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http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/09/14/no_end_in_sight/
I think he could actually help the team if he is where this article claims he is.

CeltsfaninDC wrote:http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/09/14/no_end_in_sight/
I think he could actually help the team if he is where this article claims he is.

I agree. I have said around here that I think people should temper their expectations for him. And while I am cautiously optimistic I have maintained that it was no certainty he even makes this club. I'm gonna see him and the rest of the team on the 11th when they come to NH but upon further review I'll say I give him a better than 50-50 chance he makes the club outright which is more than I was willing to say before. If he can get close to where he was by Christmas I think he's worth the investment. At the least he could be a solid 10th man.

This is a very encouraging article on Mr. Miles. I am one of the people who feel pretty good all around about the bench and that's without considering a healthy Miles as part of that group. If Miles can become a sparkplug defender, slasher, garbage man on the second unit things look even brighter still. What I love about our bench is that it is loaded with talent... even if there are some question marks going forward.

Consistent contributors off the bench: House, Powe
Bang or bust type players: Tony Allen, Darius Miles, Glen Davis, Patrick O'Bryant

At the very least the Celtics have a solid 7-man rotation for the playoffs as of today. However, in that second group all of these players are potential impact-rotation level players. So despite the question marks... there is whole lot of upside on the Celtics bench.

It is an encouraging article, and I think athletically he will be back. But it may be irrelevant if he still can't make a jump shot or defend a lick like before the injury.

From the interview though, it sounds like this injury may have scared him straight and that he may be mature and professional enough to play on a championship caliber team. He was so immature emotionally when he came into the league.

...If Miles has put in over two years worth of rehab I'd imagine his commitment to playing the right way will be there, especially with everyone doubting him and also having a chance to play for a winning team along side his childhood idle....

He may not have played defense before, but we've seen how a winning environment and quality core of players can change a player's perspective....Miles has tremendous defensive potential, but has never truly applied himself...but he has a chance to do something special with Boston and regain his potential at the modest age of 26...

The more I hear about his current state of health the less I doubt his ability to develop his game beyond the imperfections it had when last we saw him take the court...even then, Miles game had improved substantially over those last 2 years in Portland...we will see what he brings to Boston, but I no longer doubt his likelihood to make the team...

Even with the flaws and lack of proven history as a defender Darius Miles certainly has the physical tools as an SF to play a similar brand of defense as a player like AK47... being less of an innate shotblocker but possibly better against quicker perimeter players. Definitely fits the mold physically of a guy who can defend multiple positions a la James Posey as well.

The more you look at this move and others by Danny Ainge this offseason the more you realize how far ahead of the game he truly is.

It will be intersting to say the least.

he looks like a taller flavor flav

i think its time for a "rock the miles avatar" thread.

Amazing to think he's still only 26 years old (almost 27). Seems like so long ago he was drafted.

I still don't think he'll make the team, but sounds like he's rededicated himself. Good for him, I wish him the best of luck.

In a lot of ways Miles would seem like the proverbial guy trying to hang on to the NBA life. But a couple of factors make me feel like he may still have a little more than that in him. His age is one, that compounded with the fact at 23-24 years old had actually developed some skills beyond his freakish athletic ability. He also is going to be asked to play perhaps the least athletic position in the NBA, I guess besides Center. That combo forward spot isn't all that demanding athletically so even if he lost a little chances are he still will have an advantage over the Kyle Korvers of the world, I mean this is Scal's position we are talking about.

While I don't want to put too much stock into this aspect of it but Ainge also picked him. Now I am not saying that guys were beating down Boston's door for Ainge's non guaranteed minimum deal but there were other ways to go and he went for it pretty early on.

Pre-season is the time of infinite hope. The season when we've in the past pretended that the Theo Ratcliffes, the Sczerbiaks, the Vin Bakers, and the Pervis Ellisons have finally recovered from all their troubles and this will be their year to be healthy and break out the way we just know they can. The time when even the biggest scrub can look like they are turning the corner and about to have an all-star year. When Marcus Banks is on the cusp of breaking out to the top of the rotation to become the point guard we've all been hoping for. Then the season starts.

Darius Miles is a risk. A risk worth taking giving all he could theoretically contribute and the fact that all we really need is him to do a few solid things in a few solid minutes. He's still young and mau still have some athleticism. But we'll need to wait until he plays in a few meaningful games in the season before we can really evaluate where he is and what he's going to contribute.

Yesterdays globe had a quote from Doc on Darius, he said something to the effect that Darius looks phenomenal!!! Now that's of interest. He went on to say that Dmiles does have knee problems and they will just have to work around it.

Good to hear that from Doc. Also, being a bench player with a nagging injury is a lot easier than being a starter. And because of the player he is Miles is probably best suited to come off the bench anyways, he's played everything from point guard to power forward in his career so he gives the team a lot of flexibility. I want to see some video of him playing.

DA puts a lot of stock into what DOC say also. So I think if Dmiles comes here with the right attitude he could be an intricate part of the team.

If he can keep up with the practice schedule he will be a valuable piece off the bench. There was a reason the docs decided he was done, I just don't think his knee is going to hold up. But he is coming into camp with the right attitude and determination, so I'm pulling for him.

please dont F up Miles