Post by DERRENMATTS on Oct 29, 2005 2:21:36 GMT -5
This team is made of veterans and really young players, but that doesn't mean it can't be a good working combination, and it certainly doesn't mean we can't win this year. Hold off on the "rebuilding" label because if our team plays the way we are capable of playing, we are in the playoffs for the 5th consecutive year.
But what exactly does it mean to play the way we are capable of playing? I believe it means that these individual things must happen:
1) Raef and Delonte must take, and hit, their open 3 point shots. As starters playing alongside Paul Pierce and Ricky Davis, they will get their fair share of open looks behind the arc if the ball is moving around the floor like it should be. They cannot be hesitant when the open shots are there--when they see it, they need to take it and make it. If they are being shy and passive, opposing teams will not hesitate to lay off them to double Pierce and Ricky. Delonte in particular hasn't shown the aggressiveness with his outside shooting like how he should be. He's one of the few players who can consistently make the three's. By draining a few, it'll open up the floor for everyone.
2) Blount, or "Blunt", needs to continue hitting his 20 footers. He has been amazingly consistent with that shot this preseason and its been a big boost for the team. He's litteraly the 2nd most valuable starter next to Pierce this preseason, as he's consistently been scoring a lot in the 1st quarter.
3) Pierce and Ricky need to lead by example by moving the ball, by not standing around, and by taking smart shots. We don't need them scoring 25 ppg if the team as a whole is scoring, and the only way everyone gets involved in the offense is if Pierce and Ricky share the ball. They'll both get their scoring opportunities, but they have to be patient and not hold onto the ball too long.
4) Our role players off the bench need to contribute. Its not often the wisest move to depend on your youngest players to provide important contributions off the bench. But in our case, not only are we depending on them, but they are also capable of contributing, even as young as they are. Al Jefferson will need to give us some scoring inside and some rebounds, and as long as he's out of foul trouble, he can do this. We don't need big points from him--just a couple of baskets whenever he's on the court. Ryan Gomes is only in his rookie season, but you'd be hard pressed to find a more seasoned rookie than him. He's already talking on the court like a veteran and he's providing some savvy court play with his offensive rebounding and mid-range buckets. He finds his spots well and makes shots that are open. What Gomes needs to do is get hs hands on offensive rebounds and keep plays alive. Orien Greene is also another veteran-like rookie player who plays well beyond his rookie status. Already showing that he can be a solid PG for us, he'll be asked to backup Delonte. What he needs to continue doing for us is push the ball and keep our players moving. The players seem to work harder to get open when Orien is on the floor because they know he'll be looking to get them the ball when they're open. Brian Scalabrine showed life late in preseason, and he needs to keep playing hard during the season. He's good at keeping plays alive on offense and he gives us a scrappy presence inside. We need him to give us some garbage points and tough rebounds. We need these bench role players giving us production. They don't have to be the foundation of the team, but just provide solid production.
5) We need to play solid team defense. Its gotten better than last year and the players are catching on to their assignments. They are switching quicker and recognizing where they need to be earlier. We are not a great individual defensive team, so its important that we work on being strong defensively as a whole team. We've also improved our rebounding and this is very encouraging.
We do these things and we will win the Atlantic Division again. And I'm not asking for the world either. In a nutshell, all I'm asking is for Delonte and Raef to be more aggressive with their offense, for Blount to continue hitting his open jumpers, for Pierce and Ricky to play smart basketball, for our young role players to contribute a small bit, and for us to play better defense. I'm not asking Big Al to score 20 ppg, or for Orien Greene to be Jason Kidd. The things I'm asking for are very attainable and not a pipe dream.
I'm feeling very optimistic about our team.
But what exactly does it mean to play the way we are capable of playing? I believe it means that these individual things must happen:
1) Raef and Delonte must take, and hit, their open 3 point shots. As starters playing alongside Paul Pierce and Ricky Davis, they will get their fair share of open looks behind the arc if the ball is moving around the floor like it should be. They cannot be hesitant when the open shots are there--when they see it, they need to take it and make it. If they are being shy and passive, opposing teams will not hesitate to lay off them to double Pierce and Ricky. Delonte in particular hasn't shown the aggressiveness with his outside shooting like how he should be. He's one of the few players who can consistently make the three's. By draining a few, it'll open up the floor for everyone.
2) Blount, or "Blunt", needs to continue hitting his 20 footers. He has been amazingly consistent with that shot this preseason and its been a big boost for the team. He's litteraly the 2nd most valuable starter next to Pierce this preseason, as he's consistently been scoring a lot in the 1st quarter.
3) Pierce and Ricky need to lead by example by moving the ball, by not standing around, and by taking smart shots. We don't need them scoring 25 ppg if the team as a whole is scoring, and the only way everyone gets involved in the offense is if Pierce and Ricky share the ball. They'll both get their scoring opportunities, but they have to be patient and not hold onto the ball too long.
4) Our role players off the bench need to contribute. Its not often the wisest move to depend on your youngest players to provide important contributions off the bench. But in our case, not only are we depending on them, but they are also capable of contributing, even as young as they are. Al Jefferson will need to give us some scoring inside and some rebounds, and as long as he's out of foul trouble, he can do this. We don't need big points from him--just a couple of baskets whenever he's on the court. Ryan Gomes is only in his rookie season, but you'd be hard pressed to find a more seasoned rookie than him. He's already talking on the court like a veteran and he's providing some savvy court play with his offensive rebounding and mid-range buckets. He finds his spots well and makes shots that are open. What Gomes needs to do is get hs hands on offensive rebounds and keep plays alive. Orien Greene is also another veteran-like rookie player who plays well beyond his rookie status. Already showing that he can be a solid PG for us, he'll be asked to backup Delonte. What he needs to continue doing for us is push the ball and keep our players moving. The players seem to work harder to get open when Orien is on the floor because they know he'll be looking to get them the ball when they're open. Brian Scalabrine showed life late in preseason, and he needs to keep playing hard during the season. He's good at keeping plays alive on offense and he gives us a scrappy presence inside. We need him to give us some garbage points and tough rebounds. We need these bench role players giving us production. They don't have to be the foundation of the team, but just provide solid production.
5) We need to play solid team defense. Its gotten better than last year and the players are catching on to their assignments. They are switching quicker and recognizing where they need to be earlier. We are not a great individual defensive team, so its important that we work on being strong defensively as a whole team. We've also improved our rebounding and this is very encouraging.
We do these things and we will win the Atlantic Division again. And I'm not asking for the world either. In a nutshell, all I'm asking is for Delonte and Raef to be more aggressive with their offense, for Blount to continue hitting his open jumpers, for Pierce and Ricky to play smart basketball, for our young role players to contribute a small bit, and for us to play better defense. I'm not asking Big Al to score 20 ppg, or for Orien Greene to be Jason Kidd. The things I'm asking for are very attainable and not a pipe dream.
I'm feeling very optimistic about our team.
