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Is Gabe The Answer At Backup PG?

pruitt.jpg Marc Spears has a timely article on Gabe Pruitt today.  Some good quotes about how the staff feels about him and his experience in the D-League.  Here's what his D-League coach had to say about him:

"He'll grow into being a pure point guard," said Jones by telephone. "He's a playmaker and if you can pass the ball to set people up like he can, you can be a point guard. When he is in the mind-set of setting people up, he can be a point guard."

Consider me skeptical anytime I hear someone trying to sell me on the "we can convert him to a pure point guard" routine.  I've heard it one too many times in this town (right Joe Forte?).  There's no such thing as "becoming" something you call "pure."  Either you're born with it or you are not.  You can, however, teach shooting guards to be decent enough distributors (Billups is a good default example).

Given the fact that both of our other "point guards" are really shooting guards who can't handle the rock, I'll consider Gabe to be an upgrade if he can simply get the ball over half court without making me dry heave.  Plus, the kid has shown so far that he can play some solid defense. 

With Rondo out against Portland, coach Doc Rivers told Pruitt during shootaround that morning that he would get an opportunity to play. Rivers has been concerned about Pruitt's defense and had told him his playing time would be determined by his defensive effort, not his offense. Assistant coach Armond Hill also spent time with Pruitt prepping him for the Blazers.

"I'm really proud of him," Rivers said. "All we work with him on is his defense. His offense is good."

But does all this make him our solution to the backup point guard position?  Probably not entirely.  I mean, you can't rely on a rookie second rounder to back up your second year starter and expect them to make good, solid, veteran decisions every time down.  But the kid can't hurt us too much by playing some minutes when he's needed and getting more accustomed to the pro game.  And who knows, maybe he'll surprise us and really make a splash like that other second round draft pick Big Baby.

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He was solid defensively on Wednesday I thought, and when he was in Portland backed off the Eddie House Press. I’d like to see more of him at the point.

by tuka on Jan 18, 2008 9:17 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

It looks like he could be a nice temporary band aide.

If his game grows and his confidence becomes solid, he could take Houses roll by the end of the year.

by Wide Load on Jan 18, 2008 9:17 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

who knows what he can do? the only way to find out is to play him. since danny is window shopping and not buying, what do we have to lose? frankly, i am tired of doc and his gomes effect. we’re not talking 25 mins. a game. and while we’re at it, how many mins. have big baby and garnet played together since the detroit game?

by nazzbo on Jan 18, 2008 9:29 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

1-6

really? that’s how you are going to judge a rookie backup point guard?

by Jeff Clark on Jan 18, 2008 9:34 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Yup.
Obviously Gabe will get another chance.
Hopefully he’ll do better next time.
Stats are what we’ve got to go by right now.
Also 0-3 from beyond the arc.
Most important though, to me, is 12 minutes & simply 1 assist.

The team needs a REAL point guard if they want the banner this season.
Not a point guard in training.
It’s the most important position on the floor.

by mcpu40 on Jan 18, 2008 9:37 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Well we drafted him ahead of BBD with an understanding that we were thin at the PG spot so yea I think he could be our back-up pg…just not this year. We need a vet for the playoffs this year and maybe next year as well depending on how Rondo develops. I see him as more of a Delonte West PG than a “pure” PG and don’t let that 1 for 6 fool you this kid has a sweet stroke.

by Byrdman on Jan 18, 2008 9:49 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Couldn’t agree more Jeff. Pruitt is a decent fill in to get us through the season maybe, but we need the experience for the playoffs from our back up PG.

by Jughead on Jan 18, 2008 9:58 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

With the way they’re going now, a DEEP playoff run is completely plausible.
But to contend with the Spurs, or Phoenix, or whoever in the finals (if the C’s make it that far) we’d get smoked…

I can see Danny making a trade in the near future.

by mcpu40 on Jan 18, 2008 10:08 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

if doc needs nothing more from a backup PG than someone just bringing the ball up the court, hit open jumpers now and then, and play good defense, he’s the backup PG. that much he showed against the blazers.

his shooting numbers were a little skewed. weren’t they mostly forced long or 3-pt shots that he shouldn’t have been taking anyway? if teams leave him open like they have been with rondo, i feel confident he can knock down those 15-20ft jumpers consistently.

can he run the offense decently? likely not at this stage, not from a rookie who played 2-guard mostly in high school and college.

by tanner on Jan 18, 2008 10:20 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

NO….

Nice kid, willing to learn and grow, but he is 3-4 years away before we know if he has the maturity and poise to play point guard. From games I’ve seen him play, he has much to learn and work on at this stage.

