Post by DERRENMATTS on Apr 21, 2006 2:34:39 GMT -5
Hey, great to hear your thoughts guys. I’m certainly looking forward to next season. I have no doubts that all the guys will work their tails off this offseason, and come into next season even better than they left this season. Barring any injuries next year, the only thing that will hold us back from taking the next step forward is if we start playing selfishly—and judging by how our guys played this year, I don’t think it will be a problem. If Jefferson comes into training camp in the best shape of his life, with better footwork in the post, we’re going to have to start getting used to playing with a low post scorer. Right now, we are pretty much a perimeter team, so adding a new element into our offensive scheme will be part of our challenge.
Going into next season, I’m very optimistic about 4 specific players. Delonte West, Tony Allen, Ryan Gomes, and Gerald Green. They have really got my mouth watering. Tony is starting to show the world his vast talents, and his slashing ability will prove to be a very beneficial part of our attack. This offseason, he needs to work on being consistently aggressive with his offense so that he can provide an instant offensive spark off the bench that Ricky Davis provided for us as our 6th man. He certainly needs to polish his dribbling because he can get careless, and he needs to shoot hundreds of jumpers daily so that he’ll be able to knock down shots from the perimeter. But I’m ecstatic to see how he builds upon his already improving game.
Delonte West has definitely proved himself as an NBA player, and a guy who helps teams win games. He too needs to work on being more aggressive with his shot.
Ryan Gomes is definitely a player, and what a steal at 50. He can comfortably play the 4, but if he can lose some weight, gain some quickness, and polish his outside shot, he’ll be a valuable PF/SF off the bench. His development as a SF will push Brian Scalabrine out the picture. I’m a fan of Scal and think he has a place on this team. I just hope he can come to grips with his role and still remain a happy camper.
Gerald Green was impressive as a rookie. Ainge and Doc are going to find themselves in a tough place in a couple of years when Gerald is ready to take a spot in the starting unit. Pierce and Wally are cemented there as of now, but one of them will have to make way for Gerald. It will be interesting to see if Ainge gives Pierce a contract extension this summer. If he does, this probably means Wally is on a short leash.
Ainge mentioned three things he wants to see improved—defense, rebounding, and our transition game. With Perkins, Jefferson, and Dwayne Jones (I like this kid, I’ll talk about him in a second) projected to receive a boatload more playing time next season, our rebounding will improve quite substantially. All three guys have the capability to be strong rebounders at this level. Defensively, we have some young defensive players who should make us better, just by getting experience. Perkins and Dwayne Jones are long and aggressive shot blockers, and on the perimeter, Tony Allen, Delonte West, and Gerald Green are pesky defenders. But as for our transition game, I’m not sure there will be a big improvement in this area until we get ourselves a playmaking PG. Orien may be the best fastbreaking PG we have, but I’m not sure what his future status will be with the team. We’ll be getting Dan Dickau back next year and with Tony Allen being able to fill in some at PG, Orien (who also doesn’t have a guaranteed contract) may be the odd man out, especially since there’s some hint that Ainge may look to get a veteran PG this summer.
Dwayne Jones is quickly making a believer out of me. I like his athletic ability and his tenacity on the boards. IMO, its not far fetched to say that he could beat out Perkins. Perk is indeed a good looking rebounder and physical defender, but his lack of lateral quickness and footspeed often hinders him from doing more damage. DJ covers a lot of ground defensively and he swallows up rebounds just as ferociously as Perk, in impressive fashion. I can’t wait to see his development over the summer. Danny did good by getting him from Minnesota.
We have come a long ways from filling our weaknesses. Whereas we were desperate to fill gaping holes at PG and C 2 years ago, we have good pieces in place now (Delonte and Perkins/DJ). We could still use upgrades there, and ultimately, getting a stud either at PG or C may prove to be the missing ingredient in delivering banner #17. But we have the pieces right now to be a perennial playoff team from next year on.
This draft doesn’t have a stud PG or Center to salivate over, but no doubt that Ainge can another solid piece to the team, even if its another wing player. A guy like Tiago Splitter or Shelden Williams, who may very well be available where we pick, may give us additional depth at our 4 and 5. Or if we nab a Randy Foye, we add ourselves another scoring option from the 1 and 2. I’m hoping that we move down a bit in the draft to get Rajon Rondo, whom I think could be that playmaking PG we’re looking for. All this kid is missing is a consistent jumper, but heck, with all the tools this kid already possesses, I’m not going to nitpick. He can defend, create plays, slash, penetrate, and play the transitional game. And he’s exceptionally quick and athletic. Lots of natural instincts and creativity. His positive outlook is a less offensive (due to lack of an outside jumper) Tony Parker, and more defensive oriented.
Lots of things to look forward to going into next season. Big Al was handed a silver platter after his rookie season, and he took his future for granted. Now its time for him to do his part and work himself into the star player he can be, like how Karl Malone worked himself into the Hall of Famer he is. He must eat, drink, and breathe basketball this summer, and come back fitter and stronger than we have ever seen him. We need him to be a factor in the post because, quite frankly, we are too perimeter oriented and predictable. We will go much further with a low post option in our repetoire.
Keeping our turnovers down and becoming better defensively will improve our success significantly. Doc says he’ll look to make us a more defensive team next year, so lets hope this is a focus for the coaching staff this offseason.
In 2 years, we will be a top 5 team in the East with the team we have now. We’ll see if we have what it takes to reach the championship caliber level with this team, or if we need to get a stud Center or PG.
