Hudson Still An Option At PG
by Jeff Clark on Aug 9, 2009 8:06 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics News & Links
Email
PrintThe Celtics’ waiving of point guard Gabe Pruitt could open an opportunity for Lester Hudson, the team’s only draft choice this year. Hudson, recovering from a broken finger, is expected to return to full-speed workouts in two weeks. The Celtics are deciding whether to go for an experienced backup for Rajon Rondo, 23, or give Hudson, who is a year and a half older than Rondo, a chance.
Hudson appeared on the verge of getting into a rhythm when he was injured in the Orlando Summer League last month; in 44 minutes of playing time, he shot 6 for 14 from the field, missing all six 3-pointers attempted.
"There are so many free agents available at the minimum they can get,’’ said Lance Young, Hudson’s agent. "It depends on what direction they want to go - with someone more experienced as a mentor for Rondo, or go with Lester, who can do more things but is learning.
"Minicamp and Summer League were an eye-opener for the Celtics. They knew [Hudson] could score, but the leadership and defense he brought was a surprise. He didn’t talk junk, he just did his work and went about his business.
"The Celtics are trying to win a championship and they don’t need someone coming in who might be the 14th or 15th man trying to be a big shot.’’
Hudson’s versatility and shooting ability would make him a viable candidate to play in Europe.
"Europe is something we’re exploring, but Lester is 100 percent NBA - he believes he is an NBA player and doesn’t want to settle for less,’’ Young said. "He’s a pretty determined kid and he’s already overcome mountains to get to this point.’’
75 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'd like to send him to Europe even if we get rid of TA...
so we can sign Bowen and a veteran back up point,
One eye on the future
I like what I read about this guy. If he is a bit older rookie, he might develop more quickly (?). I say give him a shot and add to the young core of Rondo, Perkins, Baby, Walker, Giddens, Daniels. Not bad.
Best wishes to Lester Hudson, but definitely be thinking in terms of Europe.
The idea of Hudson being Rondo’s backup makes no sense. If Doc was convinced Gabe Pruitt, who had two years with the team, wasn’t the right guy, then how could it be the totally inexperienced Hudson? Especially when he couldn’t outshine Pruitt in the summer league?
Perhaps there was something objectionable about Pruitt that hasn’t been revealed publicly. But from what could be observed, Hudson isn’t a step up in talent. And the Celtics don’t need another Eddie House-like combo guard trying to manage things from the point. Ainge needs to have someone who can run the spot in case Rondo goes down for weeks with a twisted ankle.
Something objectionable about Pruitt
Does anyone remember the episode last season with Pruitt partying too late and showing up late to practice/game with a hangover? I don’t remember the details, but I’m pretty sure the team suspended him for violating team rules. There were some people suggesting (perhaps without a lot of hard info) that this kind of thing was frequent with Pruitt and that he didn’t really take his NBA job all that seriously.
I kind of assumed all along that this was one of the reasons they cut Pruitt.
It was a DUI
and it came the night of the last game of a west coast road trip. It wasn’t a pattern. Just a fluke.
Bad judgment on his part, certainly nothing like you’re describing. His lack of assertiveness as the point was the determining factor.
What's objectionable was his lack of aggressiveness
Face it, you need that to be an NBA player. Shrinking violets need not apply.
I'm all for seeing somebody better than Pruitt. But I doubt it could be Hudson.
Others may disagree, but in the summer games I watched, I saw nothing in the way of aggressiveness to recommend Hudson over Pruitt. For that matter, I always thought the whole lack of aggressiveness charge against Pruitt was a trumped up issue. Marbury, for instance, was supposedly going to be a big improvement over Pruitt in that department. Yet he failed to deliver the goods.
wow
he played 2 games and came off the bench in each.
I remember watching one of those summer league games and seeing a rookie point guard for an opposing team look head and shoulders better than either Pruitt or Hudson. I can’t remember his name, or how high he was drafted, but that was all I needed to see of him. (And that was with the audio turned down so the two announcers wouldn’t annoy me.)
