No Pass Bass Fitting In Great

by Jeff Clark on Jan 4, 2012 6:21 AM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

Another day, another set of articles praising Brandon Bass. Good stuff here by Paul Flannery:

They call him ‘No Pass Bass’ and the Celtics don’t mind

"I don’t think Brandon has a problem shooting," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said last week. "When he gets it he’s probably going to shoot it. It’s a good thing though. He’s an aggressive player and that’s what we want him to be so he’s going to have good nights and he’s going to have bad nights too. He is human, but he’s factor."

Still, his assist totals are absurdly low, even at this early part of the season. Bass has played 168 minutes through six games and has just two assists. He’s attempted 68 shots, the second-most on the team and just one attempt behind Ray Allen. One might think that Bass is a black hole on offense, a ball hog who dominates the offense when he’s on the floor. That would be wrong.

Bass may not rack up the assists, but he rarely turns the ball over either. He has just three this season. Because his turnovers are so low, Bass’ Usage Rate (an estimate of possessions used combining field goals, free throws and turnovers) is only 21.4 percent, which means that he doesn’t dominate the ball nearly as much as it seems. For perspective, Bass uses about as many possessions as Allen and less than Garnett, Pierce and Rondo.

He's not without flaws. In this next quote Doc makes sure to mention defense as part of something he needs to work on.

Celtics' Bass earning minutes in crunch time - The Boston Globe

"The one thing we knew we were getting was energy,’’ Rivers said of Bass. "And we also knew we were getting a guy who could make shots. "His energy’s been great. He still has to pick up schemes defensively. I think he can be a great defender. Right now, he’s just struggling with our schemes. So, we’ve just got to keep drilling him.’’

I venture to guess that Brandon will have no retorts for his coach through the media as his former LSU roomate and predecessor might have. If anything, he seems willing to take criticism and grow from it.

'No Pass' Bass eager to assist - Boston Celtics Blog - ESPN Boston

“Somebody told me that one of my nicknames is 'No Pass Bass.' I want to continue to get set up by Rondo, but I want to be able to set other people up as well, you know? Return the favor.”

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a better, more mature, big baby

- awesome move, so glad glen is gone
~~

Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk

by mcpu40 on Jan 4, 2012 8:13 AM EST reply actions

DA did a great job with this trade

I feel sorry for BBD. He’s not playing too well in Orlando

by vgarcia890 on Jan 4, 2012 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

It should be Orlando that you feel sorry for.......

Not BBD….he’s getting his (at 6.5 per yearX4)….Magic aren’t getting their’s

by csfansince60s on Jan 4, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

maybe he can punch one of his friends in the face and break his own hand

- again

Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk

by mcpu40 on Jan 4, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

Agree

Bass appears more mature then Baby as he seems all business and carry’s himself well on the court, on the bench and with the press with professionalism and no emotional outbursts or complaints as Baby did do at times.

I also agree with you and also do think Bass is a better all around basketball player then Baby.

On offense his perimeter jumper seems more reliable then Babys and he has much better in the paint and around the rim scoring capabilities then Baby ever had, which is a big plus I think since the C’s lack a in the paint scoring presence.
Bass also appears to be more aggressive on the glass compared to Baby .

I also like the fact Bass is a bit taller, has a longer wingspan, better vertical jumping ability and athleticism then Baby, which allows Bass to have more favorable matchups against opposing teams especially defensively which many times was not the case with Baby.

by fordescort on Jan 4, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

Bass has been excellent...

and generally consistent. Really nice shot. Good energy.

Telling is KG’s comment that this ‘immensely talented’ team more than the other immensely talented teams he has been a part of, is welcoming him as part of the family.

