the key to this season. There’s been some talk of KG playing center, which I think would be a big mistake. With Perk at Center he plays all the tough bigs such as Curry, O’Neill x 2, and other bangers. That takes all this beating off of KG and allows him to use his energy to do what he does best.
This whole backup PG issue is being blown way out of proportion.
—————————-
Actually, it’s not. Unless you think it’s a good thing to have Garnett, Allen, and Pierce having to play 84 feet for most of the game trying to break the opponent’s press. Once they figure out there’s not a ballhandler bringing the ball up…..
Which is basically all, but the very critical thing a PG needs to do with those three on the court.
Rondo’s handles are good, definately good enough to get up the court. Also, Rondo is still a young play. He is good at passing the ball and has good vision, all he really needs to be successful on this team is experience. He looked good in the summer league (at least there was some serious improvement) and I for one am excited to see him play. His team mates are Ray Allen, Paul Peirce, and KG; how much of an offensive threat does he really need to be.
by JakeyB6671 on Sep 7, 2007 6:43 PM EDT reply actions
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