Report Card Comments

by Jeff Clark on Aug 26, 2008 1:35 PM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Marty Burns calls up the offseason story template called "offseason_report_card.doc" and filled in some new text. Enjoy! Some noteable comments:

Thibodeau didn't flee-bodeau.
Last spring it seemed all but certain assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, the architect of Boston's top-ranked defense, would be hired as an NBA head coach somewhere. Now it looks as if he will be back for at least one more campaign. Although still not technically signed for next year, Thibodeau is expected to get a new deal shortly, along with the rest of Doc Rivers' staff.
They got a year older.
If only Ainge could do something about Father Time. Even though the Big Three got rest, Garnett (32), Allen (33) and Pierce (31 in October) all have logged a lot of minutes over their careers and are at an age where many begin to slow down. It will be interesting to see how much they have left in the tank late in the season.
Grade: C
The defending champs didn't need to make many changes. But will the loss of Posey hurt them come playoff time?

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He didn’t talk about any of our draft picks or the pickups of POB and Miles.

by Champzilla on Aug 26, 2008 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

They got a year older. At first I thought this was going to be about the ever increasing maturity of our young guys. His points about the aging of the Big 3 have merit, but seen the other way I think, is just as important an issue. “They” in this case being Rondo, Perk, BBD, Leon, Pruitt. As much as how much do the Big 3 have left in the tank is a factor, the improvement of our younger core may even be a bigger one.

I have heard it said here by some that we can rule out the improvement of the young players as a factor, because our older players will be 1 year older as well so they cancel each other out. But I don’t think it is the exact same thing. The reasons for concern with our older guys being one year older has more to do with physical endurance, the wear and tear, not so much of a decline in actual skills yet. Our young guys will not only physically improve most likely, but also they will be improved mentally and skillwise as well. The few more minutes of rest the Big 3 may need will be more than compensated by the skill improvement, physical improvement and mental improvement that we get from the young guys this year.

by KJ33 on Aug 26, 2008 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

I hope Tibs stays but why not mention Rondo. However I’m banking on the fact that Rajon Rondo’s improvement will counter any fatigue or loss of skill from the Big 3. The Big 3 were all used to creating their own shot for all those years. Rondo didn’t have a chance to rack up asists like other point guards.

by JR Giddens on Aug 26, 2008 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

Marty Burns is biased. The Celtics get a C for signing athleticism on the bench but the Raptors get an A- for getting a semi-washed up center in Jermiane O’Neal! >:(

by JR Giddens on Aug 26, 2008 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

I never thought it was likely Thibodeau would get a head coaching job. It really isn’t a surprise that nobody hired him.

by Who on Aug 26, 2008 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

I think the C grade is about right. If the C’s resigned Posey I would have given them an A, but they didn’t, and they didn’t replace him with a proven performer of his caliber. What they did from there was solid, their recovery plan with Tony and Eddie is good. They also had a solid draft. That deserves a C.

by Who on Aug 26, 2008 4:36 PM EDT reply actions