http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/notes090506-pickup-game.html There are 2 sections (little overview on the young guys and Ratliff, and a little Al Jefferson interview): Part 1 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Ryan Gomes and Al Jefferson have been here almost all summer long, working out on their own and spending time hitting the bikes hard or just simply shooting around. Kendrick Perkins and Delonte West have been in pretty regularly as well. But Tuesday, the boys were back en masse for the first time and engaged in some four-on-four play, pressing Director of Player Development Mike Crotty into service to match up against Allan Ray. Gerald Green and Dwayne Jones joined Green and Crotty on one squad, while Tony Allen, Kevin Pittsnogle and Ray joined Theo Ratliff on the other. Green had a few impressive put back dunks on rebounds, while Tony Allen looked good cutting to the hoop. Ratliff just arrived in Boston and was getting to know his teammates, who already learned today that he sets solid picks and carves out space for his jump hook quite nicely with his broad shoulders. The elder statesman on the floor by far, he was already dispensing advice to younger players about setting picks and getting open. While the half-court competition was spirited, the trash talking may have been more impressive than the actual basketball. And when you leave officiating and score-keeping up to NBA players, there's bound to be some good-natured arguing. Rookies like Pittsnogle and Ray weren't allowed to call their own fouls, and when it wasn't clear off whom the ball went out of bounds, the guys settled who gets possession just like you do in the schoolyard. Shoot for it.</div> - Nice to see that our "veteran young guys" (as I like to call them, because they all have 3 years experience.. and Gomes came in as basically a veteran) like Big Al, Perk, Delonte, and Gomes. I'm especially glad to hear Gomes and Al have been regulars all summer long. - Good to hear there is come competitive 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 action going. - THEO! He's alive! The most comforting thing about that Theo part is that he is already beginning to help the young guys out. That's awesome. Even if Theo doesn't play 55 games, he will always be there for the veteran leadership and as a mentor. Part 2 - Al Jefferson Interview/Info <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Jefferson isn't quite ready to start cutting on his ankle yet, so he didn't join in the pickup game, but he spent plenty of time on the exercise bike before moving to the other end of the floor to work on his outside shot. Big Al knows he had something of a lost season last year, but he's determined to break out this year and said that he's set a goal of averaging a double-double this season. "I set a goal for this offseason to come in and work my rump off, become a better player and work on my weaknesses," said Jefferson. "That's what I did. I've been here in Boston this whole summer working hard." Jefferson also knows that he has to work on his defensive awareness, and he says he's going to be watching plenty of tape between now and training camp to improve. He feels like he made some strides with his defense during the Vegas Summer League and wants to pick up where he left off before his latest ankle surgery just over a month ago. Oh yeah, the ankle. Everyone wants to know about his ankle. So when will people start talking to Jefferson without asking about his ankle woes? "Probably after preseason once I've played a couple of games," said Jefferson. "By November that ankle situation will be behind me and we can just move on." Jefferson also reported that Kendrick Perkins is "feeling good" and just recently started to play in contact situations. Jefferson said that it's a big year for Perkins and himself, and he think Ratliff will be a big influence on both of them. "I think he's going to be a big key for me and for Perk," said Jefferson, who noted that the team has a lot of young veterans who are tired of losing. "He's a vet and he's been where we're trying to go. It's going to be fun." Jefferson also talked to Fox Sports New England's Greg Dickerson after his workout.</div> - Big Al's goal for himself is to average a double-double. That's high expectations big fella, but I love the determination! I found this entire article both amusing and comforting. Amusing because Big Al has set great expectations for himself, and comforting because Al has determination, and all the young guys are playing competitive basketball against each other already. Also, it's good to know Theo is still breathing.
i like to hear that about telfair. we need someone who is good with pci-and-rolls, bc that is supposedly one of telfair's strengths, bc he is able to change directions so quickly. and i'm so glad that our young guys have a strong work ethic.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Sep 5 2006, 11:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>i like to hear that about telfair. we need someone who is good with pci-and-rolls, bc that is supposedly one of telfair's strengths, bc he is able to change directions so quickly. and i'm so glad that our young guys have a strong work ethic.</div> Where in this article does it mention Sebastian Telfair at all?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Sep 6 2006, 05:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>oops. i meant ratliff. my bad.</div> lol oh ok. I was gunna say - did I miss something? But yes, it's great to hear something on Ratliff. I still think it's very odd that they havn't introduced him yet, but at least he's healthy and working with the young guys. If he isn't traded, he will make such a positive impact on Al/Perk, especially defensively where Al needs improvement the most. I look forward to it.
I like Theo. If nothing else, he will be solid for a few minutes at a time, and that's all we really need from him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Sep 7 2006, 05:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I like Theo. If nothing else, he will be solid for a few minutes at a time, and that's all we really need from him.</div>EXACTLYpeople don't realize that he wouldn't play big minutes anyways, and with hit older body, he wouldnt be able to play those. but with that older body, he will be solid for the few minutes he plays.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yankshater213 @ Sep 7 2006, 06:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>EXACTLY people don't realize that he wouldn't play big minutes anyways, and with hit older body, he wouldnt be able to play those. but with that older body, he will be solid for the few minutes he plays.</div> Theo is going to be very servicable when he's in there, and when he's healthy. I mean, if he doesn't play 50 games I wouldn't be suprised at all, but when he's active he will provide a nice defensive presence off the bench. I think his veteran leadership and mentoring will be much more valuable than just his play on the court. I really think he's going to be good for Big Al, and especially Perk. He will teach Big Al a thing or two about playing defense, and he will just patch up Perk's rough edges. If Theo gets traded and helps get us a good player in return, so be it. But if he doesn't get traded I definitely look forward to his positive influence on the team.
i honestly wouldn't care much if he only l=played 30-something games. If he provides stability and veteran leadership, i'll be satisfied.
