SB Nation - Shelden Williams

Duke: Uniting College Sports Fans in Hate

aramnath — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:54:49 -0000

J.J. Redick loved the shocker when he was at Duke.

After watching Wisconsin beat Duke and clinch the Big Ten-ACC Challenge for the Big Ten for the first time in the eleven year history of the challenge I got a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Not because the Big Ten won, though that was part of it, but because Duke's loss sealed the victory.

Is there a more unifying experience in college sports than rooting against Duke's basketball team?? As a Michigan fan I have a steadfast dislike for everything from Ohio State, but there's no denying the amount of quality NFL players they have produced. Duke on the other hand is quite a different story.

I don't think any other team has produced the amount of gritty, emotional players, that just have those "intangibles" quite like Duke does. What's amazing is how well all their players have translated to the NBA. Oh wait, no they haven't.

For such a "powerhouse" college basketball program they have produced a grand total of zero greats and only two pretty good NBA players - Grant Hill and Elton Brand. On the other hand they produced some amazing poets (fast forward to 4:59)

While the Cameron Crazies are wild and do deserve love for camping out and going nuts at every game, we recently took a trip to Durham to see the biggest football game in the last 40 years for the Dukies, as they took on top 10 Ga Tech in what could have been a game where they actually put themselves in control of their own destiny for a BCS win.The video below was shot from the top of the stands and yet you can basically hear the calls on the field - keep in mind that at this point in the game Duke actually had a shocking 10-0 lead.

Of course they went on to get blown out 49-10, en route to losing their last 4 games in a row and yet another season without a bowl game - so maybe those Duke football fans just knew better than to show up.

The real question here is who the most hated Duke player of all time is? In recent history it was definitely J.J. Redick. Anybody that throws up the shocker (fast forward to 7:20) after making a big shot at UNC cements their place as one of the all-time hated Blue Devils. By the way he's going to make a rap album - cant wait for that gem to hit iTunes. More than Redick the Blue Devil I hated most was Greg Paulus.

Here is a guy that started three seasons at point guard for the Blue Devils, during which time we always heard about how much of a leader he was, how much he meant to the team and how he was also the No.1 quarterback recruit in the country. Well after three years of starting Coach K finally realized he sucked and benched him senior year. Then we had to hear about how much of a team player he was for not complaining when he got benched. And, yet somehow as he was the QB of the 'Cuse this year we sort of rooted for him - proving its not the man, its the college.

It gets tricky though as you look back through the years. They've just had so many d-bags grace their program. Christian Laettner was one and then Cherokee Parks came after him. Then there was Dunleavy who became a No. 3 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft and Josh McRoberts who at one time was being called a less, athletic version of Chris Webber, which makes all that "Baby Jordan" talk for Harold Minor sound legit - I mean at least he won a dunk contest.

There's so many players to choose from. Which Blue Devil do you hate more than any other?

Poll

Which Duke player do you hate the most?

J.J. Redick

18 votes

Christian Laettner

19 votes

Greg Paulus

13 votes

Mike Dunleavy Jr.

4 votes

All of the above & everyone else from Duke

37 votes

Check the comments for a new nomination

11 votes

102 votes | Poll has closed

Daily Links 12/3

FLCeltsFan — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:53:52 -0000

Herald Kendrick Perkins wows one of his Chief fans
Nets lose NBA-record 18th straight to start season
Scouting report: Celtics at Spurs
Ron Artest’s best shot: Cognac
Ron Artest says he drank during games
Nothing but Nets! NJ’s worst ever
On-Court Bobblehead dolls entertain Celtics fans in between games
Globe Spurs thumbnails
Hapless Nets fall to 0-18
He’s front and center

