The First of the new season, and I noticed some important things. First off, and more than a little concerning: Mark Blount, what is his deal? Yes he scored capably and had an unusually high number of boards for his lazy butt, but he lacked the hustle a center needs in this running game. Which brings me to my second point, if ever we doubted the ability of the Celtics to run, I think we can forget about that, they're going to run their hearts out this season, and last night was a great start to that. Doc proved to me that he isn't willing to risk missing out on getting a great look at everybody, just to show off the rookies in a meaningless way. All in all, we saw a lot of hustle, especially from Reed and Gomes, and I think this team is due for significant misjudgment in the next month, and only that game against the Knicks is going to show us who is going where. It seems like a definite that Delonte will be starting, but that three spot is still open if you ask me, it could be Gomes or Reed starting, as I think Ricky will hit the bench again soon. It was a fun game to watch, and this team has A LOT to learn, but all in all, a great sign for the season. Anybody else notice any significant trends?
I only saw the last quarter, but from what I heard, Blount actually looked pretty good. In the last quarter, I could just tell that we weren't trying to win...which is cool with me because it's preseason. People need to realize that. I've read and heard people criticizing Doc for his coaching in last night's game, which is also fine with me because now I've determined who's an idiot and who isn't. Anyway, you can't really take much out of the first preseason game, but I liked what I saw in most guys. It'll be interesting to watch the rest of these games and see how these positional battles unfold.
Interesting Game Only saw the second half and very much missed Al Jefferson, but that's to be expected. Blount seemed interested, which is novel, but we've learned that there aren't that any guarantees with him. Ricky was Ricky. Dickau seems like he may actually be able to pass, but man is he horrible on defense. Some camp fodder rookie pg kept treating him like he was a signpost on the highway. Delonte all the way, he just plays better. Fundamentals+ athleticism=point guard, not just one or the other. Gomes was interesting to watch, but not spectactular, they called him a tweener, and he is just that. Also, his passing is not near the level that you really need from the three, especially if he's not going to be able to put it on the floor. Could he be an inside scorer? Gonna need quite the nose for the hoop, because NBA forwards are way stronger than college ones. The D was lacking too, but that's a symptom of size and speed mismatches more than anything. It didn't help that all of the rotations were unbelievably slow. Kendrick had a bunch of boards and a nasty weakside block, but he still is going to be foul prone. It looks like he's gotten even stronger. The one who really impressed me the most was Justin Reed. His D was solid, that jumper looked nice, and for a guy his size, he mixes it up inside pretty well. I hope to see more of him, seems like he might be able to play three positions, so perhaps a keeper. I recognize that it was garbage time, though. We got to see Gerald Green a little at the end, and as expected, he looked kinda lost and tentative. Didn't move much, no cutting, just waiting for someone to throw him the ball. I hope that isn't Doc's fault. Unfortunately I missed seeing any of the running game. What little I did see in the second half, seemed like preseason basketball, nobody knows what their teammates are going to do yet. Not that I assume that anybody has learned to pass on the break yet. Pierce seemed to be efficient, as he was much of last year, and it's a good sign that he's shooting the jumper well, unlike two seasons ago. Curtis Borchardt looked like six fouls, as did Orien Greene. It would have been a much more fun game to watch, if it weren't for one man: Brian Scalabrine. I may have had plenty of love for Danny Ainge because of his draft picks, but Scalabrine did nothing to impress. Chicken with its head cut off defense, lots of fouling, poor jump shooting, no moves to the basket and no real hops. What's the deal? Too early to be really riding him, isn't it? Nope, I'm starting now. And what the hell was going on with Luke Jackson? That beard made him look like he had just finished eating half a cheeseburger out of a dumpster. Oh, and Mengke or Mungy or Mulligatawny Bateer has to be the ugliest thing in basketball, hands down. I wish there were a game tonight. I want more, dammit, more.
