Celtics Stuff Live! Sunday...8PM, W/Jessica Camerato.
Well, we're two games into the preseason and we'll have another to talk about by show time. In case you have just returned from "Outer Slobovia," or are too deeply immersed in the Red Sox playoffs, the Celtics face off against the Houston Rockets (and old nemesis Ron Artest) tonight at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH, at 7:30PM.
Our guest this week, Jessica Camerato, who covers the team for WEEI.com , will be attending tonight's game, as will I and I'm sure that we will be able to make some reasonably accurate observations about the face of the team that will be trying to defend their championship, entering the regular season.
I'm most happy to report that Paul Pierce has lost some weight and looks fully recovered, not only from the right knee injury he suffered in the playoffs, but the previously undisclosed left knee problem that plagued him (and was noted on our show) through the early part of last season.
Of course, the real focus of this preseason is on the rotation and the bench players...... in that light, you might like to check out Jessica's article from Oct. 10th, "Who is the You Tube Bill Walker?" . She gets into Bill Walkers head a bit and marvels at his "Jeckyl and Hyde" personality.
"I get on the court and I just flip into a different person. I'm very intense, I'm into the game, and I'm just out of my body," Walker admitted before quickly pointing out, "but off the court I'm a nice person, anyone can talk to me, I'm pretty much laid back."
Walker's transformation begins as soon as he wakes up on game day. He is fueled by the excitement of putting on a Celtics jersey and going after his shot on the team.
"On the court I'm more amped up, going 100 miles per hour," he said, adding, "that's my nature. I just play hard, play with a lot of energy."
"Sometimes I don't [recognize myself in highlight clips]. I can't believe it," Walker said. "Like [Wednesday] night, I can't believe I actually did that. The one I caught from Gabe (Pruitt), I didn't think I could do that. It's just amazing, just sitting back like, 'Man, I did that."
We've already seen some signs that Patrick O'Bryant has the skills to become the back up center that we've been searching for, although Doc noted this AM, that his effort is still not up to the necessary level........
“When I took him out I told him that we play hard all the time on this team,” said the Celtics coach. “We don’t take breaks. But he’ll learn that.”
I think it's safe to say that Tony Allen has turned the corner on his rehab and is ready to be counted on as a consistent performer and that Leon Powe is still going to be that "grown man" under the boards and that his offseason work on his ball handling and getting his shot off in a crowd has been noticed.
I'm still watching the point guard posse, unconvinced that Doc will really keep four of them, a lot depends on how well Eddie House performs under the trapping pressure and whether Gabe Pruit is really ready to lead an offense.
The "ace in the hole," Sam Cassell is being kept at the ready, but has yet to see the floor. Doc had this to say about when Sam will see action....
“But I might (tonight in Manchester, N.H.),” Rivers said. “I’ll just let him sit next to us on the bench and listen to his suggestions.”
....so it seems clear that the 15th roster spot is Pruit's to win or lose..... on the other hand, did you notice that Darius Miles only played 3:40 last night?
Well, anyway, we'll digest some more game action tonight and be ready to spar with you all and each other tomorrow night.
We hope you will join us.....
If you want to participate in the show you can call our toll free number (1.866.751.9649), send us an e-mail to CSL@CelticsBlog.com, or join us in the “Pit” (the chat) during the broadcast.
Topic: Celtics Stuff Live! Sunday...8PM, W/Jessica Camerato. (Read 1051 times)