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Post by esco33 on Jan 6, 2006 22:36:38 GMT -5
On a more positive note, (just finished watching the Celtics-Hawks game 1/6/06) Delonte West, in my opinion, is the future leader of this team, (of course if he is not traded, you never know with Danny). I believe that this guy will be the future point guard and will excel at the position. He showed me so much tonight. He showed me a little bit of everything, and he has been doing this for a while.
Not since I can remember, have I seen a player that plays with so much passion, hustle, intensity, and perseverance then Delonte West.
He reminds me a lot of Derek Jeter of the Yankees (Sorry Red Sox fans) doing all of the little things and when the moment calls for it making the big play.
Taking charges, hustling down loose balls, sacrificing his body, sacrificing his stats for the good of the team. He epitomizes what a Boston Celtic should be.
I love his drive and determination, and I hope he is running the point for many years to come. I really see great things from him in the future. He seems to be a born winner, and a leader as well.
It says a lot when a player comes right into the league and in an interview in only his second year says what is most important to him is hanging another championship banner in the rafters. Not making an All-Star team, or being named MVP, or defensive player of the year, or most improved player, or leading the league in assists, but winning a championship. He does not care about stats. He does not care about glory. All he cares about is winning, and that my friends is what constitutes a natural born leader.
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Post by Celtic17 on Jan 7, 2006 0:02:58 GMT -5
I nothing else, I like the team we have here. Solid...
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Post by eddietours on Jan 7, 2006 0:13:22 GMT -5
lets just tr to build and go from here bookit tony had a nice game 7 rebounds! and what about west wow.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jan 7, 2006 1:10:46 GMT -5
Delonte is ........ Well, I can't find the right words to describe him, or his game. He is truly a winner. He's our mini Tyshaun Prince--both come up with big plays with such little fanfare.
2 things: He's a leader by example more than he is a vocal leader. There are many people who lead by example, but the difference with Delonte is that he leads by example every minute he is on the court.
Secondly, I believe Ainge and Doc are going to try and manuever a rotation that allows Delonte to be a backcourt partner with another PG so that we have 2 PG's. Delonte is such a good shooter that it makes sense to make use of his shooting. Plus, he's also a capable ball handler and distributor that it only makes sense to use his PG skills too.
We're going to have our new generation Ainge and DJ.
Man, its fun watching him shoot the ball when his feet are set. He's on such a hot streak right now that if his feet are set, its an automatic 3.
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Post by The Eye of the Q is upon you! on Jan 7, 2006 11:50:05 GMT -5
I agree 100% that we are in the transition from Paul Pierce to the Delonte West era.
Delonte, TA, Al Jeff, and Perk will be the core of the team starting at the end of this lost season. Frankly, their time may come at the conclusion of the NBA KT event known as the Artest-Garnett-Pierce megablockbuster deal involving at least 4 teams. This is what is keeping me tuned in.
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Post by eja117 on Jan 7, 2006 14:01:13 GMT -5
Delonte is on of those guys at the local gym who pisses off other guys because he has less talent than them but beats them anyway just by outworking and outhustling the other guys, thereby making them look stupid. It's kind of amazing to me that a Blount can coexist on a team with a West. if I were Blount I'd be embarrassed to be anywhere near West and if I were Doc I'd let it be known that for some of these guys like Raef and Blount they should be embarraessed standing next to West. I mean who has more rebounds and blocks? You'd have to look to know. And that is why Raef and Blount should sit. Statistically that is why it might not hurt to play West at power forward from time to time. I mean he does more than those guys.
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Post by esco33 on Jan 7, 2006 14:07:49 GMT -5
LOL eja. We probably would do better rebounding the ball putting Delonte at the 4, but in all seriousness and responding to Derren's comment about Delonte being a leader by example, but not a vocal one, I think that is just because Delonte is in his second year. He knows his role. He knows that there are other vets on this team and that Pierce is the captain.
I expect Delonte to be very vocal by next year or maybe the year after.
Don't forget how vocal this guy was when he was playing on summer league squad when he was one of the vets there.
He has the potential to not only be a leader by his example, but vocally as well, and that is what we desperately need.
