has any Celt ever made a turnaround like this in his 2nd year from basically a zombie to a real live player with optimistic potential before?
Has anyone ever had their minutes per game basically quadrupled before? I'd say thats the biggest variable. It's not like he suddenly became a much better defender, shooter, passer, etc. He's just playing more.
Lets look at like this, he was hurt starting in the preseason last year and had no camp whatsoever. He was also transitioning to a point spot - from his more natural combo / two. Any expectations beyond him struggling last year were unrealistic. Now, I expected a poor start for him last year - and he was so bad he far exceeded that.
The lack of a training camp this year is also a factor. So it doesn't surprise me he is looking better. Doesn't everybody remmeber th step from JV to V in highschool and how much faster the game was at first? Confidence and timing take playing time to develop.
I am pleased with how he is progressing, but not yet willing to make the projection game. But looks to be a player that may be able to carve out at minimum a niche role in the NBA for a long time. Perhaps, if he able to gain some consisteny on his offensive game - more.
I dont see what being injured or missing camp has to do with his minutes quadrupling. Maybe you're saying thats why his minutes were low before, but that wouldnt contest my point (that his "improvement" is just a factor of increased visibility due to more playing time). If you compare his advanced stats (totalfg%, effective fg%, assist%, rebound%, turnover%, steals%, etc)...he hasnt improved much from last season.
Really, what progress have you seen from him? His shot isnt better, he doesnt appear to be any better at handling the ball or passing, and his decision making is still questionable at best. The only thing anyone can consistently say about him, is that his defense is great....but that was the case last year as well.
People always bring up his missing camp as a reason for his stalled development, but that doesnt make sense. No one was knocking him for not knowing our sets, or playing bad team defense (the things most developed in camp). It's his skills (dribbling, shooting, etc) that need work. An extended lockout shouldve given him MORE time than any other season to improve those things...but he didnt.
You're saying another part of the problem was his transitioning to the PG spot, but did he ever even make that transition? He doesnt even really play PG now. He DEFENDS the opposing point guard because at his size thats the only player he can realistically be expected to guard, but he is almost never the play maker for us on offense. He's a terrible passer, and forced Pierce to play point-forward to compensate for him. On the flip side, I can't really say he is a natural SG either, because early in the season when we played him there he was atrocious. You can't be a "shooting guard" if you can't shoot.
He has carved out a niche for himself though. He is a great on the ball defender. My whole point, is thats exactly who he was last year as well. I think the "improvements" were seeing are all just an illusion from the increased minutes.