CelticsBlog   Bonus (Random) Links
Honoring The Beast
Loy's Place    Lots of Love for the Beast
Celtics Stuff Live    iCeltics Versioning: From the Files of ManchvegasBob
Gang Green: Season 3, Episode 7
Kendrick Perkinstein
Celtics 17   Shelden Williams’ Improvement Could Cause Celtics to Make A Move
Putting a Finger on the New Scoop on Ron Artest
Iverson to rejoin 76ers(!?!).
Shelden Williams’ Improvement Could Cause Celtics to Make A Move
Putting a Finger on the New Scoop on Ron Artest
Iverson to rejoin 76ers(!?!).
Tim Donaghy has a new publisher.
Red's Army    Your KG Face of the Day
And the player with the highest basketball IQ is...
Ron Artest: "I used to drink Hennessy at halftime"
Dime Magazine Disrespects Rajon Rondo
Your Morning Dump... Where Perk makes Chief reminisce
Live blog tonight... and get your picks in
Perkisabeast    EXTRA** EXTRA** Ron Artest still a jerk
CSNNE    Beast unleashed: Perk becoming major force
Beast unleashed: Perk becoming major force
Celtics Hub Nobody Can Stop Sheed But Sheed
The Semi-Transition Game: Embrace It
Some Love for The NBA’s Best Shooter: Kendrick Perkins
Examiner   The Tiger Woods story: What if it was KG instead?
Review: When the Game Was Ours, by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson with Jackie MacMullen
North Station Sports     Brandon Jennings May Be The New School Of One And Done
Goldie's Preview - Celtics @ Spurs
Celtics Town    Doc Rivers (again) discusses minutes
Rasheed Wallace surprised Antonio McDyess by signing with Boston
Celtics power rankings
The Morning Walkthrough: Kendrick Perkins earning a little admiration
Kendrick Perkins, fourth-best shooter in Celtics history
Hardwood Houdini    Iverson Comes Out of "Retirement"
Celtics December Tour Coming to a City Near You
Lex Nihil Novi    Parish and Bird Lead C's to Victory over Blazers 83-84
Celtics Seek to Silence Sixers and the Strangler
Paul Pierce Isn't League MVP Material
CelticsLife   East is Better
JR Giddens' Twitter
Today's Video: Ray Allen Mix- Shut It Down
Nets fall to NBA record 0-18
Gino's Jungle    Bruins vs. Celtics
Today's Headlines - As Seen By Gino
Hoopdata    Thunder Making Noise with their Improved Defense
D-League Digest    D-Leaguer of Intrigue: Orien Greene
Slam Online    Raptors Call Out Their Coach
Waiting for Next Year    Cavs 107, Suns 90: Z Leads Cavs In Romp Over Suns
Sports of Boston   Ray Allen: Father First, Celtic Second
Project Spurs    Gameday Q&A: Graham Brunell of Celtics 17
News OK    With Philly out of the way, it’s derby time at Ford Center
My San Antonio    Former teammates to meet when Spurs face Celtics
Games in the City    The Race for Number Eight Games In The City
MetroWest Daily      Streaking Celtics, Spurs to square off
Dimemag   Brains vs. ‘Bron Brains vs. ‘Bron
Pass The Mic: Top 10 Point Guards Over The Next 10 Years
NY Times Disgraced Referee’s Book Describes Gambling on N.B.A. Games
Philly.com   Phil Sheridan: Sixers take a bizarre step backward
ESPN   Video: Celtics-Spurs preview
Once a gatherer, Perkins now a hunter
Kendrick Perkins' and Tim Duncan's stocks are up, while Jose Calderon's and David West's values are down
Parker keeps raising bar, then clearing it
NESN    Celtics May Be Good, But Lakers Are Showing Us How It's Done
Since Near-Loss to Knicks, Celtics Have Been On Point
Return of Glen Davis Should Make Celtics Even Better
Dueling Couches    Doc Getting A Little Concerned About Sheeds T's
Glen "Big Baby" Davis Injury Update
Bleacher Report    Prodigal Iverson: The Answer To Philadelphia's Prayers?
WEEI    Danny Ainge on WEEI
Jackie MacMullan on WEEI
Josh Q Public    Celtics: Shooting The Lights Out
Mass Live Doc Rivers walks a 'fine line' with veteran minutes, Shelden Williams gives the team flexibility, and more
Tennessean    Johnson to Rondo: Bring it on
Damn Lies and Statistics    Daily Lies & Statistics
CBS Sports    Celtics-Spurs Preview
Cleveland Leader    Cavs Still Working It All Out
Hardwood Paroxysm   Surprise! Kendrick Perkins Is Eating Your Face!
Yawkey Talkies    Celtics looking to continue domination on the road |
OSC    D-Fenders Acquire Los Angeles Native, Gabe Pruitt
Sports of Boston     Maine Red Claws Acquire Mario West
Charlotte Observer    Ajinca deal made sense, but hasn't panned out
Sporting News    Celtics-Spurs Preview
Sheed

s Techs Can Set Perk on Straight and Narrow?

J.J. Redick: Seven Questions for Number Seven on the Orlando Magic

erivera7 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:00:50 -0000

More photos » by Phelan M. Ebenhack - AP

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A hard worker, a professional, a rapper.

Okay, maybe the last designation is a bit much (funny, nonetheless), but the first two labels are accurate descriptions of J.J. Redick, an individual for the Orlando Magic that has worked his tail off to be in the position that he is today.

Whether it's been on the practice court or in the weight room, Redick has paid his dues after the past couple of years. Although one looks at his fellow peers from the 2006 NBA Draft, players like Adam Morrison, Shelden Williams, Patrick O'Bryant, and a bevy of others who have struggled to receive playing time or remain in the league, J.J. has remained relevant in the NBA and has become an integral role player on a championship-caliber team. It took a while, and general manager Otis Smith prescribed patience with Redick - who was frustrated with a lack of playing time in the past - as he attempted to break into the Magic's rotation, but here he is. Helping Orlando win.

Not bad.

When looking at the statistics, one has to be impressed with how efficient J.J. has performed on offense so far this season - TS% (60.5%), eFG% (56.6%), and an Offensive Rating of 123. All career-highs and excellent numbers. Granted, it's early but it's encouraging for Redick to see the stats one figured he would be producing when he left Duke University (likewise, it seemed possible he had the potential to do so this year).

Because he is contributing on defense, diversifying his game on offense, passing the ball without turning it over, and more, J.J. has turned into an asset for the Magic. More importantly, he's gained head coach Stan Van Gundy's trust over a period of time (see the 2009 NBA Playoffs).

The following transcript is a one-on-one conversation I had with J.J. Redick after practice was over yesterday, in which I asked him seven questions on a number of topics.

Click after the jump.

You're averaging career-highs across the board, how much does that mean to you to know that the hard work you've been putting in these past few years is paying off?

It feels good to be in the rotation. I think that's the most important thing for me is playing every night, doing my job contributing, whether I play 10 minutes or 30 minutes and I think I've done that just about every game. It's been a positive. I can't get too caught up in numbers, I mean, we're 18 games into the year so I'm not really worried about that but if anything, I look at shooting percentages. I don't care about points or anything. That's going to fluctuate throughout the season, that's just depends on minutes so if I'm shooting the ball well and contributing defensively and with passing and stuff, then I feel good about my game.

Have you seen a difference in terms of how defenders are guarding you? I know that you're taking it off the dribble more this year and trying to attack the basket, have you see a change in terms of how they're trying to approach you?

