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More story lines

Email|Link|Comments (0) Posted by September 30, 2006 04:46 PM

I got plenty of feedback on my last post about potential story lines for the upcoming Celtics season. The majority of the responders agreed with my choices, but a couple of you were taken aback with my criticism of Big Al. One reader writes:

Ryan Gomes tore up the Las Vegas Summer League. (Getty Images Photo)

"Unless Jefferson is still injured at the start of the season, it is ludicrous that he would have to fight for minutes with Scal and Pittsnoggle. If you didn't explicitly say that you weren't joking, I would have thought you must be.

I'm too lazy to do it now, but look at Gomes vs. Jefferson in per 40 minute averages. The numbers suggest that Al is significantly better than Gomes. He's a better scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker. And it's not close. Gomes has a leg up on him in assists and fewer turnovers, but that's it.

By the way, if Pittsnoggle actually makes the team I would be shocked. Mike Gansey outrebounded him at WVU. That's all you need to know."--John

I'll warn everybody now that it's going to take a lot to convince me that Al Jefferson is worth the hype this year. Gomes showed infinitely more potential in half a season than Jefferson has shown in two seasons. I don't care what the projections are. Look at the results. Their career numbers are similar (7.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game for Jefferson, 7.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for Gomes), but you can't project Jefferson's numbers out for 48 minutes because he is such a defensive liability that Doc Rivers can't keep him on the floor.

Gomes, meanwhile, does so many good things beyond the stat sheet that it's tough to call him to the bench. Jefferson can turn things around, but he needs to prove he can stop somebody (anybody) to earn enough minutes to put the ball in the hoop.

Some of you pointed out some story lines I might have missed. Among them:

"Good take on where the Celtics are at -- but don't you feel that the style of play is major question for this season and beyond? Will the Celtics become an uptempo team and play more pressure defense? If Al Jefferson is on the floor it is hard to see how he fits in."--Mike True

Good point. This is going to be a huge issue this year. The Celtics brought in Rondo and Telfair specifically to push the tempo. But if they can't cut it as a run-and-gun team, two undersized point guards become a liability. If they succeed in pushing the tempo, their quickness will be invaluable.

One reader even took it upon himself to expand the theme and give 10 NBA predictions for 2006-2007. Some of them are obvious, some of them are outrageous, and some of them just might be crazy enough to come true:

1. With the addition of Ben Wallace, the Chicago Bulls will represent the Eastern Conference in the 2007 NBA Finals.

2. An NBA player will get arrested during the 2007 All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas.

3. Although the Charlotte Bobcats may not make the playoffs or even come close, they will turn some heads and play major spoiler to some teams jockeying for playoff position.

4. Gerald Wallace will rise from obscurity to make his first All-Star team and become one of the league's top scorers.

5. The Atlanta Hawks will battle it out to the end for the 8th and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

6. Either Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, or Jermaine O'Neal will be in a new uniform before the end of the season.

7. The Golden State Warriors will be this season's LA Clippers.

8. Bad boy Ron Artest will behave this season.

9. Phil Jackson will be coaching his last season for the Lakers.

10. LeBron James will win his first of many MVP awards.
--Roei Biberstain

I like the Gerald Wallace and Charlotte predictions a lot. Celtics fans get an early look at the Bobcats on Nov. 8. That's all for now. Thanks for reading and look for things to pick up as training camp starts this week.