Post by DERRENMATTS on Apr 24, 2007 1:05:33 GMT -5
I know I'm in a very minute minority here, and after his latest brush with the law, even the few supporters he had are now jumping ship. But I'm not ready to brush the dust off my feet yet--I still believe Telfair CAN be a good player in the NBA, and hopefully for us. Its one thing if he didn't have PG skills to talk about, but its another thing if he has skills that just need more time to adhere to the NBA.
I just want folks to think back for a second to a couple of years ago, when Tony Allen had that bar incident (which he's still on trial for). It certainly wasn't good for his future, and we weren't sure if Ainge was going to give him a contract extension. His play early this year made fans cringe and many wanted him out of the lineup. He was a turnover machine, didn't look anything like he did in his prevous 2 seasons, and his confidence was shaken. But a few of us did not give up on him because we saw his talents. And sure enough, he regained his form and turned many critics into believers.
Telfair did not have a stellar first year in Boston. I certainly had bigger expectations, and in hindsight, I admittedly jumped the gun prematurely. But keep in mind that he's still just a 21 year old PG who still has a lot of abilities that need to be harnessed. He's got court vision, he's got passing ability, he's got excellent handles, he's got moxie, he's got fire in his belly, he's got showmanship, and he's a good teammate. He just needs to figure out how to make it all work.
Let me try to give Telfair some help here. This was his first year in Boston, meaning he had to learn an entirely new system, an entirely new coaching staff, and an entirely new set of teammates. He got the starting nod to start the year and showed some good things, as well as some not so good things. But that's forgivable because he was learning how to play with his teammates and it takes time for new players to gel with new teammates (I'm sure you guys will agree with this).
Doc didn't help much because he handcuffs our PG's too much. Rajon Rondo was able to shine in the second half of the year (when he was finally given playing time) because he's an extraordinary talent--and I give no credit to Doc for Rajon's success. For the most part, most of Rajon's shining moments came from his defensive prowess and when he was able to push the tempo and attack the rim. But both Telfair's and Rajon's game were limited when they had to slow down their games and play in a halfcourt offense that took the ball out of their hands. Again, Rajon was able to shine because he's just an incredibly gifted athlete who's instincts are off the chart--not because of anything Doc did or because of Doc's system.
**For the record, Rajon is the more complete PG, and if he can consistently hit perimeter jumpers, he's on the All-Star team.
Telfair was abrubtly yanked from the starting lineup and was buried on the bench thereafter. He wasn't playing his best, but I didn't think he was playing poorly either. Doc didn't give the keys to Rajon at that point, but instead had Delonte starting for a portion of the season. Clearly, Delonte had the least PG skills of the three, and by this time, Rajon had adjusted to the NBA and his teammates and was deserving of the starting nod, but Doc stubbornly stayed with Delonte. Telfair's confidence took a hit, and since he was banished to the bench, he barely saw any playing time. This certainly factored into his performance, and anytime he'd get playing time, he'd feel the need to make his presence felt--thus forcing the issue a lot. That made things worse.
But through it all, I still hold to my opinion that Sebastian Telfair does have NBA caliber PG skills, and though he may not beat out Rajon for the starting spot, Bassy CAN become a good backup in time. And I think its a mistake to drop Telfair after just one year with the team. Yes his gun issue is concerning--but not the end of the world.
I really feel that what he's gone through this season (including his recent arrest) will motivate him to work relentlessly on his game this summer to prove his critics wrong. He's going to come back with a better jumper and a better idea of to utilize his PG skills. He's that type of player who will try to prove himself, and will die trying.
Ainge, Wyc, and whoever else reading this, give Telfair ONE more chance. If he screws up with the law again, and if he struggles again next year, cut him or trade his expiring contract. But give him one more chance to prove himself and his game. That's all I ask.
I just want folks to think back for a second to a couple of years ago, when Tony Allen had that bar incident (which he's still on trial for). It certainly wasn't good for his future, and we weren't sure if Ainge was going to give him a contract extension. His play early this year made fans cringe and many wanted him out of the lineup. He was a turnover machine, didn't look anything like he did in his prevous 2 seasons, and his confidence was shaken. But a few of us did not give up on him because we saw his talents. And sure enough, he regained his form and turned many critics into believers.
Telfair did not have a stellar first year in Boston. I certainly had bigger expectations, and in hindsight, I admittedly jumped the gun prematurely. But keep in mind that he's still just a 21 year old PG who still has a lot of abilities that need to be harnessed. He's got court vision, he's got passing ability, he's got excellent handles, he's got moxie, he's got fire in his belly, he's got showmanship, and he's a good teammate. He just needs to figure out how to make it all work.
Let me try to give Telfair some help here. This was his first year in Boston, meaning he had to learn an entirely new system, an entirely new coaching staff, and an entirely new set of teammates. He got the starting nod to start the year and showed some good things, as well as some not so good things. But that's forgivable because he was learning how to play with his teammates and it takes time for new players to gel with new teammates (I'm sure you guys will agree with this).
Doc didn't help much because he handcuffs our PG's too much. Rajon Rondo was able to shine in the second half of the year (when he was finally given playing time) because he's an extraordinary talent--and I give no credit to Doc for Rajon's success. For the most part, most of Rajon's shining moments came from his defensive prowess and when he was able to push the tempo and attack the rim. But both Telfair's and Rajon's game were limited when they had to slow down their games and play in a halfcourt offense that took the ball out of their hands. Again, Rajon was able to shine because he's just an incredibly gifted athlete who's instincts are off the chart--not because of anything Doc did or because of Doc's system.
**For the record, Rajon is the more complete PG, and if he can consistently hit perimeter jumpers, he's on the All-Star team.
Telfair was abrubtly yanked from the starting lineup and was buried on the bench thereafter. He wasn't playing his best, but I didn't think he was playing poorly either. Doc didn't give the keys to Rajon at that point, but instead had Delonte starting for a portion of the season. Clearly, Delonte had the least PG skills of the three, and by this time, Rajon had adjusted to the NBA and his teammates and was deserving of the starting nod, but Doc stubbornly stayed with Delonte. Telfair's confidence took a hit, and since he was banished to the bench, he barely saw any playing time. This certainly factored into his performance, and anytime he'd get playing time, he'd feel the need to make his presence felt--thus forcing the issue a lot. That made things worse.
But through it all, I still hold to my opinion that Sebastian Telfair does have NBA caliber PG skills, and though he may not beat out Rajon for the starting spot, Bassy CAN become a good backup in time. And I think its a mistake to drop Telfair after just one year with the team. Yes his gun issue is concerning--but not the end of the world.
I really feel that what he's gone through this season (including his recent arrest) will motivate him to work relentlessly on his game this summer to prove his critics wrong. He's going to come back with a better jumper and a better idea of to utilize his PG skills. He's that type of player who will try to prove himself, and will die trying.
Ainge, Wyc, and whoever else reading this, give Telfair ONE more chance. If he screws up with the law again, and if he struggles again next year, cut him or trade his expiring contract. But give him one more chance to prove himself and his game. That's all I ask.
