Who's rooting for Miles? I love Ainge!

ddb · Post #1 » by **ddb** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 2:09 pm

I find myself rooting for Miles to succeed and make a roster spot. I'm convinced that he's at the right point in his career where he appreciates the game and won't take things forgranted anymore. Obviously, it's not going to be easy for Darius to make the team but I hope he does. I think he's at the perfect point in his career to become a solid "role" guy on this team.

Year after year Danny Ainge continues to amaze me with his ability to evaluate not only talent, but situations. He brought Pierce, KG, and Ray together at the right time in their careers. He was high on Rondo when other GM's weren't. He found a way to land Powe, Davis, Walker, Giddens, Allen, and Pruitt with late 1st or 2nd round picks and one can argue that our set of young players are every bit as good as any other young core in the league...He took a flyer on O'Bryant which seems like another nice find.. Now I realize we're only 1 preseason game deep. I realize that you cannot judge a team based on training camp and the preseason but it really seems like Danny has done another nice job this offseason. He makes moves that cause us to scratch our heads and wonder what the hell he's doing but at the end of the day we realize that he's done his homework and is taking safe risks....

Job well done. Now hopefully you can pull off a 2 or 3 for 1 trade to make room for Darius

GuyClinch · Post #2 » by **GuyClinch** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 2:18 pm

I am rooting for Miles. His athleticism looks gone - but he seems humbled and that's probably good. If he gets back to 75% he really is a keeper. Hopefully the work of Bryan Doo can get him back into form. I don't think we need a 3 for 1. Maybe we can just buy out Scalabrine or trade BBD and cash for a second round pick..

Dave_From_NB · Post #3 » by **Dave_From_NB** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 2:53 pm

The man is financially set for life, that he would spend a year and a half on a comeback and essentially play for free for a couple of years (given that insurance would top up his salary) gives me high degree of respect for him. I'm definitely rooting for him.

Celts17Pride · Post #4 » by **Celts17Pride** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 3:09 pm

I''m rooting for Miles to to make the C's but the 2nd unit is really going to struggle without Posey. Take off your green colored glasses for a moment and look at last nights first preseason game. The 2nd unit of House, TA, Miles, Powe, Walker, O'Bryant and Big Baby struggled in the 2nd half because of two reasons IMO.

1. House still has a problem dribbling against the pressure.

2. The most important reason is that outside of House they are all inside players. This is where the loss of Posey will hurt the most. The other team is just backing off of the 2nd unit playing them for the drive and not concerned at all about them shooting from the outside. Posey would nail the 3 pointer to open up space for the other players on the inside. Teams would have to respect Posey's outside shooting.

Miles in the game instead of Posey really bogs down the offense because he can't shoot. Last night at one stretch of the game House was taking all the shots because the 76ers would not let the C's inside. The Celtics need to get a 3point shooter for the 2nd team IMO. This will be a problem all year.

Rocky5000 · Post #5 » by **Rocky5000** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 3:23 pm

Celts 17, I don't think we will see the '2nd unit' lineup much at all during the regular season, 1 of the big three will be on the court with them unless it's a blow out, which should do a lot for their inability to score.

I want the Celtics to go to Miles more in the next game, I didn't think he had enough touches to really get a good look at what he could do. He was fitting into the team well, but I didn't see him get the ball in any isolation situations, try to break down his defender, or any of the things he did in the past offensively.

Post #6 » by **sunshinekids99** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 3:23 pm

If he has his head on straight then yeah I'm all for him to make the team. Just don't be a distraction, play hard defense and show your athletisim. I however really hope somebody tells him to knock it off with the annoying head pound thing he does.

Havlicek17 · Post #7 » by **Havlicek17** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 3:54 pm

Even though Darius is getting paid, he still wants to play very badly. I would love to see him make the team and prove the "experts" wrong once again. Having a veteran who can play both the 3 or 4 would help our bench quite a bit.

After watching yesterday's game though, I have to say Darius did not look like the player he once was. He appeared to be much slower, but to be fair, he's trying to knock off 2 years of cobwebs and learn a new system. Although I don't think he will get back to his high-flying days, I think he will improve his game as time goes on and if he stays healthy would be a big upgrade versus some of the other players we currently have on the roster.

I have been watching the NBA for a long time, and cannot think of another example like POB's. Nobody gives up on an athletic 7 footer after 2 years and let's him go for free. Not even the Washington Generals.

In last years draft, when it was announced that we gave up cash for the Walker pick, I came out of my chair. Put it in the bank, Walker is the latest in draft day steals by Danny. If he stays healthy, he could be one of the best young SF's in the league.

Red was the most shrewd GM ever, he used to be so good at taking advantage of other teams that it got to the point where no-one wanted to trade with him anymore. He always got the better of the deal, and made the other teams look bad. I gotta believe Danny is starting to get the same reputation.