Pruitt and Hudson aren't the same player
so you can’t really say “Gabe didn’t work, so how can Lester?” Gabe didn’t develop with 2 yrs of help, what we heard about Lester, he’s got the agression that Gabe couldn’t develop.
Don't Trade Rondo or Perk!
Let me point out what we all know.
This year’s team is being assembled to win another title. One day Hudson may prove to be a tremendous NBA point guard. But right now, the Celtics need a proven commodity, which they decided Pruitt wasn’t. For the same reason, they’re not going to take a chance on Hudson.
I agree with Braz
We should get rid of tony allen. He’s just takin money n wastin a roster spot. We need to get a back up pg. I feel about 20% confident in hudson as our 2nd pg. We could still give him a chance and if he doesn’t play up to it we can then go to the veteran pg we signed
by jfarias on Aug 9, 2009 10:19 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Maybe Yes - Maybe No
Seeing how Hudson only played 2 games before getting hurt, I don’t think what we saw really qualifies. He had a good first game, no so good 2nd game and then got hurt. Also, I didn’t see Pruitt shine! He made a couple of nice drives, but he never controlled the team, I don’t remember him getting the ball to post, and he couldn’t hit a foul line jumper to save his life. Hudson, I didn’t see enough to make any judgement. The times I saw him, he played with tremendous energy and he seemed to play with confidence, guess that’s all I really took away from his summer league play. If we sign him it will be to a small min (and probably not guaranteed) contract and if we had to cut him to bring in an experience backup so what.
I’m not real worried about the backup PG on a game by game basis, but I agree with your concern that if Rajon gets injured we’d be in trouble without a reliable backup. But who did you have in mind? Brevin Knight, Anthony Carter, Tyron Lue, Bobby Jackson, Marbury, Troy Hudson. How much better are they options.
I checked our salary numbers on Hoopshype and we’ll have $8-10M in expiring or moveable contracts this season plus possibly Daniels and BBD. I’m not proposing trading our entire bench, but we have some tradeable assets that might be a better option that the above left overs.
how old is
Troy Hudson? Isn’t he in golden state?
by jfarias on Aug 9, 2009 10:25 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Thats a joke right?
Standing up for the little People
PS: I am actually from Boston.
We don't need the true backup right away
For the start of the season we can go with Daniels/house and stick Hudson in Portland, monitor his progress and if he’s not doing well grab someone around mid season…
A year ago, people were saying the same thing, "We don't need a true backup point guard."
Then all season, Doc screwed around with a little bit of House, a little bit of Tony Allen, a little bit of Pruitt (which I thought worked best), and then ended up with an unsatisfactory measure of Marbury. And let’s not forget, the season started with Sam Cassell in limbo, sitting in street clothes.
There was little continuity with the way the second unit was run, and not surprisingly, it never meshed as a group, offensively or defensively.
So no, I don’t agree that we don’t need a real backup point guard.
I disagree also
In the unfortunate event that Rondo goes down for a few weeks, we could have a disaster on our hands.
We didn’t have a true backup last to start season, and that def came back to bite us. It’s time to stop trying for temporary fixes and actually fill the hole in the backup PG spot
Don't Trade Rondo or Perk!
Lester Hudson
isn’t ready to be the back up one on this team. He’s an Eddie House wannabe. Maybe next year if we don’t sign Eddie, Doc’s not going to play Lester even if we sign him, and even if we don’t add another player.
eh
Eddie’s a better shooter, but Lester’s defense is a lot better. Lester can lock up most 1’s and even do decent on most 2’s with his 6’9" wingspan.
Hudson’s pg skills such as dribbling and passing I would consider to be better also.
Eddie has found his niche in the league as a catch fire guy off of the bench, and Hudson and Eddie are a decent pg/sg combo because their skills sort of intertwine.
I’d like to see them give Lester a shot at the beginning and if he’s not cutting it, you can cut him and get a vet that gets cut at the deadline.
More available vets are soft
I would lean toward Hudson too for defense and rebounding. The FA vets may be better passers at this point but are soft and limited in comparison
You're kidding, right?
