Summer Quandaries: Unwatchable, I Think Not!

http://celticsgreen.blogspot.com/2014/09/sq14-50-unwatchable-i-think-not.html







What excites me about this Celtics team is how much better they might be in April than they will be coming out of the gate at the end of October.  They have several second and third year players which most pundits say provide the greatest season to season improvement.  They have two talented rookies who will have a season under their belt in April--and a college football coach once said that the best thing about freshmen is that they turn into sophomores.  They have players returning from injury, new guys hoping to reverse a career slide, and, of course, the veteran holdovers that hope to parlay a decent contribution into one more contract, albeit with another team.  There are plots, subplots, asides and afterthoughts, and amidst all this an improving team, growing individually as well as together.

Rondo should shed the aftereffects of his knee surgery.  Avery Bradley should build on his considerable improvement last year.  Avery should also benefit from more contributors on offense and the arrival of Smart to share the fierce on defense.  

If hitting the bottom awakens Evan Turner to the absolute necessity for concentrating on defense and blending on offense, then he could provide a real spur for improvement at small forward.  Pushing for more of Green’s minutes may light a fire under the too-cool one, and threatening to bench Wallace altogether should bring out anything he has left in the tank.

Thornton is the other player who arrives with his career in free fall.  He was the price of acquiring Zeller and a first round pick, but he has shot well in the past.  If it dawned on him that playing defense and meshing with the motion offense were critical to maintaining a career, then he could be a boon to backup shooting guard.  If not, then I have no problem with the rookies taking the minutes Bradley is resting on the bench.  In fact Smart may keep the other Marcus off the court anyway.  James Young, who knows, the coaches say he is working hard; Young says he is aware of the importance of defense.  The question is not just whether he can provide quality minutes backing up the shooting guard, but whether playing long minutes in the D-league would be a better investment, both for James’ development and for the Celtics future.

Zeller and Faverani provide two legitimate centers for the first time in, well, forever.  They provide the opportunity for Sullinger and Olynyk to concentrate on power forward where each has far better numbers than when forced to fill in at center.  Kelly and Sully should also push each other this year rather than being the only large healthy bodies to man the front line.

Not a single thing discussed here fails to provide a reasonable expectation that April flowers might be far more pleasant to view than the pumpkin patch in November.  Whether it results in a playoff spot, or just an improved record, is really a secondary issue; the real story of this season will be about the change.  And that should be fun to watch.

Only 14 more days until training camp.



bob


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I bet anyone on this board, given a sufficient amount of time, could compile an extremely long and fascinating list of things to look forward to this season.  I'm usually the one who says, "See me in April."  But, in this case, I believe there's too much emphasis put on April—at least as far as the fun and learning that can be derived by fans from the season.

The "end product" in April (or maybe later) will certainly be interesting and, I hope, exciting.  But the process of getting there should be observed carefully and analyzed to a farethewell.

In other words, in terms of appreciating the nuances of basketball, the journey can be more informative than the end result.  There are more facets to a game of basketball than in a lot of jewelry stores.  And each basketball facet is a jewel to be treasured by those who are blessed to have the opportunity to appreciate it.

Thank you, Doctor Naismith.

Sam

I thought the Celtics were watchable last year. There were just a lot of frustrating moments stemming from a lack of holding things together down the stretch.



KJ

Just look at how many close games they lose in the last six minutes of the fourth quarter last year. My hope and my thought is that they will win more of those games than they lose this coming year.

As I have said before, I am excited to see the maturation of KO. Last year in the last six weeks he did things with the basketball that seven footers just don't do. Just think what he would have learned from the master, KG. Makes me sad to think what he could have done.

This is going to be a terrific year, I have the "green juice" ready! I am already driving everyone crazy talking "Celtic". People say they feel sorry for me because I am such a devoted fan, I feel I am lucky.

I CANNOT WAIT!

Rosalie

RosalieTCeltics wrote:Just look at how many close games they lose in the last six minutes of the fourth quarter last year. My hope and my thought is that they will win more of those games than they lose this coming year.  

As I have said before, I am excited to see the maturation of KO. Last year in the last six weeks he did things with the basketball that seven footers just don't do.  Just think what he would have learned from the master, KG.  Makes me sad to think what he could have done.  

This is going to be a terrific year, I have the "green juice" ready!  I am already driving everyone crazy talking "Celtic".  People say they feel sorry for me because I am such a devoted fan, I feel I am lucky.  

I CANNOT WAIT!

Rosalie

I love you, Rosalie.


bob



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Rosalie, I just spoke with Danny Ainge, and he wants to hire you as a big man's coach to teach guys like Zelly, Sully and Kelly how to run through brick walls.  The pay's not great, but you can have all the Gatorade you can drink.

Sam

Hey, I would just run under their legs.

I just get itchy at this time of the year. Can't seem to be negative about the Celtics.

Hey Bob, right back at you. As I have told Sam, you keep me laughing, I love it!

Rosalie

Rosalie,

My trick has always been to bite 'em in the knee caps.

Sam