Pruitt has a niche

LongTimeFan · Post #1 » by **LongTimeFan** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 3:28 pm

I think after last night's game, Pruitt makes the cut. His defense on Williams was very good. We are a defensive team. We need a PG that can defend large PG should Rondo get hurt or in foul trouble.

I don't think Pruitt is on the block.

I thought going into the game it was time Pruitt proved his value to the team. Last night I think he did.

I know it's pre-season, but Pruitt demonstrated a skill this team needs.

I think with POB's game, it is Powe or Baby that might be moving. Or Scal.

GregB · Post #2 » by **GregB** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 4:07 pm

LongTimeFan wrote:I think after last night's game, Pruitt makes the cut. His defense on Williams was very good. We are a defensive team. We need a PG that can defend large PG should Rondo get hurt or in foul trouble.

I don't think Pruitt is on the block.

I thought going into the game it was time Pruitt proved his value to the team. Last night I think he did.

I know it's pre-season, but Pruitt demonstrated a skill this team needs.

I think with POB's game, it is Powe or Baby that might be moving. Or Scal.

Plus, He also committed 0 turnovers against the press.

I would like for him to get a chance as the main backup early in the season. He has the tools to give us more than House or Cassell.

celticfan42487 · Post #3 » by **celticfan42487** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 4:35 pm

House is too smart, and too much a part of this team to not be a backup PG [Ainge gave him 2 guaranteed years because he's going to be the back up PG]

Thas said, I agree fully. Pruitt didn't show any agression or vocal leadership which is apparently from what i read part of the reason the coaches are down on him as well as general troubles being a PG... but Pruitt showed tools that outside of Rondo no one on this team has.

He can make a tweener shot, he can break the press with confidence, and he made that alley oop pass perfectly from half court.. that shows passing talent. We already know he has at least an inconsistent shot. But most importantly.. he can cover the scoring PGs who aren't bulldozers or ankle breakers. Guys like Lou Williams who have sweet shots and height.

I think Cassell is around because they aren't sure Pruitt will be ready to be a PG in teh playoffs even if it is just a 8 mpg 3rd stringer. But Pruitts skills... I agree he has a niche if the team keeps him.

LongTimeFan · Post #4 » by **LongTimeFan** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 5:12 pm

I don't mean to imply he's moved ahead of House or he'll move ahead of House for the forseeable future. I do think he makes the team and someone else is cut. (Unless someone makes us an absurd offer for him.)

Powe, Baby and Scal look a little heavy at the backup PF position.

Dave_From_NB · Post #5 » by **Dave_From_NB** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 5:27 pm

Mind you I was squinting down an Internet feed so may have it wrong, but Pruitt looks like he has beefed up a bit. I think Perk still takes him in a fight though. (sic)

I'd really like to see some extended minutes by Pruitt, it's so hard to form a solid impression when he's not on the floor much. Back to backs Friday/Saturday, maybe we'll see a 25-30 minute game from him.

LongTimeFan · Post #6 » by **LongTimeFan** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 5:59 pm

Greg:

I agree. His PG play was pretty good, not that much was expected. I think making this team is a lot like getting into a good college. You need an area that you stand out in.

POB has length & makes a nice back C. House can shoot the lights out. Pruitt can defend the point. TA is our best perimiter defender.

Miles could be the power 3.
Scal?
Baby could be a back up big.
Powe could be a back up big.

Walker & Giddens - DA just drafted them.

DJToLarry · Post #7 » by **DJToLarry** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 6:12 pm

When Pruitt gets on the court he always does something that catches my eye. Plus he has a great jump shot. Scal needs to just give the money back and do the right thing. Leave.

Egregious Blunder · Post #8 » by **Egregious Blunder** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 7:45 pm

eddie is signed for 2 years right?
rondo is starter for the foreseeable future.

at best, pruitt is a 3rd string pg for this season and next. a position i would be much more comfortable having a seasoned veteran play (in case of injury).

i think the kid has some skill (less agressive d. west) but his value in a trade is probably more valuable than his role on the team.

BillessuR6 · Post #9 » by **BillessuR6** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 8:08 pm

Why did we have to sign Cassell? Pruitt deserves some minutes this season but as the 4th PG he won`t get any...Too bad, he is ready to contribute a little this year...

greenbeans · Post #10 » by **greenbeans** » Thu Oct 9, 2008 10:19 pm

I like the kid too, but as other posters have said, he isnt exactly gonna be able to spread his wings here for another year at the earliest. I say play him 20-30min a game for the preseason and hope he lights it up while catching an opposing gm's eye. A Scal+Pruitt or Davis for a pro.1st is my current pipedream.

Jammer · Post #11 » by **Jammer** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 1:03 am

Red Auerbach would say f*ck 15 man rosters, who are your active 12?

Besides, the Celts are in lux tax land, so anything over 13 needs to be a rotation player if asked to step up.

