Notebook: Randolph Knows He's Up In The Air

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Celtics Notebook: Randolph knows he’s up in the air






Photo by AP:
SURPRISE APPEARANCE: Gigi Datome scores two of his 10 points in the Celtics’ loss to the Magic yesterday.


Monday, March 9, 2015
By:  Steve Bulpett




ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s still hard to see how the Celtics and JaVale McGee could have bridged their differences on the guarantee for next season, but evidently each side was confident at some point it would be getting its way.

So confident, in fact, that McGee was actually in Waltham on Thursday and could conceivably have been on the team’s flight to New Orleans that day or gone down later had things been worked out.

If McGee had signed, the Celts, with their roster at the 15-man maximum, would have had to make a move. Most likely, the club would have released Shavlik Randolph, who was actually asked to come to the team’s facility for a meeting that day. It’s not known whether that talk was related to the McGee situation, but it’s probably fair to assume that, in that the meeting was canceled when the deal fell through.

Randolph, acquired in January from the Suns in the three-team deal that got Austin Rivers to the Clippers, is certainly aware of his position on the roster. But it made for an uncertain several hours before he got on the plane.

“You know what, this is my eighth year in the NBA. I’ve seen it all,” Randolph said. “But it was an interesting day. As with anything, nothing’s done until it’s done, especially in this league, so I try not to jump to any conclusions and just go about my work as usual. But there were aspects of it that were weird.”


A shot of Gigi

Gigi Datome had played just 36 minutes this season — 19 over two appearances with the Celtics since coming over from Detroit; 15 of those in last Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Cavaliers. But in the second half of last night’s 103-98 loss to the Magic, coach Brad Stevens reached for Datome instead of James Young, and the 6-foot-8 forward responded with 10 points in 9:33, making four-of-five shots, including both his treys. Datome even had a bucket waved off on review when it was ruled to have come after the shot clock expired.

“I felt like Gigi would be able to step right in and be able to score, and he was able to score tonight,” Stevens said. “He did a good job. And we needed scoring.”

The 27-year-old Datome didn’t appear to be a fit with either the Pistons or Celtics, but he was prepared to do what was asked last night.

“My job is to try to be ready when the coach decides to put me in,” Datome said. “I’ve been waiting all season basically for my opportunity. When coach calls me, I just have to be ready. I focus on giving energy to the team. Don’t rush; just be solid and try to be the best I can.”

Of waiting so long for his chances to play, he said, “It’s tough, but I would never complain. I’m enjoying the experience. I’m trying to do my best. I would never complain with coach. I just try to be a positive teammate and be ready for my opportunity whenever it will come.

“I felt good today on the court. I feel good with my teammates. I love the system. I can see myself very good in it.”


Bradley a no-go


Stevens officially pulled the plug on any thought Avery Bradley could play on this trip, which ends tonight in Miami.

Bradley sprained his left elbow in Wednesday’s win over the Jazz and did not accompany the team to Friday’s win in New Orleans or meet the C’s in Florida.

“Avery feels better,” Stevens said. “From everything that the doctor has said to him is that we’re shooting for Wednesday (at home vs. Memphis) to play. So he will not join us on this trip.”


The book on Stevens

Stevens’ reputation as a players’ coach is growing. While a number of coaches, particularly from the college ranks, have tried to fit their NBA team to their style, Stevens is adapting his plan to his players.

That’s evident in the way he’s welcomed Isaiah Thomas into the rotation.

“We need to work ourselves around Isaiah, not the other way around,” Stevens said. “I mean, Isaiah’s a game-changer with how he plays, and we need to make sure that we cater to that, because he makes us better on offense and defensively he’s been good.”

Speaking of giving players room, he added, “As long as guys do what they do well, they’ll never hear a peep from me. We want it to be structured but open.”



bob



.

Quote from Gigi:

I focus on giving energy to the team. Don’t rush; just be solid and try to be the best I can.”

That's what I noticed about him last night, he doesn't rush and stays within the parameters of his game. That's a very positive trait that I hope will rub off on our younger players.

On another note, it seems to me that when things are not going well Thomas monopolizes the ball more and more instead of involving his teammates. I know he's a catalyst, but too much of a good thing is just that: too much of a good thing.  

Berlin-T

GiGi's demeanor reinforces my admiration for how quickly Celtics players (especially the younger ones) have morphed from an appearance of alarm and anxiety to one of calm and professionalism down the stretch.  It stops short of swagger (except possibly for Isaiah); but it gives me, as a fan, more of a feeling of confidence than I've had all season long.

Sam