Listen, I’ve seen Lester play in person, as well as some of my students have played against him. He’s not a point guard. He’s got to learn the position. Correct, he doesn’t shoot as well as Eddie, but who does? His dribbling and passing are not equal to or better than Eddie at this point. Maybe they will. Nevertheless, again, Doc isn’t going to play Lester at the one if Eddie is playing the two. And Doc nor Danny are thinking that Lester, who doesn’t play the one, are going to let him learn on the job to play the one when they’re trying to win a championship. It’s just not going to happen.
Seems like he has the guts
Maybe you are right. Get a vet and if they can dump TA keep him on as well to learn.
This guy does have something though. Rather have a lesser guy who is a winner than a more talented guy who often plays at less than %100.
I am pulling for him
Lester’s tough as nails. I want to see him succeed whether it be for the Cs or someone else in the NBA. But he’s not the answer this year as the back-up one. He does work hard, and he wants to succeed, so those are definitely variables in his favor.
often Doc has.....
refused/ignored/begrudgingly play young players (especially at PG) to even see if they could produce. When you get yanked out of the game on your first mistake it’s hard to get anywhere and show your skills or lack thereof …..so I agree that he will not play, but no one really knows for sure if he could actually fill in as our back-up PG.
So many players over the years have been underestimated before they even had a worthy chance and then proven all the experts wrong. I just do not agree with anyone who says …..“he lacks the skills to play a back-up PG for us” He won’t play for us because Doc has historically ignored young players even when he could insert them into the line-up on blow-outs. Doc has been lucky on games in which the starters could have been hurt in meaningless minutes and yet he left them in. While I could not even have 1% of the skills it takes to be an NBA coach and I will say these are two mistakes I have seen Doc make over the years……and yet I he has proven me wrong before and has grown considerably as a coach.
My opinion so don’t get up in old grill……..
Is it Soup Yet?
I’m confused Po. You’re making an argument that seems to say that Lester won’t see the light of day this year, but yet, you seem to be saying otherwise. Am I getting that right?
I too have seen Doc improve in coaching, especially designing the ‘one’ play. But his rotations and use of players has really killed me. I still believe he makes major mistakes in that area, which would agree with your two examples you gave above. I don’t see it changing with Lester. I would like to see Doc be a little more liberal with rotations, especially early in the season.
So who is the back-up one to start the season? Eddie, Daniels, Lester, or the player to be named later?
Here's a goofy theory. Comments welcome.
Marquis Daniels appears to be sticking his neck out with the Celtics, verbally committing to playing for what may be a serious pay cut, risking being stuck with the biennial exception.
I’m wondering if he’s doing this because he wants to prove himself to be an NBA level point guard. Maybe he sees that as his ticket to fame and fortune. For that reason, he may have committed to the Celtics, and in return, Ainge has promised him a serious shot at backing up Rondo. Perhaps cutting Pruitt loose, and distancing the Celtics from Marbury were Ainge’s tokens of good faith.
I concur
I’m not so sure it’s Daniels sticking his neck out, as it is/was Danny seeing an opportunity to have a player than can back up Rondo, but also play other positions. So he gets two players in one. So we fans are still screaming for a point guard with Gabe and Marbury out of the picture, and Danny is sitting there thinking he’s got more than enough players to play the one, and several to play the two and three.
The depth chart could be something like this:
One: Rondo, Daniels, House, TA, Hudson
Two/Three: Allen/Pierce, House, Daniels, Walker, Giddens, TA, and possibly Scal and BBD.
Wow.
The thing that intrigues me, is that all this time, folks here have been seeing Daniels as the long-sought back up for Pierce. If he’s actually more the backup for Rondo, with Pierce’s backup being pulled from, as you say, Walker/Giddens/TA/Scalabrine, then I wonder how happy everyone will be. I expect when the realization sets in, people will really start clamoring for Bruce Bowen.
Let me try to clarify
If Lester Hudson makes this team and starts out near or at the end of the bench, he will likely never see any PT despite the fact we took up a roster spot. Why? Because as I said Doc has a habit of never really giving young players a solid look in game action IMO UNLESS injuries force him to (take the case of Ryan Gomes in his rookie season).
