Cassell's knack is hitting big shot. Celtics will need him when they struggle, especially in the final minutes of a close game. His size provides better match-up against bigger, more physical guards like Chauncey Billups. While he may be slow to guard quicker guards, the front line could protect him. With his relationship with Garnett back in Minnesota and with Ray Allen back in Milwaukee, he should fit-in quite nicely.
Bill Simmons thinks that Cassell is unique. "Sam casting his shadow over everyone and everything. There's nobody in the league quite like him. He knows everyone on every team, every referee, every coach ... He's constantly working the crowd, the officials, even other players. He's always up to something ... Sometimes he dribbles upcourt, notices a defender innocently running back to the other end, then lurches into the guy and flops to the floor (always drawing a foul)."
There is, however, some reservation. "Cassell's arrival could ruin Rajon Rondo's confidence, which is in the process of being battered by Doc Rivers' penchant for yanking his minutes around." It will be interesting to see how Rondo handles it.
The best-case scenario would be the Rondo-Cassell tandem working like Tony Parker and Speedy Claxton of the 2003 Spurs. Remember the '03 Spurs -- they had Duncan in his prime, Robinson at the end of his career, a not-quite-ready Manu Ginobili, a hit-or-miss second-year point guard (Parker) and a bunch of role players. Claxton's ability to right the ship during Parker's off-nights plays a significant role in winning the championship.
Showing posts with label Parker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parker. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Friday, December 14, 2007
Comparing Rondo and Parker's first and current season
Further to my early post, below is a breakdown of the PGs between the new Celtics and 2002-03 Spurs.
Statistics:
__________ G -_ Min _ Pts _ Reb _ Ast _ Stl _ TO _ FG% _ FG
Rajon Rondo:
(2007-08) 20*_ 32.1_ 8.4 _ 3.9 _ 5.2 _1.70_1.70 .531 _3.8-7.2
(2006-07) 78__ 23.5_ 6.4 _ 3.7 _ 3.8 _1.64_1.76 .418_2.4-5.8
Tony Parker:
(2002-03) 77 _ 33.8 _ 15.5 _ 2.6 _ 5.3 _ 0.9 _ 2.4_.464 5.9-12.7(2001-02) 77 _ 29.4 __ 9.2 _ 2.5 _ 4.3 _ 1.2 _ 2.0 .419_ 3.5-8.3
Current Progress:
Through Dec.11, the 6-foot-1 point guard was shooting 54.7 percent from the floor, which ranked 13th overall and first among starting guards. He is also ranked in the top 16 in steals (1.7 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.9).
Rondo's leadership skill is still work-in-progress.
"Rondo is more a leader by example; he's going to work hard but you don't see him as a director. He is a little quieter and not as flamboyant as (Tony) Parker ... Parker had charisma in leading his team. "(SI).
Rondo has made two big changes in his shooting. He hasn't attempted a single three after going a senseless 6-for-29 (20.7 percent) from beyond the arc last year. He has also focused on elevating for his jump shot even though many of his attempts are uncontested as the defenses focus on Boston's three stars. Rondo tries to jump to the same height to develop consistency.
Weakness:
Rondo is converting only 48.5 percent from the free throw line, which speaks for his confidence under pressure.
History:
Rondo is drafted No. 21 in the 2006 draft. The Celtics to acquire him in a draft-night trade with Phoenix.
Parker is drafted No.21 in the 2001 draft by the Spurs.
Statistics:
__________ G -_ Min _ Pts _ Reb _ Ast _ Stl _ TO _ FG% _ FG
Rajon Rondo:
(2007-08) 20*_ 32.1_ 8.4 _ 3.9 _ 5.2 _1.70_1.70 .531 _3.8-7.2
(2006-07) 78__ 23.5_ 6.4 _ 3.7 _ 3.8 _1.64_1.76 .418_2.4-5.8
Tony Parker:
(2002-03) 77 _ 33.8 _ 15.5 _ 2.6 _ 5.3 _ 0.9 _ 2.4_.464 5.9-12.7
Current Progress:
Through Dec.11, the 6-foot-1 point guard was shooting 54.7 percent from the floor, which ranked 13th overall and first among starting guards. He is also ranked in the top 16 in steals (1.7 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.9).
Rondo's leadership skill is still work-in-progress.
"Rondo is more a leader by example; he's going to work hard but you don't see him as a director. He is a little quieter and not as flamboyant as (Tony) Parker ... Parker had charisma in leading his team. "(SI).
Rondo has made two big changes in his shooting. He hasn't attempted a single three after going a senseless 6-for-29 (20.7 percent) from beyond the arc last year. He has also focused on elevating for his jump shot even though many of his attempts are uncontested as the defenses focus on Boston's three stars. Rondo tries to jump to the same height to develop consistency.
Weakness:
Rondo is converting only 48.5 percent from the free throw line, which speaks for his confidence under pressure.
History:
Rondo is drafted No. 21 in the 2006 draft. The Celtics to acquire him in a draft-night trade with Phoenix.
Parker is drafted No.21 in the 2001 draft by the Spurs.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Comparing Celtics new roster with 2002-03 champion Spurs
The more i compare both teams, the more similarity i see in them. Make me wondering whether Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers are thinking along the same path.
