Official NBA thread

[BoSox34]

Great game tonight, I was really impressed with Big Al, Tony, and Rondo. Kandi looked good too but hopefully we don't make him Mark Blount Version 2. I'm looking forward to this season and this team is definitely the deepest Celtics team I have seen in years. Also, Gerald Green tore it up and hopefully he can really evolve this season.

[See Red]

The Nuggets are excercising their option on Karl.

 

Personally, I don't care. As it stands now, I care only about how 'Melo does this year. This teams inability to recognize their need for a shooter and go out and get one is a huge turnoff. The incompetence of this front office is astounding -- even without Kiki.

[Manny Goes Boom]

NBA talk is back! Finally. I'm EXTREMELY excited for the season to start. I plan on going to more games than I did last year, which includes Opening Night. I'm cautiously optimistic with Amare Stoudemire, but the local news media makes it hard not to get discouraged. We have a fun group and this season should be amazing. It's been a long off-season...and we needed hoops back.

[YanksHater213]

What's been up with Amare? I heard he's been dogging it during camp and putting minimal effort in.

[Moose]

NBA talk is back! Finally. I'm EXTREMELY excited for the season to start. I plan on going to more games than I did last year' date=' which includes Opening Night. I'm cautiously optimistic with Amare Stoudemire, but the local news media makes it hard not to get discouraged. We have a fun group and this season should be amazing. It's been a long off-season...and we needed hoops back. [/quote']

 

Dude, no offense. But when I went to the Suns site, I found the intro hilarious. It was "Say what you want about the Suns: Undersized, Too many 3's, No Defense. That's part of our plan." That alone takes a shot of its own team. They're pretty much admitting you guys don't play defense. Raja should be offended by that. He's an underrated defensive stopper.

[Soxfan1]

Nice buzzer beater tonight.

[YanksHater213]

Pardon soxfan's ignorance. He thinks everyone watches all Celtics preseason games, when actually only I do. The Celtics, if they pull out in OT, have a real gritty win on their hands. They played subpar but fought all game. Rondo his a great three ball to force OT. Oh well, looks like they won't pull it out, I didn't think they would. 37 turnovers, that's ridiculous. What matters is they fought hard and almost pulled it out.

[BoSox34]

Great effort tonight by the C's. Rajon Rondo has really impressed me so far, 29 points including a great three to end the 4th...and the experts said he can't shoot . Watching Brian Scalabrine is like watching a fat kid swimming in a fishbowl, his airball was disgusting and Doc looked like he was gona tear his head off. Also, I was impressed with Pierce as usual, and Telfair played a good game as well. Allan Ray was very cold in the second half and didn't help his cause for a roster spot. He has one move...dribbble, upfake, shot. Gerald Green continues to improve as well. We haven't even had D. West (who I'm meeting tomorrow) and Wally the past two days and we still won one and brought one to OT.

[BoSox34]

Rajon Rondo 2nd tommy award in a row...and rightfully so.

[Manny Goes Boom]

What's been up with Amare? I heard he's been dogging it during camp and putting minimal effort in.

 

He hasn't been dogging it. He's been feeling pain in both knees again, taking it easy so he doesnt get hurt again. There was a report out that he could miss 2-3 MORE months. And that report could still have some steam to it, but I think that idea is dying. Anyway, nah he's not dogging it. He's being careful, and I don't blame him OR the coaches for telling him to.

[See Red]

He hasn't been dogging it. He's been feeling pain in both knees again' date=' taking it easy so he doesnt get hurt again. There was a report out that he could miss 2-3 MORE months. And that report could still have some steam to it, but I think that idea is dying. Anyway, nah he's not dogging it. He's being careful, and I don't blame him OR the coaches for telling him to.[/quote']

 

Isn't this the same injury that Penny Hardaway suffered?

 

If I'm a Phoenix fan, I'm worrying about this for more than just the short term.

[Manny Goes Boom]

Isn't this the same injury that Penny Hardaway suffered?

 

If I'm a Phoenix fan, I'm worrying about this for more than just the short term.

 

Yes <_ unfortunately...that the growing feeling around here. everyone excited and hoping that him having problems is over with but we being optimistic. if he indeed it quite sad dissapointing because to see what would have been able accomplish a few years later into his career something see.>

 

Even on that note though, I am very excited for the season to start.

[Beckett95]

i like the look of the C's lineup this year, and now they have any even deeper bench than ever

 

PG--Rondo, if he keeps it up

SG--Pierce

SF--Wally, although i think his job might be under fire

PF--Gomes

C--Perkins

 

PG--Telfair

SG--Allen

SF--Green

PF--Al

C--Ratliff

 

11th--Ray

12th--Scalabrine/Kandi

 

Powe, Pittsnogle and Akingbala dont seem to fit on this team as of now

[BoSox34]

i like the look of the C's lineup this year, and now they have any even deeper bench than ever

 

PG--Rondo, if he keeps it up

SG--Pierce

SF--Wally, although i think his job might be under fire

PF--Gomes

C--Perkins

 

PG--Telfair

SG--Allen

SF--Green

PF--Al

C--Ratliff

 

11th--Ray

12th--Scalabrine/Kandi

 

Powe, Pittsnogle and Akingbala dont seem to fit on this team as of now

 

Don't forget about one of our best players last season, Delonte West. By the way, he's the man if you ever meet him in person.

