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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 3, 2005 0:08:56 GMT -5
Game after game, week after week, this kid is improving and growing into a big game player. Has no desire to pad stats, he just wants to win games, and will do, or give, whatever he can to give his team a chance for the W.
Not a selfish bone in his body. Always sacrificing himself for others. If there's a loose ball on the court, Delonte is the first one to get skid marks on his chin.
He's developed a more aggressive mentality with the ball in his hands. Not just passing it up with no purpose anymore. But still could be more assertive when directing the offense.
He's looking to shoot the ball more as is not as hesitant as he was earlier in the year. Basically, if he's open, he'll take it.
He's good at attacking the rim when there's daylight. Crafty player who is not going to burn defenses regularly, but he attacks when they least expect it.
He's constantly pushing the ball up the floor, expecially when he grabs rebounds. Looks up the floor quickly and advances the ball up to the lead man more than any other player on the team. Knows the importance of getting the ball into the lead player's hands on breaks to get ahead of the defenses (many of our players don't understand this).
Hard nosed defensive player who gets into his man's face as well as any PG in the league.
Delonte is not a creative playmaker and most of his assists come when he swings the ball to the open man. He can make the occassional highlight pass, but for the most part, he tries to make the smart and safe passes only. But when the game is on the line, he seems to come up with the big plays.
This is just his second year in the league and first year as a starter, so the mistakes he makes are not worrisome. He's improving and becoming more comfortable with every game and he's really cementing himself as our future PG.
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Post by Roadrunner on Dec 3, 2005 0:27:06 GMT -5
A much better player than I expected from from college.  |
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 3, 2005 1:07:55 GMT -5
Yes, indeed.
I must also add in that he's a terrific rebounder. Delonte has wrestled rebounds out of many big men's hands, including Perkins. Its not surprising to see Delonte come out of the scramble with the rebound, even when he goes up against the trees.
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Post by BCHISTORIAN on Dec 3, 2005 2:24:19 GMT -5
he's getting better i give him that. de haven't seen such a dedication and attitude for a long time.
seems like majority of our guys have the rigth mindset but the coaching has been horrendous lately
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 3, 2005 2:36:37 GMT -5
Two players on the team who have the intensity of a billowing volcano spewing out searing hot lava are Delonte West and Kendrick Perkins. These 2 guys will rather have their teeth pulled out with pliers than lose a game. If more of our players had their intensity (please read, Mark Blount), we'd be a heck of a lot better.
Sometimes, I'll imagine this team with a playmaking PG, like a Kidd or Nash, and wonder if we'd be a better team with a PG like this (Orien Greene?), or if we'll be fine with Delonte as our lead man. The more Delonte plays, the more he pursuades my opinion towards looking at him as our future PG. But I still wonder ..........
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Post by BCHISTORIAN on Dec 3, 2005 5:22:21 GMT -5
delonte is a chemistry guy. he'd be ideal back-up point. he has even more energy right now than banks had...
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Dec 3, 2005 13:42:14 GMT -5
I agree that West is a player. He comes in with intensity and plays hard. He is getting more playing time this year and will I am sure have some growing pains and make mistakes but when a player puts out that much effort, especially on the defensive end, you can overlook those. Delonte is going to be a star, I am certain of it. He has a collection of tapes showing all the PGs in the league and studies them to get ideas on how to play them. He has a very competitive streak.
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Post by eja117 on Dec 4, 2005 13:00:38 GMT -5
In a vaccuum Dickau should beat out Delonte for the starting spot but he doesn't cause Delonte cares more. He's the harderst hustler on the team. If I were Dickau I'd be embarrassed to be around him and would play harder. Or maybe Dickau is and he's just not good.
This is why Delonte should stay the starter. Cause every nite there is a posiibilty he will outrebound and outblock the starting big men combned (unless Perk is a starter and gets starter minutes). Name me another pg on the team you can say that about. Name me another pg in the league you can say that about their team. Kidd in NJ. Maybe Nash. That's about it.
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Post by Roadrunner on Dec 4, 2005 16:39:14 GMT -5
Delonte has desire, and desire goes a long way. In any sport really.
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Post by Celtic17 on Dec 4, 2005 19:25:49 GMT -5
Heart + Desire = Wins
So true Runner.
He just needs more PT, like all of our kids, to get better balance to their game.
I'm looking for Reed and Greene, by seasons end.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Dec 4, 2005 21:27:25 GMT -5
I would also like to see what Gomes can do... he showed a lot of promise in the preseason and has now disappeared. I am really wondering why Doc isn't giving him ANY playing time. He seems like a hard worker so I don't think it is cause he isn't putting out the effort.
West had one of his best all around game today I think. He really played well before fouling out. He had a solid stat line, but he did a lot of the little things that don't show up in the stats to help the team. Like hustling after loose balls and defending and moving without the ball to help open up the offense.
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Post by Celtic17 on Dec 4, 2005 22:14:01 GMT -5
This might be where Blunt is holding back the team. His PT could be spread around to the kids. I don't think it would hurt the team, if the rotation was sound and balanced. Doc might need to work on this...
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 4, 2005 23:35:40 GMT -5
That shows you how deep this team could be. We still aren't utilizing 2 players who should be a major part of our team. Both Tony Allen and Ryan Gomes offer a lot of good things that we will certainly benefit from using. Tony is an electrifying player who's an excellent slasher and a defensive ball hawk. Gomes is a terrific garbage player who comes up with offensive boards and has the inate ability to score off of putbacks. A smart player without a lot of flash. Gets the job done.
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Post by esco33 on Dec 5, 2005 20:28:42 GMT -5
I have been more impressed with Delonte each game. I can't think of 3 guys in the league that seem to want to win more than he does by how he hustles, and sacrifices his body and stats for the team.
He is not a pure point guard, and that is where I would like him to improve. He has a good basketball mind, and lately he has been more aggressive with his offense, I agree Derren. He needs to shoot the 3 when he is open, because he can definitely make that shot.
I hope he continues his solid play. He is not a prototypical point guard, because he brings to the table a lot of things that a normal point guard does not bring (toughness, even against forwards and centers, blocks, rebounds,), but lacks the "natural" instincts of a true point guard. I would like to see him average 6 assists a game, and run the offense in the half court a little better.
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Post by Celtic17 on Dec 5, 2005 21:59:08 GMT -5
This is only the start for this kid, he'll find the grove. Like we all know he has a high bball IQ and all the will you could ask for. Just a little more time needed.
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