House: Designated Shooter
by Jeff Clark on Sep 16, 2009 5:17 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics Articles
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PrintEddie House is often defined by what he is not. He is not a "true" point guard. He is not a starter. He is not very versatile. He is not a defensive stopper. For the moment let us stop and appreciate what he is. A lethal shooter.
He's also a back breaker with those shots. They typically come in bunches and they often come right when we need them. Not only does it deflate the air out of the other team, but it pumps up the Celtics. And when those runs come at home, the crowd goes nuts.
He's got the perfect shooter's mentality. He's never afraid to shoot, he's always confident that it is going in, and when it doesn't forgets about it instantly.
He's also in the perfect role. By coming off the bench, he can attack the 2nd string defenders and give new life to the C's starters still on the floor. He's surrounded by stars and playmakers, so he can focus on his role.
Eddie actually started off pretty cold from the field last year, but made up for it later in the year. John Hollinger seems to think that House will trail off next year.
House is unlikely to keep his True Shooting Percentage (TS%) at the lofty heights of a year ago, especially without any layups or free throws to supplement the jump shots. But as long as his 3-point percentage stays around 40, he'll be a valuable contributor with his scoring and floor-spacing ability off the bench.
So we're all agreed that he is very valuable when his shot is falling. Right?
This is where I go back to what he is not. He's not a point guard.
Ainge went to great lengths to praise Daniels for his versatility. Sheed is valuable because he can play both the 4 and the 5. Even Big Baby can play some center.
When we were first introduced to Eddie, we heard that he wasn't really a point guard but he bristled at that kind of talk and the Celtics were comfortable enough to use him there a lot. But over time, everyone seems to have come to the same conclusion. Eddie can play point guard in a pinch, but he's really much more valuable playing off the ball.
Doc admitted this. Danny admitted this. This is why we've brought in point guards halfway through the last two seasons. So why try the same routine again?
To be fair, it sounds like the Celtics are talking about letting Daniels bring up the ball with House handling the PG defensive matchups. That solution works better (if not completely ideal) than what we've tried before.
Now I fear that this topic has already been beaten 6 feet into the ground, so I'm going to just leave it at that. I'm perfectly content to appreciate Eddie for the weapon that he is. I think the coaching staff is well aware of how he's best utilized and they are going to do their best to get the most out of him.
More Player Articles: Kevin Garnett | Ray Allen | Paul Pierce | Rajon Rondo | Kendrick Perkins | Rasheed Wallace | Brian Scalabrine | Bill Walker | Lester Hudson
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Eddie’s an amazing shooter. He’s a specialist. He works best with a bigger ballhandler of which we have a few. We have enough ballhandlers and distributors to offset Eddie’s weaknesses. He fits well on this team and when he’s hot he’s very hot. A very valuable bench player. He will fit well off the bench with Wallace. they can play pick and roll or inside out basketball together very well.
We have enough ballhandlers and distributors to offset Eddie’s weaknesses
Agreed — I think the foursome of Rondo, Pierce, Ray and KG are so good at creating scoring opportunities for others that it really limits the need for a backup who can also create, especially since that backup is going to be so much less effective as a creator than the star players (particularly in the playoffs).
House came to Boston with a reputation of being a poor defender. He’s at least average if not better than average.
He’s not the disaster Marbury was at the point. Whatever his ball handling defiencies, at least the opposition has to actually guard him. House has also hit many big shots.
I’d take him on my team any day.
He’s at least average if not better than average
Agreed — at the point guard spot though. When he’s at the two guard he’s a pretty poor defender. Also, House has been a slightly above average rebounder for a point guard, but a liability as a two guard.
I think the difference in House’s effectiveness as a defender + rebounder more than outweighs his superior scoring efficiency at the two spot.
I’m very happy with House as the backup point guard. I wasn’t two years ago when he arrived, but he’s more than proved himself since then.
i love eddie house
seriously, one of my favorite players in the game now. despite all his flaws i just love a good catch n shoot guy sometimes. especially one with a napolean complex. there’s just something about the way this guys shots just energizes a team and the crowd in boston. i hope we resign him again after this year is over. not a lot of guys just know their role, stay within themselves and yet still can change the whole momentum of a game with a shot.
by bucknersrevenge on Sep 16, 2009 5:41 PM EDT reply actions
I used to hate one-dimensional guys like House, but watching him these last two years has really changed my perspective. Yeah, he’s a chucker, but there’s something quasi-religious about a guy who is looking to shoot the moment he touches the ball.