It's different every night. A lot of it has to do with just other team's schemes. I mean, a lot of stuff that I'm getting now is with pick and rolls and stuff and so every team is different, some teams show, some teams zone, some teams push the ball down the baseline. We generally talk about it before the game, what that team is going to do and then I know how to attack. If I'm in the game with Vince [Carter], obviously I'm not afforded as many opportunities, but when he's out of the game, lately I've been getting a lot of pick and rolls and even some plays called for me so I just look to be really aggressive. Going in, I have a good idea, a good sense of how I'm going to play.

When you go into the game, is there a role that you're trying to fulfill? Are you trying to score, trying to defend, trying to move the ball?

I'm trying to win. *laughs*

That's the most important thing to me. I really do think that ... actually, me and my dad were having a conversation last night, he's in town, and we were talking about different guys in the league, guys I've played with in the past, guys I've played with in college. I turned to him and said, 'Dad, do you know what's the hardest thing to do in the NBA is?' and he said, 'What?' and I said, 'Win.'

You can play for a bad team, you can score and put up numbers. It's hard to be on a good team because there's not many of them that win consistently. I think that's what I'm most proud of, that's what I try to do. I look at my plus/minus every night and I want it to be in the positives. I know that Stan [Van Gundy] looks at that, too. It's not the tell-all obviously because it depends on who you're playing against and who you're out there with, but I want my unit, whether I'm playing with [Marcin Gortat] and [Jason Williams] and Ryan Anderson or whether I'm playing with Rashard [Lewis] and Vince, I want that unit to win when I'm out there.

You talk about the numbers and I know that Stan is big with that. Does he try to give, whether it's Dwight [Howard], or you, or anybody else the numbers and tell you what you've been doing, what you can improve on, and such?

Yeah, in the past, yeah, we've discussed it. Two of our biggest focuses are always rebounding and turnovers. He kind of sets goals for everybody based on turnovers per minute, rebounds per minute, a lot of it depends on how much you have the ball in your hands, how much you play, and throughout the year he brings up those numbers in team meetings and yeah, we want to reach those goals.

You talk about winning, you've dealt with injuries, illnesses, suspensions, fines, pretty much everything you can think of. How much does it say to you about the team that you're 14-4, despite all that?

Well, I like our group. I think good teams become an extension of their coach and I think we've become a resilient group. I think Stan is still pleading with us to have more focus and more energy, which I think on a nightly basis we can improve on, regardless of who's in the lineup.

You got the rap group going, you won the Iron Magic belt, how much fun are you having this year?

Yeah, it's been good. I think this is my fourth year with the team and I'm a little bit older now, I've settled down a bit, I'm more comfortable with myself, so all the other stuff is just fun but I think with the conversations I've had with Otis [Smith], Stan, and even with a lot of my Duke coaches the past couple summers, it's just about being a professional, and being a pro, and coming to work every day. It's something I've learned to do.

On the road, is there anything that you guys do aside from basketball, that you try to do as a team?

Well, I think everybody is different and I think everybody has a routine. You got to respect guys' routine. I think if anybody said 'we're having a team dinner,' there would be a mutiny. You got to respect guys' routine. I know for me, I'm a pretty low-key guy, so I order room service, sometimes I go to dinner alone. This year, I usually go to dinner with Ryan [Anderson] and J-Will, last year I went to dinner with Adonal [Foyle] if I did go with somebody.

Personally me, I wouldn't like it if we all 13 of us went out to dinner, it'd be a scene. I don't want a scene. *laughs*

I just want to go have a low-key [dinner], focus in on what I go to do the next day.

Daily Links 11/25

FLCeltsFan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:13:16 -0000

Herald No big plans for Allen Iverson, yet
Mourning Wizards tip Sixers
Scouting report: 76ers At Celtics
Gambler details relationship with ex-NBA ref
Globe Practice Notes
Celtics being cautious
Abe Pollin, 85, owner of Washington Wizards
Celtics wary of underdogs

