Ainge on Weei this morning 7/22

[crownsy]

TA as the primary wing back-up makes me ill.     What's the over/under on TA turnovers per 40?  I'd say 6.  Let's hope Giddens proves DA wrong. 

And this ridiculous 'assessment' is based on what exactly? His worst TO per 40 up to now has been about 4, and the typical value is around 3.

thats absolutly horrid for a gaurd per 40. the kid can not dribble at an NBA level.

I think he can gaurd some SF's but not the elites, just due to lack of size.

we'll see though, this is make or break time for tony. if he can't get his head back together from the injurys and remains tentitive, he amy be behind giddions on the depth chart by christmas.

Here's hoping he gets it together and becomes somethign like 2 year ago tony, hate to see him not be able to make it back mentally from those injuries.

[winsomme]

With the roster "set" and Giddens not expected to have a large role(read: NBDL) and Danny saying the one area he would like to improve being the center position, does this signify that the end to small ball for long, extended portions of every game?

I used to defend Doc saying that he basically had no choice because until we picked up P J Brown, he had small personel, his best bench player was a wing who could defend some at the 4 and his bigs were not great FT shooters.

With Posey gone, Giddens playing a small role, and no Posey, I can see Tony, Ray and Paul rotating at the wings, KG and Powe at the 4, Perk and Baby and POB at the five and Rondo and Eddie at the point. I understand that with Baby playing the center position the team might not be big but I don't see them as playing "small ball" if that makes any sense.

If the above scenario is what they are going to do until further help comes, that is a team that is going to win a boatload of regular season games. Probably the most in the league. But I'd feel a lot better with a larger back C and a scoring wing that can play some defense come playoff time.

Of course, maybe we should get through the season first.

i would bet that Giddens and Walker (if he doesn't go to Europe) are still in the mix for PT, but Danny can't just say they will get minutes at this point before they have played a game or are even signed.

he has to make these guys work for PT and for to come out and say that they will get PT at this point might lead to the expectation and less aggressive work on their parts.

especially with a guy like Giddens who has a history of not necessarily giving the required effort, you can't be handing him PT on the World Champs...

[footey]

I hope Tony gets confidence back in his outside shot. Two years ago he was able to hit it consistently, and was decent from the arc. I'm not worried about his ability to slash and dish. And to draw fouls.  I think Tony will be our leading scorer off the bench, without doubt, and will have a better year statistically than Posey had last year. I agree with his agent, with a healthy Allen last year, we wouldn't have needed Posey. And I loved Posey, am not bashing him at all.

[nickagneta]

TA as the primary wing back-up makes me ill.     What's the over/under on TA turnovers per 40?  I'd say 6.  Let's hope Giddens proves DA wrong. 

It scares me a little bit, not because of TA's play when he is healthy. What concerns me is what will happen if he gets injured. That why I think we need another good wing player like D-Miles.

Also I thought it was interesting that he said Giddens would probably not have a big role (nbdl) but he said Walker could have been a top 20 pick healthy, does anyone think this might indicate that Walker might see more time than Giddens.

You are aware that a league appointed doctor declared that Miles' injury was career ending and that is the reason Portland doesn't have his remaining $18 million on their books. He is suspended for 10 games already for using an appetite suppressant because he weighs too much and is having trouble dropping the weight. He hasn't played in 2 years. The reports of his workouts have fluctuated but all are consistent in that he is nowhere near the level he was before he got injured.

What do you see in Miles?

If you said a Bonzi Wells that would be different. But the NBA doctor declared  Darius done and he is an impartial judge due to the fact that his diagnosis is the reason Portland doesn't count that money towards their cap. If Miles comes back for just 10 games in either of the next two seasons then Portland would have to put that money back on their books.

George, Wells, or Hermann sure. Miles, let's not waste our time with as big a question mark as there is in the league right now.

[winsomme]

I hope Tony gets confidence back in his outside shot. Two years ago he was able to hit it consistently, and was decent from the arc. I'm not worried about his ability to slash and dish. And to draw fouls.  I think Tony will be our leading scorer off the bench, without doubt, and will have a better year statistically than Posey had last year. I agree with his agent, with a healthy Allen last year, we wouldn't have needed Posey. And I loved Posey, am not bashing him at all.

i really think that if TA had signed elsewhere he might have gotten lost in the shuffle. but i think coming back here he actually could now show himself to be a very reliable player in the NBA.

i love how aggressive he gets to the basket. his handle may be a little sketchy, but his ability to finish circus shots with either hand on his drives makes him very difficult to keep away from the hoop and off the FT line.

if his knee really is improving like it seemed, he could have a great season for us.

