Re: Brown's playing time

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe, you crack me up. While the rest of us ask if the glass is half-empty or
half-full, you notice the beautiful glass. You really are an optimist, and I
think it's great. Really.

But I'm reading this, and I'm thinking, "OK, the shooting guard we drafted
with the 11th pick in the first round almost two years ago still can't
shoot, but finally, almost two years later, we think, maybe, he can
dribble."

Meanwhile, in that same game, Jeryl Sasser, who the Magic and Doc Rivers
admit was a mistake pick in that same draft (although taken some 10 picks
later than Kedrick), lights up the Celts for 26 points and 10 rebounds. Will
Sasser ever do it again? Maybe not. But the opportunity was there and he
proved he at least is capable. He DID IT. Kedrick has had his opportunity,
and seems to have played himself further out of the rotation.

There comes a point where you have to do it. No more "Well, he showed he can
make an 18-footer off the dribble today... " or "He showed he can dribble a
little..." Maybe, just maybe, I could have bought the "he never got a
chance" argument (although I thought it was pretty flimsy when it was
obvious the Celtics were BEGGING him to give them a reason to play him), but
now he's had his chance-with Antoine out and lots of shots available-and he
still isn't doing it.

I know, I know... he can jump and play defense and rebound. And if he were a
center or power forward, that might be enough. He's a shooting guard. He has
to be able to shoot. And dribble. And pass. They're part of the job
description. If Kedrick were a secretary, he'd be good at making coffee, but
unable to type. The former is a nice bonus; the latter is an absolute
necessity.

As for Baker... It was just a matter of time before Grant Long started
taking his minutes. It's completely justified, by the way. He brings more to
the table and is a much better fit than Baker. Think about that.

Quickies... Pierce has been great... In all honesty, Bremer probably is just
finding his natural level. I still like him, but there was no way we could
expect him to continue to play the way he was last week. Still, he's a great
find as an undrafted rookie... Walter's value has really shown this
season-Antoine hurt, Walter steps in. Battie hurt, Walter steps in. Kedrick
flops, Walter steps in. He's a great guy to have around. Kind of like a
four-way screwdriver.

Mark

--- --- ---

Joe H. wrote:

Kedrick's 3-point shooting mechanics still look scary. I 
don't think anyone on the team is surprised that they 
airball. I don't know what to believe in the papers. Can 
this guy shoot straight?

But at least he was at ease dribbling the ball against 
Orlando. That was the first time I've seen that. He did a 
defensive rebound and coast-to-coast runner that went in. 
Let's face it, who would have expected an Antoine/Magic 
move like that out of him?

Kedrick went directly to his dribble on two other 
occasions at least, including running out the last 
seconds of the game. Nothing great but I was starting to 
worry about any dribbling aptitude whatsoever, so I'll 
take that as a hopeful sign.

This was still not a productive weekend offensively for 
the Celtics' Wallflower Boy. He didn't see the ball much 
and missed his open standstill shots. 

One of these games he'll put all the skills together 
(rebounding, dribbling and his alleged shooting). The 
fact that he is finally dribbling the ball without self-
consciousness is the basis of all good things, if it can 
continue.

The big issue is who did the least in their audition 
opportunity replacing Antoine's minutes? Delk is sure to 
return soon too, adding to the numbers crunch.

Kedrick could get voted off the island, because of how 
Walt played (well). Kedrick wasn't one of the better role 
players this weekend.

But Baker played even worse, while Grant Long did some 
amazing things in only his third game back (touch pass, 
up fake, solid rebounding).

I think both kind of blew their playing time auditions 
this weekend. Bremer also came down to earth a bit.

One thing I barely noticed at all this weekend was boxing 
out. The Celtics should box out on 3-point attempts no 
matter how far away from the hoop, instead of running to 
the basket. We wouldn't have lost so many long boards if 
people had stayed put and near their man.

Offensive rebounding kept two opponents close that had no 
business being within 10 points of Boston, the way they 
were shooting. Boston arguably played against the two 
worst starting lineups (because of roster depletion) that 
they've faced all season long. They might not have won 
had Pierce not been the best player in the NBA over the 
past week.