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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 18, 2006 15:39:00 GMT -5
Since Ainge came aboard, he's been wanting to make us a running team. It didn't happen with O'Brien because Jim was all about the halfcourt sets and three point barrages. But when Doc became coach, he also said that he was going to implement the running game.
We started off last season looking like a running team. That season opener against New York (where Delonte had that huge block against Eddie Cury), we were pushing the tempo quite often. But as the season wore on, we ran less and less, and by the time the season was winding down, we hardly pushed the tempo at all.
Why?
Its not because Delonte couldn't push the ball. As our starting PG, he lacked the court vision and passing skills of a true PG. But he would push the tempo when it was available.
The reason was because we didn't have the personel to be a running/uptempo team. Our starters were Raef, Blount, Pierce, Ricky, and Delonte. Only Ricky wanted to run with Delonte.
So are we changed now? Do we have the personel to run?
Yes, at least moreso than the past couple of years. Telfair and Rondo will be a big help. Gomes, though he isn't speedy Gonzalez, is a good uptempo player because he knows when to break for the other end of the court, and he does a good job of motoring down the floor and finish plays. Of course Gerald Green will help. Al Jefferson is a good uptempo player among big men.
So will we finally be a running team?
Well, we have no excuse now not to run. The pieces are in place for us to push the tempo. We must not slow down the game anymore.
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Post by goceltics34 on Jul 18, 2006 18:15:35 GMT -5
All good points DERREN. I think were werent a running team last year for a number of reasons.
1. Defense- I think were gave up over 100 pts per game last year. You cant play a fastbreaking style if you're constantly taking the ball out of the net. Getting stops leads to transition opportunities and buckets. Defense must be more stout this year.
2. Turnovers- I think were averaged somewhere around 17 turnovers a game. That's way to many. I'm sure our turnovers lead to easy baskets for the opposition, which would offset any transition baskets we'd get. We must value the ball and possesion's this season. I think bringing in Telfair hopefully will solve or at least cutdown on the turnovers.
3. Point guard- Telfair just has it. Nothing against delonte, but you can just see the difference. Delonte played shooting guard in college. Telfair has played point guard all of his life. From the one summer league game i was able to see, telfair gets in the lane, and is an excellent passer. He sets up his teammates and has great court vision. Pierce, Gerald Green, and delonte will benefit from this guy, as well as our inside guys, because when telfair collapses the defense our big should be on the receiving end of some sweet dishes from telfair.
Defense, rebounding, and less turnovers lead to better transition basketball.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 18, 2006 19:39:06 GMT -5
Good points as well, GC34. We were limited in the amount of fastbreak opportunites because we didn't get many defensive stops. And when we allow teams to shoot 45% from the field, that also limits the opportunites to run.
Last year, we averaged 98 ppg, good for 12th in the league. We ranked 5th in FG%, at 46.7%. And we passed the ball well, good for 10th in the league with a 20.9 apg average.
This tells me that we were good at scoring in the halfcourt sets, but not necessarily good at scoring off of turnovers. I don't know the stats off hand, but I'm pretty sure that we didn't score many points in transition. We were 17th in the league in steals (a bit lower than the middle of the pack), so this solidifies my thought.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 18, 2006 22:18:13 GMT -5
W/ the guards in place (Telfair, Rondo), the tempo will be fast.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 19, 2006 0:35:12 GMT -5
They will definitely help. But Pierce and Wally have to participate to make it work. They will be playing majority of the time, so they need to be willing to run with Telfair and Rondo.
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Post by mev17 on Jul 19, 2006 0:48:08 GMT -5
All good points DERREN. I think were werent a running team last year for a number of reasons. 1. Defense- I think were gave up over 100 pts per game last year. You cant play a fastbreaking style if you're constantly taking the ball out of the net. Getting stops leads to transition opportunities and buckets. Defense must be more stout this year. 2. Turnovers- I think were averaged somewhere around 17 turnovers a game. That's way to many. I'm sure our turnovers lead to easy baskets for the opposition, which would offset any transition baskets we'd get. We must value the ball and possesion's this season. I think bringing in Telfair hopefully will solve or at least cutdown on the turnovers. 3. Point guard- Telfair just has it. Nothing against delonte, but you can just see the difference. Delonte played shooting guard in college. Telfair has played point guard all of his life. From the one summer league game i was able to see, telfair gets in the lane, and is an excellent passer. He sets up his teammates and has great court vision. Pierce, Gerald Green, and delonte will benefit from this guy, as well as our inside guys, because when telfair collapses the defense our big should be on the receiving end of some sweet dishes from telfair. Defense, rebounding, and less turnovers lead to better transition basketball. Good points - so much so I gave you a karma point. Both Telfair and Rondo seem adept at penetrating and setting up teammates. Plus Rondo in time will create transition opportunities with his defense. IMO Rondo and West can give us a better defensive backcourt than we've had in quite some time, and we can add T. Allen at the three and have quite the pressing unit.
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Post by Celtic17 on Jul 19, 2006 1:06:57 GMT -5
Maybe PP will take on more of a SF/3 role, w/ Ryan G filling the 4, in fast line ups. Could open more mins for the you guards.
Is GG tradeable?
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 19, 2006 1:11:00 GMT -5
Doc mentioned in the Raptors game that we are going to use Theo Ratliff's shot blocking ability by funnelling defensive plays to him. With the way Rondo applies pressure on opponents, he can help force plays to the middle where Ratliff will be waiting. Add in Tony Allen, who is much like Rajon in the way they use their superb quickness, slippery athleticism, and long arms to pester opponents, and we can have a smorgesbord of blocked shots, forced turnovers and fastbreaks opportunites.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 19, 2006 1:12:23 GMT -5
Is GG tradeable?
No. I can't imagine Ainge trading him away. He has the most star potential of any player on this team.
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