[TripleOT]

I hope Tony gets confidence back in his outside shot. Two years ago he was able to hit it consistently, and was decent from the arc. I'm not worried about his ability to slash and dish. And to draw fouls.  I think Tony will be our leading scorer off the bench, without doubt, and will have a better year statistically than Posey had last year. I agree with his agent, with a healthy Allen last year, we wouldn't have needed Posey. And I loved Posey, am not bashing him at all.

In 07, TA shot 51.2%, 133-259, which broke down to 105-170 inside the paint, 61.8%, and 28-89 on jumpers, 31.4%. In 08, he shot 43.6%, 169-388, which broke down to 115-238 inside the paint, 48.3% and 54-150, 36% on jumpers. 

TA actually shot the jumper a bit better last season, but didn't finish like he did in 07, when he was one of the highest percentage shooter in the lane in the entire league.  If TA can hit 36% of his jumpers next year, and 61% of his paint shots, the Cs will have a [dang] efficient player on their hands.   

[spelz]

Don't worry about Tony's ballhandling, he is one of our backup point guards according to Doc.

[spelz]

TA as the primary wing back-up makes me ill.     What's the over/under on TA turnovers per 40?  I'd say 6.  Let's hope Giddens proves DA wrong. 

It scares me a little bit, not because of TA's play when he is healthy. What concerns me is what will happen if he gets injured. That why I think we need another good wing player like D-Miles.

Also I thought it was interesting that he said Giddens would probably not have a big role (nbdl) but he said Walker could have been a top 20 pick healthy, does anyone think this might indicate that Walker might see more time than Giddens.

You are aware that a league appointed doctor declared that Miles' injury was career ending and that is the reason Portland doesn't have his remaining $18 million on their books. He is suspended for 10 games already for using an appetite suppressant because he weighs too much and is having trouble dropping the weight. He hasn't played in 2 years. The reports of his workouts have fluctuated but all are consistent in that he is nowhere near the level he was before he got injured.

What do you see in Miles?

If you said a Bonzi Wells that would be different. But the NBA doctor declared  Darius done and he is an impartial judge due to the fact that his diagnosis is the reason Portland doesn't count that money towards their cap. If Miles comes back for just 10 games in either of the next two seasons then Portland would have to put that money back on their books.

George, Wells, or Hermann sure. Miles, let's not waste our time with as big a question mark as there is in the league right now.

I read this the other day as well.  Has anyone seen any pics of Miles lately?  He was always such a stringbean I just find it hard to believe he is overweight and can't lose it.

[kozlodoev]

Here's hoping he gets it together and becomes somethign like 2 year ago tony, hate to see him not be able to make it back mentally from those injuries.

Actually, the 2 year ago Tony had the worst TO per 40 of his career, so you guys should make up your minds about what you want

[Andy Jick]

after reading the recap, one of two things seems likely:

1) danny's already started his vacation a few weeks ago and this interview was a waste of his (and our) time

or

2) he's got a blockbuster lined up and he's lying (er, using a "smokescreen") as he has countless times before.

i'll take door #1...

looks like this is pretty much it for next season, so i hope rondo, perk and tony allen come back drastically improved and EVERYONE comes back hungry...for some reason i don't "ubuntu" will sell as good as it did this past season.

item to watch next season: will the "big 3" be able to keep their egos in check, or will some of their distates of one another finally come to a head.  stay tuned...

[BCelts]

TA as the primary wing back-up makes me ill.     What's the over/under on TA turnovers per 40?  I'd say 6.  Let's hope Giddens proves DA wrong. 

It scares me a little bit, not because of TA's play when he is healthy. What concerns me is what will happen if he gets injured. That why I think we need another good wing player like D-Miles.

Also I thought it was interesting that he said Giddens would probably not have a big role (nbdl) but he said Walker could have been a top 20 pick healthy, does anyone think this might indicate that Walker might see more time than Giddens.

You are aware that a league appointed doctor declared that Miles' injury was career ending and that is the reason Portland doesn't have his remaining $18 million on their books. He is suspended for 10 games already for using an appetite suppressant because he weighs too much and is having trouble dropping the weight. He hasn't played in 2 years. The reports of his workouts have fluctuated but all are consistent in that he is nowhere near the level he was before he got injured.

What do you see in Miles?

If you said a Bonzi Wells that would be different. But the NBA doctor declared  Darius done and he is an impartial judge due to the fact that his diagnosis is the reason Portland doesn't count that money towards their cap. If Miles comes back for just 10 games in either of the next two seasons then Portland would have to put that money back on their books.

