Are we ever going to address our turrible Rebounding?

[ScottHow]

I've been beating this drum all year.

I'm totally confused why people think rookies are going to come in and make an impact? Doc rarely gives rookies in playing time, and he will not give them any when the game is on the line and we need that rebound!

We are going to be one of the worse rebounding teams in the league again and it is very frustrating. Our only hope was a S&T for an established veteran rebounder.

Also JjJ is not him either, reports are the C's were not happy with him last year, and I never saw anything to lead me to belief he was a rebounder.

Well the hope is that because Sullinger was a top ten talent and was a good rebounder in college, he could make a small impact this year.

It is possible, it would just probably have to be like Bradley did this last year. Where Sully plays so well in his limited time that he would force himself into the rotation.

[tyrone biggums]

Sullinger is a actually a very good rebounder and as someone here mentioned it usually translates to the pro game pretty well. Melo is a project but he might end up becoming an okay rebounder once it's all said and done. I think the Celtics should send him to the school of "Hakeem" but something tells me Melo doesn't do well in school...

I kid, but seriously that wouldn't be a bad idea

[ScottHow]

Sullinger is a actually a very good rebounder and as someone here mentioned it usually translates to the pro game pretty well. Melo is a project but he might end up becoming an okay rebounder once it's all said and done. I think the Celtics should send him to the school of "Hakeem" but something tells me Melo doesn't do well in school...

I kid, but seriously that wouldn't be a bad idea

Atleast Melo has already said KG contacted him and he didn't p--- him off. I feel like that's half the battle so he doesn't end up like POB.

[tyrone biggums]

Sullinger is a actually a very good rebounder and as someone here mentioned it usually translates to the pro game pretty well. Melo is a project but he might end up becoming an okay rebounder once it's all said and done. I think the Celtics should send him to the school of "Hakeem" but something tells me Melo doesn't do well in school...

I kid, but seriously that wouldn't be a bad idea

Atleast Melo has already said KG contacted him and he didn't p--- him off. I feel like that's half the battle so he doesn't end up like POB.

I think he'll be better than POB it seems like he's open to learning

[CFAN38]

I'm totally confused why people think rookies are going to come in and make an impact? Doc rarely gives rookies in playing time

BBD averaged 13minutes a game and played in 69 games his rookie year. I believe Sullinger will be able to have a similar impact as a Rookie (having NBA strength from the start is huge for a big)). Where BBD averaged 4.5pts 3rbs I would hope to see at least 5pt 5rb out of Sullinger.

[Moranis]

I've been beating this drum all year.

I'm totally confused why people think rookies are going to come in and make an impact? Doc rarely gives rookies in playing time, and he will not give them any when the game is on the line and we need that rebound!

We are going to be one of the worse rebounding teams in the league again and it is very frustrating. Our only hope was a S&T for an established veteran rebounder.

Also JjJ is not him either, reports are the C's were not happy with him last year, and I never saw anything to lead me to belief he was a rebounder.

Doc plays plenty of rookies.  You know the ones that don't suck.  Rajon Rondo 24 mpg, Ryan Gomes 23 mpg, Tony Allen 16 mpg, Al Jefferson 15 mpg, Glen Davis 14 mpg (and that was the title season), Greg Stiesmsa 14 mpg, Delonte West 13 mpg (and he was injured much of his rookie year), and Leon Powe 11 mpg.

Heck even Allan Ray played 15 mpg in about half of the games his rookie year.  

This notion that Doc doesn't play rookies is hog wash.  If the rookie can play at the NBA level, then Doc plays him.  Sure they aren't playing starter's minutes, but many of them did in fact start at various points during their rookie years and many rookies get consistent minutes every single game from day 1.

Given the makeup of this team I would expect Sullinger to get in the 15 minute per game range if he has the ability to do so.  If he isn't ready, he won't play, but if he is, he will and that is pretty much the bottom line.

