Nice overview Jeff, but one comment was a “reach”. I’m referring to the suggestion that Gabe Pruitt might prove to be a gem at the backup PG position. I wish it were so but Gabe’s game just doesn’t lend itself to the PG position. He has so many flaws in his approach to the position that it will take years (maybe never) before he becomes adequate at the position.

Gabe could function as an athletic (but undersized) SG because of his silky stroke and developing crossover move to the basket. His handles should continue to improve and perhaps he may one day even be able to create his own shot.

As a rated first round talent (presumably at the PG position) Gabe has been a disappointment. Ainge admitted that he didn’t think Gabe would fall to us and that Gabe wasn’t heavily scouted. Contrast his development with that of Detroit’s Stuckey, a player he was presumably rated with in predraft reports.

Contrast his development with that of Detroit’s Stuckey, a player he was presumably rated with in predraft reports.

I’d like to know which are those “predraft reports” you’re mentioning. I followed all the mock drafts and draft web pages thoughout his last seson in college and none of them had him rated so high. He was considered a likely second round pick, maybe at the end of the first round. You cannot compare him to Stuckey, whose draft stock was much higher and it was rumored he had a promise from the Pistons way before draft night. Moreover, is yet to be seen if Stuckey becomes a true point guard. At the moment he’s only been able to score. He did play pretty damn well in the playoffs, but his game was mostly scoring.

Also, FYI, Pruitt never played at the PG spot in his whole carreer except for his last year in college, when a teammate of his, who played the point, died tragically. In the few months he played at the PG Gabe did it admirably and proved he could have a future at that spot, but his lack of experience at that position still hurt his draft stock on draft night. Danny knows Gabe doesn’t have the experience as a true point guard, but he also knows he has the talent to become one.

we all want posey to stay, but he is the most likely to go. i think the surprise stay will be eddie for not too much.he always has moved and he knows how good it is here, and he will be used to and doesn’t require the playing time. he’s got the miles on the tread, so less playing time keeps him in the milieu.gabe, i agree is no point but could turn out to be a smoother tony. danny will take care of the rest.

Re: James Posey—-I don’t think the C’s win this championship without Posey. To maximize the effect and the monetary committment to PP, RA, KG I think they need to pay Posey a fair salary indicative of his worth (maybe more if that’s what’s needed to keep him here). In the past, owners wouldn’t shell out the dollars for a guy who gave everything. Being fair to Posey makes the team better and shows other players that if you come to Boston with a short contract and give of yourself you’ll be rewarded. Part of the money can be gained by limiting the roster again to 13 players, maybe even 12.

Strictly sticking to the “rumor” mill, Gabe Pruitt was rumored to have had a PROMISE (or an encouragement) from Detroit but when Stuckey became available, Pruitt was passed over. Whether Pruitt actually had the PROMISE is questionable because we didn’t hear too much fussing about it post draft.

Re Verde, I too read the predraft reports and even the Celtic’s commentary about Pruitt as their selection. Pruitt was considered a late first round predraft talent (at least in some mock drafts) and was considered as such when drafted by the Celtics.

Re Jeff, Pruitt enjoyed moderate success at the PG position in college, not so much because of his skill at PG but rather because of his size and superior athleticism (which weren’t enough at the NBA level). Pruitt lacks the mindset and basic fundamentals for the PG position but his size, athleticism and silky stroke are tempting. Perhaps I envision the PG position as something MORE than bringing the ball past midcourt…perhaps more in the nature of a “General” directing the action and setting the table for his teammates, a quality Gabe was lacking. Perhaps too I expect a “gem” to be able to penetrate off the dribble to disrupt interior coverages and create open looks for his teammates. As you say, we do have more important issues for the upcoming season!

i’ve a feeling ainge is angling for zo’ to come in and replace pollard.

if pj is retiring, then we draft an nba ready center. if not, we draft a euro.

if we can get zo’ at minimum, i think it is safe to throw the entire mid exception to posey.

have our 1st round and 2nd round picks replace whoever among cassel, house, tonyallen and pj brown does not stick around.

