Is it Time To Give Gabe Pruitt A Shot At Backup PG?

[MaineBleedsGreen]

2short made a good point in another thread, pruitt actually played better than Marbury last year.. I think it is time to give him a real shot at backup PG, at least for the 1st half of the season. If he doesn't cut it we still have Scal + TA as about 5.5 MIL in expiring contracts to trade at the deadline for a backup PG.

Pruitt has a good stroke and fresh legs so he should be able to defend against 2nd stringers.

The problem with bringing someone in at the trade deadline is trying to get them up to speed enough by the playoffs to be the steady contributor and primary backup at the PG spot. We've seen how this hasn't exactly panned out with Cassel and Marbury. Is this really the path we want to go down?

[guava_wrench]

I like Pruitt for his potential, but at some point it has to turn into results.
I am willing to give him some more time, but not a lot. He was given the opportunity last year to run the backup point for a few weeks, and his defense was great, imo. The problem was that he is just not a go getter and doesn't look for his offense in the least bit. He just dribbles up the court, hands it off and then you don't notice him for the rest of the possession.

This summer I'd like to see him more assertive on offense. I'd like to see him take his man to the hole and actually look for his own offense. One underrated part of Gabe's game is his passing. He actually looked good with his passing in pick and roll situations. I remember a few "thread the needle" passes with Leon Powe in situations like these. The problem is that he's too scared to drive. You can't baby a kid along when you are competing for a championship.

It's possible that this kid makes the leap this year to a solid roleplayer. It is also possible that we waive him. Either direction wouldn't surprise me. He is a deadeye shooter in warmups and then shoots a crap percentage in games.

His off the court behavior scares me a bit. I am torn on Pruitt, and I would imagine the front office is, also.

Does he really have much potential to be more than he is already? Isn't the problem that he has shown little and there is little reason to expect he will get much better?

[cornbreadsmart]

everyone was high on pruitt. then he gets a dui and marbury shows up. pruitt did nothing to lower his value on the court. he was doing pretty well. now people who have never seen lester hudson play think he's better than pruitt??? this does'nt make ANY sense.

[wdleehi]

everyone was high on pruitt. then he gets a dui and marbury shows up. pruitt did nothing to lower his value on the court. he was doing pretty well. now people who have never seen lester hudson play think he's better than pruitt??? this does'nt make ANY sense.

I want neither out there. 

[celticinorlando]

i dont want marbury or pruitt...i think an earl watson would be a huge upgrade

[Eeyore III]

Well my thinking is , if we can sign Grant Hill it would be a perfect situation for Pruitt. Grant Hill is still very effective as a PG on the offensive end. Grant Hill would run the offense and Pruitt would be a spot up shooter which is probably the best role for him on offense.

Then on defense Pruitt is a pretty solid defender and has the foot speed to guard PG'S

Good point.  TP.  To me, the only plausible way to salvage Pruitt is to pair him with a playmaker at another position, like Hill.

That being said, I'd say this summer league is his last chance for Pruitt to show the Cs that he has finally put the pieces together.  August 1 is the deadline re: his contract.  He'll never be a playmaker, but he can defend the PG spot and (I guess) hit an open shot, which is all we would need at backup PG IF we had a playmaker out there with him.

Another (desperate) idea: TA and Scals for Tinsley.  Larry'd do it, and no one ever said Tinsley didn't have talent.

[wdleehi]

Well my thinking is , if we can sign Grant Hill it would be a perfect situation for Pruitt. Grant Hill is still very effective as a PG on the offensive end. Grant Hill would run the offense and Pruitt would be a spot up shooter which is probably the best role for him on offense.

Then on defense Pruitt is a pretty solid defender and has the foot speed to guard PG'S

Good point.  TP.  To me, the only plausible way to salvage Pruitt is to pair him with a playmaker at another position, like Hill.

That being said, I'd say this summer league is his last chance for Pruitt to show the Cs that he has finally put the pieces together.  August 1 is the deadline re: his contract.  He'll never be a playmaker, but he can defend the PG spot and (I guess) hit an open shot, which is all we would need at backup PG IF we had a playmaker out there with him.

Another (desperate) idea: TA and Scals for Tinsley.  Larry'd do it, and no one ever said Tinsley didn't have talent.

In that case, rather have Hill out there with House, not Pruitt.


And if the Celtics trade for a PG, I would love for them to try and get Mardy Collins, a big PG that can play defense.  (good fit with House)

[EatSleepBreatheGreen]

LESTER HUDSON.

[Quinn]

LESTER HUDSON.

is a shooting guard.

[EatSleepBreatheGreen]

LESTER HUDSON.

is a shooting guard.

More like a shoot first, PG.

@ 6'3" with good speed, and a dribble penetration game. Also having averaged 4.2 assists, I imagine that number can go up. People complain our second unit needs offensive firepower, here you go. We need a PG that can shoot, here you go. We need defense, well you get the picture. I think this kid is going to surprise alot of people. I'm calling it now, Hudson and Walker will be the two standouts of the summer league.

[cornbreadsmart]

pruitt will be BY FAR our best player at summer league. the guy was playing well. why does'nt anyone remember? everyone wants hudsn who almost NOBODY saw play. i don't get it.those shots he's taking on youtube? ya, he's getting benched if he jacks those up in a real game for us. that is, if he makes the team. which i doubt.

[dark_lord]

pruitt has done nothing to earn the backup spot.  i say 3rd string, or waive him and use his roster spot towards someone that can help us more (at any position)

[Aaron]

Pruitt being great in the summer league is the equivalent of Hudson being great in the NCAAAAA.  It doesn't do anything for the C's.

The backup PG is a major concern (which has never been more evident with the fear struck in Celtic Nation's collective heart when Marbury announced he probably wasn't coming back). 

Pruitt and Hudson are not the answer... This is the one position where we can't go Young.  We need a savvy veteran who can handle the ball and play solid defense.  Not someone who's learning on the job.

[dark_lord]

Pruitt and Hudson are not the answer... This is the one position where we can't go Young.  We need a savvy veteran who can handle the ball and play solid defense.  Not someone who's learning on the job.

perfectly said

[hwangjini_1]

Pruitt being great in the summer league is the equivalent of Hudson being great in the NCAAAAA.  It doesn't do anything for the C's.

The backup PG is a major concern (which has never been more evident with the fear struck in Celtic Nation's collective heart when Marbury announced he probably wasn't coming back). 

Pruitt and Hudson are not the answer... This is the one position where we can't go Young.  We need a savvy veteran who can handle the ball and play solid defense.  Not someone who's learning on the job.

good one.

but accepting your point raises the question on whom should ainge being in to be backup pg?

IF the celtics sign wallace and hill, then the first four guys off the bench will likely be...

wallace,
hill,
house,

and the mystery pg. given that all of these guys can shoot and score, ainge might would settle for a pg who can pass, handle the ball, and play defense.

any nominations from cb?