Post by FLCeltsFan on Dec 7, 2005 14:21:15 GMT -5
aol.nba.com/celtics/roster/GomesDiary_120505.html
Rookie Diary: Ryan Gomes - December 5
December 5, 2005
Hello everyone... it's been a busy first month of the NBA season. As most of you know, we played 10 of 14 games in Boston this month, which was great because it gave our fans a chance to come out and see some exciting basketball. We've been in some great games, with chances to win almost all of them. The downside to having a lot of games at home last month is that we have two long road trips facing us in December.
We lost some tough games on the road going into the fourth quarter, but after getting our first road win yesterday I think we have some renewed confidence. We have to try and "steal" some games on the road, much like some opponents were able to do here in Boston. While we are a little concerned that it took us a while to get our first road win (we only did play four road games in November, remember), we also know that we want to have more wins at home. The goal, in my opinion, is to win about 80-90% of your games at home, and then be around .500 on the road. But December is a new month, and all we can do is focus on the present and the task at hand.
My first month in the NBA has been filled with personal highlights - just being able to play in the games and trying to contribute. Each day I try to get better and help the team. Practice is different in the NBA than it was in college - each day we work on different things for the different teams we face. I'm learning that you have to make adjustments for each team and each game, something that we didn't always have to do as much in college. Picking up on all of these different things has been a little tough, but with time I know it will come easier to us new guys. Right now we are focusing on our defense so that we stop giving up so many points.
I've really enjoyed getting to know my teammates, who are a lot of fun to be around. That is one of the things I am looking forward to as we head out on the road - having more interaction with everyone. When you are home you don't spend as much time together because everyone is off doing their own thing. As rookies, the three of us (myself, Gerald and Orien) try to do things together. Since there are three of us, it's easy to talk and share ideas. The vets have been helpful, especially in practice. The help us out with our rotations on defense, and spots on offense, which is great because it makes it easier when we are out on the court in game situations.
Off the court, I am still getting used to downtown Boston. Sometimes the streets are confusing - for example, there must be a couple of Mass Aves, because everywhere I go, I find one. I've been out and recognized by fans a couple of times, which is nice and I am sure has a lot to do with being a local guy from Providence College. But the fans have been great - we know that if we play hard, they will be satisfied, but we also know we have to pick up some wins.
For Thanksgiving I was able to go home to Waterbury, CT to see my family. I didn't get to see too many friends, though, because I had so much family in town. I am also excited because I will get to go home for Christmas - or at least Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. We leave for the West Coast Christmas day, and for the first time I won't be home to celebrate New Year's Eve. Celebrating New Year's in Los Angeles will be strange, but my girlfriend and some friends are flying out to come to our game against the Clippers and then spend New Years with me.
I am happy to say that Providence is 3-2, despite suffering losses to Wichita State and Rhode Island on the road. They have a tough few games coming up, and Saturday against URI was a big one. That game was basically for the state championship of Rhode Island - it carries a lot of bragging rights for the year. And although URI won, I know the Friars will bounce back.
Before I sign off, I want to give a couple of shout outs, especially to Rico, Lisa, my barber Remi, my boy Poo and my girl.
That's all for now - we have to go get ready for our upcoming games - we face Houston tomorrow night. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday, and hope to see you back at the Garden when we return from the road.
Take care,
Ryan
Rookie Diary: Ryan Gomes - December 5
December 5, 2005
Hello everyone... it's been a busy first month of the NBA season. As most of you know, we played 10 of 14 games in Boston this month, which was great because it gave our fans a chance to come out and see some exciting basketball. We've been in some great games, with chances to win almost all of them. The downside to having a lot of games at home last month is that we have two long road trips facing us in December.
We lost some tough games on the road going into the fourth quarter, but after getting our first road win yesterday I think we have some renewed confidence. We have to try and "steal" some games on the road, much like some opponents were able to do here in Boston. While we are a little concerned that it took us a while to get our first road win (we only did play four road games in November, remember), we also know that we want to have more wins at home. The goal, in my opinion, is to win about 80-90% of your games at home, and then be around .500 on the road. But December is a new month, and all we can do is focus on the present and the task at hand.
My first month in the NBA has been filled with personal highlights - just being able to play in the games and trying to contribute. Each day I try to get better and help the team. Practice is different in the NBA than it was in college - each day we work on different things for the different teams we face. I'm learning that you have to make adjustments for each team and each game, something that we didn't always have to do as much in college. Picking up on all of these different things has been a little tough, but with time I know it will come easier to us new guys. Right now we are focusing on our defense so that we stop giving up so many points.
I've really enjoyed getting to know my teammates, who are a lot of fun to be around. That is one of the things I am looking forward to as we head out on the road - having more interaction with everyone. When you are home you don't spend as much time together because everyone is off doing their own thing. As rookies, the three of us (myself, Gerald and Orien) try to do things together. Since there are three of us, it's easy to talk and share ideas. The vets have been helpful, especially in practice. The help us out with our rotations on defense, and spots on offense, which is great because it makes it easier when we are out on the court in game situations.
Off the court, I am still getting used to downtown Boston. Sometimes the streets are confusing - for example, there must be a couple of Mass Aves, because everywhere I go, I find one. I've been out and recognized by fans a couple of times, which is nice and I am sure has a lot to do with being a local guy from Providence College. But the fans have been great - we know that if we play hard, they will be satisfied, but we also know we have to pick up some wins.
For Thanksgiving I was able to go home to Waterbury, CT to see my family. I didn't get to see too many friends, though, because I had so much family in town. I am also excited because I will get to go home for Christmas - or at least Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. We leave for the West Coast Christmas day, and for the first time I won't be home to celebrate New Year's Eve. Celebrating New Year's in Los Angeles will be strange, but my girlfriend and some friends are flying out to come to our game against the Clippers and then spend New Years with me.
I am happy to say that Providence is 3-2, despite suffering losses to Wichita State and Rhode Island on the road. They have a tough few games coming up, and Saturday against URI was a big one. That game was basically for the state championship of Rhode Island - it carries a lot of bragging rights for the year. And although URI won, I know the Friars will bounce back.
Before I sign off, I want to give a couple of shout outs, especially to Rico, Lisa, my barber Remi, my boy Poo and my girl.
That's all for now - we have to go get ready for our upcoming games - we face Houston tomorrow night. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday, and hope to see you back at the Garden when we return from the road.
Take care,
Ryan