Why did it take doc so long to figure out that Leon could play?

[Bossco]

I was at the preseason game that allowed Leon to make the team. It was the last preseason game and up until that game Leon had played only 4 minutes all preseason. According to an article in the Globe by S. Springer, he was not likely to make the team. doc was planning on playing those players who would make the team.

In that game Paul got hurt and Perk and Jefferson were in foul trouble. Leon was sent in and he got 12 rebounds. The rest is history.

I can remember doc saying in the papers that Leon looked lost out there. That he didn't know the defense etc... Was that really true?

Even after doc had played Leon quite a bit at the end of 06/07 (April 21 mpg, 6 reb, 9 ppg) he still wouldn't play him at the start of 07/08 (25 dnp out of first 37 games - 4.85 mpg in the 12 games that he did play in). I used to scream at doc to put Leon in and doc usually would wait til the very end to put him in even during blowouts.

Can anyone explain why it took doc so long to give Leon playing time?

[Junkyard Dawg]

i didnt think it took leon so long to get playing time.. i know doc's got that reputation but i think powe and baby were the exceptions, they earned their pt that season and were integral parts to that bench

[guava_wrench]

Ever notice how David Lee has always put up great stats, yet multiple NBA coaches haven't played him as much as Knicks fans wanted?

It is easy to overestimate the effect on the team of good stats guys. Fortunately, Powe did figure things out.

[GranTur]

Powe has never had go-to isolation offense. He'll always be a 7-8th guy off the bench to spark some energy and get some rebounds and strong put-backs.

Everyone had to love him for what he did though.

[Bankshot]

OMG, I'm so sick of the Powe whining!

[Fafnir]

Because defensive rotations and how to play Doc's offensive sets is more important than rebounding rate.

[sk7326]

it took a year - Leon could rebound, but could he figure out how to score confidently at the next level his rookie year?  no.  his defensive rotations were bad and he did not do enough on the other side - paul millsap, the obvious counter - had a much cleaner game earlier.

But Leon showed quickly enough - guys who deserve minutes invariably get them ...

[Chris]

I think the question is "Why did it take Powe so long to learn how to rotate, and where he was supposed to be on offense?"

I know some of you refuse to accept this, but in his first year and a half (and even for a while after he started getting playing time), Powe looked like he was playing in a different system than anyone else.  He could go get the ball, but he had no clue where to be, and gummed up everything else.

[Evantime34]

I Miss Leon.

[wdleehi]

Why did it take so long to come up with a different question to ask about how the Celtics supposively did the wrong thing with Leon?

[connerhenry43]

I think the question is "Why did it take Powe so long to learn how to rotate, and where he was supposed to be on offense?"

I know some of you refuse to accept this, but in his first year and a half (and even for a while after he started getting playing time), Powe looked like he was playing in a different system than anyone else.  He could go get the ball, but he had no clue where to be, and gummed up everything else.

yeah, if doc gave powe minutes that year, powe might have ruined the defensive force that defined the 2006-2007 celtics.

[Donoghus]

I think the question is "Why did it take Powe so long to learn how to rotate, and where he was supposed to be on offense?"

I know some of you refuse to accept this, but in his first year and a half (and even for a while after he started getting playing time), Powe looked like he was playing in a different system than anyone else.  He could go get the ball, but he had no clue where to be, and gummed up everything else.

I agree.  People tend to forget how lost & awful he looked out on the floor early on in his career.  Without a doubt, he was really struggling with things. 

[Donoghus]

I think the question is "Why did it take Powe so long to learn how to rotate, and where he was supposed to be on offense?"

I know some of you refuse to accept this, but in his first year and a half (and even for a while after he started getting playing time), Powe looked like he was playing in a different system than anyone else.  He could go get the ball, but he had no clue where to be, and gummed up everything else.

yeah, if doc gave powe minutes that year, powe might have ruined the defensive force that defined the 2006-2007 celtics.

Just like Gerald's limited minutes prevented that team from becoming an offensive juggernaut?

[vinnie]

And while we are at it, why didn't Doc know that Bill Walker was going to turn out to be a great player who would score 7 points for the Knicks against us? And, why didn't Doc play Lester and JR and all of those other players who have gone on to ahve great careers?  

[Rondo2287]

And while we are at it, why didn't Doc know that Bill Walker was going to turn out to be a great player who would score 7 points for the Knicks against us? And, why didn't Doc play Lester and JR and all of those other players who have gone on to ahve great careers?  

I think three is a overkill