Rookie/Sophomore Game

by Jim Weeks on Feb 15, 2008 11:44 PM EST in Green Bandwagon

I agree with Charles Barkley that Kevin Durant has to get better. And I really like Brandon Roy. He's bigger and more athletic than I realized. Also the fact that Adam Morrison and Shelden Williams were drafted before Roy will be laughable for years to come. Still, if you could only take one guy from tonight's game it would have to be Durant. I know he could shoot better and play more defense. But Durant hasn't even filled out yet and he won't be 20 until September.
I thought Rajon Rondo went 50% for most of the evening and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that. Yes it was a meaningless exhibition and, given the current health of the Celtics as a team, all that matters is that Rondo came away unscathed. I'd just like people around the country to know how good Rondo is. Although there will be time for that in the spring. Finally, you can't convince me that Jordan Farmar is better than Rondo. You just can't. Actually one more point. Did he really try a lefty windmill?
Update [2008-2-16 8:36:51 by Jim]: - Rondo did in fact try and fail on his attempt to throw down a lefty windmill. Afterwards the cameras showed KG. He was sitting back down, presumably from getting up to celebrate, and looked genuinely disappointed that the dunk did not go down. And I actually feared for a laughing Carmelo Anthony's safety.
Did anyone watch long enough to see the handshake line? I have it on good authority that Sean Williams dropped the F Bomb on Lamarcus Aldridge and refused to shake his hand. Why? I'm not sure. I will say that Williams did not seem to have as much fun as everyone else and was determined to prevent Daniel Gibson from ending the game with his 12th three pointer. Did anyone else see the alleged exchange?
Update [2008-2-16 8:36:51 by Jim]: - I stayed up until about 1:30 A.M. to catch the replay of this one. It definitely looked like Williams threw up the middle finger and mouthed "Fuck you", but I can't be 100% sure. It happened so quick that even 7-8 viewings left me guessing. There's a decent chance that I'm way off on this one. Why I did not record it is beyond me.
I enjoyed a lot of what Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith brought to the table. But they ended up talking over the action way too much in the 2nd half. For example they completely ignored Juan Carlos Navarro's hot streak. In general they stopped showcasing the young guys, which was what the night was all about.
Is Robert Parish involved with this weekend at all? He's a private guy but a Louisiana native as well.

That's it for now...

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Durant

Is in love with shooting jumpers. Have to assume it is because he needs to get stronger to mix it up in the paint. But, if he continues to shy away from the rim he will be a good to very good player but he will never be a superstar. PJ is doing him a disservice by not playing him at the 4 too. Play him there and let him post up and take his lumps so he knows what to work on in the offseason.

by nick on Feb 18, 2008 10:29 AM EST reply actions

Agreed

I would say that Durant is in one of the worst possible situations. The team is a mess, everyone is out for himself and now according to David Stern the Sonics are definitely moving. Factor all that with what you just said and he could be regressing a bit. Still given his age and potential I still expect big things. I think he gets there. And yes he would get knocked around at the 4.

Green Bandwagon: Celtics '08 or bust. Are you on the bandwagon?

by Jim Weeks on Feb 18, 2008 4:53 PM EST reply actions