Re: A couple thoughts on Raef

["Dan Forant" <dforant1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Another player that never brought the ball down after rebounding? Kevin
McHale....I taught my grandson that little trick in his grammar school
team....excellent results.....the coach never heard of it...

DanF

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Tammo29@xxxxxxx>
To: <celtics@xxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 11:01 PM
Subject: A couple thoughts on Raef


> While watching this game I was reminded that Eric and Raef were both in
> Denver together.
> I don't think they ever played, but they did become very good friends
since
> they were both rehabbing from ACL injuries at the time.  I had forgotten
all
> about that.
>
> One thing that Tommy pointed out and I forgot to talk about, Raef never
ever
> brings the ball down near the basket. Ever. If it's an offensive rebound
it's
> right back up.  If it's a defensive rebound it's held high and outletted.
This
> was one of the things that commentators always mentioned when he was in
> college, and is a great fundamental attribute for a big man.
> Another fundamental you will notice is that when the man he is guarding
sets
> a pick, he is always there for the hedge or the switch.  This is something
> both Blount and Battie could learn from, and it may not be obvious to the
casual
> fan.
> Tommy also mentioned he had great hands.  I'm not sure that is the case.
I
> think it's rather that he is almost always ready for the pass, whereas
Blount,
> especially, lots of times isn't.
> If nothing else maybe some of these fundamentals can rub off on our other
big
> men, like rookie high schooler Perkins.
>
>
> TAM