It helps that he’s such a good “team” guy, too. If you’re going to play like that, you better be sure the guys like you.
http://rhymeswithhondo.blogspot.com
by Rhymes With Hondo on Sep 16, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions
Love Eddie`s energy!
On those nights when he`s really “feeling it”….and is absolutely unconscious from 20-25 feet…it doesn`t get any better than that!!!
I thought he was one dimensional
He turns into a cranky white guy, too?
That is truly ambidexterous, if I do say so.
looking forward to seeing him and daniels in the backcourt
I love his quick release. I think house will shine with daniels as his backcourt mate. They will switch at the defensive end of the floor and make up for Eddie’s disadvantage with covering 2 guards. This should give House more time on the floor this year to drain those three pointers. He will break his own record. We just need to find that back-up for Pierce – whether it be KG, Fazekis, Scals or Billy Walker. Somone needs to step up and give PP some rest.
House Will Have A Problem This Year
He beat out his boss for the best 3 point shooting % for a season. Is it a good thing to do that? I don’t think Eddie plays golf. If he did Danny would get him back.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
Not Joking
I really don’t think Eddie plays golf. And last season Eddie did break Danny’s record for 3 point shooting % for a season. He broke it in the last game or two of the regular season and even asked to be taken out of the game so he wouldn’t have to take another shot and risk losing the record. Don’t know how old you are, but Danny, too, was a pretty good gunner in his day.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
first to come here
after Garnett. I think he signed a day or two later. He knew where power was accumulating. And I guess Danny had been keeping communication up with him as the KG trade was unfolding.
He also helped talk Posey into coming here, too. Posey was close to signing with the Nets, I believe.
The Celtics did win it all with him ultimately backing up Rajon in 2007-8. No doubt things are different now and the Final Four teams are all stronger now.
From a chemistry angle….Eddie fits in well….both on and off the court. I think he’s grown up a bit himself. Daddyhood probably helped.
When the Celtics first signed him and Danny talked about using him at PG, Rod Thorn said that Eddie was a good addition for the Celtics, but ’he’s not a point guard.’
He knew what we had to find out. But…. is Daniels a point guard? So I understand the concern.
My favorite line of the article
“He’s got the perfect shooter’s mentality. He’s never afraid to shoot, he’s always confident that it is going in, and when it doesn’t forgets about it instantly.”
Are you talking about Antoine Walker?
(by the way I love eddie mansion and glad we still have him).
Is it Soup Yet?
Not Talking About Antoine
He’s talking about Ray. (kind of love him too).
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
Po
Antoine is available !!! We love Eddie…warts and all….
Great shooter, with the knack for the big play,
but Eddie house is not an “above average defender” at PG as some of the comments above claim. At SG, he’s downright poor defensively.
Luckily, great teams with all kind of offensive and defensive weapons can have a one dimensional player or two at the back of their rotation and thrive. I hate Eddie as a sixth or seventh man, but love him as a tenth man.
Every great team needs one..
Eddie is a luxury that a great team can afford. If he is in the rotation for a sub .500 team, his weaknesses are amplified and he is a lesser player. The better the team he plays for, the better the player he becomes. It is self fulfilling
by The Converse Weapon on Sep 16, 2009 10:55 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Left out!!!
Why on earth was he left out of the 3 pt shooting contest in the all sta weekend is still on my head, he could have ran away with that last season….who on earth selects the participants anyways?
"No I’m not KG. Not at all, but I’m Big Baby Glen Davis from LSU, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I’m not the Big Ticket. I’m the Ticket Stub. Don’t count the Ticket Stub out. You might need the ticket to get in the game, but you leave with the ticket stub, because you’ll never forget this game."
He's a great shooter that will play PG
from time to time.
off season please end.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
Eddieeeeee
I want eddie resigned after this year and to retire as a celtic …. Eddie is my favorite celtic of all time, easily….can’t wait to rock my new Eddie house jersey at the garden this year!!!!
by Nick Sannicandro on Sep 17, 2009 12:29 PM EDT reply actions
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