CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Pass the Green Koolaid

July 10, 2006

In scouring every post and every article I can about the Celtics this summer I see 2 distinct camps emerging. The Koolaid group says that the Celtics have a very talented core and want to see them develop as Celtics and roll the dice with what we have. The Doom and Gloom group seems to think that the Celtics are mediocre at best and we need to trade at least several of our young players to get a big name in here.

Going into the first game it was all high expectations but after 2 less than stellar outings by Al and Gerald, the calls for a trade are coming fast and furious. I tend to think that a lot of this is reactionary. Yes, Gerald came into Summer League in less than optimum shape but he is young and will work hard and will get his conditioning back by training camp. He is still young and still has a lot of potential. After Summer League, I expect him to stay on in Boston with the other guys who have been there daily working on their games and he should be in good shape by training camp. This is his first off season and I imagine he was home with his family and not playing a lot of basketball or working out like he should. He will learn and in future off seasons will stick to the regimen.

Al, on the other hand has been in Boston and working daily with the conditioning coaches and is in the best condition of his career so far. He is still having problems with the ankle, which is a bit troubling in itself, but he has been working out daily with Clifford Ray and that should be paying some dividends. However, reports from the Summer League say that he often looks lost out there and has been off to slow starts in both games. The one camp says get rid of him now as he will never be any good. The Koolaid camp says that Summer League really doesn't count... his ankle still bothers him, he isn't used to the teammates, he is playing center instead of power forward. All of which could be valid points.

The bottom line is that some people are always going to see the bright side of things and some will see the dark side. Summer League really doesn't mean all that much. For one thing it seems like they are playing small ball and that doesn't let the bigs really show what they can do. For another they are playing with guys who won't be on the team and are just getting used to each other. Count me among the Koolaid drinkers who expect this year to be a good one, even without a trade. I expect the work with Clifford Ray to pay off for Perk, Al and DJones. I expect Green to continue his progress and just get better and better. I expect a lot from Gomes, West and Allen this year. From what Danny has been saying, Allan Ray should be a good shooter off the bench if he sticks with the team. I would really like to see Powe get a chance on the team as I think he could really be a good player. He has the grit and determination along with the talent to be a player.

Danny may or may not make the blockbuster deal. Pierce may or may not sign the extension. The Summer League team may or may not finish the last 3 games strong. But either way, I expect the opinions and rumors to be coming fast and furious the rest of this off season. So, fasten your seatbelts, pass the Green Koolaid, and get ready for a wild ride.
source:FLCeltsFan

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