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Post by ferbo on Jul 11, 2006 19:28:19 GMT -5
From Celtics.com:
By Peter F. Stringer Celtics.com July 11, 2006
LAS VEGAS – The Summer Celtics finally got their up-tempo game in gear Tuesday afternoon, mounting an early 30-17 after in the first quarter that they would never relinquish in a 111-62 laugher over the Toronto Raptors at the Cox Pavilion Tuesday afternoon.
Gerald Green (game-high 23 points) and Ryan Gomes (22) got the offense going to kick things off, and the C’s continued to pour it on as the Celtics led by 45 after three quarters on the strength of a 34-point third quarter. The Raptors shot just 2-15 from the field in the quarter and packed it in as the reserves from both squads finished off the game.
Green was pacing the attack early, beating his man off the dribble and knocking down outside shots, THIS PART SOUNDS REALLY GREAT scoring 12 points in the quarter, including a loud alley-oop from Sebastian Telfair. Green finished the third quarter with a game high 23 points.
“I was a lot more aggressive today,” said Green after the game. “I went to the hole at first, started inside and worked my way out.”
Meanwhile, Ryan Gomes (22 points) was working underneath, scoring on clean-ups and transition buckets to quietly post an 18-point half SOUNDS LIKE GOMES FROM LAST YEAR.. Gomes and Jefferson each grabbed 9 rebounds to control the glass.
The Raptors didn’t handle the Celtics ball-pressure very well, THIS SOUNDS GOOD and seemed to struggle to get into their offensive sets. #1 pick Andrea Bargnani was just 1-5 in the half and didn’t get much of an opportunity to shine.
Other notables included Telfair (10 assists) and Allan Ray, who was getting open and knocking down the jumper with ease. Rajon Rondo stood out on defense, and Green was also active on the defensive end. THIS SOUNDS GOOD.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 11, 2006 19:40:25 GMT -5
One can only imagine what they are thinking...
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 11, 2006 20:34:01 GMT -5
I love seeing Clifford Ray right there in Vegas mentoring our kids. LAS VEGAS - JULY 11: Assistant Coach Clifford Ray talks to Leon Powe #0 of the Boston Celtics during the 2006 Toshiba Vegas Summer League on July 11, 2006 at the Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Post by ferbo on Jul 11, 2006 21:50:33 GMT -5
Tuesday, July 11 - BACK AT THE HOTEL - 3:41 PM PST
Just got back from our 111-62 laugher against the Raptors. It was one of those games where one team jumps out early and the other team just can't do anything right. Coach Tony Brown called it the best effort of the Summer League for the Celtics, DUH!!!! I HOPE SO. and was pleased with Gerald Green's performance (he had an alley-oop from Telfair and another sick Tomahawk dunk), saying that today was the first time they'd seen the same Green that was starting to come on at the end of last season.
A lot of things stood out to me about my first in person TVSL game. The first being that both Telfair and Rondo really made a point of pushing the offense, and the team seemed to be looking to fast break at every chance. Couple that with Toronto's turnover problems and poor field goal shooting, and you've got a blowout on your hands.
But the biggest thing you'll notice about these games is high volume of fouls being called. The Summer League is designed to help young referees develop too, and there was definitely some on-the-job learning going on today. Talking with Ryan Gomes on the bus over to the game, he mentioned that there were too many whistles, especially away from the basket, and that the Celtics couldn't get any flow to their game on Sunday because it kept stopping so often for fouls.
"I don't think you can even foul out in this league," said Gomes.
Actually, the word is that you get 10 fouls per game here in Vegas. Somehow Rajon Rondo managed to pick up eight of them in three quarters.
I also asked Gomes if he had another 29 in him today after his Game 1 eruption, and he joked that he was looking for "about 37" today. Had he played the entire game, he probably could have got close; he dropped 22 points in just over 24 minutes by running the floor and staying active on the boards. He also made a few nice moves to the hole for some and-ones.
Gomes was among a handful of Celtics who passed up the team bus ride back to the hotel to stick around and watch some more basketball. Meanwhile, #1 pick Andrea Bargnani was announced to be sticking around to sign autographs after the game.
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Post by Celtic17 on Jul 11, 2006 23:55:29 GMT -5
Catch up on this on Wednesday. Thanks for the good feeds.
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Post by ferbo on Jul 12, 2006 1:08:51 GMT -5
I think t he 3 games so far have put a lot of pressure on DA as he thinks about the roster. AJ doesn't show much likelihood of being back to his old self anytime soon. Will he make it "back" by October? Will he be better? Who knows. Right now he doesn't look like much of a force.
Can D Jones be counted on to help out? Hell no. Hard to think of him as a "player" in the front court picture with him getting so little time, and showing so little.
Can Powe be projected to do this year what AJ did 2 years ago? No. Today's game was a little more helpful.
"Reliable" guys at the 4 and 5 at this point are no more than Perk (hopefully) and Ratliff and both are limited function guys.
Not sure what to figure Gomes to do in contributing at the 4. Probably swing between 3 and 4.
Which leaves Scal too much in t he picture right now.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 12, 2006 1:11:39 GMT -5
I'm wondering what's going on with Dwayne Jones? Our current depth chart is Perk, Jefferson, Theo, and DJ (Gomes is a 3/4 and Powe will probably start the season in the D-League). He should be getting a lot of playing time to work on his game in actual game situations.
