Gabe Pruitt - In The Mix?

[libermaniac]

http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/index.jsp?player=gabe_pruitt

18.6 ppg in NBDL is good, but 3.9 assists to 3.17 TOs is hardly enough to be encouraged by his PG abilities. 

[Sweet17]

I don't think the C's care about his "PG" abilities. Let's face in the finals PP was doing alot of the PG stuff - especially in those games Rondo wasn't playing that much. Even in games Rondo did play sometimes PP would start the plays. The C's COULD use a younger faster better defending Eddie House. And that's where Pruitt MAY fit in. OTOH we might grab someone else if Pruitt can't do it.

It SHOULD be an easy spot to fill.. You don't need to be an 'assist' guy just good enough to dribble the ball up the court under light pressure. A Monta Ellis type is what we are looking for.

Pete

[Shamrock]

I can't argue your stats on Pruitt's D league play - but I was very impressed with Pruitt's game in the summer league as well as the few NBA minutes he got.  I would take him any day over Cassell.  I actually would feel quite confident going into a season with Rondo/House/Pruitt as our point guards.  Pruitt actually reminds me a bit of Rondo - only he can shoot! Having said that - I hope Rondo gets a majority of the minutes.  I'd love to see the club take a chance on Pruitt.  

[BballTim]

Let's be realistic here.  Pruitt showed less promise than Orien Greene did in his sting here, and what is Greene doing today?

the club disagrees with you. all reports are the Celtics were quite impressed with gabe's development, and all indications are he will be given an opportunity to earn a spot on the 12 man roster this season.

Ya, I hope I'm wrong.  I guess one area where I could see Pruitt fitting in is as an Eddie House-type sharp shooter.  Other than that, though, Pruitt doesn't show much.  He's not a true PG, and too small to play the 2.  I always fall back on the fact that if a guy is good, he shows it from day 1 (Pierce, Big Al, Rondo, Joe Johnson).  When you watch a good player in summer league you can tell he's special.  Pruitt showed me as much as Forte and Kedrick Brown, and even less than Gerald Green.

Again, I hope I'm wrong.  We shall see.

  I don't think too many people are expecting Pruitt to be the next Pierce or Johnson or Rondo. That doesn't mean that he has no future with the team.

[Riles335]

Also lets not forget that Pruitt possesses very solid defensive skills. He is long and rangy that posses very nice quickness. I can see him coming in like Eddie House did this year but also bring a defensive game. Being that spark plug off the bench while also possessing good defensive skills. I really think that the C's would be in a good position next year with a trio of Rondo/House/Pruitt at the point. All three can contribute in their own ways.

I raise this question, if Pruitt impresses and they think he is an answer off the bench, does this spell the end of Tony Allen if they can bring back James Posey?

[kozlodoev]

If Pruitt is able to play defense and knock down shots with consistency, he'll stick around. He's not a 6'1 shooting guard like Allan Ray.

[Roy Hobbs]

Let's be realistic here.  Pruitt showed less promise than Orien Greene did in his sting here, and what is Greene doing today?

Orien Greene averaged 7.4 points and 3.8 assists per 36 minutes, while shooting below 40%.  What promise did he ever show again?

Gabe saw almost no time, due to the quality of our club.  He still averaged 12.1 points and 4.9 assists per 36 minutes, although when you're talking about less than 100 minutes of game time, it's not nearly enough to draw any meaningful conclusions (one way or the other).

[Birdbrain]

He's a lanky and quick and about 6'3".  I have a feeling he's going to fit in fairly nicely as the 3rd PG on Championship team.

[Jon]

Let me preface this by saying I have no idea how good Gabe Pruitt can be next year.  I don't think any of us has seen enough of him to tell.  And the NBADL and the summer leagues don't count.  We've seen countless players explode in those settings and be unable to cut it in the NBA.

That being said, one thing that Gabe has going for him is that the need for a "veteran PG" to backup Rondo has diminished.  While Rondo certainly hasn't learned everything in the book, he now is a championship tested veteran PG.  Furthermore, even this year, with the exception of Game 5 of the Finals and a couple other times, Rondo pretty much played every fourth quarter.  And if Doc's going to trust a guy like Eddie House--who might have the worst handle of any PG in the league--there's no reason to think he wouldn't do the same for Gabe Pruitt next year. 

Still, Gabe Pruitt may be the next Joe Forte.  Then everything above is all out the window. 

[Chris]

Well, I certainly don't know what Pruitt will be, but from the little I have seen, I was very impressed.  He seemed to be a tenacious and aggressive defender, and an incredibly smooth offensive player with an excellent outside shot.  So he certainly has the tools to be a player in this league.  The question is...is he ready?

