Lester inks one year deal.....Here's our 15th guaranteed player!

[Roy Hobbs]

Here's a good story about Hudson's academic problems:  Link.

He never finished high school, and didn't get his GED until he was enrolled at community college.

His community college coach described him this way:

Verties Sails, the Southwest head coach, said: "Look, we had to almost break a hammer over his head to get him to sit down and understand" he had to study. "Lester is a product of the streets, let's face it."

I know the story was meant to be uplifting, but Hudson doesn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the draw.  I think that bodes poorly for him when trying to make the league as a 25 year old rookie.  However, other players have overcome, so maybe he can, too.

[celticsclay]

Here's a good story about Hudson's academic problems:  Link.

He never finished high school, and didn't get his GED until he was enrolled at community college.

His community college coach described him this way:

Verties Sails, the Southwest head coach, said: "Look, we had to almost break a hammer over his head to get him to sit down and understand" he had to study. "Lester is a product of the streets, let's face it."

I know the story was meant to be uplifting, but Hudson doesn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the draw.  I think that bodes poorly for him when trying to make the league as a 25 year old rookie.  However, other players have overcome, so maybe he can, too.

Furthermore, there can be a difference between book smarts and basketball smarts. At the very least he realized in time that he needed basketball in his life and seems to have done what he needed to get out of a hole. Plus, I would imagine a lot of us have had easier upbringings then Lester. I don't really see the point in trying to judge the guy before he even plays his first preseason game. He is a celtic now, who knows for how long, but lets just root for him.

[Change]

I know the story was meant to be uplifting, but Hudson doesn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the draw. 

I wouldn't necessary say that. Lester does have a Bachelor's degree. Only a quarter of US popoluation hold Bachelor's Degree or higher. Not bad for 8th grade flunker. He persevered and turned a bad situation to a picture perfect ending. And now he'll get an opportunity to improve himself on the basektball court, and thats all Ainge cares about. Expect some good things from Lester.

[jayk009]

I really like Lester Hudson's "potential", I know that's a scary word to use, but he his offensive talents are on par with a lottery picks in my opinion, we just have to find out if he can learn the pg position, and if he can do that he will stick around this league for a long long time. He is not your typical 25 year old rookie, unlike other seniors coming out who you pretty much know how they play, he still has alot of potential to grow as a player. I wanna see him do what Gabe Pruitt failed to do and end any need to acquire another backup pg for depth. The way he handles himself on the court is way different then Pruitt or even JR Giddens, he has the swagger that he knows he belongs in the NBA, and has more composure then Giddens or Pruitt. The fact that he made the team as the 58th overall pick shows that Ainge also sees something in him. I hope he works out for us...

[Jon]

I really like Lester Hudson's "potential", I know that's a scary word to use, but he his offensive talents are on par with a lottery picks in my opinion, we just have to find out if he can learn the pg position, and if he can do that he will stick around this league for a long long time. He is not your typical 25 year old rookie, unlike other seniors coming out who you pretty much know how they play, he still has alot of potential to grow as a player. I wanna see him do what Gabe Pruitt failed to do and end any need to acquire another backup pg for depth. The way he handles himself on the court is way different then Pruitt or even JR Giddens, he has the swagger that he knows he belongs in the NBA, and has more composure then Giddens or Pruitt. The fact that he made the team as the 58th overall pick shows that Ainge also sees something in him. I hope he works out for us...

I hear you.  But what's his upside, to be the next Eddie House or J.R. Bremer? 

I don't mind him here, but I think it's pretty safe to assume he's not going to be an All Star.  Given that case, if Danny sees an opportunity to bring in a vet backup PG that could help us win this year, I'm fine with him cutting Hudson.  We don't need to be stockpiling youngsters with the upside to be role players. 

[thirstyboots18]

I disagree.  Role players are very important.  If Hudson works out we could have a long term backup for Rondo as opposed to a high cost veteran, or looking to refill the role every year (as in Marbury).  I want Hudson to succeed.  We have done pretty well with some of our "role player" back ups (Powe, Baby, Scal).  We are lucky to have some all stars on our bench this year, but it isn't often that you have all star players on the bench.

[Jon]

I disagree.  Role players are very important.  If Hudson works out we could have a long term backup for Rondo as opposed to a high cost veteran, or looking to refill the role every year (as in Marbury).  I want Hudson to succeed.  We have done pretty well with some of our "role player" back ups (Powe, Baby, Scal).  We are lucky to have some all stars on our bench this year, but it isn't often that you have all star players on the bench.

But most role players are not high cost.  That's my point.  If we cut Hudson this summer and he emerged into a serviceable backup, we'd likely be able to get him back again at a cheap price a in a couple years if we really wanted him back. 

