Defense, defensive rebounds for transition time, second chance points on offense, trust each other; see who has the hot hand, then enjoy the results.

 

Beautiful morning and afternoon here in So Cal.  I put on my Irish tie with the harp.  Green, of course.  The above has been said by many and more eloquently.  Had to say it anyway as a positive gesture.  Thinking of our veterans, of course, while adding good parallel vibes from Hondo to Rondo, Russell to K.G., the Jones boys to Rondo, Allen, and Robinson, and Don Nelson to Scals (hope he gets in and contributes).

More exciting for me than two years ago.  Shaping up to be a great series similar to the 60s, 70s, and 80s.  Instead of Bill Russell, the Jones tandem and Frank Ramsey; instead of Hondo, et. al., we have K.G., Paul Pierce, and Rondo facing off Kobe and company.  Thank God, no Jerry West.  Always liked West.  I'm near the beach, a bit away from Staples, but I'll be heard.  Go Celtics!

Hate to see Brian Scalabrine sitting in his civies on the sideline.  Still, he's involved, never looking away, rising up to encourage and celebrate his team mates.  He's a team player.  Most of our guys are, I believe.  I realize it's not enough just to be a "team player."  You've got to fit the schemes and strategies established by the coach.  His credentials IMHO:  Scals has abundant playoff experience, works tirelessly as a defender, and shoots well from the outside (when allowed to establish game rhythm).  Love to see him in green.  Believe he'd provide a lift.  Red and Green go well together.

via farm4.static.flickr.com

 

 

 

 

via www.uqam.ca

Frank Ramsey, late 50s Boston Celtics  guard who perfected the 6th man role and helped the Celtics to 7 NBA championships.  (That's what you call bench strength).

 

What strikes me most during any championship run, particularly those of the Celtics, is the quality of the bench.  This aspect first struck me as a young fan watching Frank Ramsey, perhaps the first great 6th man and the man who defined the term.  I'm looking to Scalabrine et. al. to provide relief in May and June. 

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Very disappointed to see Gabe Pruitt leave the Celtics.  IMO, Pruitt lacked proper cultivation, someone to believe in him, bring him along.  It doesn't always happen.  I've followed Pruitt since he was in high school.  He is a winner.  If cultivated and brought along, he will produce for that person/team.  He never had the opportunity to gain confidence, establish game rhythm IMHO.  All he requires is a coach and system to believe in him.  He didn't get it with the team I love.

Doc and Danny did what they felt best.  l have to trust them.  I'm just weighing in my personal conviction.  In the end, I'll remain a Pruitt man and all best to Gabe with the Knicks, but  I'm a Celtic fan to the core.

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I'm hopeful the Celtics give Pruitt a good, hard look.  He's ready to benefit the team in what will prove to be a typically hard road down the stretch.  Fresh legs, understands the system, came through in summer.  Next year shaping up to be very interesting.  Go Celtics!

"Gabe Pruitt got his important offseason off to a productive start this week in Orlando, averaging 10.2 points and 4.8 assists for the Celtics' summer league team."  (From "Summer League Wrap up")

 

via www.sportsnet.ca

via www.latimes.com

 

In the Los Angeles Times' Special Section "NBA Champs," a photo showed fans separated by what appeared to be a medieval, concrete moat with police motorcycles streaming past.  The whole scene reminds of times past when the king would pacify and distract the Common Man with a yearly gift.  Where were the Hollywood Stars, the ones with the floor level seats?  Certainly not out there among the Hoi Polloi. 

Later, thousands of screaming fans in the Los Angeles Coliseum were separated from their  distant, comfortable heroes by a security force and well-set apart stage.  A television commentator oddly said of these fans, "Isn't it great...just to think that most of these people will never even see a game (in Staples Center)." 

I have always believed that the Celtics and its fans enjoy a closer, less fanciful relationship than the Lakers to its fans.  At least that's how it began for me in the late 1950s when I established my fan loyalty to the Celtics--long before the Lakers arrived in Los Angeles.  Truly, many of us enjoy a vicarious relationship while never getting to a game.  I am certainly among them for geographic reasons.  However, if I ever get to a victory parade in Boston, I'm hopeful it wouldn't mirror that described above.  I like my parades unmedieval.

Assists around the league 15 April (not comprehensive) ranked by made assists per minute:

Earl Watson 14 assists in 29 minutes (every 2.07 minutes)

Chalmers 10 assists in 21 minutes  (every 2.1 minutes)

Paul 14 assists in 47 minutes  (assist every 3.36 minutes)

Pruitt

Gabe had six assists in 21 minutes  (every 3.5 minutes)  (Gabe also added 3 steals)

Nash 10 assists in 36 minutes  (every 3.6 minutes)

Marbury

Stephon had 8 assists in 39 minutes  (every 4.9 minutes)

Szczerbiak, 8 assistes in 43 minutes  (every 5.4 minutes)

 

Watson and Chalmers enjoyed excellent production, but Watson was playing the Clippers, while Chalmers helped Miami past Detroit in overtime.  Paul's team lost to the Spurs in overtime.  I like it that the Celtics enjoyed solid production from two players. 

Question:  Do assists come with greater difficulty the fewer the minutes played?

Be well, Danny!

 

 

 

 

 

 

via media.scout.com

Though late, I'd like to add:  Pruitt is a good man.   He made a youthful mistake and let's move on.  I saw him play ball locally and wish for him more playing time.  This guy is clutch, smooth and cool when the situation demands.  For me, he's a Celtic.  Just hopeful Doc Rivers is cultivating him, not vegetating him.  In 2008-2009, O.J. Mayo passed Gabe Pruitt as the most prolific freshman long-range shooter in USC history.  Took O.J. Mayo to accomplish it.  I see Pruitt as a Frank Ramsey type of sixth man, modern style.  [Yes, I saw Frank Ramsey play in person.  Note by socal celt, 03/04/09 6:15 PM PST ]
As with most young players, Pruitt needs sufficient time to become established, get NBA game rhythm.  In any case, I'm glad for the New Acquisition who will prove a solid role player when June roles around.  One hopes.