So amenPOtep04 – you and I are in agreement about Doc 100% regarding substitutions.
But just because Lester does not get any PT or does not make the team doesn’t mean anything except he did not get the chance. I think I read a few posts in here in which people said Lester wasn’t good enough to play a back-up PG to Rondo and instead we needed a vet PG for back-up.
Well maybe that could end up being true, but unless Lester gets a solid opportunity to show his skills (or lack thereof) no one really knows how he can perform in actual game situations. So many times players have rotted on a bench somewhere and we deemed “not great” or “worthy” but when they got their chance they proved their pundits wrong. How many thought when DA chose Leon Powe that he really deserved solid playing time considering his prior knee injuries and place in the draft? Not many but when injuries forced Doc to give Powe solid uninterrupted minutes he undoubtedly showed he was worthy – more worthy than some supposed savy vet we could have overpaid for.
Is it Soup Yet?
Nicely put Master HOtep
Okay, I get where you’re coming from. I love the Powe example. Too many here had no clue who he was, nor wanted him on this team, . . . until he got the chance to play.
Would you agree also that different players require different amounts of time to prove themselves? I’ve thought that if Gabe were given the same opportunity that Marbury got, then he would have been resigned. I also think Doc has favorites. Nothing inherently wrong with that, but I think it gets in the way.
Nice post.
we need a backup pg, no doubt. marbury lost his chance when he went on line loony. you know danny has hudson well scouted and he has the preseason to see if he can fit in. who in the league wants tony who has a lot of baggage? he is not an easy guy to get rid of, maybe our pal in memphis would take him. eddie does so so and ok at the point, but rondo does get bounced around a lot and one day can go down so we do need someone experienced for insurance purposes.
The vet back up PG options are atrocious
Id rather just give Hudson a chance.
The future is now
and we need a real PG, who can step in on day one and make the second unit go. The idea of just whistling Dixie and hoping that a PG falls into our laps at the trade deadline is too risky. Daniels will provide good supplementary ball handling, but he’ll be guarding scoring wings.
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
Must've been some good Dixie...
… cause it worked in 2008.
Sam I Am
wasn’t perfect, but he was there and filled the role in question.
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
Danny's got it under control
husdon can be our third point guard – I think ainge will finally trade scal to indy in the daniels sign and trade – shelden williams was scals replacement as 5th big. BBD signing cements our 4rth big. This allows Danny to move scal. we know larry wants scal not tony. Doing so will leave us with 2 spots – one hudson and the LLE to sign a vetran point guard.
Why would Indy want Scal ?
Standing up for the little People
PS: I am actually from Boston.
Anthony Carter is my first choice as backup PG
but word is that he’s close to staying in Denver. Chauncey Billups just made a public appeal for the Nuggets to re-sign him.
Carter is a hard nosed veteran who can play both short and starter minutes as needed. He’s a step above Ty Lue, Anthony Johnson, Jason Williams, etc.
If a S + T for Daniels can be worked out, I’d like to see the Cs make a BAE pitch to Allen Iverson. He’d be dynamite off the bench, if he bought into the role fully. For all you haters out there, keep in mind that AI at $1.9 million is a lot different than AI at $19 million. I want no part of him if he doesn’t buy in fully to his new role, but if he did, and the Cs stayed healthy, that team could threaten the all time win record.
Really?
“I’m in a position now that I’ve never been in my whole life,” Iverson said. “It’s harder than I thought it would be. With the back injury, I have to sit out at the start, then go in, then sit again. It’s tough to really get going. I take my hat off to the guys who can come off the bench and be effective. It’s tough for me. I’m struggling with it.”
“I’d rather retire before I do this again,” Iverson said. “I can’t be effective playing this way. I’m not used to it. It’s tough for me both mentally and physically.”
Im not a hater, just a realist!
