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July 21, 2008
Can Pruitt Do it? ...and other thoughts
Boston is trying to put together its team for the 2008-9 season and most of the holes are now filled. In fact, this may be the team going into training camp.
The recent signing of Tony Allen and Eddie House to 2 year deals reduces potential team needs to 2, but only one roster spot unless they convince one of the recent 2nd round drafted players to play in Europe for a season as was mentioned by the Celtics shortly after the draft.
Danny Ainge said in Frank Dell'Appa's Boston Globe story...
"I'm not chasing anybody down. I feel we have a solid team now and I'm going to take some time off."
The signing of Eddie House gives them at least the stability of last season at the point guard position.
It seems to open up an opportunity for Gabe Pruitt to earn a few minutes a game as well. Can Pruitt play well enough to earn regular, albeit short minutes at the point?
At the moment, Danny and Doc seem high enough on the 2nd rounder from USC, 6'4", 22 year old Gabe Pruitt, to possibly give him that opportunity.
Though this is his 2nd year, he played so little last season (15 games and 95 minutes total), it will be like a rookie season in terms of a learning curve. Still, we had some positive comments coming from Danny about his progress in the off season work outs and practices. It seems as if the House signing means that the Celtics will at least give Gabe a chance to earn some playing time this season.
Gabe will have to play competent NBA defense, learn how to run the Celtic offense and hit some open jumpers along the way. As with all new players, Gabe's toughness will be tested... often. And that's an unknown area with Gabe.
If I've said that the Celtics have some great locker room guys once I've said it....many times. But they all can get the game face on and stand firm when push comes to shove. House, T. Allen, Powe, Davis, Rondo, Perkins, and even ultimate nice guy Scalabrine all fit that definition.
Gabe is a basketball player with some great skills. He is also another nice guy in the locker room. I'd like to think that that's enough to succeed. How well he can drive and score and drive and distribute is still up in the air. He showed a bit of ability in those areas in short minutes last season.
Honestly, I'm probably getting way ahead of what will be asked of Gabe. Doc will only need him to bring the ball up, hit the open jumper or re-distribute on a kick-out and to defend, in short minutes. Like last season, his defense will probably tell whether he stays in the game or gets pulled for letting his man get away.
If he falters, they still have Eddie House there to do what Eddie did last year. Ray Allen often brought the ball up as can Paul Pierce. If Pruitt disappoints, or proves to need longer development, Sam Cassell might be waiting in the wings.
Jason Williams has been mentioned elsewhere as a possibility and did help win a championship in Miami. Not a terrible idea either.
Off the wall idea - The Nets might look to move former UConn star PG Marcus Williams, now that they have signed Keyon Dooling. Danny seems to be willing to attempt talented bad boy reclamation projects - especially with the locked in core he has now. Marcus has talent, but has been injured and hasn't been able to get it going in the pros. The Celtics were interested enough in Williams to work out Marcus before he was drafted a few years ago. They were also willing to pass on him at that time. He is only making $1.2 mil this season, team option for $2 mil next season. Hmmm...
That last idea doesn't even qualify as a wild a** guess. It is just a thought along the lines that Danny sometimes thinks. Okay. You got me. Marcus is a former UConn player I think has some talent.
Edit Update: Fred Kerber of the New York Post has just reported that Marcus was traded to Golden State for a lottery protected 1st rounder in 2011. Hey it shows someone likes him and he was worth a 1st rounder still. We'll have to see how all that turns out.
If they add another player....
will it be a long 3 or a more proven center?
For any Ryan Gomes fans (like me), he won't be a consideration. According to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune....
Gomes’ agent continues to seek from other teams an offer sheet that the Wolves would be hard pressed to match. He reportedly has sought the full mid-level salary exception — $5.6 million next season — and Gomes said Tuesday it’s possible he will sign a two-year deal if the team willing to make the best offer also wants to keep its salary-cap flexibility for 2010, when a big crop of free agents, including LeBron James, becomes available.
Even if Ryan signs for something less, he won't be signing for the 2.7 mil Danny has left.
Will Brian Scalabrine get another chance to earn minutes?
Devean George is mentioned as a possibility. But Danny's comment at the beginning of the article sounds like he will play hard ball and keep the half of the MLE remaining open for now. Would that mean Devean would have to accept the veteran minimum to get Danny's attention?
As Danny said in that recent Gary Tanguay interview, come play in Boston, (make your reputation) and get your money later.
Tune in next week for the next edition of "Going for Another Championship on only $77 million a year."
Posted by Tom on July 21, 2008 3:00 PM
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Comments
I don't think Pruitt will see minutes right off the bat, but much like Leon last season, he may come on strong as the year progresses. I remember reading somewhere last year though that KG won't even let him practice with the team since he wasn't even on the active roster. I hope that won't be the case this year because we're going to need him.
I like the idea of paring him up with EHouse in our backcourt with Pruitt as our primary ball handler. He's 6'4, so he can guard the 2 position on defense.
Starters:
Rondo
Ray
PP
KG
Perk
Bench:
Pruitt
House
TA
Leon/Baby
Leon/Baby/POB
It's gonna be tough for Pruitt to get into our rotation, but best of luck to him!
Posted by: Big Baby at July 23, 2008 4:32 PM
You could be right about Pruitt's minutes. Preseason might be a time he can change a few minds....or prove that he is not ready.
We know Eddie's strengths and weaknesses at this point (pun).
Just from the little we saw last year, I think Gabe has better moves to the hoop and will most likely finish better at the rim than House - not that that is saying much. It looks like he can penetrate with reasonable success.
It is his defense and ability to run the Celtics plays that will be most intently looked at.
Running pick and rolls and give and gos will not be something we will see much of from Gabe early on.
The main thing is...if they are going to groom him for possible use in the play-offs (fouls or injury) they have to allow him learning time on the court during the year.
Using Pruitt and House together, as you suggest, might be interesting to see, as they both can hit from the outside, and Pruitt will be the better ball handler and does have the height for guarding the other team's 2.
I do think that House will get the lion's share of back-up minutes at PG, as he did last year, unless Pruitt dazzles.
I see a possible 5-8 minutes a game for Pruitt, if Doc wants to groom him. No doubt it seems like a long shot right now.
But not signing another veteran point guard with better distribution skills than House leaves the door ajar for Gabe or someone else.
Thanks for the thoughts Big Baby.
T
Posted by: Tom Halzack at July 23, 2008 8:52 PM