CelticsBlog     Shelden Williams Making No Presumptions
Celtics Discussed Iverson
Stadium Journey     Boston’s Garden
Celtics 17 Thanksgiving Special: Where Sheed’s Threes, the Thought of Depth, and Lack of Urgency is Killing Us
Red's Army    New 8th Seed
Your KG Face of the Day
More Tony Allen, More Marquis Daniels
Your Morning Dump... Where Sheed wants to end things early tonight
CSNNE     Home (not so) sweet, Home
Another moment of youth for C's
Celtics Hub    Doc’s 180 on Rondo’s Jumper
Daniels’ wrist concerns, TA returning Wednesday?
A Small Sign of the Future: Rajon as the Lone Starter
NESN    Celtics Return to TD Garden to Host Philadelphia 76ers
Five Simple Solutions for Celtics to Get Back on Track
Paul Pierce Stands Out as Big One Among Celtics' Big Three
North Station Sports    Goldie's Preview - Sixers @ Celtics
Celtics Town    Boston Celtics versatility: C's aren't as flexible as they should be
Hardwood Houdini     Boston Celtics Look Old – The Poor Mans Excuse
Lex Nihil Novi    C's Drop 4th Straight 83-84 C's Drop 4th Straight 83-84
Close Mouth, Play Basketball
Bird Clanging More than His Share of Bricks 83-84
Celtics in 9-Month Slump 83-84
What's wrong with the 1983-84 Boston Celtics? 83-84
CelticsLife NBA News: Arenas & Butler not seeing eye to eye
This is How the Lakers Represent Themselves
New Perkins interview on his shot blocking skills
Unrealistic Expectations
Gino's Jungle     Upside to Sheed's Woes
Celtics Stuff Live    The Celtics Are a Lot Like ‘Lethal Weapon 2’. No, Seriously...
Inside Hoops    NBA Rumors: Wednesday, Nov. 25
BetUs   NBA - Top-5 Reasons LeBron isn't going to the Knicks
Lakers Blog    A New York Knick weighs in on who’s better: Celtics or Lakers
Full Court Pest    The Most Ridiculous Arguments In Sports: David Stern - The Great Commish
Dimemag     The Longest Yard
NY Post    Nothing doin' for Nets
ESPN    Rondo comfortable with shot
Profiles in Frustration: Al Jefferson
ESPN NBA Awards Watch
Boston Celtics waiting for it to click
13 Games 'til Christmas
MetroWest Daily News    Celtics: Perkins' attack no longer offensive
Hoopsworld    NBA AM: Time To Pack?
NBA Six Pack: Knicks Were Wise to Pass on Iverson
SB Nation    SBN NBA Power Rankings Week 4: Where the Lakers Are Repeat Winners
Kevin Garnett Is Tired Of Helping Reporters Do Their Jobs
CBS Sports    76ers-Celtics Preview
Norwich Bulletin    Celtics: Boston battling more than age as it tries to get in sync
Front Office Fans    From Man to Dog: The Kevin Garnett Story From Man to Dog: The Kevin Garnett Story
Journal Tribune    They're 'all just learning'
Mass Live    Celtics buzz: Glen 'Big Baby' Davis eyes return, Washington Wizards praise the Green and more
Springfield Armor beat Maine Red Claws in only tuneup before Friday's NBA D-League opener
Lakers Nation    Lakers #2 in the NBA in FG defense; other defensive stats
Green Street    Celtics-76′ers Preview
C’s want to see improvement starting now
Meet Marquis Daniels: Hockey Player
Tony Allen could return vs. Sixers
Danny Ainge on The Big Show
OSC    Governor Proclaims Maine Red Claws Day
Governor Proclaims Maine Red Claws Day
CNBC     NBA D-League On The Rise
FanHouse     Danny Ainge's '96-97 Suns Give Hope to Winless Nets
WEEI    Ainge: KG still 'not himself'
Examiner   9 Months after injury Garnett's health still in doubt.
The Hoop Doctors    Early Season MVP Candidates
American Chronicle   Red Claws get Walker from Celts to start season

Shelden Williams Making No Presumptions

tenaciousT — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:44:16 -0000

More photos » by Matt Slocum - AP

Shelden goes after the ball.

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The following post was written before the news of Glen Davis's early return was announced in the Steve Bulpett article. Doc Rivers comments are interesting and just a bit surprising to me. But at the same time, understandable.

Shelden Williams has done an excellent job in the time he has been given on the floor. Still, I'll stand by my piece. Davis brings a different dimension to the team than Williams. There is no doubt that Davis has the more creative game. The question is, is that what Doc Rivers wants and what the Celtics need?

Shelden's game has been a bit of a hybrid between Powe and Davis. Strong rebounding along with a shot blocking dimension to go with an emerging outside shot. And that is a good thing.

That they are on a par shooting,as Doc suggests should fuel the competition for minutes between them. I'm not quite in agreement with Doc on that aspect. But again, Davis has to prove it. Glen has demonstrated more range on his shot thus far.

Saying all that, here is the original piece discussing Shelden's mindset about how he views his own role before the recent comments from Doc. I'm sure he didn't expect the vote of confidence he received from the news.

(In addition, I had deleted a comment I made at the very end of the article about the possibility of using Davis and his base year comp salary and a few expiring contracts to pick up another piece during this season. Yes, base year comp players have been traded in the past. Perhaps that comment would have more validity if Williams becomes all that Doc Rivers wants. I've added that comment back as fuel for discussion.)

It wasn’t that long ago that many people thought that Shelden Williams might make Glen Davis, shall we say…less needed.

But that was way back when the Celtics opened the season with a few convincing wins and were 8-1. Since then they are in a 2-3 stumble. They are playing uneven and largely disappointing basketball, and they are appearing to do it in slow motion at times.

Yes, the 1988 Celtics come to mind. From that year forward, the big three were eventually worn down by less talented teams with their youth, depth, and athleticism. Bird, McHale, and Parish the thought.

I never expected that to happen to this team this season. Maybe it isn’t. But it sure looks like it.

All of a sudden Shelden Williams isn’t getting the playing time he was, maybe because he isn’t as effective as he was. It looks like there is room for Glen Davis after all.

The team needs a boost from somewhere. Youth, strength, energy, and athleticism. Glen Davis has all four.

Shelden Williams, the man who has benefited from Glen’s absence, has been aware that his time and opportunity has come at the expense of Glen Davis’ of court poor decision making and unfortunate injury. In some ways, it has all been a blessing, hopefully for both players.

Because of that, Shelden Williams has been the unexpected center of media attention many times in the locker room in this young season.

There have been times...if you saw the amount of media in front of his locker…that you thought it must one of the team stars standing there enthralling scribes with the whys and wherefores of the team’s most recent accomplishments and their own.

Instead, Sheldon Williams, former lottery pick, now Celtic veteran minimum pick up, was the player dealing with all the attention. Answering questions largely about his own solid play, his countenance has remained rather inscrutable in the course of these sessions. There is no sense of overt satisfaction nor allowing himself any real contentedness, in light of his continuing success.

Due to his overall NBA experience, has he become a bit jaded or at least skeptical of what his recent success actually means?

You never know what is going to happen. I got a chance and opportunity when someone else got hurt, you know, and for me to make the most of the minutes, I think I’ve done a pretty god job of doing that. So as of right now…what’s in front of me I can’t control.

Without referring to the future directly, he knows that some day Glen Davis will return ready to play.

Whenever that day does come, you know, it’s going to be up to them. It’s out of my control. I can only control things I can control.

The fall had been a hard one for the 26 year old former Duke star. He has gone from college star to the 5th overall draft pick, to traded twice, then obtaining just a minimum contract, albeit with a championship contending team.

