Mikki Moore - Good First Impression

by Jeff Clark on Feb 27, 2009 7:13 AM EST in Articles Comment 12 comments

You'll have to excuse the lateness of this brief analysis, but I DVR'd the Clippers game and when I saw the outcome I questioned the usefulness of actually watching the game. I ended up with little to do last night so I skimmed through the game, fast forwarding often. My thinking was that I could at least see Mikki Moore's first action in a Celtics uniform (and perhaps Gabe's last, but that's another story).

I gotta say, I like this guy. Keep in mind, my expectations are locked in at a very low level. I don't expect him to rebound much. I don't expect him to block a ton of shots. I do expect him to pick up his share of fouls.

In fact, I don't expect he'll do much besides hit an open jumper from time to time, run around the court with energy, and just sort of be tall. But you know what? I'll take all 3 of those things on this team and be very happy.

Hitting the open midrange jumper is something that the coaching staff has been trying to get Big Baby to be more consistent with all year. It is something that KG does exceedingly well so it bodes well for the consistency of the offense when someone else can fill in for that role.

Running around like the second coming of Waltah McCarty is wonderful. If Patrick O'Bryant could have done this, he would never have left town. I can't wait to see how many Tommy Points he gets.

I love Leon and Baby. They are both better overall players than Mikki. But sometimes you simply need someone who's long and tall and can match up better with the bigs in this league. Mikki gives Doc another option and a guy to rotate in - especially with all the injuries that we are dealing with.

It is early yet, but as long as we all manage our expectations of Mikki, I think we'll enjoy the Moore era.

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My first impression was mixed. He doesn’t box out.

by Brickowski on Feb 27, 2009 8:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know if this is really true… but he often was caught defending the perimeter and playing offensively in the perimeter, so I’m not sure if this is truely a problem with him boxing out. I’ll take a closer look.

by BudweiserCeltic on Feb 27, 2009 9:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, good article

managing the expectations is the key. Those who are expecting more than transition play, the occasional mid-range (I doubt he’s much better than Davis has been for the last 2 months) and lots of hustle, are going to be disappointed.

by cordobes on Feb 27, 2009 9:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I was pleased

with Moore’s play in the Clippers game, but I also gave him a pass on quite a bit since he’s brand spanking new. If he applies that energy to learning the defense I think we are in good shape.

I agree Jeff, that kind of effort from a C’s player is automatically endearing. If he reaches Waltah status he’ll be considered another steal.

by Thruthelookingglass on Feb 27, 2009 9:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Waltah didn’t box out either.

by Brickowski on Feb 27, 2009 9:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

serious question

While it is too late for McCarty, do you think that the current coaching staff might be able to help Moore with his boxing out and rebounding in traffic? Do you think they could do it in time for playoffs? Or is it too late for Moore too.

by Thruthelookingglass on Feb 27, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

New additions

I was most impressed by Mikki playing his game and not trying to “prove” what a good pick up he was. Having never played (nor practiced) with the team before, he set picks and rotated pretty well, taking and making a few shots when they came to him, and generally having good court sense. If he fits in this well now…imagine what he can do with a little team practice.

The gang at NBAtv (Charles Barkely especially), said this is a solid pickup and they think the Celts are headed for another championship!

They also felt that the Marbury addition is a no—lose (we hope a "win—win) signing. If the Celticsare successful, Marbury will be successful..if the Celts are not successful, no way Marbury redeems himself.

by thirstyboots18 on Feb 27, 2009 9:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I Think Mikki Moore Will Help Us

He was brought here for his energy. He moves around. He sets picks. He can spread the floor. Despite being 7 ft. he is a power forward with a game similar to KG’s, but with much less skill. And I think he can bother Gasol and possibly Odam, Lamar because he seems to have some quickness. The first post says he “DOESN’T” box out. We don’t know that for sure and maybe a new player should be welcomed by the pluses he brings. He’s a good person, will be a good locker room guy, he has a history with Clifford Ray and he will be playing with better players. Mediocre players, if that is how we want to characterize him, become very good players when surrounded by great players.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Feb 27, 2009 10:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Should Add To The Above

This guy WANTS to play and will play hard. Even if he fouls alot, he’s giving us six fouls, some of which can be deducted from Perk, Leon and Glen and possibly KG.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Feb 27, 2009 10:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking about the Waltah comparison before we signed him, and it rings true now that I’ve seen him play a little. Lots of hustle, not a lot of skill, long and gangly and awkward-looking, good jump shot (without Waltah’s range, though), good team defender but not a lock-down individual defender, someone that the guys in the locker room really like and that helps out chemistry-wise.

He’s a taller Waltah with less range on his jumper. I’ll take that right now.

by theBird on Feb 27, 2009 10:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs