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RETRIEVING CONTENT...PLEASE WAIT
Odds and Ends on Game Day!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
by FLCeltsFan 9:09 AM
October 10, 2006
It is finally here. First game of the pre-season is tonight. Doc is still tinkering with lineups and his ADD is kicking in full force I imagine with 18 players to choose from. In spite of his talking about players separating themselves, he is saying that he will be putting out a lot of different lineups in the first four games especially. Nothing can damper my spirits today. The pre-season is here and the Celtics are undefeated. Here's what's going on around the Celtics' Nation this morning:
In the Herald article I alluded to in my article today, Doc is calling for the team to start off with a strong game.
“Tomorrow’s an exhibition game,” he said. “But it’s the (expletive) Cavs. That’s all I’m going to say.” Yes, it is the Cavs and we have had a history with them and more than a few bad feelings. Ricky isn't here any longer to continue that feud, but there have been instances between the two teams over the years. Those would be the same Cleveland Cavaliers who’ve won five straight against the Celts and engaged them in some rather chippy affairs. It was during a 2004 preseason game in Columbus, Ohio, the clubs nearly got into something physical in the hallway after Paul Pierce and LeBron James had exchanged unpleasantries on the court. Yes, I would love to beat the Cavs, but then, I want to beat every team we play this season. I agree with Doc that if this team plays unselfishly and plays together and plays defense, they can beat anybody. A lot of ifs that will be answered starting tonight.
The Globe piece gives us a glimpse into Doc's game plan: Play everyone and see who does what. Not a lot different than what he did last season. Hopefully after the initial few games a rotation will start to shake itself out this season. "I'm just looking at everybody," said Rivers. ``Obviously, some guys are trying to make the team and some guys are trying to make the team better. Paul and Wally will start. Other than that, we're going to mix it up. "
Expect to see Delonte West and Rajon Rondo at both guard positions while Sebastian Telfair sticks to point guard. Brian Scalabrine, Pierce, and Szczerbiak could see time at both forward positions while Rivers will try to keep Ryan Gomes at power forward. I do expect Doc to make some cuts after our game tomorrow night. He will have a look at every player within the first two games and be able to decide who fits and who doesn't. 18 players for Doc are just too many. He is like a kid in a candy shop when he has too many options.
Jeff over on Celtics Blog is ahead of things as usual and has a summary of the media coverage that he has found for tonight's game. I hope to watch it on FSN because in previous years, they didn't black it out for preseason games. If not, I am on my cable company to get my League Pass hooked up today and hopefully will get it there.
Red's Army is doing player previews this week and starts with Telfair.
The Worcester Telegram also features an article on Telfair. “The pressure is on,” he said from the Celtics’ practice facility at HealthPoint. “No more excuses. I have to go out and perform now. The NBA is the league with the best players in the world. Now I feel I’m in position to be the basketball player everybody is waiting for me to be, and I’m excited about it.” I am hoping that Telfair takes off and does really well running the team. I still can't help but feel that Rondo is our PG of the future, though. His defense will set him apart as the starter. But we could have worse things than to have 2 lightning quick pass first point guards runnning both our first and second teams.
The Bennington Banner has a rather negative article. I very much disagree that Ratliff will be the only player blocking shots and rebounding. Perk is going to break out this season and I truly believe that his defense around the basket will be every bit as good as Ratliff's. With the addition of Clifford Ray to our coaching ranks, I expect the Celtics to vault to the top in rebounding this season. One thing I do agree with in this article, though is this: The guy generating the most hype early from the one spot is rookie Rajon Rondo, who Celtics' announcer Tom Heinsohn calls "the guy you want to play alongside." Rondo is no doubt the quickest of this group, and uses his speed to define his play on both ends of the floor. Look at it this way: If things click for Rondo and he shows an understanding of the NBA game early on, expect him to emerge as the hands-down starter up top. I expect Rondo to rise to the top and be our starting PG by the end of the season. I can't wait for the time when all the negative reporters will have to eat their words.
Don't forget to check out the 30 Teams in 30 Days Previews for this week. The Midwest division wraps up today with the Spurs preview. Also previewed this week were the Hornets, the Grizzlies, the Rockets, and the Mavericks. You can check out all previews so far here.
Be sure to join us on Celtics Green tonight for the game as hopefully we will have the play by play going and will be discussing the game as it unfolds.
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