Recently Williams played against his first team, the Atlanta Hawks.

In a sidenote, Joe Smith was another talented player who was unable to live up to where he was drafted. In his case, the pressure was enormous as the number one overall pick in 1995. He is now a Hawk.

An interesting post game exchange with Joe Smith, who had a good game against the Celtics, revealed the following…

Weren’t you supposed to be a Celtic?

(Laughing)

Aren’t you on the wrong team here?

(More chuckling)

Nah, they went another route. They went another route.

Did they actually make you an offer?

Umm…we talked a little bit this summer. And I think the Rasheed thing went down before anything got too serious.

And you weren’t going to come for the minimum.

Actually that’s what I’m on here.

So you could have been Sheldon Williams.

Pause (chuckling) Something like that, right?

But that never got further than talking?

Right.

So Mr. Smith Goes to Atlanta. The young Hawks needed some veteran experience. The older Celtics needed a shot of youth. While Joe Smith is a far more accomplished NBA player and has extensive playoff experience, it makes sense.

The Celtic need for youthful energy looks even more acute now.

Even in the second half of the recent halcyon days of 8-1, the Celtics weren’t looking that fearsome. A two point win against a weak Timberwolves team, followed by their first loss to the surprising Suns, then a warning sign 10 point win against the equally bad Nets, was followed by a deceptively unimpressive 19 point over the Jazz. Three troubling wins and a loss.

Add to that the last 5 games and Celtics seem far older, and far less energetic than anyone thought would be possible in the beginning of the season.

Shelden Williams’ minutes are taking a hit along the way.

Averaging 15 minutes a game, his minutes have dropped considerably in the last two games, to just 7 plus and 9 plus minutes. He did miss some assignments on the defensive end against the Knicks. He also had no rebounds, a turnover, and just 2 points in the 9 minutes. But that wasn't characteristic of his contributions this season.

Stats
While stats never tell the whole story, Williams has the highest rebound average per 36 minutes on the team at 10.9 and is 19th in the NBA per 48 minutes.

He is shooting a career high .535% with a career high in foul shooting at 85%, a career high in assists at 1.6 per 36 minutes.

Taller than either the departed Leon Powe or the injured Glen Davis, Williams seems to like contact in the middle. While he is still learning the defensive rotations, he is a space eater. I feel like I’m writing notes on his report card when I say…. Shelden has shown an occasional ability to hit the short jump shot.

He has an acceptable eFG inside of .577% and an on court/off court of +5.7 – good for 4th best on the team, though that stat has to be tempered by the fact that he is almost always on court against the other team’s second unit.

A bit undersized for inside play and not a great leaper, I haven’t really seen a ‘go to’ move from him around the hoop, but he manages to do pretty well anyway. On a team that has had a puzzling lack of rebounding, Williams gives them that skill.

Yet, his game is pretty vanilla and the Celtics need someone who can spark this team. Glen Davis has been disciplining his own game to play within certain team confines. But Davis is quicker, more mobile, and has a more creative game. Shelden has a steady predictability emerging in his play.

From diving into the stands or on the ground for loose balls, to stealing the ball from point guards, Davis can provide a spark that Williams can’t. Williams is fundamental and safe. Davis is creative and can stir up the game.

So, while the team was winning, Williams looked like a true competitor for Davis’ minutes. The energy shortage of late makes Davis’ return look far more important than before. Williams is well aware of the situation. Now Doc has given him an additional confidence booster with his recent comments.

He has played very well and no matter what his minutes are, he knows that this team is a good fit for him.

Umm…I think so. I’m playing in a structured style system…and everybody’s doing their roles and uh…issued their roles from day one so…they kind of like… play within themselves.

Expectations are lower here for you. Does that help you so you can do what you do best?

Yeah, pretty much, I mean…for me to just come in here and be me, I haven’t felt like this since I was back on Duke campus. So just come out here and play ball and be me…it’s a different feeling.

While Shelden won’t allow himself the luxury of thinking he has gained any real foothold to a meaningful role and predictable minutes, for the first time in the NBA he has a chance to show who he really is as a player with the support of his team. As he relates, that is a different feeling and one the Celtics are both the procreators and beneficiaries of.

With so many things finally going right for him, as the new guy, he knows he has things to work on.

Still getting acclimated and adjusted to everything that’s being thrown at me right now. Obviously, the other guys on the team you know, have been around and what to expect. They know how he wants things run and (how) he wants certain plays to happen and all that stuff. So…I think just me getting more comfortable with that…and knowing what…exactly what he wants me to do in certain situations are probably being the biggest things so far right now.

When Glen Davis comes back, Shelden knows he will be a fight for minutes. Doc has actually reversed that and now says that Davis will have to fight for minutes. It should be very interesting to see how it all plays out.

Davis knows the playbook, is ahead of the curve on the defensive schemes and can play both the power forward and center positions. To many, Davis' recent off court incident hasn't helped. Shelden Williams appears to be a low maintenance kind of player, and a quick learner.

In the mean time, Shelden Williams has raised eyebrows with his play, is feeling like he did in college and is making the most of his time for the benefit of the Celtics and himself.

Is Shelden’s career…. rebounding? That would be a double yes.

Final thought: Considering the current pace of Kevin Garnett's recovery, Rasheed Wallace's current inefficiencies, and the emerging game of Shelden Williams, would it be possible that Danny Ainge uses a healthy Davis and expiring contracts as a piece in trade for another player?

I said in the preseason that I thought DA would keep his eyes open for trades and I felt that this team could use another piece. There are enough differences between the two players to keep both. But are there enough similarities to shop for a different piece?

Bonus Link: via Hardwood Paroxysm "I’ll say it. I think Shelden Williams is a better player than Glen Davis."

