prediction

[keltsfan]

Mark,

Allen was missing for some of last season and when he returned he clearly
hadn't gotten his knee healthy enough to play significant minutes, so I
would question whether he's had a two year tryout. Nonetheless, even if he
had two years under his belt, I wouldn't say he's reached his potential. 

With respect to offense, Allen's game is lacking a consistent jumper.  If he
had that he wouldn't be driving into crowds as frequently as he has this
preseason.  There have been numerous occasions he's passed up an 18-20
footer for an ill advised attempt in the lane because he has no confidence
in his shot right now.  

Allen's jumper and his confidence in it was improving prior to his knee
injury. For whatever reason he has taken a step back and has seemed overly
anxious this preseason. Perhaps the contractual/legal issues are weighing on
him.  In any event, I expect him to settle down some.  Clearly you don't. 

When I look at Allen, I see a guy with a fantastic first step, decent
handle, and decent passing ability.  He can get in the lane and he can
finish and he can fill the lane on the break and finish effectively.   On
the downside, he lacks a consistent jumper and he tends to play too fast,
physically and mentally, not letting the game unfold for himself.  The shot
can be improved through practice and the game can be slowed down through
experience. Not saying it will, but that his deficiencies are correctable,
especially considering he has shown improvement in his shot since he arrived
on the NBA scene. 

Again, because I take the view that this team is in rebuilding mode and will
be for the foreseeable future unless a blockbuster trade is made, this
roster needs to be played to find out who can actually be on it long term. 

Ravi



> -----Original Message-----
> From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com 
> [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Berry, Mark S
> Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 11:14 AM
> To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List
> Subject: RE: prediction
> 
> He has had a two-year tryout. The only two-way aspect to 
> Tony's game is his ability to make me pull my hair out 
> whether he's on offense or defense. What is his offensive 
> game exactly? Drive into a crowd and hope to get fouled? 
> 
> He has value as a defender (although not as much as his 
> reputation would suggest), but he's an absolute liability offensively.
> 
> Mark
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com 
> [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of keltsfan
> Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 2:00 PM
> To: 'The Boston Celtics Mailing List'
> Subject: RE: prediction
> 
> Mark
> 
> This team is still in rebuilding mode, in other words: season 
> long tryouts to see if any of these guys can be part of some 
> hypothetical banner #17.
> Allen, Green, Telfair, Rondo, Jefferson, Perkins, West are 
> all young players that need minutes 1) to develop and 2) to 
> give Ainge and Rivers some data as to whether they are long 
> term answers at their respective positions. 
> 
> With respect to Allen, he is the best defender on the team 
> period at the
> 2/3
> positions. He may be overrated but the issues you cite with 
> respect to his defense can be overcome with experience. He 
> must play to get better. He may not get better but the raw 
> tools are there for him to do so should he learn his craft. 
> As well, this team is in desperate need of two way players.
> Allen
> has the potential to be one.  
> 
> Given the Celtics, as currently constituted, are not winning 
> the NBA championship anytime soon and given that Allen is the 
> best defender on a team that is desperate for defenders now 
> and in the future should they ever be in position to win 
> another championship, it would be prudent to play him.
> That's what tryouts are all about. 
> 
> Ravi
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com
> > [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Berry, Mark S
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 10:16 AM
> > To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List
> > Subject: RE: prediction
> > 
> > Exactly! These guys should see the bulk of the minutes on this team:
> > Pierce, Wally, West, Rondo, Telfair. Let Jefferson, Perk and Gomes 
> > play 60-70 mpg at the big positions. Tony Allen isn't 
> better than any 
> > of those players. He sits.
> > 
> > Look at the Suns-Lakers box score last night. They identify 
> their core 
> > players and play them most of the game. A few guys get 
> scraps. That's 
> > the way it should work.
> > 
> > Mark
> > 
> > PS -- The most overrated aspect of this Celtics team is 
> Tony Allen's 
> > defense. He has more natural ability and at his best he's the best 
> > perimeter defender on the team. But he commits a ton of dumb fouls, 
> > gambles too much, loses sight of his man too much and is 
> overall very 
> > average defensively. Not to say other players are better -- they're 
> > not
> > -- but at least the others bring something to the table offensively.
> > Something other than bad shots, offensive fouls and turnovers, of 
> > course.
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com
> > [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Steve Ouellette
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 12:33 PM
> > To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List
> > Subject: RE: prediction
> > 
> > Yes, but the Globe isn't suggesting that Tony might start 
> for Wally, 
> > but that he might start for Gomes, i.e. in place of a power 
> forward. 
> > Yikes.
> > 
> > And if Wally was going to go to the bench as sixth man, 
> can't think of 
> > any reason why Tony would get the nod over Delonte.
> > 
> > Steve O
> > 
> > ---- gene kirkpatrick <gk_tyler at yahoo.com> wrote: 
> > > Mark, one thing that Tony's presence brings is high-energy defense
> > that translates into running the floor.  I think his turnovers and 
> > dribbling violations diminished in the last two games.  I suspect 
> > that, when added up, his positives on the floor will far 
> outweigh the 
> > negatives once the season begins.
> >  I have accepted that Wally will start and think his recent first 
> > quarter shooting warrants that; otherwise, I would start Tony.  Gene
> > >    
> > 
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