CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: The Ones that Got Away

September 23, 2006

While we are getting excited about the new season for the Celtics, there are articles and talk about a couple of players that the Celtics won't have.
First, Marcus Banks was Danny's first attempt at pure point guard to run the fast break offense. Marcus was fast, there is no denying that. But in his time here in Boston, reports were that Marcus wasn't teachable. On the court, he would push the ball, but he wasn't a pass first PG and apparently couldn't be turned into one. And his attitude in his last year in Boston was very bad. He seemed to be doing well in Minny after the trade, but still looked for his own shot more than making his teamates better. Now he is in Phoenix and the reports are good:

He was here to play on the first day of informal workouts Sept. 11.
He often stays after scrimmages to work on his shooting with Suns assistant Phil Weber, the resident shot doctor who helped Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw. Banks' powerful upper body and quick dribble speed enable him to finish drives to the basket. And best of all, Banks is here to study the best at his position. I'm learning by the visual and watching the things that Steve (Nash) does in certain situations," said Banks, who is expected to ease Nash's burden at the point. "He's one of the reasons I came early. He's a guy you love to be around. He tells you like it is. I'm here to learn - whatever he can do to help me.

Is this the same Marcus Banks that could be seen sulking on the Celtics Bench? The same Marcus Banks that could be seen paying absolutely no attention to the coach in the huddle during time outs? He may be finally realizing that he is going to have to listen and learn or else he isn't going to be playing in this league long. Hopefully for the Suns' sake, he won't go out and do it his way anyway as he has previously.

Many people have said that Danny could have taken Foye with the 7th pick, but I disagree. Foye was McHale's player and he was going to take him with the 6th pick. Of course, Danny could have made Kevin an offer he couldn't refuse in order to take Foye, but Foye isn't a pure point. It would be the same thing as last year trying to convert a 2 guard to play the 1. Early reports out of Minnesota say that McHale is very happy with Foye and expects him to make a contribution right away.

The thing I've been unbelievably impressed with Randy, and especially in our offseason workouts, is his ability to finish. I knew he could finish in college, but most rookies finish in college and come in with NBA level players and length, and all of a sudden they can't finish anything. It takes them a couple of years to figure out. But Randy has been finishing over everybody.

It is inevitable that we will see articles about how we could have had this kid, but I don't think it was going to happen.

The player that we actually could have had with the 7th pick is Brandon Roy. Depending on how Telfair plays and how Roy does out in Portland, we will see comparisons and I am sure see articles about how we could have had Roy. I am sure Danny made the trade for a point guard rather than picking Roy was because of need. We didn't need another wing player. We are stacked there already. We needed a point guard. But that won't stop the comparisons and could haves that we will see all season. Here are some quotes from OregonLive:

All indications point to the 6-7, 210-lb guard making a contribution right away as a pro, which would be a pleasant turn of events for Portland fans used to their lottery picks being wide-eyed teenagers just months removed from their senior prom.
The Blazers got it right with Roy. His discipline, hustle and smarts will make him an instant favorite of Head Coach Nate McMillan, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he were starting before the All-Star break. Roy will compete with Webster and veteran Juan Dixon for hardwood time, but his athleticism and defensive prowess leaves both players in the dust.
The rook may also see some limited minutes at point guard after the departure of Sebastian Telfair and Steve Blake via trades thinned out the Blazers' most crowded position. Roy ran the point almost exclusively during summer league, and impressed coaches and fans alike with his versatility. His showing in Vegas must have put McMillan at ease, knowing that he can call on Roy for quality minutes at either backcourt position if the need arises.

Early reports out of Portland on Roy are very good. He showed in summer league that he could play the point quite well. Maybe Danny made a mistake and maybe he didn't. We will soon find out as the season unfolds.
Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

Comments:

Great post.
We've all kind of forgot the other options available at point guard.
As for Banks, I think he was held up here, because no one would run with him.
He knows his game and it is not standing on the perimeter.
If thee was something here he would not learn it was that he had to wait for Pierce to come down the floor before beginning the offense.
In Phoenix, he will be able to push the pace to his hearts content and perhaps watching Nash will help him develop the all around point guard's game that he lacks.
JB

# posted by

Anonymous : 10:04 AM

Hey just a question. What happended finally with Allen's trial?
I didn't hear nothing about that

# posted by

Anonymous : 11:55 AM

I think Banks has the ability to shine as a player. But it probably would not have happened here. Banks needs to be the focal point of the offense in order to shine, much like Marbury, Nash, Kidd, Baron, etc. His game is about controlling the ball and dictating the offense. But the problem he had in Boston was he wasn't going to be a ball controlling PG because he was too offensive minded. Well, can the same be said for Telfair? No, because Telfair truly loves to pass the ball and he's always looking to thread the needle, always has his head up. Banks wasn't like this and this was the problem. He lacks court vision as well. He can see some things, but for the most part, I caught him missing a lot of open opportunities that would have led to easier shots and scores.

We would not have been able to draft Foye. But on top of that, I also think that Ainge wasn't looking for Foye either. Sure the talent is there, and I was heavily in favor of drafting him. But looking at things now, it makes much more sense getting a true PG who makes our team better with passing, as opposed to a scoring PG. We have a lot of scorers already--now we need a guy who can get the ball to our scorers.

I'm not worried about Brandon Roy. Sure he could turn out to be a solid rookie, maybe even rookie of the year since there aren't any Chris Paul's in this rookie class. But taking Roy won't imporve us that much. If anything, he would have been sitting in back of Gerald Green, or in back of Delonte if Doc wants to make him a PG.

# posted by

derrenmatts : 1:59 PM

To answer the question about Allen, the last that was publicized was that his trial was postponed indefinitely because the judge was ill. They haven't said anything more about when it will be held.

# posted by

FLCeltsFan : 3:46 PM

Anyone think Banks will shine in Phoenix? Will he finally be able to make his impact as a consistent PG who gets regular minutes as a backup? I guess Di Antoni is going to make Barbosa a SG (backup?), leaving the backup PG spot open. Maybe this will be Banks' shot to slide into that role.

Funny how things work out. We lose Banks, he goes to Phoenix, we trade with Phoenix to acquire a speedy, defensive minded PG, but its not Banks ;D

# posted by

derrenmatts : 8:03 PM