Superlatives for This Season's Celtics

Greg Payne — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:08:17 -0000

More photos » by Brian Babineau - NBAE/Getty Images

Doc would get my vote.

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In light of the Celtics' recent struggles, I figured we could all use a light-hearted post so we can have a few laughs.

Superlatives are always fun, whether you are a freshman in high school, a soon-to-be-college graduate or a professional basketball player. Gathering up in a large group and waiting for your unofficial award which sometimes says nothing about you as a person whatsoever is like waiting for those 'Secret Santa' gifts back in pre-school. You weren't exactly sure what you were gonna get get, but no matter what, you were gonna get something.

This current Celtics squad is loaded with personalities, but with only eight awards up for grabs, the competition was fierce. Players, coaches and major management personnel qualified for the awards. So, without further ado:

Best Reality TV Star: Glen Davis: He's a used-to-be overweight, recently engaged, professional basketball playing Muay Thai kickboxer who also wants to play in the NFL. I bet if you break up all of the previous attributes into individual categories, you can find at least two reality shows based on each. The fact that you have all of them rolled into one? You'd get the drama with the tears, the action with the fights and the comedy because he's Glen Davis. Isn't this a TV executive's dream? Or better yet, a struggling TV exec waiting for his or her next big break? It'd be like one of those outrageous movie spoofs where they try to encompass thirty different movies into a 90-minute film.

The good news for Glen? Nothing he could do could top Lamar-Khloe, who will eventually win the seemingly inevitable ESPY Award for "Best Pro Athlete Reality Show".

Best President: Doc Rivers: He's a player's coach, meaning he'd be a people's president. His outgoing personality would be key for foreign relations, especially with some of the countries who aren't including the United States on their Christmas lists. But the good thing about Doc is just because he's a good guy doesn't mean he's a pushover. He's tenacious when he needs to be and the United States would not be bullied under his watch.

The best part of all of this? The first ever All-NBA Cabinet of course. Vice President: Larry Brown. Secretary of Defense: Tom Thibodeau. Secretary of the Treasury: Wyc Grousbeck. Secretary of State: Danny Ainge.

My all-time favorite example of Doc being ruthless when it counts: Whenever an opposing player suffers some freak injury and collapses in the paint while the ball is still in play. No one's ever really sure what to do, but everyone's really worried. The refs never stop play and the players never want to touch the guy. Again, everyone's really worried. Except Doc. The crowd is silent, the announcers are silent and all you can hear in the background is Doc on the sideline screaming, "THREE SECONDS!"

Best Family Guy Guest Appearance: Kevin Garnett: I can just picture it now. Chris Griffin is talking to one of his friends at school and says, "Man, this is almost as bad as that time Kevin Garnett made me want to quit little league." Then, we flash back to a sunny spring day and Chris is up at bat and Garnett's son is the pitcher. Garnett is the overly aggressive father/manager firing off an expletive-laced tirade at Chris: "Hey! Hey, tubby! Yeah, you tubby! You're a fat mother(expletive)! You can't hit (expletive)! Strike him out Tommy!"

(Here's the pitch)

"Oh yeah, strike three mother(expletive)! Get that weak (expletive) out of here! Yeah, Tommy! Anything is possiblllllllllllle!"

Seth MacFarlane, I await your call.

Best Late Night Talk Show Host Once His Career is Over: Brian Scalabrine: Come on, if a show actually came out called "Late Night with Brian Scalabrine", I'd watch it. Wouldn't you? Besides, it wouldn't receive the nod for "Worst idea for a late night television show" as long as Lopez Tonight was still on.

Most Likely to Have a Freak Athlete for a Kid: Shelden Williams. He and Candace Parker have to quietly be the most excited not-yet parents on this planet. If it's a girl, she'll be dunking by age ten, shatter Cheryl Miller's 105-point high school game as a seventh grader (they're definitely going to call her up), lead Pat Summit and the Tennessee Lady Vols to four-straight National Championships then skip the WNBA to become the first woman to be drafted by an NBA franchise. I'm thinking the Knicks will trade up to get her services that way they can call LeBron up and say, "Hey, we just drafted Cheryl Williams-Parker. Do you want in on this now?" Then, the messy divorce will take place once Cheryl eliminates LeBron from the dunk contest at All-Star weekend, which of course will be held...in Cleveland.

Most Likely to Win the World Series of Poker: Marquis Daniels. Is there any other player in the NBA who refuses to show emotion like Marquis? He always plays his hardest, but you'd never guess it because he honestly looks half asleep at all times. He wouldn't need the shades or the hat or the headphones. He's literally impossible to read, except for the fact that he always looks nonplussed, kind of like the little boy from "The Omen". He'd be tearing you down slowly, brick by brick and when you call him on a bluff he'd serve up a straight flush on you...

...And then continue to not smile even when the blocks of cash are pushed in front of him.

Most Likely to Go Out, Try to Find the Real Gino, and Bring Him Back to Boston: Rasheed Wallace. Rasheed apparently didn't understand the concept of Gino when he was first on display on the Garden jumbotron. I suppose we can't really blame him. How many teams are as infatuated with a former '70s dance idol like the Celtics are with the man with the mop of curly black hair? Kevin Garnett told Rasheed he'd understand Gino by the end of the year, but that just was not good enough for Rasheed. So, over the All-Star break, he will embark on an all-out manhunt to find the real Gino so he can bring him back to Boston in order to sing the national anthem.