Great fit here.

by Tom Halzack on Jan 4, 2012 9:01 AM EST reply actions

I’m also really liking the Bass-Davis exchange. The only concern I have, is what Doc talked about. He really does get lost on team defense. I think he gets lost on team offense sometimes too, but that’s not as big a problem, in my eyes. Hopefully it’s just a matter of time, but I think this is one of the “cons” Orlando fans mentioned.

by Berkcelt on Jan 4, 2012 9:11 AM EST reply actions

Off Topic

I love Bass. I don’t think he’s ever been coached or played in a system or played with teammates that could help him get better. Now he has that chance and he seems to be the type of guy that will take advantage of it. (I lied a little—-this is on topic)

But my real question is this: Have the rules changed so that all players on the roster are able to play in the game, as opposed to having 3 players listed as ? unavailable to play that nite? In the last game Sasha was listed as DNP coach’s decision, but he was on the bench in uniform, as were Moore and Johnson. In the past the 3 players who wouldn’t be eligible that nite were in civies.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn

by TrueGreen on Jan 4, 2012 9:13 AM EST reply actions

in sasha's case, DNP stands for

- – does…not…perform

Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk

by mcpu40 on Jan 4, 2012 9:15 AM EST up reply actions

That may only apply to the playoffs.

Not sure though.

"Phil is obviously a good coach. You don't win that many games without being a damn good coach, ... Remember one thing: He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say." - Red Auerbach

by Sizzlack on Jan 4, 2012 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

True Green

The NBA came up with a strange rule due to the lockout. A team can dress 13 players but can only play 12. I think the rule is in play until March.

by badax33 on Jan 4, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

I think you can both dress and play 13 guys for some time. We did in one of our games.

by kozlodoev on Jan 4, 2012 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

Positive signs?

He did have one good dish off to Wilcox in the last game. Remember the play where Tommy criticized him for trying to slam it instead of putting it off the glass and then told Mike that college coaches always tell kids “Ya gotta slam it!” Wilcox missed both at the line, though.

by Bent on Jan 4, 2012 9:40 AM EST reply actions

Bass has been great for us.

I don’t mind him shooting as much as he has. Boston has been notoriously known to suffer from offensive droughts during crunch time in games. Bass could be another weapon or option when that drought inevitably occurs again.

by LarryBird33 on Jan 4, 2012 10:05 AM EST reply actions

Let's see how he adjusts...

Since Bass will be the focus of the second unit, let’s see how he responds when he’s doubled. Right now he’s playing great, under control & confident.

by LuckyNumber07 on Jan 4, 2012 12:09 PM EST reply actions

most of us liked baby, most of us love bass. the d will come. just so the shots keep going in.

by nazzbo on Jan 4, 2012 1:11 PM EST reply actions

Assists aren't his game

He’s not tall enough, and he doesn’t really have the ball handling skills or court vision to be an assist man. But he doesn’t need to be. He knows how to put the ball in the hoop. Add to that his knack for getting some offensive rebounds, and he’s a great piece of the offense.

On defense he could have definitely used a full offseason to get used to what the C’s do, but he’s getting enough minutes that I think he’ll figure it out eventually. He’s a great athlete and he seems perfectly willing to put his head down and go to work.

by Aluminum Penguin on Jan 4, 2012 2:29 PM EST reply actions

*Not tall enough to pass easily out of the post

by Aluminum Penguin on Jan 4, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

Also, I think some of the best passing big men

play with their backs to the basket, which isn’t Bass’ style.

by redbridge13 on Jan 4, 2012 3:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

It's just a shame

we don’t get to see Green and Bass working together in that second unit. I think they’d be good together and would offer up a nice dynamic when our starters take a breather.

by redbridge13 on Jan 4, 2012 3:17 PM EST via mobile reply actions

The Bass acqusition...

in exchange for Baby may end up being a steal when all is said is done.

Kudos to Ainge for making the trade.

I also think that considering Bass is only 26 , he will not only help the C’s short term this year, but also has the chance to help themlong term, if the C’s seek to retain him to help there rebuilding cause along with the other young and promising players they have on the roster like Rondo, Bradley Stiemsma , Moore and JJ .

by fordescort on Jan 4, 2012 3:52 PM EST reply actions