My take on the Celtics game yesterday: I saw a good chunk (about 10 minutes before the half and 10 after) of the action and was able to draw these conclusions: - Blount still sucks. He didn't play well. On easy plays where he was (for example) trying to dump the ball in to Gomes he threw it off the backboard, and he continues to miss that baseline jumper with consistency. - Dickau is now clearly and undoubtedly a great leader from the point, Delonte showed signs off offensive prowess as well. Yet, Dickau's floater was on, and he was passing well. - Borchardt is a good big body down low. Don't let him touch the ball offensively, just let him rebound. - I really don't like Scalabrine. He's just too slow and unathletic for the position he plays. At one point they had him, Gomes, Borchardt, Blount and Dickau out there for a stretch, that really can't ever happen again. - Ryan Gomes needs to get back to the confidence he had at PC, that's why he was the Big East's leading scorer: he was the Big East's most confident player. - Justin Reed is capable of defending at the NBA level now, as is Kendrick Perkins. However, neither seem to be huge contributors offensively. (Reed played well offensively, I'm waiting for him to show consistency... he could be an Eric Williams type player.) - Paul Pierce is by far the best player on the team. - We would be lost without the athleticism of Ricky Davis. Sometimes you just need a body who is quick and can jump, and Ricky provides that. This is a point being made, mind you, about a game in which Allen or Jefferson didn't play. - I still like Lafrentz, but I began to like him because he was our only token white guy.. now we probably have the most white guys on one team in the league. That is all.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Only saw the second half and very much missed Al Jefferson, but that's to be expected. Blount seemed interested, which is novel, but we've learned that there aren't that any guarantees with him. Ricky was Ricky. Dickau seems like he may actually be able to pass, but man is he horrible on defense. Some camp fodder rookie pg kept treating him like he was a signpost on the highway. Delonte all the way, he just plays better. Fundamentals+ athleticism=point guard, not just one or the other. Gomes was interesting to watch, but not spectactular, they called him a tweener, and he is just that. Also, his passing is not near the level that you really need from the three, especially if he's not going to be able to put it on the floor. Could he be an inside scorer? Gonna need quite the nose for the hoop, because NBA forwards are way stronger than college ones. The D was lacking too, but that's a symptom of size and speed mismatches more than anything. It didn't help that all of the rotations were unbelievably slow. Kendrick had a bunch of boards and a nasty weakside block, but he still is going to be foul prone. It looks like he's gotten even stronger. The one who really impressed me the most was Justin Reed. His D was solid, that jumper looked nice, and for a guy his size, he mixes it up inside pretty well. I hope to see more of him, seems like he might be able to play three positions, so perhaps a keeper. I recognize that it was garbage time, though. We got to see Gerald Green a little at the end, and as expected, he looked kinda lost and tentative. Didn't move much, no cutting, just waiting for someone to throw him the ball. I hope that isn't Doc's fault. Unfortunately I missed seeing any of the running game. What little I did see in the second half, seemed like preseason basketball, nobody knows what their teammates are going to do yet. Not that I assume that anybody has learned to pass on the break yet. Pierce seemed to be efficient, as he was much of last year, and it's a good sign that he's shooting the jumper well, unlike two seasons ago. Curtis Borchardt looked like six fouls, as did Orien Greene. It would have been a much more fun game to watch, if it weren't for one man: Brian Scalabrine. I may have had plenty of love for Danny Ainge because of his draft picks, but Scalabrine did nothing to impress. Chicken with its head cut off defense, lots of fouling, poor jump shooting, no moves to the basket and no real hops. What's the deal? Too early to be really riding him, isn't it? Nope, I'm starting now. And what the hell was going on with Luke Jackson? That beard made him look like he had just finished eating half a cheeseburger out of a dumpster. Oh, and Mengke or Mungy or Mulligatawny Bateer has to be the ugliest thing in basketball, hands down. I wish there were a game tonight. I want more, dammit, more.</div> There is much in what you say, and for this, I will reply. First off, Bateer is horrible, Luke Jackson is a little fruity looking, and the Cavs all in all looked as sloppy as us. Thrilla made a great point by discarding the opinions saying Doc gave up on the game, who gives a crap about preseason? It's a great time to look at players and that's just about it. I don't think Orien Greene will be six fouls, I actually this fella will be a monster, having finally gotten a look at some game tape, but he's not there yet, at all. Borchardt is, and always was, an abomination. The man needs to just get cut now, so we can hedge our bets. This guy has no useful purpose on this team, and needs to disappear. Thankfully, Al is the man who will make this guy vanish. Reed looked more than a little impressive. His jumper, contrary to what everyone is saying, was not good, but it will get better as he gets more confident. When he shot, it looked like he was resigning himself to not having anything better to do, and it showed. Blount's jumper wasn't all that off actually, but anyone who told you that Blount was either A) interested, or improved, in any way; was totally full of crap, and you need to watch a whole game for yourself. He was terrible baby, with a capital T! Boards again evaded him with the greatest of ease, and save one trailer, he didn't run like he should be. Tommy being the eternal optimist, told us that Blount could outhustle any center in the league, and I agree, but he doesn't want to. I think the most encouraging thing Blount did was interact positively with his teammates, and that is just all around a great thing. Last year, he was public enemy number one, with the fans and the team, and this year, it (so far) looks like his mates are willing to forgive, so I guess we're halfway home. With this guy's luck (ability) we'll probably seem him laid up in another month, just in time for the season. There is little doubt about what H.ayes said either, Paul Pierce is the best on our team, and Ricky is very important as well, it looked to me like he was just showing off some D though, as I think I already said, so the points won't worry me, but the shot selection still will. Raef was his usual steady self, and Perk looked like a solid defender, which I love, and not just six fouls, you jerk. (Just kidding.) Aside from that, Dickau didn't impress me, but I'm leaving the door open for him, so we'll see in the future, as of now, Delonte starts, but time will tell. Veal was a no-go, but he got the bench acting as one unit, and that I liked, so I'll reserve judgement until he is again getting no minutes. That is all, go C's. (Aside: who doesn't wish there was another game tonight? That was awesome, thank God the season is starting again.)
