First game

[Josh Rice]

I totally agree with this strategy - maybe with a couple of wrinkles.

KG is the most active big we have had since Russ. On this team offense isn't
a problem and he can focus on dominating the paint. Rebounding and shot
blocking should be the cornerstones of his game. KG could, and should, lead
the league in blocked shots. If he does this we win it all. Playing him at
the 5 makes his weak-side help much more effective. Also, his outlet passing
is amazing. He will generate all kinds of early offense.

As for Ray Allen, I was thrilled to see him running the baseline and picking
up screens on the pop-out. Scal is great at this, and it adds a huge
dimension to the offense. I like them on the floor together, starting or
not. 

For a first game it was awesome, the best basketball I have seen from the
C's since the 80s. Nit-pick all you want, this could be one the great teams.

joshr 

*****************************************
Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2007 10:54:35 -0400
From: "Berry, Mark" <Mark.Berry at Fahlgren.com>
Subject: RE: first game
To: "The Boston Celtics Mailing List" <celtics at igtc.com>
Message-ID:
	<2B529BC3C7A079479348EF556FEA868605142E15 at fahlmail.ifahlgren.com>
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I told you you'd say that.

Here's my thinking on this:

1. Ray Allen is more than a spot-up weak-side jump shooter. Coming off the
bench, he'd have more minutes where he'd carry the offense while Pierce/KG
are out.

2. James Posey can hit those spot-up weak-side threes.

3. Posey can defend the other team's best wing scorer. With Ray and Pierce
out there together, one of them gets stuck with that assignment.

4. Perk is a good matchup only against bigger traditional centers. There
aren't many of those.

5. Perk's man can always stay in the paint -- that means KG will always be
going against two defenders in that area.

6. Why Scal? Process of elimination. I'm looking for our Robert Horry to
KG's Duncan -- a PF who can defend, play good defense, spread the floor and
basically not get in the way. That's not Leon Powe. It's not Perk.
It's not Big Baby yet. Scal actually fits the job description, and playing
with KG and Pierce, he'd be able to stick to the things he does well instead
of trying to do too much. Scal is one of those guys who will look as good as
the players around him.

7. Perk can be one of the best backup centers in the league or one of the
most mediocre starting centers in the league. I like his matchup with the
backups better.

8. The starters have one non-shooter on the floor in Rondo. With Perk,
that's two. That's two double-team options for the defense.

I know, I'm probably crazy. But I think this is the best way to maximize
what we have. We aren't outstanding beyond the top three. We need to make
sure we get the most out of everyone we have. Thank goodness we have Doc ...

Mark