AM Notes: Allen's Last Chance, Lester Helps Rondo
by Jeff Clark on Dec 12, 2009 9:41 AM EST
in Boston Celtics News & Links
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PrintA couple of notes for your morning. First of all, Scott Souza of Metro West Daily has joined the boys at Celtics Stuff Live for a weekly column. He reminds us that if Ainge had his way this summer, Tony Allen wouldn't be around. Kind of ironic that the guy they were trying to trade him for is the guy that he's filling in for now.
The Square Peg That Is Tony Allen
[Tony Allen] seemed destined to never wear a Celtic uniform again. Ainge surely tried to make that happen. After backing Allen one last time last summer when he said Pierce and Rivers pushed hardest for the team to re-sign him to a two-year contract after James Posey took a four-year offer from New Orleans, Allen might as well have had a "free with purchase" tag on him this summer. Multiple reports had him involved in the package the Celtics were offering in a sign-and-trade with the Pacers for Daniels. The Pacers opted to give Daniels away instead.
Also, Bulpett reports that Lester Hudson is playing Rondo in one-on-one before games.
Counter points - BostonHerald.com
"I think it’s starting to help me a lot finishing on the break and making my one-on-one moves, and especially with my ballhandling," said Rondo, who broke out with a team-high 21 points in Thursday’s win in Washington. "You know, I always thought I was a great ballhandler, but one-on-one you can get real crafty and creative with it. He helps me a lot. I love playing one-on-one before the games with him. "I can’t have the same moves. I have to have different moves when I play against Lester. He gets me going before the game, helping me finish shots. He’s a physical player. He’s about 6-(foot)-3 and he has long arms and he’s a big, strong guard, so I love playing against him every game. It kind of gets me going."
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Who knows
Maybe Lester can actually back up Rondo too, rather than just playing again him before games. Maybe once in a while? Just throwin’ it out there.
He's Going To Play A Role
Of all the guys we keep wanting to get game experience, Giddens, Walker, ?TA, etc., the one guy who I think will make it is Lester Hudson. Many of us (not me) chide Doc for not realizing who can play and for not giving them the chance. I always say we don’t know the whole story, such as what goes on in practice. Now we have some insight. Rondo, to his credit, has given us a peek. I’m sure Doc sees all this. We don’t know how Lester does in practice with the whole team on the floor. But this is where it starts and Rondo’s is the only word we’ve really heard about a player we don’t see. I do forget that Pierce has often mentioned TA in a positive way, but we see what TA does in real game experience. Give Lester and Doc some time and I think this is the guy who will stick. He will get his chance during real games.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
Pierce-TA
You brought something that has kinda flown under the radar, re: Pierce and TA. Souza’s article also underscored it by mentioning that Pierce was one of the major forces behind resigning TA. Paul has always loved TA’s game. I remember when he was up for a contract extension, Paul was going to the press and saying the team better sign him now before he gets too expensive, gave him props for the defense he played in practice and just recently took the time to tell people that TA can score the ball too.
It’s just interesting that a player that can seem so indefensible and unlikable at times can be well-loved by the C’s captain.
Insights like these make it seem like Rondo's more humble
than the media usually paints him to be..
Hudson is trying to do what he can while he learns the NBA.
"Rajon helps me on my defense, and I help him on his offense," he said. "I contest his shots and that helps him get better.
"I’m not going to take credit for him hitting shots, but he’s been hitting them good lately. And every time in the game when he hits a couple of shots, he’ll be like, ‘Thank you.’ But it’s not me. I think whatever problems he’s had were in his mind. He can shoot."
Insights like this makes me love this team.
And this blog ;)
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
I’m with you on this.
It’s still painful watching House try to get the ball across mid-court, too.
I specializes in grammar fail.
by a tommy point on Dec 12, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
I'm starting to move towards the "give Lester a chance" bandwagon
The dude was good in college, he seems like a smart player who doesn’t try to play beyond his limits, and he’s a likable guy from all the quotes I’ve read from him. Plus, he is constantly playing one on one against Rajon Rondo, the best defensive point guard in the game. I think Doc can at the very least give him a chance.
Doc and Rookies
I think Lester will get a chance…in January, which is about when Powe and Gomes also got their chances during their rookie seasons. Doc is the kind of coach that wants to see it in practice from his rookies, and given the limited practice time those rookies usually can’t show it until January.
Hudson’s going to be a good one, though. He’s a two way player, can create his own shot, shoot from range, and guard 1s and 2s. He’s going to replace Eddie by next season.
by SalmonAndMashedPotatoes on Dec 12, 2009 12:11 PM EST reply actions
I think you're right, SAMP--
Doc and Danny tend to pull out their best rookies for real action as the trading deadline passes. By then I think Lester will know the full offense, and Doc isn’t inclined to limit their plays for a rookie during the regular season. Sounds like he may not have done so well in his last two-minute garbage-time appearance or two, however, so I hope his confidence isn’t slipping and his anxiety growing while waiting on the sidelines.
good post jeff
great to hear stuff like this
Odd choice of words saying Rondo "Broke out" with 21 points.
Seems like he still hasn’t necessarily gotten traction with the media as being one of the big boys.
Am I reading too much into it?
USG
Nah
Souza was probably just referring to the fact that Rondo doesn’t often score 20+…He’s typically good for 10-15, but that was the first time he went over 20 this season. He probably wouldn’t write, “Rondo broke out with 12 assists” because we’re so used to seeing that practically every night now, you know?
Really good anecdotes
I’m high on Hudson for the reasons mentioned above by several – he has both offense and defense and his attitude seems very professional. That’s a great story about 1 on 1 with Rondo
And its nice to see the reminder of Tony Allen support from Paul. I know Tony is only two dribbles-off-his-own-foot TOs away from the hoots to start again but he’s easy to root for. He’s been a Celtic only so far in his NBA career.
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