Danny, you the man!

Celtsfan1980 · Post #8 » by **Celtsfan1980** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 4:21 pm

Celts17Pride wrote:IMiles in the game instead of Posey really bogs down the offense because he can't shoot. Last night at one stretch of the game House was taking all the shots because the 76ers would not let the C's inside. The Celtics need to get a 3point shooter for the 2nd team IMO. This will be a problem all year.

You just play either Pierce or Allen with the reserve unit. House, Cassell, and Pruitt all can shoot from outside, so if done properly it shouldn't be a problem.

celticfan42487 · Post #9 » by **celticfan42487** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 5:00 pm

One good thing is House is our main backup. And with House out there as well as one of the Big 3 they all have range [KG being a PF with his range inside the 3 is as good as Pierce's 3 point range at the SF postion].

House+ 1 big 3 memeber is enough range to allow Tony Allen,Powe, Obryant/Perk to go to work.

Also, Tony Allen is good enough to bring the ball up the court during pressure situations. We really just need to get a better outlet guy because right now all our backup PFs suck when they have to do something after getting the outlet pass from pressure [Baby and Scal alone had like 5 turnovers from this]

**bonus possible**= Both Patrick and Baby and Perk are romoured to have a mythical mid range shot. It's possible they might have one and that would end the range promblems for our second unit completely. That and Tony Allen at times in his career has had an okay 3 point range. All these are not likley solutions but a possibility and all would firmly kill spacing issues with our expected main second unit.

Our team was heavy on 3 point shooters last year, now we are leaning a little to inside players.

As for Miles, I'm rooting for him in the sense that he can be a strong SF defender that we don't have with Posey gone. Aside from that, I hate, I HATE, his headpounding. And all I can remember is Pierce mocking him I think Q-bitch or him for that crap against PHNX some years ago.

GuyClinch · Post #10 » by **GuyClinch** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 6:21 pm

I''m rooting for Miles to to make the C's but the 2nd unit is really going to struggle without Posey. Take off your green colored glasses for a moment and look at last nights first preseason game. The 2nd unit of House, TA, Miles, Powe, Walker, O'Bryant and Big Baby struggled in the 2nd half because of two reasons IMO

Meh. That's because the 'second unit" consists of 5 bench players. If we used that in the playoffs we would probably lose too. Doc is going to keep one or two of the big 3 out there at all times. That was his strategy in the playoffs for the most part.

Doc is going to have to work a good substitution pattern out with his top 4 or 5 bench guys.. He has already hinted that it's going to be TA, House, POB, Powe..as top 9. Maybe Miles/BBD/or Scal sees some minutes as that tenth guy.

return2glory · Post #11 » by **return2glory** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 6:54 pm

GuyClinch wrote:
I''m rooting for Miles to to make the C's but the 2nd unit is really going to struggle without Posey. Take off your green colored glasses for a moment and look at last nights first preseason game. The 2nd unit of House, TA, Miles, Powe, Walker, O'Bryant and Big Baby struggled in the 2nd half because of two reasons IMO

Meh. That's because the 'second unit" consists of 5 bench players. If we used that in the playoffs we would probably lose too. Doc is going to keep one or two of the big 3 out there at all times. That was his strategy in the playoffs for the most part.

Doc is going to have to work a good substitution pattern out with his top 4 or 5 bench guys.. He has already hinted that it's going to be TA, House, POB, Powe..as top 9. Maybe Miles/BBD/or Scal sees some minutes as that tenth guy.

Exactly. Plus the bench players weren't out their when Philly went on a 14-0 run in the 3rd, after we had a 65-51 lead. Tom T. was sleeping on the bench and finally called a timeout after 14 unanswered points. I know it's the preseason, but they still play to win.

billfromBoston · Post #12 » by **billfromBoston** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 7:20 pm

Darius isn't going to be in his best physical condition for another few months, so don't judge his athleticism based on his current ability level. The guy has lost 30lbs in the last 9 months and hasn't played competitive bball for 2 years.

With his length, he is still a threat even if he's not 100percent, but by January i'd expect another 4-6 inches on his vertical and a faster first step...

RayAllen#34 · Post #13 » by **RayAllen#34** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 8:22 pm

Celts17Pride wrote:I''m rooting for Miles to to make the C's but the 2nd unit is really going to struggle without Posey. Take off your green colored glasses for a moment and look at last nights first preseason game. The 2nd unit of House, TA, Miles, Powe, Walker, O'Bryant and Big Baby struggled in the 2nd half because of two reasons IMO.