But wow, I’m very excited for this team. I can’t imagine anymore losing seasons with the crop of players we have, and the talent they posses. I can't see any player on the team being a weaklink. Even Scal and Dickau can be contributors in their roles. Development is key with this team, and hopefully this process won't take too long.
Going into next season, I’m very optimistic about 4 specific players. Delonte West, Tony Allen, Ryan Gomes, and Gerald Green. They have really got my mouth watering. Tony is starting to show the world his vast talents, and his slashing ability will prove to be a very beneficial part of our attack. This offseason, he needs to work on being consistently aggressive with his offense so that he can provide an instant offensive spark off the bench that Ricky Davis provided for us as our 6th man. He certainly needs to polish his dribbling because he can get careless, and he needs to shoot hundreds of jumpers daily so that he’ll be able to knock down shots from the perimeter. But I’m ecstatic to see how he builds upon his already improving game.
Delonte West has definitely proved himself as an NBA player, and a guy who helps teams win games. He too needs to work on being more aggressive with his shot.
Ryan Gomes is definitely a player, and what a steal at 50. He can comfortably play the 4, but if he can lose some weight, gain some quickness, and polish his outside shot, he’ll be a valuable PF/SF off the bench. His development as a SF will push Brian Scalabrine out the picture. I’m a fan of Scal and think he has a place on this team. I just hope he can come to grips with his role and still remain a happy camper.
Gerald Green was impressive as a rookie. Ainge and Doc are going to find themselves in a tough place in a couple of years when Gerald is ready to take a spot in the starting unit. Pierce and Wally are cemented there as of now, but one of them will have to make way for Gerald. It will be interesting to see if Ainge gives Pierce a contract extension this summer. If he does, this probably means Wally is on a short leash.
Ainge mentioned three things he wants to see improved—defense, rebounding, and our transition game. With Perkins, Jefferson, and Dwayne Jones (I like this kid, I’ll talk about him in a second) projected to receive a boatload more playing time next season, our rebounding will improve quite substantially. All three guys have the capability to be strong rebounders at this level. Defensively, we have some young defensive players who should make us better, just by getting experience. Perkins and Dwayne Jones are long and aggressive shot blockers, and on the perimeter, Tony Allen, Delonte West, and Gerald Green are pesky defenders. But as for our transition game, I’m not sure there will be a big improvement in this area until we get ourselves a playmaking PG. Orien may be the best fastbreaking PG we have, but I’m not sure what his future status will be with the team. We’ll be getting Dan Dickau back next year and with Tony Allen being able to fill in some at PG, Orien (who also doesn’t have a guaranteed contract) may be the odd man out, especially since there’s some hint that Ainge may look to get a veteran PG this summer.
Dwayne Jones is quickly making a believer out of me. I like his athletic ability and his tenacity on the boards. IMO, its not far fetched to say that he could beat out Perkins. Perk is indeed a good looking rebounder and physical defender, but his lack of lateral quickness and footspeed often hinders him from doing more damage. DJ covers a lot of ground defensively and he swallows up rebounds just as ferociously as Perk, in impressive fashion. I can’t wait to see his development over the summer. Danny did good by getting him from Minnesota.
We have come a long ways from filling our weaknesses. Whereas we were desperate to fill gaping holes at PG and C 2 years ago, we have good pieces in place now (Delonte and Perkins/DJ). We could still use upgrades there, and ultimately, getting a stud either at PG or C may prove to be the missing ingredient in delivering banner #17. But we have the pieces right now to be a perennial playoff team from next year on.
This draft doesn’t have a stud PG or Center to salivate over, but no doubt that Ainge can another solid piece to the team, even if its another wing player. A guy like Tiago Splitter or Shelden Williams, who may very well be available where we pick, may give us additional depth at our 4 and 5. Or if we nab a Randy Foye, we add ourselves another scoring option from the 1 and 2. I’m hoping that we move down a bit in the draft to get Rajon Rondo, whom I think could be that playmaking PG we’re looking for. All this kid is missing is a consistent jumper, but heck, with all the tools this kid already possesses, I’m not going to nitpick. He can defend, create plays, slash, penetrate, and play the transitional game. And he’s exceptionally quick and athletic. Lots of natural instincts and creativity. His positive outlook is a less offensive (due to lack of an outside jumper) Tony Parker, and more defensive oriented.
Lots of things to look forward to going into next season. Big Al was handed a silver platter after his rookie season, and he took his future for granted. Now its time for him to do his part and work himself into the star player he can be, like how Karl Malone worked himself into the Hall of Famer he is. He must eat, drink, and breathe basketball this summer, and come back fitter and stronger than we have ever seen him. We need him to be a factor in the post because, quite frankly, we are too perimeter oriented and predictable. We will go much further with a low post option in our repetoire.
Keeping our turnovers down and becoming better defensively will improve our success significantly. Doc says he’ll look to make us a more defensive team next year, so lets hope this is a focus for the coaching staff this offseason.
In 2 years, we will be a top 5 team in the East with the team we have now. We’ll see if we have what it takes to reach the championship caliber level with this team, or if we need to get a stud Center or PG.
But wow, I’m very excited for this team. I can’t imagine anymore losing seasons with the crop of players we have, and the talent they posses. I can't see any player on the team being a weaklink. Even Scal and Dickau can be contributors in their roles. Development is key with this team, and hopefully this process won't take too long.