FanPost

The New Celtics... Why Comparing Players Never Tells the Story




Prior to the Rondo and Green trades, and the deadline, the arguments from all sides resorted to comparing Player A with player B. Rondo does this...Green cant do this... Dragic is this... Thomas is that (etc). Shepherdcall has had a heyday breaking down "THE VISION"... and others have taken aspects of specific skills and attempted to predict what players would help us the most. In the end, the FIT and the influence that the new players have had IN TOTALITY has been the real game changer.

I (and many others; mmmmm, DRJ1, EddieF, etc) have been calling for a REAL scoring PG for most of the year, and now we can see the results. As the title says, It isnt just what Thomas can do by his own skills... its how those skills have allowed others to play differently and BETTER. When once we stood and shot jumpers from set plays and kickouts, we now drive the ball to create the first look, and can follow it up with another attacking move. We actually get to the freethrow line. Crowder's game has blossomed lately...mainly because he has added a driving game instead of relying on the standing jumper. Turner has looked more to attack, assist and rebound... only looking to score when other attackers are out of the game. Smart has completely been "released" from a more pressured role of providing scoring, to letting his defense create offense. Any scoring we get is gravy. Bradley (I admit i just finished my last helping of crow) has teamed with Thomas and Smart to become a pretty steady force at both ends. He now can let the game come to him out of the system, and when he stays within himself, he can be counted on for double digit scoring and more limited turnovers or forced shots. Again, the COMBINATION of these players has been the "CHANGE"... all produced (IMO) by adding simply one above average attacker/scorer. Lanes are wider, space is greater, shots are better, and the chemistry is phenomenal.

We can look at Thomas and say that he is too short, or isnt the best defender... but this is why skills alone cannot be compared when trades happen. Too many variables from playing time, system, and roles effect player statistics and "value". While fine players in a diiferent setting or system, the Rondo and Green trades simply freed up time for younger players, and helped to add defensive and positive team culture. At the deadline we added the much needed attacker... as well as Jerebko's length and shooting...all for the price of Thornton and Prince. Let that soak in for a minute. Stevens has been given a smaller roster by the (mis)fortune of injuries, and he is doing a really solid job as the season progresses. I remember Doc (for all his strengths) riding the starters despite being terrible on a given night...and rarely riding the hot hand as we saw Stevens do against the Hornets. This ability to both feel out the game, and have the "nuts" to sit down "starters" for the team good, is exactly what I want to see from a coach. This approach truly motivates players to be ready when their number is called, and you can see the effect it has had on team chemistry and effort. While not a contender, this team never quits. There are better centers than Zeller; better PGs than Thomas; better SFs than Turner. But when the entire skillset of this team is put together, it exceeds the value of its individual parts.

The results have placed us in a win-win scenario. By the end of the year we will be set up to add, trade, develop, and draft a plan to consolidate this team even further. Even if a "superstar" is not added, you can bet that a player or two will be added whose EFFECT will exceed his skills. The "VISION' is alive and well... just a few weeks after hoping for a great draft pick, we add 2 players... and suddenly the goal posts have been moved.

They were not moved by one player alone. But by adding a player that possessed the 2 skills we most truly needed, it elevated the play and mindset of entire units. The sum of all parts is adding up nicely in Boston.

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