So, loss aside for a minute, first impressions of Moore?

[fairweatherfan]

Well, he couldn't box out Audrey Hepburn.  That's the major flaw in his game.  The rest was as advertised.

I think she's pretty well boxed in by now.

But yeah, I see Moore's game as similar to KG's - at a MUCH lower level of course.  Defensive energy, crashing the boards (though not very successfully), taking a long jumper, and encouraging teammates.  Though it's only 1 game, he looks like a good fit so far.

[GroverTheClover]

Well, he couldn't box out Audrey Hepburn.  That's the major flaw in his game.  The rest was as advertised.

I think she's pretty well boxed in by now.

It's awful but I laughed. TP4U!

[Brickowski]

Well, he couldn't box out Audrey Hepburn.  That's the major flaw in his game.  The rest was as advertised.

How was that a surprise? So many people talked about how good he looked in that playoffs series versus Cleveland 2 years ago taking 15ft jumpers, but I guess they forgot what eventually decided those series: the Cavs completely dominanting the boards.

Well Cordobes, if he continues to not box out, I'll be happy to concede that you were right and I was wrong.  But let's give him a few games to learn the rotations first.

[D Dub]

Well, he couldn't box out Audrey Hepburn.  That's the major flaw in his game.  The rest was as advertised.

How was that a surprise? So many people talked about how good he looked in that playoffs series versus Cleveland 2 years ago taking 15ft jumpers, but I guess they forgot what eventually decided those series: the Cavs completely dominanting the boards.

I have a feeling you are going to have to do a lot of back-peddling from your 'Moore is Less' position that you stated so strongly when we signed him, cordobes.

Mikki will be a solid contributor to this team, he is a very good fit for what we need.

What my "Moore is Less" position? Would you mind to quote me? What part of my position am I going to back-pedal?

http://www.celticsblog.com/2009/2/23/768814/ziller-moore-is-mark-bloun#comments

When we were close to signing him you were all over him for his lack of talent, physicality and defense.

I think he will prove to be quite talented and an above average team defender.

[celticinorlando]

i think he is going to be fine once he learns the system. i expect him to improve game to game

[gar]

Could not watch the game due to a nagging cold; but as I was drifting off, I had a vision of Mikki taunting Camby from fifteen ft. after hitting a couple jumpers then dumping the ball in to BBD once he drew Camby from under the basket. POB could not do that (even if it was only a dream). I really think his game will complement BBD and Leon's well. Not to mention the opportunity to put two active 7 footers on the floor. Hope he and Rondo or Marbury can also hook up on some breaks to the basket and alley oops.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

Honestly, he was better than PJ was in his first game as a celtic...yes people..PJ brown was on his last legs and contributed little to nothing in the regular season 

[CelticsHaveFansAgain]

For a guy who got there an hour before gametime and was trying to pick up our defense and offense sets on the fly, i though he did pretty well.

Thoughts?

yup i agree

[cordobes]

Well, he couldn't box out Audrey Hepburn.  That's the major flaw in his game.  The rest was as advertised.

How was that a surprise? So many people talked about how good he looked in that playoffs series versus Cleveland 2 years ago taking 15ft jumpers, but I guess they forgot what eventually decided those series: the Cavs completely dominanting the boards.

I have a feeling you are going to have to do a lot of back-peddling from your 'Moore is Less' position that you stated so strongly when we signed him, cordobes.

Mikki will be a solid contributor to this team, he is a very good fit for what we need.

What my "Moore is Less" position? Would you mind to quote me? What part of my position am I going to back-pedal?

http://www.celticsblog.com/2009/2/23/768814/ziller-moore-is-mark-bloun#comments

When we were close to signing him you were all over him for his lack of talent, physicality and defense.

I think he will prove to be quite talented and an above average team defender.

I was? I don't think so, I was just setting the record straight about his strenghts and weaknesses. People were starting to make it sound like he was some kind of Anderson Varejão, when he isn't on that level. I've said multiple times I like Moore and that the overall quality of the roster has improved - how exactly were you able to translate that to "Moore is Less"? People have to understand that it's okay to point out the weaknesses of the players - it doesn't mean one believes they can't play or some kind of personal dislike.

I'm very comfortable with my assessment of Moore. I went to the point of detailing what he can offer this team I'm pretty sure I won't be backpedaling a single inch. He's been around for awhile, he played here in Europe to start his career and he's always been more or less the same player. I'm fairly confident he won't reveal in these few months in Boston some kind of talent he hasn't shown yet. Sorry to disappoint you, but there's not a lot of untapped potential on Mikki Moore.

[Tr1boy]

don't concern with what kind of nice stats he can give us. Its more the intangibles we will get that can't be proven on the stats sheet

moore fits well as a energy lengthy big man that can hit the jumper. Celtics defense is mostly about proper rotations, helping out other guys and those things require speed and intellegence. On offense setting proper picks, knowing when to crash the net etc is important

moore to me is as close to as a perfect back center/pf bench guy the celts could have dreamt for, personally even better than joe smith who is virtually the same player with less height

[pumpfake]

somehow he goes for more rebounds then scal and comes up with fewer

amazing

[guava_wrench]

After two games, there are 3 things that stand out for me:

1 - Moore really does foul a lot. I'm fine with that. I like when we hit opponents.
2 - His jumper is consistent.
3 - He really does have bad hands. Marbury needs to soften his passes to Moore, cuz they go through his hands otherwise.

I like the Moore pickup very much. I enjoy watching Moore and Baby compete to see who can achieve the highest foul rate. It will be interesting to see the rotation when KG returns. I feel we needed Moore more without Marbury, due the the scoring difficulties of the House/TA/Pierce/Powe/BBD lineup (3 guys who didn't shoot outside of lane). With Marbury instead of TA, Powe and BBD together isn't as problematic since the 3 players with them on the floor can all shoot.

[guava_wrench]

somehow he goes for more rebounds then scal and comes up with fewer

amazing

Haha. Nice.

Scal doesn't actually go up for rebounds. He hopes they will come down to him. He just boxes out and hopes for the best.

[cordobes]

(...)moore to me is as close to as a perfect back center/pf bench guy the celts could have dreamt for, personally even better than joe smith who is virtually the same player with less height

And this is what I mean. Personally, I can't even think of a single thing Moore can do on a basketball floor better than Smith. In some cases, the difference is abyssal (say, rebounding).

[Brickowski]

Moore is just too skinny to rebound effectively. Why he hasn't bulked up before now is beyond me. Feed him lots of tuna fish and send him to the weight room.