Some obvious observations

Jammer · Post #1 » by **Jammer** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:37 am

Pleasantly surprised by KG's return to form. Many posters forget how dominant a player he was during the 2008 Championship season, even if it was less dominant than his Minnesota years. He carried the Celtics thru the Atlanta and Detroit series in 2008.

Will Rajon Rondo be able to repeat his stellar play of last season? I believe in Rajon.

Kendrick has come along nicely. Ray is aging gracefully.

Pierce is the closer who the team is still dependent on to carry the team during 4th quarter crunch time. Ray, Eddie and KG are still better shooters, especially for one shot, but Pierce is the crunch time SCORER. Today made it look like he still has it. Bravo for losing the weight.

Eddie's B Ball IQ, great picks, movement, team play and shot are not appreciated by enough fans.

Will Sheed go inside and use the turn around jumper that was so effective during his Portland playoff runs? Still can rebound, but will he use his height to be the low post scorer the Celtics could use? He's the best player on the block that they have.

Davis has proved a lot of us wrong. He's in shape, smart, and knows how to make do with what he has. It's call B Ball IQ. And like Tommy Heinsohn repeatedly said from the minute Davis arrived in Boston, his NBA future was dependent on his mid-range jump shot. He still doesn't play above the rim, and doesn't really rebound, but uses his fast hands in traffic to take possession of the ball.

Marquis is clearly better than Tony Allen, Giddens or Walker. He'll definately help.

Lester looks like he might eventually be a viable option on the active roster as the third active PG.

Brian Scalabrine still spreads the floor, is shooting better (like last season), knows his assignments, and Doc has announced him as the 10th man.

The Celtics 4th wing spot is a skill deficient cast. Tony Allen is the best of the lot, but his low B Ball IQ (he hasn't learned anything new in several years, it seems) and lack of a shot make him unreliable against the top defensive teams (deep playoff teams). Giddens is similarly deficient in B Ball IQ, and may not even be as good as Tony. Walker is the least talented, but smartest of the bunch. His power forward game, in a small small forward's body, worked great in high school, college and D League. Except, he can't get away with the stuff that worked for him in college or D League when NBA centers and power forwards are on the court. Too bad he lacks Giddens or Tony Allen's quickness. He seems to have the sweetest shot of the group, but still not reliable.

And something makes me root for Mike Sweetney as the 6th big over Shelden Williams. Despite being badly out of shape, Sweetney's low post moves, on a team needing low post scoring (Perkins can get by against the non-dominant big man, Gasol swats Perks shots away, though) and Sheed not venturing there enough, makes me like what I see in Sweetney.

With the injury to Francisco Garcia in Sacramento expected to keep him out till Mid-February or longer, I wonder if Sacramento will call Danny about Giddens, Tony Allen or Walker?

TheOGJabroni · Post #2 » by **TheOGJabroni** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:08 am

Jammer wrote:With the injury to Francisco Garcia in Sacramento expected to keep him out till Mid-February or longer, I wonder if Sacramento will call Danny about Giddens, Tony Allen or Walker?

I wondered the same thing. There have been so many rumors/actual trades between the C's and Kings, it seems like something could happen possibly. TA/Scal for Nocioni would still please me.

Hemingway · Post #3 » by **Hemingway** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:09 am

That would seem to make a good deal of sense, we'll see if it happens.

AlCelticFan · Post #4 » by **AlCelticFan** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:07 am

Unfortunately, what could the Kings really see in them? they haven't shown much of anything. I think TA is the most valuable of them all.

TheOGJabroni · Post #5 » by **TheOGJabroni** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:36 am

When teams are desperate, you never know what kind of deals you could see. They aren't going anywhere right now so if they get called with a deal like that, they will save a bunch of money after this year. Nocioni's long contract will be gone making it easier for them to start fresh.

hairybyrd · Post #6 » by **hairybyrd** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:34 pm

Jammer wrote: Will Sheed go inside and use the turn around jumper that was so effective during his Portland playoff runs? Still can rebound, but will he use his height to be the low post scorer the Celtics could use? He's the best player on the block that they have.

This is what I would like to know. In yesterday's game against NJ he played in the post. But, when matching-up with a player as feeble as Yi, you gotta play in the post. If he consistently plays in the post it will make the team better. Rasheed will get some good looks from 18 feet and out but with all of the team's shooters his post play should be a point of emphasis for Doc. Also, Perkins looks good on the block and has added a 10-foot J to his arsenal. I like it.