1. House still has a problem dribbling against the pressure.

2. The most important reason is that outside of House they are all inside players. This is where the loss of Posey will hurt the most. The other team is just backing off of the 2nd unit playing them for the drive and not concerned at all about them shooting from the outside. Posey would nail the 3 pointer to open up space for the other players on the inside. Teams would have to respect Posey's outside shooting.

Miles in the game instead of Posey really bogs down the offense because he can't shoot. Last night at one stretch of the game House was taking all the shots because the 76ers would not let the C's inside. The Celtics need to get a 3point shooter for the 2nd team IMO. This will be a problem all year.

100% agree, i thought they needed to find a 3 point shooter in the off season to help space the floor after losing posey and they didn't do that. I think that's something that the celtics should address at some point somehow. Maybe they can bring in a shooter in a 2-1 trade.

SLCceltic · Post #14 » by **SLCceltic** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 8:33 pm

Celts17Pride wrote:I''m rooting for Miles to to make the C's but the 2nd unit is really going to struggle without Posey. Take off your green colored glasses for a moment and look at last nights first preseason game. The 2nd unit of House, TA, Miles, Powe, Walker, O'Bryant and Big Baby struggled in the 2nd half because of two reasons IMO.

1. House still has a problem dribbling against the pressure.

2. The most important reason is that outside of House they are all inside players. This is where the loss of Posey will hurt the most. The other team is just backing off of the 2nd unit playing them for the drive and not concerned at all about them shooting from the outside. Posey would nail the 3 pointer to open up space for the other players on the inside. Teams would have to respect Posey's outside shooting.

Miles in the game instead of Posey really bogs down the offense because he can't shoot. Last night at one stretch of the game House was taking all the shots because the 76ers would not let the C's inside. The Celtics need to get a 3point shooter for the 2nd team IMO. This will be a problem all year.

3 things to remember:
1-Those 5 will never be on the floor at the same time
2-The starters were absolutely terrible shooting to start the second 1/2 blowing a 14 pt lead---the second unit played even or better until point #3

3-Scal absolutely lost that game for us with his bricks, turnovers, and otherwise all-around pathetic play; I didn't see him on your second unit list
Is it possible for a player to regress more in their prime ???

DelMonte West · Post #15 » by **DelMonte West** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 9:16 pm

I think he's a keeper for the team, but only if Scal/Davis are cut/traded. The fact that Scal's contract may be the reason we end up cutting Darius (or anyone else, for that matter) makes me sick, especially after the consective turnovers last night. I can't take 2 more years of his "play".

GuyClinch · Post #16 » by **GuyClinch** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:30 am

I think he's a keeper for the team, but only if Scal/Davis are cut/traded. The fact that Scal's contract may be the reason we end up cutting Darius (or anyone else, for that matter) makes me sick, especially after the consective turnovers last night. I can't take 2 more years of his "play".

Scalabrine needs a fresh start to make it work. Scalarbine is a smart player but his lack of coordination, athletic ability and conditioning really brings him down. I really think he should have gone to one of those elite training centers. They could have really helped him..

Pete

sam_I_am · Post #17 » by **sam_I_am** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:24 pm

Miles has made the team IMHO. He will ride the pine for 3 months to let his knee heal and he will take on a bigger role after the all star break. Come playoff time he is going to be a major asset.

As far as second unit it is obvious that Eddie House cannot carry the load as PG with that group. He is best used with the big 3 because when he is open he is as close to automatic as there is. I think the second unit would look a lot better with Rondo playing and he will play 35 min per game this year.

wigglestrue · Post #18 » by **wigglestrue** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:58 pm

Unfortunately RealGM doesn't yet have archives, but I remember a couple threads where I tried to solve the mystery of the head bump, and boy would those be fun to read now. I'm totally rooting for Darius. A better player for us than even Posey, I would bet. Now all we need is for Darius to learn how to give out pre-game hugs, or something similar.

GuyClinch · Post #19 » by **GuyClinch** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:02 pm

Unfortunately RealGM doesn't yet have archives, but I remember a couple threads where I tried to solve the mystery of the head bump, and boy would those be fun to read now. I'm totally rooting for Darius. A better player for us than even Posey, I would bet. Now all we need is for Darius to learn how to give out pre-game hugs, or something similar.

Darius could be our secret weapon - if he commits to getting in shape and playing ball. A more crafty and more talented player then people seemed to realize. I don't think you get the whole Miles looking at his point totals in years past..

Also it's kinda delicious to root for someone who seems to have endless haters...

Pete

MalReyn · Post #20 » by **MalReyn** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:30 am

Y'know, I just don't think Darius is ever gonna be even close to the athlete he once was. His knee injury was SEVERE. I wish him the best of luck of course, and it's great to see him on the court again. But I think in 2-3 months his knee could be shot again playing 10-20 minutes a night, rather than "getting up to full strength."

Hope I'm wrong.