AI wouldnt work in Boston, I believe that KG and PP leading the locker room and set just about anyone straight, but I think IA is in the same position as Marbury minus the crazy. He was a star, he wants and needs to be a star, a back up role will be to hard on his ego.
by Celticnation on Aug 9, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
In an ideal world, I´d want a tall guard who can hit the open three.
In reality, I´m ok with Hudson and the chance to pick up a vet PG at the deadline.
Maybe it`s the Celtics homer in me, who wants the young guys to succeed, but I like what I´ve heard about Hudson so far, especially that he’s an unconventional scorer at the 1. He seems to be a good option for 15th man on the roster.
I really don`t like our backcourt depth/options.
Our backup SGs are Tony, Walker, Giddens and Daniels. 4 SGs who can`t shoot, all a bad fit to pair with Rondo, imo…and I don`t want to see 4 or 5 bench players on the court at the same time, just because they have to cover each other`s weaknesses. I think the bench should compliment the starters, not work as an autonomic unit.
Solution A: We sign another shooter
Solution B: Rondo gets a jump shot.
Solution C: Either Walker or Giddens get a jump shot and get a spot in the rotation.
Doc isn't going to play a rookie
meaningful minutes. Just ain’t gonna happen.
And I’m not sure I disagree.
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
That`s a good thing,
but I´m ok with Hudson as the 15th man. The playoff rotation is pretty much set, anyway, and we could still get a quality (servicable) guard for our expirers at the deadline.
Give the Kid a chance!
Lets just see what he can do. If he doesn’t work out we can look elsewhere at that time.
by Meangreen Machine on Aug 9, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions
lofton
release is too slow and low to get it off in an nba game. shooting and clutch shooting are the only 2 positives in his game. bad defender, 6 ft shooting guard with no athleticism whatsoever, no feel for passing. just not an nba player.
and hudson was didnt look good when he played this sumer at the point
he is a SG..i think he would be a disaster as a primary PG
Europe
If Hudson plays in Europe, the Celtics maintain his NBA rights. The question is: will playing in Europe really help him? He is already a little older and done some training in the school of hard knocks. He seems like a survivor with mental toughness (which seemed to be what Pruitt was lacking). I suspect the Celtics keep him on their roster, and Danny waits to trade one (or more) of his expiring contracts later in the season for a veteran point.
If the last two seasons are any indication of Danny’s thought process, I suspect he would be inclined to wait to pick up the point guard later. He has a little more in the way of expiring contracts this year to use as trade bait.
Seeing this quote...
""Minicamp and Summer League were an eye-opener for the Celtics. They knew [Hudson] could score, but the leadership and defense he brought was a surprise. He didn’t talk junk, he just did his work and went about his business."
Hudson at least comes to training camp. Apparently the Celtics feel he deserves just that. If the Celtics think they can get another veteran PG, then by all means, do it. The chances of that might be dampened if Daniels has to take the BAE, but of course, get that backup PG if possible.
Otherwise, Hudson may be all we have. If the Celtics really think he’s there mentally, then they probably think the backup PG job is his to win, and that he knows that.
Hudson is not all we have
People constantly forget about Eddir House. He not the best ball handler, but he can play the point on offense while Daniels can cover whichever is the bigger guard on defense.
You mean
House can guard the 1, while Daniels guards the 2….
And I get it, apparently Hudson may not be a true PG, but the Celtics FO still think he has the potential to be a serviceable backup one. I have faith in them to make that happen, even if it doesn’t mean he’s the main backup.
by Tai on Aug 9, 2009 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Just do not applydefensive pressure
House is fine at the PG unless the opposing team presses him. Then he looks lost
I love the people saying he can't do it...
When he hasn’t played 2 seconds with players ON THE REAL TEAM.
And are basing their opinion on 2 summer league games.
Give him a shot to start the season. If it doesn’t work sign a Vet PG to the Min.
For all things Boston College please visit my blog: Towers on the Heights
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on CelticsBlog
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics
- The 10-man rotation, starring the Flaming Lips singin’ about the Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Philadelphia 76ers? Gone till November
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics
- Metta World Peace wishes everyone a happy Labor Day on Memorial Day
