Lessons Learned So Far
by Jeff Clark on Nov 1, 2009 11:37 AM EST
in Boston Celtics Articles
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PrintWe've seen 3 basketball games so far. One hard fought victory over the Cavs and two blowout victories over borderline playoff teams. What could we possibly glean from such a small sample size? Here are a few things I've picked up.
- Injuries happen at the least expected time. Before the team even played a game, they suffered a setback by losing Glen (Wyc won't call me Baby) Davis for 8 weeks.
- Shelden Williams can play. He's not Leon Powe and he's not Big Baby, but he can play if he sticks to his role. That role is to rebound, rebound, and rebound some more. People say he has no offensive game, but offensive rebounds and free throws help you score points. And as he gains confidence, he might just develop that midrange jumper. But no need to rush it. He just needs to focus on what he does well.
- Rondo will be an All Star this year. He's playing out of his mind. He doesn't even care about scoring (though he's not scared to shoot). I've seen players get in "the zone" shooting before, but I seldom have seen a guard get in the zone with passing like Rondo has at times this year. The clinic he put on in the third quarter of the Bulls game was ridiculous. He has a total of 37 assists and 5 turnovers over 3 games. Crazy.
- Kevin Garnett is back. Is he full speed? Will he ever be again? Is he 90%, 85%, 75%, 60%, less? No idea. He's probably a step slow (whatever that means) but he's still very, very, very good. He might just win defensive player of the year again. He can hit that midrange jumper. He will pick his spots and keep this team motivated and focused. What more can you really ask?
- The Point Forward experiment is working. I was a skeptic. I didn't like the mad scientist ideas. I also didn't know Marquis very well. Also, what I didn't understand was the impact this plan would have on Eddie House. It has freed House to be who he is without worrying about the ball handling responsibilities. I hate to admit it, but I like it ...so far.
- The killer instinct is back. Doc complained during the first part of last year that even though the team was winning at an amazing pace, they weren't really playing all that well. When they ran up against the Lakers, things fell apart. Last year they were winning, but not putting teams away that often. So far this year, they are destroying teams. A good sign.
There's a lot of games left and a lot of lessons left to learn, but that's a pretty good start if you ask me.
Oh yeah, and one bonus lesson. The Cavs aren't as big and bad as many experts led us to believe. At least not so far.
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Cavaliers has always been the same for three years now...
Bunch of players that show off in the offensive end against mediocre/crappy teams, but when they face the actual contenders (LA, Boston, Orlando), they fall apart.
For three years, I’ve seen this happen, and to be honest with you, the only reason why the Cavs are getting any media attention is because of Lebron James.
Just shows you how many good things have developed so far
because Jeff doesn’t even need to mention the very positive contributions of sheed and marquis as well. Wowser. this season is going to be alot of fun. Can’t wait for tonight’s game.
BBD's out for 6 weeks
Danny Ainge even suggested 5 weeks…..
Pierce coming off the bench
I would like to se another “mad scientist” experiment – Paul Pierce coming off the bench (a la John Havlicek). If Daniels plays the first 8 mins of each half, that would leave Pierce to anchor the 2nd team (Daniels, House, Pierce, Williams and Wallace would make a dynamite combo – better than most starting teams in the league) and then Paul could play the “crunch time” final minutes with the starters. He would still get his 32 mins but would only have to spend half of that time guarding the other team’s superstar. He would probably be better rested (guarding LeBron or Kobe must be tiring) and carry fewer fouls with him into the all important final minutes of each game.
Why? Havlicek came off the bench for years and he’s considered one of the all time greats. It may be a good idea or it may be less than that, but it certainly isn’t “absurd” – come on.
Yes, it is. I don’t care what Havlicek did a half-century ago when the NBA was essentially a different league – Pierce is unquestionably this team’s best player, so having him come off the bench would just be silly.
I agree. Pierce is the heart and soul of the Celts. He’s the man we turn to at crunch time. All the more reason that this would work. At the start of a game Rondo, Garnett and Allen can carry the team and play any team even (at least). Then the 2nd squad with Pierce as the first option would outscore any opponents 2nd squad by, what (?) 6,7, 9 points, probably more. AND THEN… at crunch time Paul takes over the game again – when it really counts.
Coming off the bench isn’t a put down of Pierce, it’s that he is the man who could make it work, big time. His stats would go up across the board. It would be good for him and good for the team.
Playing a star at the most advantageous time has nothing to do with the generation the game is being played in. If we get more points and give up less this way, then it’s a good idea. If not it isn’t. I think we would get more points and give up less this way
I’m not saying your reasoning doesn’t make sense (I think there’s validity to everything you’ve wrote even though I don’t agree with the conclusion). But there’s a less than 0% chance of this happening, so I really don’t think it’s worthwhile to spend time discussing it.
I'll say it then, his logic makes no sense.
Pierce of the bench is a comical notion. Not only does it hurt the overall team but Doc’s relationship witth the team would be shot if he tried to take the team’s 8 year captain and relegate him to a bench role.
Bad, bad idea.