Now, I don't want this to make Garnett jealous because Garnett's already been on a "Quest for G" once before, but we're pretty sure that one failed miserably. Heck, we're not even sure what Garnett and Derek Jeter were actually looking for. So, with all due respect to Garnett's campaign, I'm going to nullify it and call Rasheed's much more important venture, "The Real Quest for G"

Most Likely to Win Survivor: Rajon Rondo. He's just too competitive. He would do whatever it takes to win a game like that. Plus, he probably wouldn't have to eat a lot (this is where the big guys would suffer most), he's a physical freak so he'd have a leg up in all the challenges (which he would win and subsequently not go off the deep end like the rest of his teammates) and he probably wouldn't hesitate to stab anyone in the back, as long as he benefited from it.

He and tribe-mate Kendrick Perkins would form a nearly unstoppable alliance, only to see it broken apart by Rondo himself who votes Perk off in episode six. When it's revealed that Rondo voted for Perk, Perk busts out the "I didn't foul that guy!" face, followed by Jeff Probst asking, "Rondo, do you think your tribe likes living with you?"

Sesame Street Celtics

Jeff Clark — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:02:35 -0000

A colorful cast of characters indeed.

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Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street (and also my daughter's first birthday). So I thought I'd honor the occasion with a fun post comparing current players to Sesame St. characters.

Big Bird - Paul Pierce: He's the leader and face of the show but he doesn't always have to be in charge. Sometimes indecisive but always bold and confident. (Note: I'm sticking with current C's, so Larry gets only a respectful nod here)

Snuffaluffagus - Kendrick Perkins: Obviously he's big as a tank and moves about like one sometimes. He can be intimidating but when you get to know him you see his softer side. He's also invisible to everyone but Big Bird, which speaks to Perk's just-now-growing reputation around the league (his teammates have known how good he is for years).

Grover - Kevin Garnett: He's always hyper, always talking, to the point where you can't even understand his ramblings. And when he gets real worked up, he runs around waving his long arms around yelling at everyone in sight. Basically a PG version of KG.

Oscar the Grouch - Rasheed Wallace: Goes without saying. He really likes his reputation of being mean and nasty but deep down you just know he's got a heart of gold.

The Count - Ray Allen: He's smooth, he's friendly, but there's just a hint of danger behind those eyes. And you can just picture him counting in his head "one, two, three, four, five 3-pointers! ah ah ahhhhhhh"

Cookie Monster - Glen Davis: Both love to eat (obviously) and both are kind of excitable at times but they always bring out a smile in everyone around them.

Elmo - Rajon Rondo: He's the new kid on the block but he's quickly taken the world by storm.

Bert & Ernie: Marquis Daniels & Eddie House: They are a duo now that Doc has paired them up in the backup PG & point forward roles. Daniels is more laid back while Eddie is more mischievous and gets everyone hyped up when he gets going.

Herry Monster - Shelden Williams: He's a minor character, but when he comes in, he does his job well. Also, he's a big monster but you can tell he's soft and cuddly.

Telly Monster - Brian Scalabrine: He's a big, kind hearted redhead that sometimes deals with insecurities but everyone loves him and tries to encourage him.

Gordon and Susan - Danny and Doc: They are the adult humans who let the kids (and monsters) be who they are without getting in the way, but they provide gentle instruction and guidance along the way. (hey, that rhymed)

Hope you have a sunny day today. Hug someone you love.

And a big thank you to all the vets who served this country - happy Veterans Day.

Daily Links 11/9

FLCeltsFan — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:38:16 -0000

Herald Celtics team unimpressed by 7-1 start
Ben Wallace powers Pistons over 76ers
Globe Thunder too tough for Magic
Some deep thoughts on shot
SouthCoast Today Free Throws: Celtics tired, but at the top eight games in

CelticsBlog    Bill Walker Will Return Soon
Shelden Williams: Solid Paint Work
Telegram   Phoenix proving to be better off without Shaq
Celtics 17   Celtics-Nets: Where The Ugly Meets the Beast Happens
Red's Army    The Bigger Fool: Allen Iverson or Grizzlies Owner?
Your Morning Dump... where the Celtics are unimpressed with themselves
Celtics Hub Leftover Thoughts from Dirty Jersey
A Note on Iverson and a Sunday Notebook
Point: A Solid Season for Shelden
CT News     Pacific Divison Previews 2009-10
Lex Nihil Novi   C's Down Bullets, Post 4th Straight Win (1983)
Cornbread Helps C's to 4-1 Start (1983)
The Berlin Wall 20 Years On
CelticsLife    CDR H1N1
NBA News: Bench? We Talking About The Bench?
Gino's Jungle   Rondo Has Too Many Homeruns
Celtics Stuff Live   Celtics Stuff Live 11/8
Last Call Green Eighteen
Green Street    Celtics to play with the animals
Blaze of Love   Celtics Dancers - Making Kilts Even Naughtier
HoopsAddict   Exclusive Interview with Jermaine O’Neal
Double Dribble    Draft Do-overs
Inside Hoops    NBA RUMORS: MONDAY, NOV. 9
Nets Daily    Rivers, Jordan Think Frank Deserves a Break
Nets Give Celtics a Scare, but Fall Short Once Again
Dimemag    Superman meets Lex Luger
NY Post   LeBron will have better options than Knicks
Wages of Wins Journal    More on the Best Starting Line-Ups
Fan Huddle    A Boston Celtic Story: The Measure of the Green
Eight Games in 12 Days, A Coach, and his Team’s Quest for Growth
Wicked Local    Courtside View: Celtics have time to get acquainted
Paul Pierce.net Truth, Celtics Off to Great Start
Cleveland.com   The secret to coaching NBA superstars? They've got to put winning (and team) first
Examiner    Nets' effort not in question after loss [Audio included]
PBN   Ten years later, top of 1999 draft looks very strong
ESPN   Answers few and far between on Allen Iverson's future in Memphis
NESN    'Mean' Kendrick Perkins Fires Up Suns' Amare Stoudemire

Shelden Williams: Solid Paint Work

Jeff Clark — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:55:58 -0000

Solid Paint Work

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I have been meaning to write an article about Shelden Williams for a while now, but never found the time. So seeing that Brendan Jackson of CelticsHub wrote one, I'll just quote him instead.

