Celtics willing to take big risk <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson learned the rudiments of Nellie Ball while playing 11 seasons for the Celtics [team stats]. Yesterday, Patrick O’Bryant signed a free agent contract with the Celtics to escape Nellie Ball. O’Bryant, a 7-foot, 249-pound center, went through a brief workout yesterday in Waltham under the guidance of Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, who called for certain situational plays to be run for the lanky center. Afterward, O’Bryant addressed the media. “Coming out of college I was a different kind of player and I had to try to change my whole style to be in the Nellie Ball system,” said O’Bryantk who attended Bradley. “It was run-and-gun.” The Warriors, who selected O’Bryant with the ninth pick of the 2006 draft, employ a transition-based attack, while O’Bryant’s game is better suited to a traditional halfcourt style where his defensive prowess and post moves can be utilized. Those differences were quickly deemed irreconcilable and O’Bryant was moved to the margins. In his rookie season, he played in 16 games and averaged 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds. Those numbers actually regressed last season as he played in 24 games and averaged 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds. O’Bryant soon realized his prospects were unlikely to improve with the Warriors because his skills had been gathering mildew at the end of the bench for two seasons. “I never really had the chance to prove myself and it is not like I played big minutes and didn’t do nothing with them,” O’Bryant said. “I never got the minutes, so you can’t judge what you don’t know. I guess they didn’t see me as a fit for whatever it was. I came out here to prove I could have been a good fit there or anywhere else.” Though the Celtics are defending NBA champions and have a solid core returning, there is an opening for a player like O’Bryant. Kendrick Perkins [stats] is the Celtics’ only pure center, which is the position best suited to O’Bryant’s game. “I (prefer) a more post-dominant type of offense where you go to the strong side and that’s what I played in college,” he said. “With Nellie it was like (all) weak side and that was completely different for me. I wouldn’t say I was lost, but it felt kind of different.” But the strongest part of O’Bryant’s game is his defense, something the C’s were in the market for after losing James Posey to New Orleans. “I think (defense) is going to help me get some playing time here,” O’Bryant said. “I can obviously play some ‘D’ and block some shots on the weakside guard or the post-up man.” He was also drawn by the Celtics tradition, their current hold on the NBA title and Kevin Garnett’s leadership. O’Bryant grew up in Minnesota watching Garnett dominate for the Timberwolves, and he’s excited by the prospect of learning the game from KG. “They were looking for a big man and I was a free agent,” O’Bryant said. “I’m excited as I could ever be and I’m happy Danny gave me the opportunity.”</div> That's what we need POB, defense.
He should get minutes too if he's able to board and play D because every C's fan knows, Perkins will have plenty of nights with foul trouble
Seems like he could work out well for them. They just need to focus on getting House back and getting Mo Evans or Barnes.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Celtic Fan @ Jul 18 2008, 11:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He should get minutes too if he's able to board and play D because every C's fan knows, Perkins will have plenty of nights with foul trouble </div> I really think he'll improve in that area Celtic Fan. (or shall I say I hope?) Lol <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lavalamp @ Jul 18 2008, 11:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Seems like he could work out well for them. They just need to focus on getting House back and getting Mo Evans or Barnes.</div> Yeah Lavalamp, we need to get House back and then either Barnes, Evans, one of those guys and then maybe add Cassell and another FA at the minimum. (we need experienced guys who will love coming from the bench)