The 2002-03 champion of the Spurs is very different from the team that has won the title a few years earlier. Building a team around the twin-tower of Duncan and Robinson, second-year French star Tony Parker (drafted in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft) is the starting point guard. The squad also features a variety of newly acquired three-point shooters, including veterans, Danny Ferry, Steve Kerr and Steve Smith , swingman and defence specialist Stephen Jackson and Bruce Bowen, and a rookie Manu Ginobili (1999 second-round draft choice playing in his first NBA season). The current roster of Celtics features the trio of Peace, Garnett and Ray Allen, with Rondo and Perkins likely be included to the starting five.
When i compares the two rosters, i see similarity in both building a winning team of similar game (the inside-outside threats) with players of similar skills. Spurs have Duncan and aged Robinson inside complementing each other's play, surrounded by mixed of shooters newly joined the team that year. Celtics have Pierce and Garnett working on the low/high posts and complementing one another. Interestingly either one can also switch and engineer offence from perimeter (or penetration). Of course Ray Allen is their other alternative from perimeter. You may argue that there is a gap in terms of the quality of shooters, in favour to Spurs. I agree. So is Danny and Doc, and that's why they're trying to land another shooter like Reggie Miller.
Another similarity is the starting point guards of both teams, both in their second NBA season with certain limitation, Parker's penetration and sometimes inaccurate jump-shot, and Rondo's shooting skill. Among their other difference, i think the most important one is prior playoff experience, which matters during playoff time.
Both teams have chemistry uncertainty to deal with. Spurs have nine new players then and likewise for Celtics. On hindsight we know how well it works out for Spurs. i sense the same outcome will happen for Celtics, with the leadership of Garnett and Peace and their complementing personality (more detail can be found through google search). i also like Ray Allen and Perkins with their team-first attitude. Overall i like the roster that Danny has put together.
Completing my comparison, the defence standpoint also draws some similarity. Spurs' defence covers almost everywhere from perimeter to the paint. The only weak area may be Parker's defence skill and is often explored by the opposing team with bigger guard. On contrary Rondo's defence skill is supposed to be his strength. Celtics' roster also have filled with players with pretty good defence skill. With Garnett and Perkins filling the paint and backing up by Pollard and Powe, Peace is now focusing his training in perimeter defence and Posey will be joining him to strengthen this catagory. My BIG question mark, however, is how well they gels together in team defence, especially in transition and against point-guard with great passing skill.
If they can deliver soon enough, say within first two to three months into the season, i like Celtics' chance to reach the Conference Final.
The 2002-03 champion of the Spurs is very different from the team that has won the title a few years earlier. Building a team around the twin-tower of Duncan and Robinson, second-year French star Tony Parker (drafted in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft) is the starting point guard. The squad also features a variety of newly acquired three-point shooters, including veterans, Danny Ferry, Steve Kerr and Steve Smith , swingman and defence specialist Stephen Jackson and Bruce Bowen, and a rookie Manu Ginobili (1999 second-round draft choice playing in his first NBA season). The current roster of Celtics features the trio of Peace, Garnett and Ray Allen, with Rondo and Perkins likely be included to the starting five.
When i compares the two rosters, i see similarity in both building a winning team of similar game (the inside-outside threats) with players of similar skills. Spurs have Duncan and aged Robinson inside complementing each other's play, surrounded by mixed of shooters newly joined the team that year. Celtics have Pierce and Garnett working on the low/high posts and complementing one another. Interestingly either one can also switch and engineer offence from perimeter (or penetration). Of course Ray Allen is their other alternative from perimeter. You may argue that there is a gap in terms of the quality of shooters, in favour to Spurs. I agree. So is Danny and Doc, and that's why they're trying to land another shooter like Reggie Miller.
Another similarity is the starting point guards of both teams, both in their second NBA season with certain limitation, Parker's penetration and sometimes inaccurate jump-shot, and Rondo's shooting skill. Among their other difference, i think the most important one is prior playoff experience, which matters during playoff time.
Both teams have chemistry uncertainty to deal with. Spurs have nine new players then and likewise for Celtics. On hindsight we know how well it works out for Spurs. i sense the same outcome will happen for Celtics, with the leadership of Garnett and Peace and their complementing personality (more detail can be found through google search). i also like Ray Allen and Perkins with their team-first attitude. Overall i like the roster that Danny has put together.
Completing my comparison, the defence standpoint also draws some similarity. Spurs' defence covers almost everywhere from perimeter to the paint. The only weak area may be Parker's defence skill and is often explored by the opposing team with bigger guard. On contrary Rondo's defence skill is supposed to be his strength. Celtics' roster also have filled with players with pretty good defence skill. With Garnett and Perkins filling the paint and backing up by Pollard and Powe, Peace is now focusing his training in perimeter defence and Posey will be joining him to strengthen this catagory. My BIG question mark, however, is how well they gels together in team defence, especially in transition and against point-guard with great passing skill.
If they can deliver soon enough, say within first two to three months into the season, i like Celtics' chance to reach the Conference Final.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
