Apology and comments

[Alex Goldblatt]

Kim,

KG is the major obvious factor - no doubt. But I think Ray is an
overlooked team defensive player in your analysis. I totally disagree
that he's looking strictly for his own offense - this is a huge
mistake on your part. IMO - he's the second best player on the team,
and his almost .600 shooting for the perimeter player is as remarkable
as it gets - HE NEVER TAKES A SINGLE DUMB SHOT. Period. He's one of
the best team players I've ever seen - on both sides. The fact is that
he is as efficient as it gets - and in incredibly quiet fashion. Danny
trading for him is one of the best moves in the NBA ever - just Paul
and KG would not cut, IMO. He's an ultimate glue guy - on both sides.

I have a lot of reservations with Paul though. He's not on the same
level, at least not yet. Dumb decisions, stupid TO's, well contested
shots, gambling in the passing lane, etc, etc. BTW we have yet to see
his improved D game he's been bragging about. He moves better - but
that's as far at it goes.

I also think that you totally overlooked Rondo - he is as important
part of the perimeter D, as Ray. Both work incredibly on the same
page. At the same time - KG as one of the best p&r defenders working
100% in tact with both of them, thing of beauty by itself! I wish I
could have a big like that on my team - ever.. LOL.. :-)))

AG


On Nov 11, 2007 12:00 PM, Kim Malo <kmalo17 at verizon.net> wrote:
> At 11:34 PM 11/10/2007, Snoopy the Celtics Beagle wrote:
> >They play defense.  That this happens at all is a tribute to the new
> >assistant coach, and Doc publicly saying the team needs to play
> >better defense.
>
> I think you're leaving off possibly the greatest factor here - KG
> himself. Doc said the same thing last year and they did have a coach
> responsible for defense then, albeit not the same one, with very
> different results.
>
> With KG here there are big differences, both because of his
> contagious intensity (would YOU want to be the teammate he could
> accuse of slacking off? *shudder* - how DID he not murder Blount or
> at least commit GBH on him... repeatedly. No question the man's got
> discipline to go with the intensity) but also, in fairness to the
> others, because having him to cover their backs makes their job
> easier in several ways, from limiting what the opponent will even try
> to making it safer to gamble a bit on coverage.  I also think they're
> communicating a lot better, to elevate the team defense, which makes
> the man to man more effective, and I rather suspect our new leader /
> co-leader has something to do with that.
>
> The changes should also ultimately help keep someone like Perk on the
> court, because he's no longer the only one attempting to stop someone
> driving to the hoop. But also - and I've got to assume some of this
> is KG's influence, although it could be all the new defensive coach -
> in teaching him by example when to go for the guy and when not to
> waste a foul on futile efforts (something I was surprised to see Perk
> not do once or twice last night). After all if someone as intense as
> KG can lay off futile efforts maybe it's OK for Perk to be smarter
> about that...
>
> What's most interesting is watching the guys you tend to think of as
> strictly / almost strictly out there for offense - Ray Allen and
> Eddie House and to some degree, Pierce - actually playing respectable
> defense because they're actively working on coverage.
>
> Oh and BTW, speaking of House, can't remember who just posted it but
> I agree about really liking his immediately looking to push the ball
> and usually with a pass vs too much fiddling and diddling.
>
> I'm actually glad that the only thing perfect so far is their record
> and that they've had to work a bit the last couple of games before
> they were sure things. There's enough Belicick in me to appreciate
> the value in having legit things to complain about with a successful
> team to help keep them that way. It's a loooong season and this is
> merely a highly enjoyable, successful start.
>
> Kim
>
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