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October 16, 2008
Odd Thoughts on an Odd Game
No big three.
No Jefferson. No Kidd.
Vince Carter - Year of the Solo.
The Celtics win 111-108.
Tony Allen with 32 points (22 in the first half) and Eddie House with 21 lead the Celtics over a Net team that is under assembly. Interesting parts. Mostly young. Potential? To be determined later.
I present for your consideration...
odd thoughts...
What if Rondo played on a team where he had the green light to develop his offensive game?
What if Kendrick Perkins did?
We saw a part of the answer two seasons ago. But that was two seasons ago.
Would they be higher scorers but not as efficient with the ball? Most likely.
Would Bill Walker be looking this good on say...the Nuggets?
Would J. R. Giddens play better or...worse?
Is there any other team's situation that could possibly be any better for Patrick O'Bryant than the one he has here?
My point:
The influence of the three Celtic stars, the team's success, the system they play - all impact the perception of the other players trying to make this team. That is the filter.
All determinations made about these players are done within the context of this team only.
That being said...
It is still very early but...
Tony Allen will be better more often than he is not.
Patrick O'Bryant will have his best opportunity to blossom here.
Same for Bill Walker, though I could see someone develop the opposite case for him.
Gabe Pruitt is gaining confidence and could develop a role with this team.
The star-less Celtics just beat the almost star-less New Jersey Nets.
The difference is that the Celtics's stars were just resting.
Posted by Tom on October 16, 2008 10:31 PM
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Comments
T, got to watch my first C's game this year on the Nets tv channel here in NYC. Two things struck me in a real positive way - with the bench players playing a lot of minutes - the defensive intensity was there, the switching and help defensive seems to have been transferred to everyone. And the number of assists was way up. About 2/3 of the C's baskets were from assists, meaning guys are looking for each other and playing TEAM ball. It's so great to witness that type of basketball, especially at the pro level.
AND, double special that it's the C's.
R
Posted by: R at October 17, 2008 4:07 PM
I thought the same things, R. They are starting to get into regular season shape.
There were defensive breakdowns, but they were looking pretty good for bench units. The starting 5 looks just fine, don't they?
And even if Perkins isn't ready right away, I think they can make do with O'Bryant for a while.
Still some question marks from the new players and Scal and Davis will have to get better. But I see good things coming.
T
Posted by: Tom Halzack at October 18, 2008 6:27 PM