I'd just be careful...
When assuming that things are always done a certain way because that’s the RIGHT way. More often than not, that is true, but often things are done the way they always have been because that way the coach doesn’t get fired. I think there are a lot of small things that could be changed that would make a team in any sport better, but if a coach tries once and fails, he’s fired, so coaches don’t try. So I wouldn’t immediately trash this idea, because someone may try it and it may work.
I'm not about to cal the point forward a succes yet.
Sorry but I have seen more of Ray Allen and Lester Hudson playing the point for the second team than I have Marquis Daniels. I don’t have the breakdown of what positions Daniels has actually been playing but I think at this point he’s played a hell of a lot more at the 2 and three than he has the point. position. I think he definitely has the skills to play the position but at this point I can’t say that it has been a success because thus far in the regular season, I’ve barely seen it.
I will say that for me, one of the most important plays of the early season was that alley oop basket by KG on the feed from Rondo. One, it came in the second half not in the first minutes of the game. Two, he launched from six feet away from the basket and followed the ball into the basket. Great height and excellent silent communication. That is going to be the first of at least one per game for the rest of the year.
I think it also showed that in many ways KG’s problems might just be more mental with confidence in the injury than it is with performance of the knee. There was no thinking or anything it was see the play make the move and let instincts take over and he got exceptional lift and height and explosion off the legs. Very encouraging.
It could be more mental, but it looks more physical to me. “A step slow” has been true at times and to me it means not being able to get in position on defense and rebounds. The times I’ve noticed it, it seems to be lack of strength and/or fatigue. Which seems like something he can get back and goes back to stuff Doc and KG have been saying.
funny to hear the cavs broadcast last night..
said how the cavs were back and now ready to go….they played the BOBCATS…the SAME team boston held to 59 points….cavs fans are idiots
by celticinorlando on Nov 1, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions
I'm not complaining
so far so good.
Minus the worries about injuries i really believe the league is in for a treat.
we will dominate.
Another thing we've confirmed:
This is the best team in the NBA.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Cavs management has been epically stupid
Basketball used to be a game where lumbering big men could dominate. After several rules changes and the natural progression of athleticism in the league, those days are over. Speed and talent is what it’s all about now. But the Cavs never got the memo. So after losing to the Magic last year (in part because the Magic have a talented, highly athletic big guy) they decided to do what? Get TWO lumbering big guys instead of one. Those guys are nuts. And they aren’t going anywhere this season. I give them no chance at the championship, Lebron or no Lebron.
Rondo’s good enough to be an All-Star… if talent were all that mattered. The ASG is all about guys showing off their their cool moves. A circus. Rondo is exactly the wrong kind of player of that kind of game. But it would be fun if it happened.
Btw… watched the Rockets last night. Confirmed that: (a) Giving away Ariza in return for Artest was truly NUTTY, and (b) Aaron Brooks is just about as good a PG as Rondo, and he has a way, way better jumper. His salary: about $1.3m/year. We Cs fans tend to overvalue Rondo. The kid’s great… but so are a lot of other guys in the NBA. He gets a lot of assists in part because he’s surrounded by great shooters. Let’s not overpay him. Do with him what we did with BBD… wait for the market to tell him and the team what he’s worth. It’s going to be way less than his agent thinks.
“The ASG is all about guys showing off their their cool moves. A circus. Rondo is exactly the wrong kind of player of that kind of game. But it would be fun if it happened.”
Errr, what the hell? Rondos one of the most athletic point guards in the league and he has some crazy moves. You kinda dont know what you’re talking about.
My sentiments exactly. I’m pretty sure Rondo doing his fake behind-the-back thing when he really doesn’t need to is exactly what you were referring to.
Here's a Thought:
Interesting post, DRJ1…here’s my take:
Once the Celtics win their 18th Championship in June 2010, that will be Rajon Rondo’s 2nd ring in 3 years….
I say SIGN THE MAN NOW….QUICKLY, lol….once the Celtics win in June, what will keep him in Boston especially if another team offers him more?
I certainly don’t know all of the ends and outs of the financial side, but I don’t want him to leave because of money.
His mindset MAY be: “I already have TWO RINGS in THREE Years here in Boston…why do I need to stay here in Boston when Team XXXX is offering me a lot more?”
“I am taking TEAM XXXX money and running!!”
I cannot imagine him playing for someone else other than Boston, especially if Team XXXX is rebuilding. But money does that to all of us…no it doesn’t make the world go around, but it sure helps.
Then Boston will be without an All-Star Quality PG.
If the voters can recognize what he brings to the Celtics Team, then he’ll get his 1st All-Star appearance. Sadly though, he may need to average 13-16 pts. His assists and rebounds will probably get a lot of attention. But points Always grabs folks attention.
Oh and I don’t see Boston losing any games soon…a luxury they have this year is that if the starters come out flat, then Sheed will probably give them 20 lashes in the locker room at half time or something.
Rondo will get EVEN MORE Positive attention tonight if he can out-play CP3.
Defense wins games (And Championships)!
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