Reconsidering the Alien

[Soul_Patch]

I was watching game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals the other day and was surprised when Sam Cassell hit his first three shots of the game, each one with the hand of D.Fish in his face. Two of the shots were turn around, fade-away jumpers. I'm not knockin' Steph. But the Alien doesn't get enough love from Celtics Nation. His first meaningful game in green he hits a game winner on the road against the Spurs. Sure, he had some troubles here and there along the way. So did Ray Allen. Garnett was accused of having the yips during crunch time.

All things considered, the Alien was a plus for us last year, and the team would be lucky to have him right now. When you look at the bench that started the Finals, Cassell, PJ, and Pose being the first three off the bench, that was a hell of a second unit, and we haven't even started talking about Powe/Davis, E.House, or anyone else.

At some point we should take a poll to see who thinks had the better bench--08 or 86. Walton probably tips the scales in favor of 86, and Sichting shot like 56% from the field and over 90% from the stripe. Wedman filled more than adequately while McHale was out. Carlisle and Thirdkill were contributors from the 9 and 10 spots.

Still the 08 bench was [dang] good.

[Donoghus]

My father and I were discussion the contrasts between Marbury and Cassell last night. 

Marbury has shown extreme relucatance to let it go and I think it hurt us at some points.  He just doesn't seem to have the confidence shooting the ball.  This is a severe contrast to how Cassell handled things in last year's playoffs.  He wasn't afraid to shoot it and even if he missed one, he'd keep going at it.  He hit some big jumpers for us during last year's run and we haven't seen that from Marbury.  If you have the open 15 footer, take it!  I'm not saying that Marbury has to shoot the ball 10 times a game but if he has 2 or 3 open looks, he has to, at least, give it a shot.

[jimmehx]

Very well put. Our bench in 08 was incredible. When I read list I got the shivers thinking about how much I would love that bench back.

I was disappointed last night to see Marbury turn down a few shots that he had opened himself up for... I really hope that he gets his groove in this series. He's playing hearty ball though and I think he likes playing for us. Good on him.

[xmuscularghandix]

he hit shots, but he looked for his own shot too much. The problem is that we have Stephon Marbury, and we NEED Starbury... spread the floor and let him go 1 on 1.

[EJPLAYA]

I'll take Marbury's hard nosed defense, pass first approach any day. Sam I Wasn't was not a great addition, and would have been even a worse idea this year. I would like to see Marbury take a couple more shots when he is open, but I'd rather see him take too few than too many.

Marbury this year for us - 18 min, 3.8 pts, 3.3 assists, 1.2 boards. 5 games with 8 or more points out of 29 games. Is taking about 4.5 shots per game.

Cassell - Played in 37 games for us last year. Average about the same amount of minutes. Had 15 games with 8 or more pts.took 6.5 shots per game. Averaged about 6 pts per game. He averaged under 2 assists per game. Under 2 rebounds per game. 

Stats actually show that Marbury's offensive production wasn't much worse than Cassell's however he is substantially higher in the assist and rebound column. Add that to the fact that he is playing much better defense out there and trying to keep the second unit in the offense, I don't see how anyone can feel that Marbury is any worse than Cassell was last year. Neither one of them was as good as anyone hoped, I just think that Marbury has made more of an attempt to fit in and not try to be "the man".

[BASS_THUMPER]

cassell hit that 3 ball

[kheeko]

Marburys shooting game is wayyyy off what going on w/ dude

edit: **** At the title

[Redz]

Alien Resurrection?