[Cocos Disciples]

Telfair should start and West as a 6th man.

[BoSox34]

Telfair should start and West as a 6th man.

 

If Rondo keeps this up, there will be some legitimate competition for the starting PG spot.

[YanksHater213]

PG- Rondo

SG- Delonte

SF- Pierce

PF- Gomes

C- Perkins

 

6- Szczerbiak

7- Telfair

8- Allen

9- Jefferson

10- Ratliff

11- Green

12- Ray

 

That's my ideal lineup. I like it. Rondo and West compliment each other. Other plusses include the great playmaker in Telfair off the bench, a great shooter in Wally off the bench, great defense in Ratliff and Allen, and a solid post presence in Al.

 

I'd love to see this lineup..

[god is a redsox FAN]

NBA post-season already??? The off-season is over already........ wtf is going on here. o well..... GO LAKERS!!

[Manny Goes Boom]

I have a question for all Celtics followers. Why do you all have Rondo as the starting point over Delonte and Telfair? I think that's absurd, pre-season basketball isn't the same as the regular season, I personally wouldn't want to see a rookie starting (with rare exceptions) especially when you have established guys at thta position with West and Telfair. Your thoughts.

 

And I don't watch the Celtics at all so I could be missing something.

[YanksHater213]

Well, you're right, it is just pre-season. But that line-up I posted, he would be starting so that the 2nd unit would have a lot of fire power too. He's obviously a very good player, not starting calibur though. But, Telfair has looked really good so I'm expecting him to end up as a starter at this point.

[CrespoBlows]

Rondo was a ball hog at Kentucky. Is he looking like a new age Kobe Bryant in the preseason?

[BoSox34]

WOW...what a comeback...23 point deficit and the C's came back to win by 4. Leon Powe: 11 Points, 15 rebounds. Great comeback.

[guapo34]

Rondo has 30 assits to just 5 turnovers in the pre-season. I'd start him. If he slows down in the regular season it'll be an easy switch to Telfair. They both get the nod over West because they are pure point guards who are better at getting their teamates involved. West will play the 2 if hes healthy when both wally and pierce sit, that should be good for 20 minutes, maybe with 8 minutes of both telfair and rondo together.

 

Jefferson looks mediocore still. He shoots at a high % but mainly when his teamates get him easy shots. Alot of the time they go into him when hes calling for the ball he tries some low post moves that don't work, he kicks it out, gets it back in bad position again, does nothing, passes to a teamate at the end of the shot clock, and the teamate has to take a tough shot cuz he can't get a good shot off. I see the 4 as this teams biggest weakness.

[YanksHater213]

Rondo has 30 assits to just 5 turnovers in the pre-season. I'd start him. If he slows down in the regular season it'll be an easy switch to Telfair. They both get the nod over West because they are pure point guards who are better at getting their teamates involved. West will play the 2 if hes healthy when both wally and pierce sit, that should be good for 20 minutes, maybe with 8 minutes of both telfair and rondo together.

 

 

Ugh, you're on the Rondo wagon too? Yes, Rondo has looked EXCELLENT so far and has played better than great. But you're underestimating how well Telfair has played too. I won't really get into it now, but Rondo should not be starting at the beginning of the season.

[god is a redsox FAN]

Rondo is a wizard with the ball. For a guy his size, he has huge hands, which allows him to play God with the ball. At UK he holds the record for most Assists as a freshmen. He was close to getting the steal record to, because he has an easy time stealing the ball. Celtics are lucky to have a guy like Rondo playing. He is a pure athlete.

[guapo34]

Ugh' date=' you're on the Rondo wagon too? Yes, Rondo has looked EXCELLENT so far and has played better than great. But you're underestimating how well Telfair has played too. I won't really get into it now, but Rondo should not be starting at the beginning of the season.[/quote']

 

Chad Ford is high on Rondo too:

 

I was very high on him all year, but I'm a little surprised at how quickly he's asserted himself. I think Rondo starting should be a no-brainer for Doc Rivers. While both he and Telfair are super quick and can get to the basket, Rondo makes fewer mistakes with the basketball and is a MUCH better defender. Those two issues, defense and turnovers, are usually what keep rookies from starting. In this case, Rondo's superior. Add in his rebounding and I don't see how you can't start him. Yes, Telfair has two more years of experience in the league ... but I think the proof is in what you're seeing on the court. Telfair isn't bad, but Rondo's been really, really good.

 

Whoever plays more is probably only going to play 5 more minutes so I don't see it as something worth debating anyway. As the season goes on it should become obvious who is better but Rondo definately gives you some things Telfair doesn't. Telfair is the better scorer right now though.

[Cityofchampions33]

Rondo's bag: Don't gurad him too tight because he can't shoot

[YanksHater213]

guapo34: Chad Ford is an idiot. I take everything he says wit ha grain of salt.

[See Red]

guapo34: Chad Ford is an idiot. I take everything he says wit ha grain of salt.

 

Agreed.

 

Personally, I think Telfair gives the Celtics a better chance to win basketball games. Then again, I haven't gotten to see the Celtics play in the preseason.

[guapo34]

guapo34: Chad Ford is an idiot. I take everything he says wit ha grain of salt.

 

fair enough, but he is one guy that writes about this stuff that agrees with me. I still don't see either one getting significantly more minutes than the other and I think it'll be evident by mid-season which one is better, or if there isn't much seperation between the two.