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Post by BCHISTORIAN on Jul 12, 2006 1:31:09 GMT -5
yeah, the d jones situation makes you wonder, doen't it? and the possibility of seeing scalabrine playing so many minnutes again is flat-out terrifying
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 12, 2006 1:42:13 GMT -5
I don't think Scalabrine will be seeing much playing time. As long as Jefferson is not injured, he and Ryan Gomes will see the bulk of the playing time at PF (with Gomes playing some at SF). Scalabrine may not even be part of the team after this summer. If Ainge pulls off any trade, Scalabrine's contract could be used to make salaries work.
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Post by mev17 on Jul 12, 2006 2:05:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the update, Ferbo. Interesting conversation with Gomes. Can't say I'm surprised that he stuck around to watch basketball, he seems to be quite a student of the game.
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Post by BCHISTORIAN on Jul 12, 2006 3:02:45 GMT -5
I don't think Scalabrine will be seeing much playing time. As long as Jefferson is not injured, he and Ryan Gomes will see the bulk of the playing time at PF (with Gomes playing some at SF). Scalabrine may not even be part of the team after this summer. If Ainge pulls off any trade, Scalabrine's contract could be used to make salaries work. as long as doc is the coach prepare for the worst
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 12, 2006 10:07:41 GMT -5
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 12, 2006 10:29:45 GMT -5
Good things to say about Rondo and about Ray from Vegas. sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2516764Rondo Report Some experts dubbed Rajon Rondo as the best pure point guard in last month's NBA draft. That can be debated, but Rondo is making a good accounting for himself in Vegas. Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images Rajon Rondo is giving the Celtics another point to consider. On a Celtics team loaded with roster players, Rondo has performed well in three games and especially in Tuesday's 111-62 whipping of the Toronto Raptors' entry. Rondo played his best game thus far with 13 points, six assists and just one turnover while making all five of his shots. The attributes he honed at Kentucky were on display, especially his quickness, which really seems to help him at the defensive end. He split the point guard duties with fellow new arrival Sebastian Telfair, which won't be the case during the regular season. At this point, Rondo faces being third on the C's depth chart behind Delonte West and Telfair. His talents seem to mirror those of Telfair: Both are slick handlers, have good court vision and a desire to get to the basket. But both have issues with their outside shot, the black mark on their games. Telfair has improved moderately, but he's been shooting bricks in Vegas, making just 33 percent. Rondo has been taking better shots and has made 12-of-18 so far, averaging nine points and 3.3 assists. But the experts watching and evaluating still believe he's got a long way to go in that area. "I like his quickness a lot, he's very skilled too," said an Eastern Conference executive. "But he's got to make defenders respect him on the outside. Otherwise they're just going to give him room." • It was a surprise that former Villanova star Allan Ray went undrafted, but he's playing like he's put it out of his mind. He's averaging 12.3 points and shooting 62 percent for the Celtics in Vegas after an 18-point outburst Tuesday. Boston observers say he's also got a solid chance of squeaking onto the final roster as well.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 12, 2006 14:44:02 GMT -5
Here is another first hand report from Vegas posted by TrickyRicky on Real GM
For what its worth, I had the opportunity to watch all 3 games so far in Vegas. Here is my opinion so far:
Rondo - The reports are true. This guy looks good, looks damnn good. I've seen West in the summer league before, I've seen TA , big Al, etc. However, this guy , for me, has been the best prospect I've seen down there wearing a Celtic uniform in the 3 years I've attended.
Again, I realize its summer league. I can't wait to get a glimpse of Rondo vs. the real players. But Rondo plays defense, and plays it very well. The reports that he can't shoot are true. Unfortunately for those reports, it doesnt really matter with his game. Its tough to explain, but nevertheless, Rondo shot from the outside once in the 3 games I attended. That shot hit the backboard, and only the backboard. Rondo's game isnt outside. He's extremely quick, gets around defenders and can get to the rim in a hurry. Excellent PG skills already. His passing skills in the lane, top notch. This guy is legit. All around . Defensively, he can play with ANYONE in the league right now.
I will go out and tell you that if Rondo sticks with the Celtics, he is eventually going to be the starting PG. Guaranteed. You will not be dissapointed. He just has that PG mentality. Its just there. You heard it here first. I watched Foye, I watched Roy, but I'll tell you this, Ainge got the best PG that can help this team out of this draft. Bar None. Forget Telfair . And I liked Sebastian as well.
Telfair - Shot is still very mediocre. Line drivish. Quick, sometimes too quick for his own good. Great passing and leadership skills.
GG - You've seen him. Nothing new here. Offensive game is still good, defense still needs improving but he is improving nonetheless. 100% better than last year on that end.
Gomes - Again, nothing new. Same ol Gomes. Pretty solid all around.
Jefferson - We wanted to see some major improvement here, isnt happening. At least not yet. Granted , the refs down here are still blowing the whistle on him like its never seen NBA contact. Still, he needs to do better.
Ray - Can shoot the rock . Especially coming off screens. I just don't see him getting major minutes on the team, based on the current roster. non factor
Powe - Strong. Physical. Awkward shot . I put him in the same category as Ray, really will be a non factor considering the bigs on the team. Advantage, Gomes. By far
Jones - Not getting many minutes. Not sure why, but he isnt really playing much. Tough to comment on his progress.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 12, 2006 15:58:05 GMT -5
Highlights of the Toronto game. Some incredible passes and <gulp> defense. tinyurl.com/gszj8 Looks like Allan Ray is going to be #12....
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