And the 5th guard on the Active 12 roster is Doc Rivers choice, who does Doc want?

It's obvious that Rajon is backed up by shooter Eddie and Tony.
Ray is backed up by Tony. That's 4 guys.

Who would Doc make the 5th guard, Pruitt for his D, or Sam because he trusts that Sam can make a shot?

The factor that you can not forget is I strongly suspect that the Celtics are looking to add one more player with true 6'10" height. As good as POB looks, I think that they'd like one more long player that can make a shot.

Baby coming to camp overweight doesn't help his case, and Powe being 6'6" to 6'6.5"
compared to 7' Gasol and Bynum doesn't help Powe's case.

If the Celtics can swing a trade for Joe Smith,

with Pruitt offered as a 3rd string point guard behind Earl Watson & Russell Westbrook;
and Giddens offered to another team who would send a pick to the Thunder,
I think the Celtics would opt for another Big.

Of course, Powe's role would be diminished, and Miles would probably be out of the PF rotation.

War of the Lamb · Post #12 » by **War of the Lamb** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:56 am

Remember that he did not play point guaed in college and he is still young. He has made great improvement and to let him go at this point would be a big mistake. We don't want to do another Billups or J. Johnson mistake.

armageddon · Post #13 » by **armageddon** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:23 am

They did say that Pruitt is going to get time at shooting guard which makes sense on this team. As long as Rondo is healthy, Pruitt is not going to get any point minutes being behind Rondo, House, Cassell and even TA at the 1. His outside shooting will however be needed occasionally on the second/third team. He's still young and we can afford to wait a few years for him or move him. Skilled or not, he isn't really of any value to this team until 2010.

GuyClinch · Post #14 » by **GuyClinch** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:24 am

How is he going to get time at SG? That's TA's postion. Pruitt has looked good to me but TA might be our most talented bench player..

armageddon · Post #15 » by **armageddon** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:34 am

TA still has the same head on his shoulders. In the last minute or so he made 3 bonehead plays that show he will never get it. Good baller, bad head.

But...I agree, Pruitt at the 2 is behind RA, TA, but if TA or RA is out, then he is playing because it looks like Giddens will be in the D-league.

Again, he's not going to contribute to any wins for the next 2 years, but maybe he can develop some trade value with a little playing time.

GuyClinch · Post #16 » by **GuyClinch** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:40 am

^^^ TA made a ton of heady plays too. Listen even PP makes bonehead plays sometimes. House made some bonehead plays. For whatever reason people remember the TA screw ups (especially the people that have 'decided' about him.) On balance he played a good smart game..

Pete

celticfan42487 · Post #17 » by **celticfan42487** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 1:52 pm

Well of course both Pierce and Tony make boneheaded plays. And Pierce makes them so rarely now because he's faced everything a defense can throw at him for 8 years now.

But people remeber Tony's dumb plays because Pierce always steps up in the clutch, but with Tony he still makes the same boneheaded plays in teh clutch as he does in the flow of the game. And it's for this reason in the playoffs Tony will probuly never be as good of a roleplayer as Posey was dispite Tony's better ability to imitate a #1 option.

GuyClinch · Post #18 » by **GuyClinch** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:00 pm

But people remeber Tony's dumb plays because Pierce always steps up in the clutch, but with Tony he still makes the same boneheaded plays in teh clutch as he does in the flow of the game. And it's for this reason in the playoffs Tony will probuly never be as good of a roleplayer as Posey was dispite Tony's better ability to imitate a #1 option.

I don't notice any drop off in clutch play from TA. The big issue with TA is that he doesn't really fit in with PP and RA. So the C's can't really put him in clutch situations very often. Still it's highly unlikely Pruitt can beat him out. Pruitt is not even a lock to make the team this year..(though I personally think he should)..

LongTimeFan · Post #19 » by **LongTimeFan** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:04 pm

Guy:

I agree with you. My point was that I think Pruitt is making the team.

Tony is already a rotation player. For him is first, second or third off the bench.

celticfan42487 · Post #20 » by **celticfan42487** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:16 pm

I probuly worded it wrong. Pierce's play is great in teh clutch [an increase in success and much less examples of boneheaded plays], TA however is just as likely to turn the ball over or miss a pretty open mid range shot in the clutch as he is during regular time.

If TA steped up in the clutch people wouldn't care about his turnovers as much, but as it is he is mistake prone (not horribly, but it's there) and whenever he does make one during the clutch that is what people remember because that time is considered turning points in games. At least that's how I view the "remember the stupid shot... or remember the lose of ball control... or the horrible pass... or the stupid foul" point that is brought up with any conversation of TA.

Personally I'm defentily really excited about TA this year. He looked smooth and in the flow of the game. Idk if he isn't thinking about his knee but that's the impression I got and if so that's a great thing for this team. Between Tony, House, and O'Bryant we might have a bench this year.

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