JR Giddens Has A Pulse
by Jeff Clark on Oct 14, 2009 1:08 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics News & Links
Email
PrintNice to see the guy get some run and do something with it. Even if it is preseason.
J.R. Giddens is Alive and Kicking… and Rebounding - Celtics Central - Connecticut News
Just when you thought he’s completely out of the picture, second year Celtic, J.R. Giddens received 33 minutes of playing time in a preseason game. The Celtics rested Ray Allen, Paul, Pierce, and Kevin Garnett, opening up playing time for players like J.R. All the 6′ 5″ player did was respond with game honors in rebounding with 13 boards, 7 points on 3 of 5 shooting, 2 assists, and a steal (3 TOs). While he was in the game, the team was up 7 points, good for the third best plus/minus on the team.
What stands out to me is the rebounding numbers. Apparently JR's rebounding numbers were off the charts in the D-League finals last year. Sounds like he might have a talent you don't see too often in shooting guards. If he's ever on the court with Rondo, we might have a big advantage on the boards, regardless of who's playing underneath.
18 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Really? He had two consecutive offensive boards that kept plays alive. He was crashing the boards hard looking for putbacks. He was in the paint on every shot release. He seems to have a decent stroke, though his offensive awareness and ball handling look really shaky.
by GroverTheClover on Oct 14, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
At least this time he didn’t drive himself into trouble (literally and figuratively). My only concern about him has been his ability to play within his limits and to his strengths.
Which is why I keep arguing that he’s much better when surrounded with real talent. You put him with crappy player, a chunk of the scoring responsiblity falls on him, and that’s not his strength. You put him with real players he can play in the background and do well in that role.
by BudweiserCeltic on Oct 14, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe, but it’s still not going to work if he doesn’t learn what works and what doesn’t work for him.
For example, one-dribble drives and keeping the ball alive on offense work; driving into traffic with his head down doesn’t.
Certainly he has a lot to learn, but for what works at the moment and what he currently brings to the table, that’s the way to use him. Hopefully he can develop those other aspects of his game so that he can take on a larger role eventually. But as it stands, it’s just not the way to use him, and playing with crappy players brings these weaknesses more evident than they really should be with real players… in my opinion of course.
Last night it was really the first time that I’ve seen him play with some real NBA talent since he has arrived, and he played well. Not a coincidence in my opinion. We’ll see if he can keep it going from here as he gains more confidence in himself.
by BudweiserCeltic on Oct 14, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Budweiser and Kozlodoev,
Just curious, at this point, if you had to cut one or the other, who would you keep: Lester Hudson or Giddens?
Giddens, easy. I know people have been pulling for Hudson, but I think it has been exaggerated qutie a bit. Other than the first game, he hasn’t shown me much…
by BudweiserCeltic on Oct 14, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
He needs to slow down
Giddens has been just alright in my opinion. I am pulling for him but I really think he needs to slow down on offense when he gets the ball. He is very herky jerky and needs to take a page out of Pierces game when sizing opponents up.
Did you guys notice that play that he was bodied out of bounds by a smaller Courtney Lee? I expect to see him outmuscle players on those plays and “get big”.
He still has a ways to go and I hope we get to see him grow in a Celtics Uniform.
Where does this not enough spots on the team come from.There is a spot for JR right now. I keep hearing people saying get rid of the guy and all that stuff in case you have forgotten JR is a first round draft, look at is contract. This is his second year, who is going to swallow that money. Giddens is not going any place.
Both JR and Hudson are going to make the team. In case most people have lost track of the window closing for the BIG three. When they leave we will still need young talent. Not just vets for a season or two, we need young talented players.
Giddens thumbs up, Hudson thumbs down
I like Hudson but he didn’t have a good game. This is the time for the young guys to nail shots, avoid turnovers, D-up. Giddens had shown nothing until last night. He stayed active and took what was there. His offense was nothing basically because no one would give him the ball. It was clear he was option #6 in a five man line-up. But young guys got to get their noses dirty and he did. Lucky for him (and maybe lucky for us) that “Tony being Tony” wasn’t available
Playing a role
Doc said after the game that there is a place for JR if he can “do his job”. On a team loaded with All-Stars, that is not scoring. JR did well being an active body, crashing the glass and just being a presence with energy. If he can play tough D, hustle for everything, and only take clear opportunities to score when they present themselves, he could actually be useful. As Doc said, it is hard for guys coming from college who have the ball in their hands most of the time, to learn how to play off the ball. Let’s hope we see more of the same kind of effort from Giddens moving forward.
Sorry Haters
But TA, when healthy, is a better player in the same role, and TA can score. Giddens will have a job if TA is traded or if his knee doesn’t come around. Otherwise, it’s the Red Claws for Giddens.
No Kidding
Hey, I missed the discussion earlier, but I’d like to chime in. Given a choice between JR and Lester, I’d take JR without much thought. He’s got the size, athletic ability, and has game. He can defend two or three positions, rebound, and is a high energy guy. Lester has most of those, but definitely not the height. I work in the OVC, have seen Lester play, and even was talking to one of my students today about Lester. He’s a good kid. Our guys are pumped that Lester is still around. Gives them some hope. But if the choice was between the two, I’d take JR.
I’ll go further than that. I’d play JR over TA as well. He’s got more athletic ability, can rebound, and at this stage if given the challenge, could probably become a better defender, and I think TA is a pretty good defender. The only concerns I have for JR is ball handling ability and composure. Can he maintain himself emotionally at this level? I think he can if he were to get regular minutes.
As others have said, he’s got to know his role, but I don’t think that’s a problem ‘if’ Doc gives him that role. But to just throw guys out there every great once in a while does not do him any good. He’s got a place on this team if they choose to exercise that. I think he could be a pretty good back-up in this league, or even a guy that could score 15 and get eight rebounds a game if a starter. Not a star, but not garbage either.
Chime away, Amen.
Naturally, you’re another one of those guys who’s earned my respect. I just happened to query Koz and Budweiser since they were there, kicking this Giddens thing about.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- LeBron James hints that he’d like to be welcomed back as a Cleveland Cavalier
- The Phoenix Suns refuse to dismantle their team because of … we can’t tell
- Video: Matt Barnes is legitimately upset with former coach Mo Cheeks
- Yao Ming discusses Jeremy Lin as eloquently as you’d expect
- Paul George (and Jeremy Lin, essentially) will highlight this year’s Dunk Contest
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