One thing is indisputable: Shelden Williams is by far and away exceeding expectations. Through eight games, he has made the most of his time replacing Big Baby Davis off the bench by averaging 16.1 minutes, 6.9 points, 5.1 boards.

To give another perspective, through seventy games last year, Leon Powe's numbers were 17.5 minutes, 7.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, very comparable to the production we're seeing from Williams this season. Here's the catch though. Remember when I mentioned "expectations" earlier? Williams was brought in with the hope that he'd at least be a little better than Patrick O'Bryant, and needless to say, the Celtics are getting a far more quality player.

It is all a matter of perspective. If you think about Shelden as a lottery pick, he seems like an underachiever. If you think of him as a busted lottery pick like POB, then he's actually been a very pleasant surprise. When you consider that he's a replacement on the roster for Leon Powe, you can see that statistically, thus far, he's filled that role. Now that's a tricky/sensitive topic when you are talking about such a sentimental fan favorite like Leon, but you can't argue with results.

It will be interesting to see how his role will change once Big Baby comes back from injury. Like Baby did last year, Shelden has made the most of his opportunity. It is nice to know that we'll have that kind of depth off the bench - a luxury that we didn't have last year.

Boston's Bench Buries Philly in Fourth

Greg Payne — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:20:46 -0000

More photos » by Matt Slocum - AP

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The Celtics improved their undefeated record to 5-0 by knocking off the Philadelphia 76ers, 105-74, Tuesday night. Paul Pierce finished with 21 points, but as has been the case in multiple instances this season, he, along with Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins did not need to break a sweat in the fourth quarter.

The Celtics' starters scored just four points in the game's first six minutes, but the bench helped them build a 69-54 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Doc Rivers went with what has become a typical second unit of Rasheed Wallace, Eddie House, Marquis Daniels, Shelden Williams and Ray Allen to start the fourth and that contingent cooked the fish that the other starters helped reel in for them.

"In the third quarter the starters came out and played and then the second unit came back in and stretched the lead," said Rivers afterward.

Allen finally was replaced in the fourth quarter by Lester Hudson with 6:50 remaining in the frame and the score, 85-58. Not many benches in the NBA are capable of taking a 15-point lead and and transforming it into a 27-point mountain that opponents have absolutely no chance of scaling. Boston's second five outscored Philly 16-4 in this stretch, which speaks volumes of its offensive capabilities, as well as its defensive potential. The bench finished with a season-high 62 points on the night.

Granted, Wallace was ridiculous from three-point nation in this one, knocking down six of his eight attempts in his Philadelphia homecoming (he finished with a season-high 20 points). But this really served as the first game this season in which the bench personally finished off an opponent, which was a great sign.

The two other legitimate blowouts this season occurred against the Charlotte Bobcats last Wednesday and against the Chicago Bulls last Friday. In both those contests the bench had significant contributions (30 bench points against Charlotte and 49 bench points against Chicago), but the games themselves were basically over when the fourth quarter began.

Against Charlotte Boston held a 67-41 advantage going into the final period and against Chicago, the Celtics led 88-61 after three quarters. Sure, it was the bench's responsibility to maintain those large leads, but there wasn't much of a comeback threat in either of those contests.

But against Philly, a 15-point lead with 12 minutes left against a team that put up 141 points in its previous game is not exactly safe, no matter how poorly it might have been shooting throughout the course of the game. If Philly had rattled off five or six straight points (and we saw evidence of such runs by the Sixers midway through the third) Doc Rivers might have been forced to re-insert Pierce and co. just to make sure the job got done.

Not in this one, though. Wallace kicked things off with a three with 10:14 left in the fourth, putting Boston up 75-56. Less than three minutes later, House buried one three-pointer with 7:55 to go, good for an 82-58 lead, then followed it up with another trey 31 seconds later, putting Boston ahead 85-58.

The Wallace-House combination is truly lethal, as three-pointers can act as daggers to the guts of opponents or as helpful means of clawing one's way back into a contest. In the majority of the first five games, this three-point barraging duo have helped put the Celtics ahead and kept them there.

But they certainly do not deserve all the credit for the second unit's success. Marquis Daniels finished with only six points, but it was the other things he did on the court that impressed Rivers.

"(Daniels) doesn't get a lot of the baskets, but he leads to all the baskets. He does so many little things for our basketball team," said Rivers. "He's a phenomenal defender, he's our point guard out there with that group and I just thought he went through a stretch - where Eddie and Rasheed got those threes - I thought Marquis orchestrated the whole thing. His basketball I.Q. jumps off (the page)."

One cannot count out Shelden Williams in this matter either, who continues to put up solid numbers in Glen Davis' absence. Williams finished with 11 points and seven rebounds in this one, highlighted by a one handed offensive snare and putback with 8:38 left in the fourth, good for a 79-58 lead.

Rivers acknowledged Williams' continued improvement in the Celtics' system, citing his comfort 12-13 feet away from the hoop and his rolling to the basket off of pick-and-rolls when Wallace is in the lineup with him. Rivers also highlighted Williams' rebounding ability.

"The one thing he does, too, is rebound," Rivers said emphatically. "That dude can rebound."

Rivers has been steadfast in his wanting to see the team improve with each win and admitted that even though the Celtics took down Chris Paul and the Hornets on Sunday, the improvement wasn't necessarily there. It seems the bench was the aspect of the team that improved most in the Celtics' victory over the Sixers on Tuesday.