If there's one thing that most Celtics fans agree on, it's that Rajon Rondo is the most important player on this team and that he'd be the one player that would be the hardest to replace should he go down with an injury. I thought that this would be a good time to take a look at where we stand with depth at our point guard position.
The Celtics lost a veteran presence last week when Keyon Dooling retired.
I mentioned after the news came out that Dooling had been waived that Derek Fisher would fill the need for a veteran on the bench who could command the repect of vets and rookies alike.
The Globe today mentioned the same thing.
It’s late September and Derek Fisher remains a free agent. Fisher wants to return for a 17th season, but the demand may not be there. He could be a consideration for the Celtics, given his leadership capabilities and positive influence last season during Oklahoma City’s run to the Finals . . .
With Dooling's departure, the Celtics now have 2 spots open and I'm fairly certain that one of those spots will be taken by Dionte Christmas. Christmas proved in Summer League, especially after E'Twaun Moore was traded, that he can run the offense on the team. He's got experience from 3 years in Europe, playing very well there. I think he can not only make the roster, but also the rotation if a back up point guard would be needed.
The most logical back up at the point guard spot, at least until Avery Bradley comes back, would be Jason Terry.
The Star Telegram had this to say about Terry's experience playing the point guard position.
“I give a lot of credit to Don Nelson and Avery Johnson,’’ Terry
said. “They taught me how to play the point guard position and how to be
an all-around basketball player.
“That growth and that maturation was my time in Dallas, and so what I
did is I became a winner and I became a champion in Dallas. So now as a
champion I’ll going to another championship organization and that
transition will be a lot smoother.’’
Terry was the starting point guard when the Mavs advanced to the 2006
NBA Finals. And he was a key substitute off the bench when the Mavs
captured their only NBA title in 2011.
Terry said that he plans to come into the Celtics program with his eyes wide open and his mouth shut, hoping to learn more from Doc Rivers and even from Rajon Rondo.
Finally, there is Avery Bradley. He had a break out season last year before shoulder injuries forced him to end his season early. Avery has shown that he can play the point as a back up. He's more successful as a 2 guard, but he can run the offense when he needs to. The Celtics have players who can fill in at the point while Rondo gets a rest. Hopefully he stays healthy so that all they need is a back up. Bringing in another point guard is still a possibility, but not a necessity.
Read
more here:
http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/mavs/2012/08/terry-credits-nelson-and-johnson-for-point-guard-improvements.html#storylink=cpy
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