Where in the World Is Leon Powe?

by Jeff Clark on May 29, 2008 7:50 PM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Freakonomics asks about the absence of Leon Powe. (hat tip TrueHoop)

When Levitt and I were up in Boston a couple months ago to write about the Celtics’ reliance on statistical analysis to make strategic and personnel decisions, one goal was to figure out strengths and weaknesses the Celtics knew about their own players and other teams’ players that weren’t obvious. Danny Ainge and Mike Zarren were understandably not very forthcoming — trade secrets and all that — but Zarren was willing to admit that:

Ray Allen’s worth goes far beyond his perimeter shooting, that Rajon Rondo’s rebounding was an undervalued asset, that Leon Powe’s surprisingly strong play was not so surprising to the Celtics …

It’s true that Allen found ways to score in the last few weeks even when his jumper was stone cold. It’s also true that the diminutive Rondo loves to get inside and grab rebounds. But watching the Celtics beat the Pistons last night, I found myself thinking: Where in the world is Leon Powe?

I haven't a clue really, but one great find in that article was a link to a Leon Powe Fan Site. Leon Powe has a fan site? That's fantastic! Their theory: Doc Rivers Doesn't Like Leon. This from after game 2:

You may ask why was Leon pulled? Well during a 4 on 3 break Leon got stuck guarding more than one guy because P.J Brown was too slow to get back on defense. Leon then went to cover one guy and Tayshaun Prince was then left open for a dunk. Yes, Leon should have seen it coming and opened up quicker but I'm sorry he isn't perfect like Doc Rivers. Powe was then pulled never to be seen again. Instead of Leon we got 7 excruciating minutes of Glen Davis. He was awful and the during his time on the floor the Pistons went on a run. The thing about this is that Davis, Perkins, and Brown can mess up over and over again and stay in the game. But if Powe makes one slip up he never touches the floor again.

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BBD and Leon haven’t been very consistent in their play. Leon is at a great size disadvantage with the Pistons. He doesn’t have the bulk BBD has. Doc has just decided to go with PJ who has been playing very well and Doc probably feels more comfortable with the experienced vet. We need to forget the regular season. This is for all the marbles. Last nite in a must win game there was little substitutions. Maybe Leon will be a better fit in the next series.

by TrueGreen on May 29, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

Doc has buried Leon and has lost more trust in him than anyone else. With the play of PJ Brown during the Cleveland series, Doc now feels he’s the only backup big man he can really trust. Leon hasn’t done much in the playoffs, but he hasn’t been given much opportunity. If Doc really feels that defensive breakdowns are a cardinal sin that reduces your playoff time to zero, why has Sam been given so many chances? It’s too bad because he was our best bench player at the end of the season, by far. It’s clear that Doc only trusts PJ and Posey with extended bench minutes.

by dobbs on May 29, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

who does doc trust? or who trusts doc? powe helped him get there and remember how doc has forgotten powe at the beginning of this season and many times last year. yeah, powe made some boo boos-but i bet doc makes way more per game. don’t give me the size baloney- look at maxiell.

by nazzbo on May 29, 2008 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

Leon at this pt is not a player you can put out there on the court. The pistons know his game too easily ie pick and roll

He also turns the ball over or doesn’t make the best passes(not often though but enough against the celts)

Thats why davis with a higher basketball iq rather be on the court. Pj brown has been awsome

Once we face the lakers i expect leon to play more.

by Triboy16 on May 29, 2008 10:59 PM EDT reply actions

Leon should be getting a little bit of play, at least more than BBD. His toughness and inside play is exactly what the Cs need against the Pistons. I actually think he would be a decent 8th man off the bench if Doc ever decided to use his bench that much (nah, rather let the starters play 48 mins).

by Cman on May 29, 2008 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

Agree. The same thing with Tony Allen. Fire Doc Rivers! >:(

by branhunter on May 30, 2008 4:39 AM EDT reply actions

branhunter said:
Agree. The same thing with Tony Allen. Fire Doc Rivers!

Tony Allen was injured at practice before the last game. Should we fire Doc because Tony was injured or should Doc have played him when he was unable to play because he was injured. Now, forgot about the injury. What has TA done for us lately in the playoffs and going back to the regular season. This is for the Championship. We are no longer developing players. Do we take chances at this time?

by TrueGreen on May 30, 2008 6:55 AM EDT reply actions

dobbs said: why has Sam been given so many chances?

How long did Sam play after he entered the last game and turned it over immediately? Do you think he’ll play tonite. Sam is here to score, not play defense. He hasn’t been scoring, he probably won’t play. I love Leon, but he hasn’t been effective. I don’t think he’s not playing just because he made one mistake. He needs his best players on the floor and JP has outplayed Leon and BBD.

by TrueGreen on May 30, 2008 7:00 AM EDT reply actions

That PJ consistently plays over Leon is the biggest wtf of this playoffs. PJ has been legitimately terrible this series, Mr. Up-All-Night-Watching-Film should be able to see this plainly, because when we get bounced and gets asked about PJ, he can always play the experience card. If Leon screws up, Doc gets criticized by (dumb) media members for playing a kid with no experience over PJ, despite PJ makes tons of errors every game.

by cmoney on May 30, 2008 12:10 PM EDT reply actions