|
Post by The Eye of the Q is upon you! on Dec 8, 2005 8:32:51 GMT -5
Reaf has struggled on the court lately and that has put pressure on the other guys. Believe me, this is not cool with him.
Last 5 games 118 min; 8-33 FG; 5-16 3PG; 3-9 FT; 6 9 15 rebs; 5 A; 4 TO; 6 blks; 12 PF;
Very disappointing production, and a complete loss of confidence. With Al Jefferson and Perkins playing well, he and Blount will have to compete for remaining minutes available at the big man spot.
He has a good character, but is in danger of losing a spot in the rotation. He won't whine to the media like Blount does.
He might have enough integrity to walk away from the last two years of his contract worth 20 million, and take a buyout if the younghans develop and leave him with no maeningful PT.
We get on Blount's case all the time, but why don't we get on Raef LaFrentz' case or at least talk about him more?
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Dec 8, 2005 9:11:22 GMT -5
I think the reason we get on Blount is lack of effort. He looks like he isn't even trying out there. He stands flat footed and watches the rebounds go past him.
Raef on the other hand is obviously trying and working... just in a slump. The difference in the two players is effort. I will be more patient with a player who is in a slump and hustling out there than with a player who looks like he could care less.
|
|
|
Post by Ossric on Dec 8, 2005 17:05:21 GMT -5
Raef has totally disappeared, no doubt about it. Without seeing the games, i get the feeling that they're focusing him to much on playing on the 3pt line. This can occasionally be good to open up the field, but only when he's on fire. It seems to me that he or the team's pushing his outside game to much, which hurts his overall game. Remember, getting yourself open from the outside takes a lot of energy, something which could cost him defense. But as FLC12 said, It's never a question of effort with Raef, as it is with Blow-nuts. It's also a matter of mathematics, You can grab a decent % of 10 boards when the only one playing next to you is blownuts. But lately, Pierce has been amazing & Perkins & Jefferson are finally getting more playing time. There's only 1 ball to grab.
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Dec 8, 2005 17:09:28 GMT -5
Yeah, Raef is just in a slump. I'm certain he isn't contemplating retiring, or voiding his contract at all. Nothing drastic like that. His shot is not in the zone right now, as it was back when he made 8 three pointers in a half in the game vs. the Bobcats (?). But with shooters, its only a matter of time before they work out the kinks in their form and get back to shooting well. Interestingly, Ricky Davis has also fallen into a shooting slump that coincided at roughly the same time Raef did. Hmmm... has Robert Parish been trying to improve their shooting form?
|
|
|
Post by esco33 on Dec 9, 2005 8:45:08 GMT -5
I agree celtsfan12. The reason we are so hard on Blount sometimes is when he is playing bad, he looks disinterested and doesn't give it 110%.
At least if Raef is off offensively, he is still diving on the floor for loose balls and playing solid D for the most part, taking a charge, and getting a block here and there.
Raef is in a slump right now, but it is not due to lack of effort. He is a consummate professional. His shot is just off right now. Although, he is a power forward/center, he is more of a shooter, and shooters sometimes go through these ups and downs.
Don't worry, he will find his groove and bounce back soon with a 20 point game.
|
|
|
Post by Celtic17 on Dec 9, 2005 15:32:29 GMT -5
We could uses that game tonight, Esco.
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on Dec 9, 2005 23:34:13 GMT -5
The difference is "so-called effort." However, LaFrentz hasn't even closely lived up to the #3, max contract expections. Blount, however has been much better than an "unheard" of player from Pitt.
|
|