Posted by r1zzo23 on January 8, 2009
Post from January 8, 2009…
According to an article at RealGM.com, the Celtics have recalled JR Giddens and Bill Walker from the D-League.
The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled rookie guard J.R. Giddens and rookie forward Bill Walker from their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash.
Giddens appeared in 13 games for the Flash averaging 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 rebounds, 1.46 steals, a team-high 1.54 blocks all in a team-high 37.6 minutes per game. Giddens was ranked 20th in the NBDL in scoring, 13th in field goal percentage (53.5%) and seventh in blocks. The former New Mexico Lobo was the selected by the Celtics with the 30th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Walker appeared in 15 games for the Flash averaging a team-high 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.33 steals in 30.5 minutes per game. Walker was ranked 11th in the NBDL in scoring and sixth in field goal percentage (55.7%). The former Kansas State Wildcat was acquired in a draft night trade with the Washington Wizards in exchange for cash considerations.
Not sure how much time either of these kids will get with the Celtics or even who will be inactive for either of them to get some playing time. My guess would be Patrick O’Bryant may see a few games in street clothes, but hey, I don’t make the calls.
Looking back at the preseason, it looked as if Bill Walker was much further along in his development as an NBA player than Giddens was, but if JR is finding his shooting touch and can use those abnormally long arms on the defensive end, perhaps he can steal a few minutes with Tony Allen sidelined.
Posted in 2009, News, Players | Leave a Comment »
Posted by r1zzo23 on January 8, 2009
Post from January 8, 2009…
When asked about tomorrow night’s game against the defending champion Boston Celtics, Lebron James had this to say:
“I can’t say it’s a just another game; I’d be lying. You want to win as many games and try to get home court throughout the playoffs.”
Not just another game for Lebron and the Cavs. The way the Celtics have played last season and so far this year, we don’t get hyped up about any regular season games on our schedule. With the current skid of six losses in the past eight contests, maybe it’s time for us to get “geeked up” for this one. Maybe the Celtics need to look at games like the Patriots of the 2007 season did and find a way to motivate themselves. Maybe I’m just looking too deep into this team’s latest failures.
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Posted by r1zzo23 on January 8, 2009
Post from January 8, 2009…
Sorry for the misleading post heading for all you Gary Payton fans, but I am not looking for the Celtics to call The Glove up and bring him back to Boston for a third stint. I mean he was already angry playing behind Rondo once, and we have our aged veteran point guard sitting on the bench in Sam Cassell.
What I am talking about is Gabe Pruitt, the Celtics’ 2nd round pick out of USC in the 2007 NBA Draft. In college, Gabe mostly played as a shooting guard and combined with Nick Young formed a lethal duo in the Pac-10. When drafted, it was assumed he would have to develop his point guard skills. After his stint in the D-League, it was obvious the kid could score. Now, he just needed to get some playing time.
Pruitt would get in during the waning minutes of a blowout and usually knock down his one or two jumpers while still playing some impressive defense for a young player in Thibodeau’s system. Now he just needed a chance to prove his worth with meaninful minutes. With the Celtics’ bench playing horribly, Tony Allen injured and Doc needing to shake things up, Gabe Pruitt was the first guard off the bench last night instead of Eddie House. He came in and played some good defense and showed he could score against Houston’s rotation guys rather than their scrubs. Sure he had Brent Barry covering him, but buckets are buckets, and Gabe had seven points in his 15 minutes last night. He didn’t have much else in the box score (one rebound, one turnover), but all in all it was a solid outing for the young kid.
Personally, I’ve been a fan of Gabe Pruitt since he was back at USC and was thrilled that the Celtics selected him in the 2nd round. I knew it would take time before he cracked the rotation, but now is his chance. He came in and played shooting guard last night and was very effective. It is yet to see if he can run the point against a team’s first or second squad, but we’ll never know until we give him the chance.
Doc, I’m sure you’ve been rattling your brain with some solutions to this skid and, more importantly, the ineffectiveness of your bench. Put Gabe Pruitt in the game as the backup point guard and let him be the instant offense that our reserves so desperately needs.
Posted in 2009, Players | Leave a Comment »