Despite your guys' opinions of them, Toine and Payton were our two vocal leaders last year and we are definitely missing that right now.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jan 7, 2006 15:11:49 GMT -5
I don't know about that. Delonte seems very quiet in interviews. Hardly says anything. I think he speaks only when necessary. But either way, I'm not nitpicking his leadership qualities. I hope many more of the guys will follow his example and play hard(er). Delonte goes to the floor and collects rasberries at least once a game. To this day, I don't recall Blount ever hitting the floor once. I especially hate it when the ball is right at his feet and instead of crashing down on it, he just bends over, and while he's doing that, two other guys come sprawling over the ball, and because they're putting more weight on the ball, they take it away from him.
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Post by esco33 on Jan 7, 2006 15:35:50 GMT -5
Regarding Delonte, true he is quiet in interviews and does not say much, but it is his words to his teammates that would make him a great leader. I do not know if you remember him speaking about his teammates, and calling them all out to step it up (cursing and everything) in an interview after one of the summer league losses. Doc had to have a chat with him and tell him to tone it down a little.
We need that fire and intensity, and I think he is capable of that Derren.
Regarding Blunt, what tics me off is when he goes up for a shot and the ball bounces off the rim back towards his direction, roughly a few feet from him, instead of going after the off rebound, he lets the defenders run in and track the ball down in front of him, and he runs back to get back on D (like he can play any)
I don't know if any of you have noticed this, but I have seen him do it several times now, and it is very annoying.
Delonte would at least try to track the ball down or even dive on the floor or something. geez...
Blount just watches the ball, and turns around and starts running the other way. Look for this. I'm telling you. lol
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 7, 2006 16:52:59 GMT -5
Esco, I have noticed the same thing about Blount and it frustrates me. He stands flat footed and watches the ball go past him or someone else jump in to get it. He doesn't move his feet, his hands or put any effort to get a rebound. Sometimes, it would just take reaching out his hands. Just about every player on our team scraps and hustles to get rebounds EXCEPT Blount!!!
As for Delonte, I love this kid. He has a ton of heart and I think he is going to be a leader here. He already leads by example with his play and I think as he gets more experience he will be more vocal.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jan 7, 2006 18:33:34 GMT -5
Hands up, hands up. That's what players are taught. You don't leave your hands at your sides when the shot is in the air, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO REBOUND THE BALL. Is it too late to send Mark to the Big Man Camp?
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Post by freshnthehouse on Jan 7, 2006 19:42:48 GMT -5
I say we package Blount ip with Nermal and send them both to Abu Dabi. Dave on postage.
A combonation ofwork/no NBA package has left me virtually Celtic-less this season. So someone that watches the games riddle me this. Does DWest ever have trouble guarder smaller quicker players? Or howsabout guys taller than him if he were to ever play the 2 on a consitant basis?
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jan 7, 2006 20:26:33 GMT -5
I'd say that Delonte has more trouble guarding smaller/quicker players (like Brevin Knight) than he does against bigger/stronger players (Stephon, Chauncy). Delonte can bump and muscle up against the bigger ones, but doesn't have quite the burst of speed to keep toe to toe with the speedy PG's.
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Post by esco33 on Jan 8, 2006 10:22:21 GMT -5
I would say that if Delonte continues to play as impressively as he has the last few weeks for the rest of the season, and at least plays to the same level if not better, it would eliminate the need of a big time point guard for this team.
I know some of you may disagree, and of course if the right deal came along I agree, Danny would pull the trigger. GM's should always try to improve the talent level on a team, but if he continues to average 14-15 points, 5-6 assists, 3 boards, and 3 floor burns a game, we would be ok at the position, and I would be comfortable with him at the position.
In the beginning of the season, he wasn't this consistent. He is confident as heck right now, and hitting his 3's from all over the place - excellent shooter.
But he basically does almost everything that you would want your point guard to do. He cannot create his own shot like a Marbury, B Davis, Billups, etc. but in this offense he still gets 5 or 6 assist a game. Would have had 8 the other night if Raef would have converted 2 layups. He hits open shots, gets others involved, never forces the action, and takes care of the ball reasonably well. We all know about his hustle.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't upgrade the position if given the chance, but at least we can focus on other areas.
Even Orien has really come on as of late.
Hey, did anyone see that Delonte dunk across the baseline versus the Wizards last night. This guy has "no quit" in him. He just epitomizes determination. He is a true Celtic.
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Post by eja117 on Jan 8, 2006 13:22:44 GMT -5
I would basically agree that if Delonte continues to average like 14ps, 6 assists, 4 rebs, 1 blk that pretty much negates the drastic need for a point, and I'd be happy to sit back and let him and Orien develop and see what happens while drafting for the front court
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