Furthermore, if Hudson does miraculously prove he can be a good backup to Rondo in the next 2-3 years, do you think he's going to continue to be a backup for Rondo?  Of course not, he'll sucker some bad team with cap space to try him out at as a starter. 

My larger point is this: having a good backup point guard 2-3 years from now isn't important.  What's important is winning now.  If Danny feels there's a vet FA PG out there that could help the team (even if by simply giving us some insurance if Rondo sprains an ankle or something), then I'm OK with cutting Hudson. 

We can worry about who Rondo's long term backup is going to be once the Big Three's prime is over. 

[wdleehi]

Worring about if a player can become a backup PG in 2 or 3 years is nice, but not the needed worry about this team.


Making sure there is a backup PG to be able to step in and contribute if Rondo or House goes down is a worry.


Lester is a throw in player when the Celtics trade the expiring contracts of Scali and/or TA for a salary cutting PG. (at best)

[thirstyboots18]

I think, at least in this economy, role players, especially restricted free agents, are not suckering anyone into picking them up.  Danny kind of proved that  by letting Davis test the waters. Hudson should be inexpensive for a least a couple years, and he might work out...If it doesn't work, nothing is lost and we can go the veteran route.  In the past we have been much to quick to give up on players (Pitino era).  I would at least like to see what Hudson has.

Regardless, what we have to worry about first is locking up Rondo or the whole back up issue is moot.  

[thirstyboots18]

I pressed the post button too fast, Wdleehi, and didn't see your post first.  I agree with you, and that would also give us a chance to see if he has anything worth keeping.  If not, that would be a good time to pick up a backup point guard.  I think, with our present staff, we are good through December.

[Jon]

I think, at least in this economy, role players, especially restricted free agents, are not suckering anyone into picking them up.  Danny kind of proved that  by letting Davis test the waters. Hudson should be inexpensive for a least a couple years, and he might work out...If it doesn't work, nothing is lost and we can go the veteran route.  In the past we have been much to quick to give up on players (Pitino era).  I would at least like to see what Hudson has.

Regardless, what we have to worry about first is locking up Rondo or the whole back up issue is moot.  

The only player we gave up on too quickly in the Pitino era was Chauncey Billups, who was the 3rd pick in the draft, not the 58th.  In the Obie era, we gave up too quickly on JJ, another lottery pick.  

As wdleehi points out, what happens if Eddie House goes down in the playoffs?  Even if Hudson is everything some people dream he is, we should all know that Doc isn't going to play him.  So we'd be stuck with Tony Allen out there.  

It's not worth risking what we have now in the hopes that Hudson might be a decent role player on a team that will no longer be contending.  

[Jon]

I pressed the post button too fast, Wdleehi, and didn't see your post first.  I agree with you, and that would also give us a chance to see if he has anything worth keeping.  If not, that would be a good time to pick up a backup point guard.  I think, with our present staff, we are good through December.

I don't disagree with that.  However, if Danny spots the right opportunity tomorrow and needs to cut Hudson, I'm also OK with that. 

[guava_wrench]

Here's a good story about Hudson's academic problems:  Link.

He never finished high school, and didn't get his GED until he was enrolled at community college.

His community college coach described him this way:

Verties Sails, the Southwest head coach, said: "Look, we had to almost break a hammer over his head to get him to sit down and understand" he had to study. "Lester is a product of the streets, let's face it."

I know the story was meant to be uplifting, but Hudson doesn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the draw.  I think that bodes poorly for him when trying to make the league as a 25 year old rookie.  However, other players have overcome, so maybe he can, too.

Furthermore, there can be a difference between book smarts and basketball smarts. At the very least he realized in time that he needed basketball in his life and seems to have done what he needed to get out of a hole. Plus, I would imagine a lot of us have had easier upbringings then Lester. I don't really see the point in trying to judge the guy before he even plays his first preseason game. He is a celtic now, who knows for how long, but lets just root for him.

I want to agree about the difference in "smarts", but we have a team that needs people who are intelligent, or at least experienced to make up for slow learning. We don't need more TA types.

[Chris]

Count me as someone who knows nothing about Hudson's BBIQ.  I think there is reason to believe there MAY be some sort of red flag based on his age, but it may have nothing to do with intelligence...and even if it does, regular IQ and basketball IQ are very different things (just ask Derek Rose). 

Anyways, Lester is just keeping a roster spot warm right now, with the opportunity to show he belongs.  I don't think anyone in the organization actually expects him to finish the year on the roster...but they would love it if he proves he does belong. 

At this point, all we can do is wait and see.

[xmuscularghandix]

This kid is really going to get some fans here, he hustles, and he's a cold blooded scorer.