How big was the POB pickup?

[arambone]

"can someone post his hook shot? would love to see this."

Espn.com game highlights have one of his hook shots.

[BUTerrier]

How big is the POB pickup? Well, I dare say that POB is likely to become the greatest center who ever lived.

(Huh? He's only played two games so far? Oh. Ok.)

Well, POB will be that missing piece that will finally win us that championship that's eluded us for over 20 years

(What'd you say? Oh . . . we won last year? Hmmm. OK.)

Well, POB can repeat his great performance from his time at Golden State, where he was the anchor of a team that consistently excelled year after year

(Come again? He barely played while in GS? [dang]. Gotta read these lineup cards right.)

Well, maybe he'll at least be a decent player. ;-)

[fan33]

Huge, both for him and the Celtics, a synergistic symbiotic fit!

Not only was he under appreciated(his hook shot was always a part of his game) and under utilized (needs consistant minutes with starters and given touches) as well the brain trust made him know we need him and have plans for his minutes. They have coached to his strenths along with reinvigorating his dedication to give his most in training and continued growth against great tallent in camp. I'm sure Cliff Rays intensive big man coaching has sharpened, refined and motivated the young and naturally gifted O'Bryant to improve upon his tallents.

i'm impressed with his getting up and down the court, good show of hustle even in trying to rotate out to the perimeter. Pleanty of room yet for improvement but he has a good head for court awareness and what need to be done which is the first step to better execution.

Also, very few reaching or cheap fouls too.
Very good and well set high picks!
Very good hands!
Good passing skills, both outlets and at least two high post interior passes with heads up awareness!
He seems to be highly coordinated and atheltic for a seven footer. Remember his must be still growing into that body at 22!
Seems to be able to play at NBA speed (doest look lost), again, good eye for the ball and court awareness!
 The man has a nice stroke for free throws!!!

Big pick up for the Celtics!

[Champzilla]

The hook they show on the NBA highlights is not "the hook shot".

[moiso]

He looks very smooth on offense.  Much less mechanical than Perk.  He has good touch, nice hands.  If he could add some weight he could really be one of the better centers in the league.  But I wouldn't count on that happening.  Still, he's pretty good now with the potential to get a lot better.

[Steve Weinman]

It's too early to tell what he can contribute this season .... but he's definitely given reason for some optimism. Good start by the big fella.

Couldn't agree more, Who.  Nice start, but we're talking about two preseason games here - I wouldn't be averse to giving this one (and each of the other summer moves) some time...

-sw

[cdif911]

our expectations for POB are so low, that if he does anything it looks great... which isn't a bad thing, I hope this continues into the regular season

[EJPLAYA]

The pickup was absolutely HUGE! We couldn't have won one out of two preseason games without him. Great pickup Danny.

Come on people. This is nonsense. Everyone labels him a bust before he even suited up, and now that he looks solid in 2 preseason games the guy has dramatically upgraded us at the center spot.

I like what I see so far. If he continues to play this way and improve through the season then we truly did find a good backup. I was optimistic before the games, and am still optimistic. That's going far enough though.

[fan33]

The pickup was absolutely HUGE! We couldn't have won one out of two preseason games without him. Great pickup Danny.

Come on people. This is nonsense. Everyone labels him a bust before he even suited up, and now that he looks solid in 2 preseason games the guy has dramatically upgraded us at the center spot.

I like what I see so far. If he continues to play this way and improve through the season then we truly did find a good backup. I was optimistic before the games, and am still optimistic. That's going far enough though.

Wrong, not at all was "everybody" labeling him a stiff/bust due to his G.S. and college experience, Danny for one!

Nothing to do with win/loss to consider POB as being a Huge signing, with Perk still out and reinjury being quite possible; O'B could step in right away if need be. And that is an upgrade, able to keep K.G. at his prefered position!

But at least you're being optimistic with the possibilities too

[Redz]

About yay big

[Birdbrain]

Yeah agreed not all of us were down on him.  Just a few that post a lot.  I mean to even make an assumption about a player you haven't even see play seemed a bit strange to me.  But I digress no is saying he's going to be a 1st team all nba player but, I don't need to see anymore to absolutely know he'll bring more than Pollard did last year. 

[LarBrd33]

This was so predictable when everyone was bashing this kid as a stiff.  I knew as soon as he put up some 10 point 9 rebound game in garbage time people would flip out and say he's the next Patrick Ewing.   Ever I underestimated the homerism of the Boston fans, though.  I should have known it would come in the preseason.

[Marco Vincent]

I am loving POB right now.  He reminds me of a more finesse oriented Camby (what can I say, I'm a Umass alum!)...

But what I was/am dying to see... is a lineup with POB at Center and KG at the 4.... that would be beastly.  I like Perk and all.. but I like POB versatility.  Perk showed some promise last season with his upped blocks and boards...but I just really like this kid.

[the_Bird]

I am loving POB right now.  He reminds me of a more finesse oriented Camby (what can I say, I'm a Umass alum!)...

But what I was/am dying to see... is a lineup with POB at Center and KG at the 4.... that would be beastly.  I like Perk and all.. but I like POB versatility.  Perk showed some promise last season with his upped blocks and boards...but I just really like this kid.

Nah.  Even if POB keeps playing at a high level (let's keep our expectations in check), you really want someone with Perk's bulk out there next to KG.  It's nice to have a legit 7-footer out there, but I can't see him having that same physicality of Perk. 

Gotta figure that POB will at least give us more production than Pollard.  I'd still expect to see some BBD and Powe in the middle against some teams. 

I missed the beginning of the game against Cleveland; was Big Z playing?  How did POB match up against him?  That's the one big man in the East who makes me the most nervous, just because he's so much bigger than either Powe or BBD.  I'm curious to see POB against Yao tonight, too. 

EDIT: Just read the box score.  Big Z, 5-5 from the field?  Ugh.  5 rebounds for POB in 27 minutes isn't that impressive either (that's a very Blounty rebounding rate).  Not the end of the world for the kid, but let's keep our expectations in check; if he can play 15 effective minutes backing up Perk, that's a win for Danny.

Besides, this is the year for Perk to really step his game up another notch.  We need him to be someone we can count on for 32-35 consistent minutes.  No more of this 25 MPG crap; you're a starter, you should be able to stay on the court for starter's minutes.

[Marco Vincent]

A good amount of Z's points came against Powe.  Z was manhandling him last night shoving him around the paint.  I love Powe and Z... but I'm just saying as a new guy... POB is showing a lot of poise and promise.  I was especially impressed by his one handed frozen rope pass through traffic against the sixers for that dunk by (i think) Miles.  I'm just sayin...