Amazing AL!!

[keltsfan]

Mark, what do you mean by production?  If by production you mean putting up
stats I will say this:

I don't think Kim is equating making good use of the minutes Jefferson is
getting solely with putting up stats.  There is more to production than what
the boxscore looks like.  Rotations on defense, blocking out, executing the
plays on offense, setting screens properly, passing out of double teams
appropriately, all these things and more contribute to a team's on court
chemistry and success.  Jefferson has been a major liability in many of
these areas and only now seems to be figuring it out.  I suspect that
Clifford Ray shares some responsibility for this. 

IMO, Jefferson is responding because he's starting to understand how to play
the game not because he's getting more minutes. His weight is down and
consequently he's quicker and more active, he's not as much of a liability
on defense, and he's playing with a passion that was absent last season
whether it's because he's healthy or for some other reason. As well, he's
playing the center position which IMO is his natural position. He's much
more comfortable with his back to the basket.    

One could criticize Rivers for not recognizing sooner that Jefferson's true
calling was at center but to criticize Rivers for not playing a guy that
wasn't getting it and was hurting the team doesn't seem to make much sense
to me. 

It takes most players coming out of high school a good 4-5 years before they
really get it.  Jefferson is on track. He's still got a lot to learn but
he's getting there. 

Ravi

 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com 
> [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Berry, Mark S
> Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 5:13 AM
> To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List
> Subject: RE: Amazing AL!!
> 
> Come on, Kim. Al has always produced in short minutes. You 
> can say he fouled too much or didn't defend well enough, but 
> it was never a question of production.
> 
> This is just like Delonte last year. Doc is being forced, 
> through injuries to others, to give Al more minutes. And just 
> like Delonte last year, Al is responding.
> 
> I keep saying it ... If all you ask these guys to do is carry 
> Pierce's bags, that's all they're going to do.
> 
> Mark
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com 
> [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Kim Malo
> Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 8:09 AM
> To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List
> Subject: Re: Amazing AL!!
> 
> At 11:16 PM 12/11/2006, Troy Hash wrote:
> >Amazing what can happen when someone gets minutes, huh!!
> 
> No, and certainly not in this case where since he's gotten 
> minutes since he was a rookie. It's amazing what can happen 
> when you make better use of the minutes you get.
> 
> Kim 
> 
> 
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