Celtics Stat of the Day, 12/17/09

The "stat" of the day isn't really a stat. It's a brief report on Lester Hudson's first game with the Maine Red Claws, which they won 81-77 for their sixth straight victory. In 38 minutes, Lester scored 25 (including 4 for 9 from beyond the arc), with 7 rebounds, 6 assists, a block and 4 turnovers. Teammate Bill Walker had 16 points. Lester's definitely getting to play.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=2020900060

Sam

Sam

Nice! What a debut! Thats exciting!

Sam wrote:The "stat" of the day isn't really a stat. It's a brief report on Lester Hudson's first game with the Maine Red Claws, which they won 81-77 for their sixth straight victory. In 38 minutes, Lester scored 25 (including 4 for 9 from beyond the arc), with 7 rebounds, 6 assists, a block and 4 turnovers. Teammate Bill Walker had 16 points. Lester's definitely getting to play.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=2020900060

Sam

Hi Sam,

Thanks for the info. I think there has been some discussion about whether the young'uns are better off playing in the D league, or being with the big club and learning from the vets. I think Doc and Danny tend to do both as they give them some time on the roster but then send them to the D for playing time.

I think Doc might have a bum rap when it comes to not knowing how to bring along the young players.

Might be that the plan is to bring Hudson down to the d-league to get some game action with the real intent being him playing with the big guys in a few weeks.

Nice to see Walker and Hudson putting up good numbers while winning.

Bobc, I definitely don't think that Doc doesn't know how to develop young players. I do sometimes get a little frustrated that he chooses not to give them playing time though. I try to remind myself that we are trying to win a championship and that leaves little room for error, especially with the caliber of teams that are also competing for a championship. This usually helps until one of those blowout games comes around and we still don't see the young guys. Because I think Doc is a great coach, I find it to be a possibility that these guys just aren't very good. I think we all want to believe that JR and Bill could succeed if they were only given a chance, but maybe that's not the case. I wish some of the Celtic practices were televised so we would have an opportunity to judge for ourselves.

This is a repost of a response I gave to swish on the Hudson article thread. Probably more appropriate here.

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Shot well from 3 (4-9). He was 4-10 from 2. Not so good. 6 assists to 4 TO against slower, smaller defenders. Not that good. 7 rebounds is good, but that's not what he's getting paid to do.

Billy Walker, however, did not fill up the stat sheet. 7-18 from the floor (16 pts) and was 0-3 from 3. Why the hell is Walker shooting 3s at all? Poor shot selection or end-of-quarter buzzerbeaters? That made him 7-15 from 2. I think he should stick with that. 5 fouls in 28 minutes. Hmmm...

bob

KellyGreen17 wrote:Bobc, I definitely don't think that Doc doesn't know how to develop young players. I do sometimes get a little frustrated that he chooses not to give them playing time though. I try to remind myself that we are trying to win a championship and that leaves little room for error, especially with the caliber of teams that are also competing for a championship. This usually helps until one of those blowout games comes around and we still don't see the young guys. Because I think Doc is a great coach, I find it to be a possibility that these guys just aren't very good. I think we all want to believe that JR and Bill could succeed if they were only given a chance, but maybe that's not the case. I wish some of the Celtic practices were televised so we would have an opportunity to judge for ourselves.

kelly,

Let's remember that JR was the #30 pick, Walker was #44 (45?) and Lester was #58. Players drafted that low rarely make it in the NBA. It happens, but not often at all. He also failed to develop Gerald Green, but the same thing can be said for the coaching staffs at Minnesota, Houston and Dallas.

On the other hand, Doc developed Rondo, Perk, Delonte, Gomes, Baby, Leon and Jefferson.

bob

Exactly my point bob, guys picked in the second round rarely turn out to be that diamond in the rough. The most we get to see these guys play is in pre-season when they are competing against other guys trying to break into the NBA. Not exactly the toughest competition. It's easy to see flashes of greatness in those types of games, but more often than not we will be disappointed if we expect to see that in regular season.

Of course, all that doesn't stop me from thinking Hudson can make it in the NBA. I guess being a C's fan defies logic!

I think it was a lot easier for Doc to develop those guys you listed because they were with the C's when we weren't competing for a championship. I think he's focused on #18 right now, and developing our three young guys is low on his priority list. Fine by me if it brings home another banner!

KellyGreen17 wrote:Exactly my point bob, guys picked in the second round rarely turn out to be that diamond in the rough. The most we get to see these guys play is in pre-season when they are competing against other guys trying to break into the NBA. Not exactly the toughest competition. It's easy to see flashes of greatness in those types of games, but more often than not we will be disappointed if we expect to see that in regular season.

Of course, all that doesn't stop me from thinking Hudson can make it in the NBA. I guess being a C's fan defies logic!

I think it was a lot easier for Doc to develop those guys you listed because they were with the C's when we weren't competing for a championship. I think he's focused on #18 right now, and developing our three young guys is low on his priority list. Fine by me if it brings home another banner!

kelly,

being on a winning (hopefully CHAMPIONSHIP) team brings its own type of experience too. Davis didn't play much in the '08 playoffs, but it sure had a profound effect on him the followng year and especially in the '09 playoffs. He had a "been there, done that" attitude. Maybe it'll be like that for JR and Lester this year and we'll reap the rewards next year.

bob

I hope so bob. I think Lester will be here next year. I've read a few quotes from Doc and they seemed positive. I'm less inclined to think that JR will be here next year though. I'm thinking the C's might package him in some kind of trade with our other expiring contracts. I think they are trying to turn him into a defensive specialist and he doesn't seem to be making huge strides there. Obviously there's been very little opportunity to watch him play, but in the few minutes he's been in I haven't noticed him to be a particularly good defender. He certainly tries hard though!