Glen Davis is light years ahead of Gabe at this juncture and his dribbling skills still need to improve…..never mind his thought process……. I can’t see him making the right decisions on the court if Pierce and Garnett are both looking for the ball…. If the kid is deciding who to pass it too then he has turned the ball over….. and the opposition has scored 2 points…

He is very raw and I’m not looking at him to score……Your point guard needs to make accurate decisions and lead the team on the floor…. you just can’t expect a kid who is in Awe of the big three making decisions…….

by Ancient Red on Jan 18, 2008 10:37 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I like Gabe…he appears to be a cool customer…never looks rattled and has a calmness to him that belies his lack of nba experience. he’s worth a look, and if it appears he’s not ready, it gives danny an opportunity to consider something near the trade deadline or in free agency.

by Andy Jick on Jan 18, 2008 10:44 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Trade bait.

Bibby.

by mcpu40 on Jan 18, 2008 10:47 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

We’re not going to make a deep playoff run under Doc Rivers. Danny has addressed the 4s and 5s with Clifford Ray. He has addressed the defense with Thibodeau. The offense hasn’t been addressed. Rivers’ lack of competence with point guards is glaringly evident and will continue to be.

Pruitt didn’t look that bad to me. He reminded me a little of Delonte. His shot will fall. 1-6 doesn’t bother me at all in his first extended time.

But if there’s any chance that this team gets beyond the first round of the playoffs, they’ll have to do it offensively in spite of their coach. So Danny will have to find a vet PG for 15-25MPG to back up Rondo.

by iowa plowboy on Jan 18, 2008 11:14 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Bibby.

There’s a trade coming, I can feel it.

The team is looking for #17 this season and as currently constituted, it’s unlikely at best.

by mcpu40 on Jan 18, 2008 11:33 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Gabe’s stats right now are too small a sample size to judge him accurately. Don’t use one game as a justification for a panic trade for Bibby.

by carbs on Jan 18, 2008 12:11 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Bibby is a much more expensive, but only a slight upgrade over Payton. Another competent offensive player who plays no defense at all.

by iowa plowboy on Jan 18, 2008 12:33 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Pruitt should have been getting minutes all year long especially with the many blowouts that the Celts had in their first 30 games. Stupid coaching on Doc’s part to wait until Rondo gets hurt before giving Pruitt minutes. Had Doc been playing Pruitt in the blowouts we would have a better idea of what Pruitt can do now and Pruitt’s development would be on a quicker pace. So much for Doc being a great coach because of his ability to develop youth. Only injuries get “youth” off Doc’s bench.

by scndtony on Jan 18, 2008 12:49 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

what nazzbo said

by Master Po on Jan 18, 2008 1:10 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

so, which of the big 3 are you giving up for Bibby? or do you plan on reworking the collective bargaining agreement? ;D

by Jeff Clark on Jan 18, 2008 1:15 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

powe, scal, pruitt, cash, a draft pick = bibby.

honestly, i’m not sure how it’d work.

why not go over the cap, pay luxury tax dollars, etc.?
they’ve come this far and are playing so well.
i just think come playoff time, you need a floor general…not a 2nd year and 1st year player.

has a tandem like that ever take a team to banner land?

by mcpu40 on Jan 18, 2008 1:38 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

There are no point guards out there that can help…..that are available…..

And if there was… you’d have to give up Ray Allen to acquire someone…. we are salary cap hindered at the moment for atleast another 3 years

by Ancient Red on Jan 18, 2008 2:05 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

so no banner, basically then…right ancient red?

can rajon & pruitt lead us to 17 this season?

has a super young pg tandem EVER lead a team to glory?

by mcpu40 on Jan 18, 2008 2:49 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

why not go over the cap, pay luxury tax dollars, etc.?

doesn’t work that way, you HAVE TO match salaries with the Kings to make a trade (within 25%) or the league won’t allow it

Bibby just won’t happen – sorry

by Jeff Clark on Jan 18, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

You don’t have to apologize Jeff…I don’t know anything about it…really
Nor do I have the time to research and find out.

I’m just thinking our young PG tandem will have trouble taking us all the way.

by mcpu40 on Jan 18, 2008 3:32 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Clippers point guard Sam Cassell has been the subject of trade rumors for the past several weeks, and with the NBA’s Feb. 21 trading deadline less than five weeks away, those rumors are growing.

The hottest one has Cassell headed to Boston. Former NBA player turned correspondent Jon Barry reported on ESPN.com that Cassell could provide insurance in case Celtics starter Rajon Rondo has more back problems.

by mcpu40 on Jan 18, 2008 4:28 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

mpcu40, our coach will make it impossible to go all the way. We’re starting to see that already as our offense isn’t adjusting to our opponent’s adjustments.

I’d worry about Cassell. In a best case scenario he’d be great. But I think the reality is that Cassell, like Payton, still thinks he’s a great player. If Rondo is healthy, there is no way Cassell backs up essentially a rookie and does it as a happy player.

by iowa plowboy on Jan 18, 2008 4:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I’d like to think Cassell would be starting rather than backing up Rondo. Rondo is a nice player but he should not be on the floor more than half the game. With him and Perkins, the Celtics will essentially be playing 3 on 5, especially in the playoffs when teams hone their defenses and focus on stopping one team, not a different opponent every night.

by lemonadesky on Jan 18, 2008 5:58 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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