Re: Truth34's post

["Dan Forant" <dforant1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Maybe  better than a present Kenny Anderson at this point?

DanF

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Josh Ozersky" <jozersky1@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "celtics list" <celtics@xxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 9:58 AM
Subject: Truth34's post


> Here it is.  What gives, Paul?  Why can't we link stuff?
>
> Josh
>
>
>
> I just got to my computer so I havnt been able to catch up on whats been
> posted already. Heres my take from being there.
>
> Banks- very impressive. He is incredibly quick. The very first play he
burnt
> James for a layup and instantly the crowd loved him. Extreme confidence
and
> aggressiveness, almost to a fault. He could get by his man at will, but
tried
> to finish over bigger guys too much and got his shot blocked a few times,
> although he is very capable of spectacular acrobatic finishes. Outstanding
> handle. Had a few great passes inside. Seems to have great court vision.
> Pushes the ball well, as advertised, and also does a very good job of
making
> the long passes for dunks and layups. His jumper wasn't there today, but
he
> could get it off at will, and it seemed pretty soft. Didnt take any
> threes...Defensively, Banks is unreal. Extremely quick feet and very
pesky,
> aggressively poking at the ball at all times. D-ed up Lebron very well,
forced
> him to shoot an airball early. Lebron did most of his scoring against
Kedrick
> and Bremer from what I recall.
>
> Bremer- Was dominant shooting the ball and taking it to the basket. Also
had a
> few nice passes. We've seen this from JR: when his shot is on he can put
up
> points.
>
> Kedrick- Nothing new or overly encouraging from Kedrick. He was impressive
> athleticaly as usual pulling down huge rebounds and running the break for
nice
> finishes. Didn't shut down Lebron like I was hoping he would. Didn't look
very
> comfortable shooting from the perimeter and didn't look to take it to the
> basket or post up.
>
> Perkins- For a highschooler's first pro game, I thought he did well.
Didn't
> look overmatched guarding Boozer or Diop at all. Had a nice hook shot but
> didn't really get many touches down low. Perkins looks like he could still
> lose another 20-25 lbs. He is not explosive in the paint but he does seem
> comfoortable down there. Looks a little awkward like he hasnt grown into
his
> body yet.
>
> Hunter-Very tenacious. Pretty quick off the dribble (against other PF's).
> Showed good rebounding and strength. I think he may be too undersized to
be
> anything more than a Darvin Ham-like roleplayer.
>
> LeBron-Didn't really dominate the game like I expected. Started off slow
but
> found a rythm and hit some tough shots and made some nice moves to the
basket.
> Had a real nice baseline dunk. Another time he beat Kedrick off the
dribble
> for a layup and-1. Seemed ineffective when guarded by Banks. Showed good
> shotblocking skills but his quickness on defense wasn't great.
>
> Random thoughts/observations-
>
> Saw Ainge, Wallace, and Obie in person real close which was cool.
>
> Walter was there being nice and shaking everyones hand and hugging all the
> girls. Some guy yelled out "re-sign Walter!!!" and everyone started
chearing
> which was cool.
>
> Banks is easily my second favorite Celtic now. He has such a swagger to
him
> and the crowd LOVED him. He may be over-aggressive, but I can't wait to
seee
> him on the court with Paul and Toine. Banks is fearless going to the
basket
> ...
> Ford vs. Banks should be awsome. I want to see who looks bigger in person.
> Banks seemed pretty short today easily 2 inches or so shorter than JR, but
it
> didnt really matter because he is so quick and athletic on defense. He
> bothered one Of Lebron's jumpers so much that he cause an airball and
Lebron
> has 7 inches on banks. And it wasnt just a bad shot, Banks almopst got a
piece
> of the shot.