I don't think any of us can answer that, but I trust that the C's from office has a better grasp on this.  I think if they feel that he is ready to contribute, he will come into the season as the 3rd string PG, either behind Eddie House, or as Eddie House's replacement (and they will bring in a new backup).  In a role like that, he could grow into it, with the safety net of having a veteran to take some pressure off.

[libermaniac]

Let's be realistic here.  Pruitt showed less promise than Orien Greene did in his sting here, and what is Greene doing today?

Orien Greene averaged 7.4 points and 3.8 assists per 36 minutes, while shooting below 40%.  What promise did he ever show again?

Exactly my point ... very little, which is what Pruitt has shown.  Actually, to be fair, Greene showed a good handle, some court-saavy and an ability to penetrate (Tommy was high on him).  And I've heard even less excitement in regards to Pruitt.

Gabe saw almost no time, due to the quality of our club.  He still averaged 12.1 points and 4.9 assists per 36 minutes, although when you're talking about less than 100 minutes of game time, it's not nearly enough to draw any meaningful conclusions (one way or the other).

Yep.  So why use that in an argument? 

I just haven't seen a thing in Pruitt.  Never saw anything in Kedrick Brown either, whereas a lot of C's fan somehow did for a few years.  Again, I'd love to be wrong.

[Roy Hobbs]

Let's be realistic here.  Pruitt showed less promise than Orien Greene did in his sting here, and what is Greene doing today?

Orien Greene averaged 7.4 points and 3.8 assists per 36 minutes, while shooting below 40%.  What promise did he ever show again?

Exactly my point ... very little, which is what Pruitt has shown.  Actually, to be fair, Greene showed a good handle, some court-saavy and an ability to penetrate (Tommy was high on him).  And I've heard even less excitement in regards to Pruitt.

Gabe saw almost no time, due to the quality of our club.  He still averaged 12.1 points and 4.9 assists per 36 minutes, although when you're talking about less than 100 minutes of game time, it's not nearly enough to draw any meaningful conclusions (one way or the other).

Yep.  So why use that in an argument? 

I just haven't seen a thing in Pruitt.  Never saw anything in Kedrick Brown either, whereas a lot of C's fan somehow did for a few years.  Again, I'd love to be wrong.

What did you expect to see out of Pruitt, with Rondo, Ray, Tony, and House on the team?  It's just strange to me that you're drawing value judgments about the kid, when you haven't seen anything one way or the other.

It's probably a good thing we didn't make similar value judgments about Perk's potential after his first season or two.  Just because a guy doesn't get playing time doesn't mean he doesn't have any potential.

[Eeyore III]

I think that the Cs are going to look for a new backup vet PG, for next year's team.  Sam I Am and House weren't quite the answer, although either could be the 3rd-string PG next year.  Pruitt is an unknown, not a vet.  I betcha DA takes a shot at a different vet for a year or two; back-up PG is a vital spot, and we almost got burned there this year (thank heavens for Chauncy's hammy strain).  

We may see Gabe in '09-10, but as for next year I guess I disagree with everyone.

    

[PRIDE]

Whats no to like about Pruitt?

He's young, athletic, good defender, good length, pure shooter and I bet he can handle the rock better than E House. His minutes were stolen by Cassell at the end of last year. He'll get his chance to prove himself this year. Dont judge him until then. To this point, he hasn't shown any negatives so his potential is still high.

[libermaniac]

What did you expect to see out of Pruitt, with Rondo, Ray, Tony, and House on the team?  It's just strange to me that you're drawing value judgments about the kid, when you haven't seen anything one way or the other.

Come on Roy, I know the Celtics are the world champs, but if a guy can't get minutes competing against Tony and House, that tells you a little something.  I'm also basing my opinion from watching him in 3 or so summer league games as well as his stats from the NBDL - where he had a nearly 1:1 Assist:TO ratio, and a game I saw him play live in college vs. Loyola Marymount.

It's probably a good thing we didn't make similar value judgments about Perk's potential after his first season or two.

Perk was a HS'er.  Pruitt played 3 years of college and is 22 years old.  Plus Perk was always strong and tough with long arms.  I don't think Pruitt has any physical attributes that "guarantee" him playing time in the NBA. And let's face it, Perk is pretty mediocre too. 

I agree it IS quick to judge, but that is my point.  First impressions are generally right.  I knew the second I saw Rondo that he was a keeper.  Same with Big Al.  Same with Pierce.  Same with Joe Johnson.  I rooted and rooted for Kedrick but never saw anything.  Same with Forte.  That's where I currently stand with Pruitt.  I will admit that I was wrong with Gerald Green (in that I saw him as emerging as a great scorer).  But, I can't remember the last person that I wrote off as not having talent, who proved me wrong.