The re-signing of Posey is essential not only for his value as a Celtic but the value he would give a Cle or Det’s roster would tilt the balance in their favor. Outside of Poz, I think Eddie’s coming back he’s been a journeyman that finally got his ring and isn’t going to leave this situation. Another big in the FA market would be a great addition especially a healthy Mourning to spell Perk. Imagine the defense this team could put out there with Mourning/KG/Perk in the middle. Would need to find some offense to play the 4/5 off the bench though, that’s one thing PJ had that Mourning doesn’t.

i find it laughable that were completly dismissing pruitt because stuckys already good.

this is a kid the celtics are quite high on, and i expect he’ll get every chance to win a gaurd spot this year.

From Pruitt’s profile at Draftexpress.com:

Lost in the shuffle a bit between the terrific play of Nick Young and Taj Gibson has been the emergence of Gabe Pruitt as a legitimate point guard for USC. Pruitt did an excellent job helping his team building up a big lead on North Carolina in the first 28 minutes of the game, but like all of his teammates, could not pick up the slack once the Tar Heel locomotive got rolling with 12 minutes to go.

In terms of the point guard battle, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Pruitt outplayed the more highly regarded Ty Lawson for the most part tonight. He got torched by his first step on a number of occasions like almost everyone who tries to stay in front of him does, but countered by giving him a bit of his own medicine as well thanks to his own terrific ball-handling skills and quickness. Pruitt is a very flashy guy in terms of type of moves he can execute with the ball in his hands, but he also has a nice array of fakes and hesitation moves he can go to to open up the defense and find teammates on the drive and dish.

Pruitt did a very solid job running USC’s half-court offense tonight, particularly with the way he executed on the pick and roll with Taj Gibson and Nick Young. He delivered crisp, unselfish passes to his teammates exactly where they wanted the ball, but unfortunately the Trojans could not knock down their shots in the 2nd half to finish off the game. Pruitt played a part in that as well, going 1-6 from behind the 3-point line and getting too passive down the stretch when his team needed him most. Fatigue seemed to play an issue here.

Beyond being well on his way to making a successful transformation from the shooting guard position to the lead guard role, Pruitt has also made some big strides defensively under Tim Floyd. Texas’ D.J. Augustin would surely agree with that statement after the way he was shut down in the 2nd round, and Pruitt made a number of big plays against the Tar Heels as well. Two terrific steals on UNC in-bounds plays after a Trojan made basket were the highlights here, showing outstanding anticipation and smarts to go along with his excellent wingspan and quickness.

This piece describes the way Gabe played the last time he faced real competition (assuming that the majority of time the D-League is a joke). It was his last game in the 2007 NCAA tournament. Given the fact that he had almost no experience playing at the point when he went to the tournament, such a growth in such a short period of time should make us optimistic, don’t you think? Besides, when training camp started in Rome, Danny was asked which player had been the most pleasant surprise during the summer, and he answered that Gabe had player very well as a point guard much sooner than he expected (not too bad considering that he expected him to be the player with the most upside in the whole 2nd round).

Regarding Pruitt’s draft stock, you can compare the evolution of his “predraft status” with that of Stuckey and see that they were rated in a different level all year long (2006-2007 season):

Gabe: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Gabe-Pruitt-384/mock-draft-history/

Stuckey: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Rodney-Stuckey-1015/mock-draft-history/

As you can see, Gabe was projected to be picked in the 60’s for most of the year, while Stuckey was always considered a top-25 draft pick.

Moskqq, don’t get me wrong. I just want Pruitt to develop without too much pressure. If you say that Stuckey and Pruiit were regarded in the same level before the draft, you’re creating high (unfair) expectations on him. I can already hear someone calling him a bust after his first bad game of the next season.

If we lose Posey (and I really hope we don’t), I would love to see us make a run at Quintin Ross. He’s an unrestricted free agent. Simmons always raved about Ross as being Bruce Bowen 2.0. Sounds like the right fit to me.