a few thoughts

[Philip Maymin]

I'd just add that Dan Dickau is not all THAT bad. He is a very good
offensive player, sort of a mini-Nash. There were two Celtics passes
from the preseason last year that made my mouth drop and my TiVo
rewind button wear down: the fast break dish from Orien Greene to Big
Al, and the bullet pass from Dickau from nearly half court in a
non-fast break situation to a microscopically open Pierce under the
basket. It was almost like the LeBron James needle pass this
postseason to Big Z through Etan Thomas or Brendan Haywood or
something. I wouldn't give up on Dickau just yet. He's a defensive
liability but not for lack of effort or switching ability or anything
like that. He's just not very quick with his feet and gets faked out a
lot. A great season for him would be to beat out Greene and everybody
else for the right to backup Delonte.

And the ultra small ball lineup of Dickau, West, Pierce, Wally, and
Raef can give you a shock of volatility. They'll either quickly shoot
you back in the game regardless of the deficit or they'll get blown
out. But when you're down say 15 and all looks lost, it's one extra
option for a possible comeback.

Phil

On 5/29/06, gene kirkpatrick <gk_tyler at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I think R Howe's assessment of O. Greene is 95% on target.  I only demur on the "above average" defense.  Other than not being able to shut down Tony Parker like penetrators (and who can?), I thought his defensive abilities were outstanding--as quick a set of hands as I've seen.  Still, he has a need for maturity when driving the ball, especially on the break.  So, he may emerge or he may have a sophomore season like Jefferson.  That's the peril with rookies, although he is older than Big Al.
>  Dickau is another problem:  won't give us more than average defense, can't be physical on either end, but shoots very well.  He hasn't shown the ability to be more than a ten-minute offensive sub.  So, do we add a fourth pg and jettison Greene because his contract is expendable and Dickau's is not?
>
>  Also, I would like to see R. Gomes emulate Jerry Stackhouse.  I know it's an odd comparison, but Stackhouse is showing what a great sub can be.  Where Stackhouse is quicker with the ball, Gomes is better around the bucket; but, I like the model of a Stackhouse for him.
>
>  As to the #7 position:  we have seen very good players drop to us in the recent past, from Pierce to Jefferson to Green.  There's no reason for this round to be any different.  At times, both Gay and Thomas have been considered #1 material.  Plus, both PG Williams and O'Bryant could push their way into the top 6; so I expect we might be delighted with the slider again.  Still, any improvement next year will be about 90% from the maturity of a few youngsters, a healthy Wally, and a more productive point duo.  Cheers, Gene
>
>
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