Forget Starbury, Pruitt could be our x factor off the bench

[GregB]

Every time I watch him play, I am convinced he can provide some of the scoring load off the bench. He is a much better ball handler and defensive player than Eddie House. He is fast enough to stay in front of the quick PGs. He is close to if not as good of an outside shooter as House. He can create for himself and others off the dribble.

I am not against bringing in a vet PG. But I think we should give Pruitt a chance to carve his role in the rotation. I really think he could do wonders for our bench.

[BillessuR6]

I agree. But it is hard if you don`t get minutes. If Rondo went down for a couple of games and Gabe got 30+ minutes I think he would really show his value...

[bceltic55]

I am all for giving Gabe a chance, but I never see him driving to the basket. He always seems to be outside.In the limited playing time he has received so far I do not see assist's. Am I wrong in what I am seeing?

[GregB]

I am all for giving Gabe a chance, but I never see him driving to the basket. He always seems to be outside.In the limited playing time he has received so far I do not see assist's. Am I wrong in what I am seeing?

The problem is he never gets the ball in his hands. For some stupid reason whenever Pruitt is in its with House. Unless Pruitt gets the outlet pass off the rebound, He normally doesnt get to play PG. The other night after House had the ball at the top of the key, I saw Gabe come over to get the ball on numerous occasions. Only to have Eddie wave him off. When he did get the ball though. I saw him make 2 or 3 nice passing plays which led to a couple of easy dunks.

[Dave_From_NB]

I am all for giving Gabe a chance, but I never see him driving to the basket. He always seems to be outside.In the limited playing time he has received so far I do not see assist's. Am I wrong in what I am seeing?

Actually I thought his basket against Cleveland was a full court drive to the basket for a layup.

If Eddie would let him, Pruitt would be feeding him passes for the spot up, but unfortunately Eddie seems to be still trying to run point when he's on with Pruitt. Except bringing the ball up of course. Eddie gets the ball back, and pound pound pound we go.

I know it's not the most reasonable thing to do, but extrapolate his production against Cleveland with the minutes Rondo got, and Pruitt would have had 9 boards, 6 assists, 6 points. Pruitt isn't going to pop a bunch of assists with Davis (0 for 4), Scal (0 for 1), House (2 for 7) and Powe (usually working his way to baskets off the O rebound or pounding his way inside) tending to be his running mates.

[canman1971]

There certainly seems to be a pattern with Doc in regards to playing time with the younger guys. He did it with Gomes a few years ago, then Powe last year, so maybe Pruitt will start seeing more minutes. Can it really hurt?

[Jammer]

Stats represent Marbury's 12 year per 38 minute average versus
Gabe Pruitt's 1.5 year per 36 minute average.

Marbury left Georgia Tech after his freshmen year, and will be 32 in February.
Gabe Pruitt will be 23 in April.

Three Point Shooting: Marbury (0.326) > Pruitt (0.292))

Overall Field Goal Percent: Marbury (0.43) >> Pruitt (0.34)

Free Throw Shooting: Marbury (0.785) > Pruitt (0.76)

Pull Up Jump Shot: Marbury >> Pruitt

Assists: Marbury (7.8/38 min) >>> Pruitt (2.7/36 min)

Dribbling: Marbury >> Pruitt

Quickness: 32 this February Marbury is quicker to the hole and can finish > Pruitt
(Pruitt's inability to get to the rim AND FINISH may be due to some combination of
his first step (Marbury's is much better), dribbling and strength than straight quickness).

Defense: Pruitt >> Marbury

Rebounding: Pruitt (4.5/36 min) > Marbury (3.0/38 min)

Turnovers: Pruitt (2.0/36 min) > Marbury (3.0/38 min)

Steals: Marbury (1.2/38 min) = Pruitt (1.0/36 min)

Fouls: Marbury (2.4/38 min) = Pruitt (2.2/36 min)

Scoring: Marbury (19.7/38 min) >>> Pruitt (11.7/36 min)

[TheOGJabroni]

You can't compare Pruitt's limited minutes to Marbury's minutes. It just doesn't work.

[return2glory]

Every time I watch him play, I am convinced he can provide some of the scoring load off the bench.

Serious? Really? Are you basing this off the hi 150 minutes this played this year or the 250 career minutes in the NBA?

I want Pruitt to be given a chance. But he hasn't been. We really don't know what he can do on the floor on a regular basis because he has not been given the chance. The only reason Doc is playing him a little now is because TA is out.

There is no way you can pass on Marbury if he is available. Marbury is a proven all star.

[sunshinekids99]

Marbury hasn't proved he was an all-star in quite sometime. However with that said, if he his bought out I'd be interested. He does provide something the second unit lacks and that is a play maker.

As for Pruitt, I don't know enough from what I've seen so far. He shows flashes of being a nice player, but he doesn't get enough minutes to see how good he can be out there for the Celtics. But bringing up his stats is a pretty pointless argument as well.

[Banks2Pierce]

I think we should be giving Gabe more time off of the bench and sign Starbury, if it is at all possible. You can read between the lines there and see where my opinion of Eddie House is.

Gabe shot at a 38% clip from 3p in the preseason when he was actually getting minutes. He has looked very nifty with his passes to Baby and Powe when he has had the ball in his hands. The problem is that he gets no minutes.

He has gotten minutes in a few games this season where the game was close and he has come through in the clutch.

[Celts17Pride]

Gabe would have had about 4-5 assists against Toronto in 5 minutes of play if Big Baby could shoot a layup. I hope Doc doesn't bury him on the bench when Tony Allen comes back.

[Bad-Thoma]

I can't believe I'm sticking up for Marbs here but, although I like Pruitt so far, Gabe looks more like a shooting guard than a point in the limited minutes that I've seen. Marbury would be a good playmaker for the second unit and a big upgrade in Rondo insurance should Rondo get hurt. I'd rather see Pruitt get more minutes than Tony thoughat the 2, Tony's a better defender but he's been a one trick pony offensively since about the second week of the season. Gabe moves the ball well and can hit his shots, and has been a surprisingly effective defender. Turnovers are the big factor though, Tony handles the ball like it has herpes, Gabe actually seems to take care of it pretty well.

[Celtsfan1980]

I'm really hoping Pruitt develops but Marbury would be nice. Pruitt should get at least 3-5 mpg this season, and 8-10 minimum next season. Pruitt's shooting is erratic and it was that way in college too, but he has other strengths that should help this team out. I'm hoping he becomes the primary point guard reserve next season, but I'm hoping Marbury is signed this season.

[Al-Haqq]

Pruitt is a nice prospect, but let's not pretend he can provide more than Marbury can.

Marbury is far more polished and is much better at getting to the rim and setting a big up.

But I like Pruitt. There's more confidence in his game.