George, Wells, or Hermann sure. Miles, let's not waste our time with as big a question mark as there is in the league right now.

(perhaps changing hte subject a little bit, but...)

I know that Miles was declared done.  I also know that if he turns out not to be "done" then his contract gets reinstated on Portland's books (about $9M per year if I rememebr correctly).  I also understand that Chicago is concerned about losing either Deng or Gordon to Portland next year if Deng and/or Gordon are signed to one year tender offers because Portland has the cap space to sign them to about an eight figure contract.  Question: if you were running the Bulls, would you sign Miles to a minimum contract and try like hell to get him back to a productive player so that you can sabotage Portland's cap space and have a better chance of holding on to Gordon and/or Deng?  Why not? 

[nickagneta]

TA as the primary wing back-up makes me ill.     What's the over/under on TA turnovers per 40?  I'd say 6.  Let's hope Giddens proves DA wrong. 

It scares me a little bit, not because of TA's play when he is healthy. What concerns me is what will happen if he gets injured. That why I think we need another good wing player like D-Miles.

Also I thought it was interesting that he said Giddens would probably not have a big role (nbdl) but he said Walker could have been a top 20 pick healthy, does anyone think this might indicate that Walker might see more time than Giddens.

You are aware that a league appointed doctor declared that Miles' injury was career ending and that is the reason Portland doesn't have his remaining $18 million on their books. He is suspended for 10 games already for using an appetite suppressant because he weighs too much and is having trouble dropping the weight. He hasn't played in 2 years. The reports of his workouts have fluctuated but all are consistent in that he is nowhere near the level he was before he got injured.

What do you see in Miles?

If you said a Bonzi Wells that would be different. But the NBA doctor declared  Darius done and he is an impartial judge due to the fact that his diagnosis is the reason Portland doesn't count that money towards their cap. If Miles comes back for just 10 games in either of the next two seasons then Portland would have to put that money back on their books.

George, Wells, or Hermann sure. Miles, let's not waste our time with as big a question mark as there is in the league right now.

(perhaps changing hte subject a little bit, but...)

I know that Miles was declared done.  I also know that if he turns out not to be "done" then his contract gets reinstated on Portland's books (about $9M per year if I rememebr correctly).  I also understand that Chicago is concerned about losing either Deng or Gordon to Portland next year if Deng and/or Gordon are signed to one year tender offers because Portland has the cap space to sign them to about an eight figure contract.  Question: if you were running the Bulls, would you sign Miles to a minimum contract and try like hell to get him back to a productive player so that you can sabotage Portland's cap space and have a better chance of holding on to Gordon and/or Deng?  Why not? 

NO. I think they would just let Gordon go.

[crownsy]

Here's hoping he gets it together and becomes somethign like 2 year ago tony, hate to see him not be able to make it back mentally from those injuries.

Actually, the 2 year ago Tony had the worst TO per 40 of his career, so you guys should make up your minds about what you want

i want the one that could finsh at the rim hard on offense and draw fouls in traffic, not bail out like a laker because he clearly doesn't trust his body to hold up on the landing.

clear enough?

[MrsNumba17]

I don't have much faith in TA.

I just hope he gets on that court and "tries" to shine.

[zerophase]

*going on vacation shortly

*still has to take care of the coaching staff

*very few calls from teams trying to get our players

*free agents want more $$, but if they can't get it, they want to play for a team that gets a lot of nationally televised games

*Doc, Danny and teammates (esp. Paul)love Tony Allen

*can't expect Giddens (#30 pick) to play significant role in rookie year, but from a talent standpoint, he is great ("a young Paul Pierce" in some regards)

*thinks Rondo will have a special year next season

*thinks the Celtics will be a better team next season

*Doc really wanted Eddie back

*best perimeter defender (statistically) in the playoffs was Paul Pierce (#2 Ray and #3 Posey); says Tony Allen is their best perimeter defender overall

*Rondo put up 300 jump shots the day after the Finals were over; Big Baby also working very hard to get minutes next year

*Bill Walker would've gone in the 20's or better in the draft if not injured

*Perk doing very good after surgery; will be 100% for training camp

*we have our top 9 guys in place

*thinks Patrick O'Bryant has a bright future and can do some things that no one else on the team can

*if the playoffs started today, he'd like to improve the center position

*no conversations about Devean George

good summary, TP. i like what he said about the center position and his comments about rondo show that rondo is still working hard, unlike pierce who hasn't picked up a basketball since his championship