<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"The two-hour practice featured shooting drills, running basic plays, ball movement, emphasis on taking care of the ball and limiting the opposition to no easy baskets. But this was also the first opportunity to come together as a team for this six-games-in-eleven-days schedule. During the two-hour practice, the team broke up into two squads for a quick scrimmage, which concluded with losing team having to run a series of sprints. However, in a show to team unity, the winning team jumped in and ran the sprints along with their teammates."</div> http://www.nba.com/celtics/summerleague/Ce...on20050706.html How crazy is that?
That's what being a Celtic is all about. Having Pride in yourself and your team. it's great to see these young players showing class. These are great kids. I'm expecting great things from them.
Yeah sounds like Coach Carter if you ask me. I bet that one guy started running with the losers so everyone felt like they had to just like in the movie.
Our first game is tomorrow 7/7/05 and then we are on NBA Tv on 7/14/05 vs. PHO, 7/16/05 vs CLE and 7/21/05 vs GS. This is going to be an exciting year. By the way, I spoke to a couple of people who work within the Cs organization this weekend while I was home for the 4th. They told me that the C's are indeed actively trying to trade to Paul because he is uncoachable and doesnt want to listen to people who know better. One thing to look out for is the signing of Antoine. If the C's resign him look for Paul to stay at least through the mid season. if the C's do not resign Antoine, Paul could be out of here by the end of the summer. I hope that this trade does not happen but I dont want anyone on this team who thinks and acts like they are better than everyone.
Thanks for that tidbit on Pierce. Although, IMO, it's obvious. People put too much into things that Ainge and co. say to the media, but it's all part of the business of running a professional sports team. I always tend to think that there's usually fire where there's smoke, and the evidence is almost overwhelming at this point. The only thing that's holding back a Pierce trade is his horrid trade value at this point in time. That's why I don't see a deal happening anytime this offseason. Just wait until the deadline next season and Pierce will be gone.
Orlando Steve Francis 6-3 PG from Maryland 21.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 7.0 apg in 38.2 minutes Incoming Paul Pierce 6-6 SF from Kansas 21.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.2 apg in 36.1 minutes Change in team outlook: +0.3 ppg, +0.8 rpg, and -2.8 apg. Boston Paul Pierce 6-6 SF from Kansas 21.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.2 apg in 36.1 minutes Incoming Steve Francis 6-3 PG from Maryland 21.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 7.0 apg in 38.2 minutes Change in team outlook: -0.3 ppg, -0.8 rpg, and +2.8 apg. Successful Scenario Due to Orlando and Boston being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Orlando and Boston had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Ok so this trade works...With all the Pierce rumors I just tried some stuff. Francis may or may not be getting shopped as well, and Orlando would really like a true SG. Even though Boston has Banks and West, Francis can play PG and a little SG as well. With Payton gone, Francis can be a veteran PG who can help talent develop. I know Francis would play big minutes and have the mentality of the star, I think this may be the best kind of value you could get for Pierce. Starting Lineup PG-Francis/West SG-Davis/Green SF-Antoine?/Gomes PF-Jefferson C-LaFrentz Im pretty sure Francis is a little less than Pierce money wise, but not by much. A trade like this may affect Antoine's willingness to resign, but that would be a pretty nice team.
That would work for Orlando too. PG- Jameer Nelson/Travis Diener SG- Paul Pierce/Deshawn Stevenson SF- Grant Hill/Hedo Turkoglu PF- Fran Vazquez/Tony Battie C- Dwight Howard/Kelvin Cato Looks good to me...
The last thing we need in a ball movement offense is a shoot-first point guard. We'd end up moving him to SG, and to be honest, I'd rather have Pierce and all his excess baggage at the 2 than I would Francis. Besides, Francis would only bring more of the same problems that Pierce has presented us with.
I understand what your saying about not wanting Francis, but it hypothetically may be the best value for Pierce. Although Francis has a ball-hog reputation, last year in Houston he went with Van Gundy's system and had less offense in order to make the team better. He is a player who would love to be in the postseason and plays very hard every game. He did average over 7 assists last year and that would go up with the lineup Boston would have. He is also a very tough rebounding guard. I like Pierce, but if he is going to get traded it better not be one sided.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">The last thing we need in a ball movement offense is a shoot-first point guard. We'd end up moving him to SG, and to be honest, I'd rather have Pierce and all his excess baggage at the 2 than I would Francis. Besides, Francis would only bring more of the same problems that Pierce has presented us with.</div> I'm going to agree with both of you on this, it would be the most value for our dollar, but Francis, first of all, has no concept of developing talent, and secondly, would probably put up as much of a stink as Pierce once they started losing. Which happens to every team, so that makes his unhappiness an inevitability, not my choice of action there. Shoot-first is not the C's mantra, and as well it should not, but again, it would be the most bang for the buck. Perhaps there's another team out there who could use Francis' services, one with a veteren point, but again, that might be looking a little too far into the future.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting olskoolFunktitude:</div><div class="quote_post">big deal. theyre just trying to suck up to Doc to get minutes</div> The entire team? Perhaps that statement should be thought through a little better. An entire team of players (as well as players who aren't even on the team) do not get more minutes. Were it some form of individual display of hard work or effort spent, that would make some semblance of sense, but you can't give 11 eleven guys (four not even under contract) more minutes.