[celtsfan84]

I'm totally confused why people think rookies are going to come in and make an impact? Doc rarely gives rookies in playing time

BBD averaged 13minutes a game and played in 69 games his rookie year. I believe Sullinger will be able to have a similar impact as a Rookie (having NBA strength from the start is huge for a big)). Where BBD averaged 4.5pts 3rbs I would hope to see at least 5pt 5rb out of Sullinger.

Maybe so.  Sullinger might be ready.  Let's also keep in mind that Danny said he might need back surgery.  But Melo is lucky if he gets 1 minute a game.  We were 1 game away from the NBA Finals, and people think Doc is going to give heavy rotation minutes to a raw Center who averaged 3 defensive rebounds a game in college and has only played basketball for 3 years.  You people act like we are the Warriors or something.

I think counting on raw late 1st Round rookies for a contending team is a recipe for a 1st Round exit.

[Who]

Sullinger will help. So long as he plays.

[celtsfan84]

I've been beating this drum all year.

I'm totally confused why people think rookies are going to come in and make an impact? Doc rarely gives rookies in playing time, and he will not give them any when the game is on the line and we need that rebound!

We are going to be one of the worse rebounding teams in the league again and it is very frustrating. Our only hope was a S&T for an established veteran rebounder.

Also JjJ is not him either, reports are the C's were not happy with him last year, and I never saw anything to lead me to belief he was a rebounder.

Doc plays plenty of rookies.  You know the ones that don't suck.  Rajon Rondo 24 mpg, Ryan Gomes 23 mpg, Tony Allen 16 mpg, Al Jefferson 15 mpg, Glen Davis 14 mpg (and that was the title season), Greg Stiesmsa 14 mpg, Delonte West 13 mpg (and he was injured much of his rookie year), and Leon Powe 11 mpg.

Heck even Allan Ray played 15 mpg in about half of the games his rookie year.  

This notion that Doc doesn't play rookies is hog wash.  If the rookie can play at the NBA level, then Doc plays him.  Sure they aren't playing starter's minutes, but many of them did in fact start at various points during their rookie years and many rookies get consistent minutes every single game from day 1.

Given the makeup of this team I would expect Sullinger to get in the 15 minute per game range if he has the ability to do so.  If he isn't ready, he won't play, but if he is, he will and that is pretty much the bottom line.

There is a big difference between developing young guys on a lottery team for future value and playing raw guys on a contender.

I'll spot you Glen Davis and stop you there.

Please tell me why he played Ryan Hollins instead of trying out JaJuan Johnson.  JaJuan can't possibly be worse than Hollins.  My thought was that it is because he is a rookie.

[Snakehead]

I've been beating this drum all year.

I'm totally confused why people think rookies are going to come in and make an impact? Doc rarely gives rookies in playing time, and he will not give them any when the game is on the line and we need that rebound!

We are going to be one of the worse rebounding teams in the league again and it is very frustrating. Our only hope was a S&T for an established veteran rebounder.

Also JjJ is not him either, reports are the C's were not happy with him last year, and I never saw anything to lead me to belief he was a rebounder.

Doc plays plenty of rookies.  You know the ones that don't suck.  Rajon Rondo 24 mpg, Ryan Gomes 23 mpg, Tony Allen 16 mpg, Al Jefferson 15 mpg, Glen Davis 14 mpg (and that was the title season), Greg Stiesmsa 14 mpg, Delonte West 13 mpg (and he was injured much of his rookie year), and Leon Powe 11 mpg.

Heck even Allan Ray played 15 mpg in about half of the games his rookie year.  

This notion that Doc doesn't play rookies is hog wash.  If the rookie can play at the NBA level, then Doc plays him.  Sure they aren't playing starter's minutes, but many of them did in fact start at various points during their rookie years and many rookies get consistent minutes every single game from day 1.

Given the makeup of this team I would expect Sullinger to get in the 15 minute per game range if he has the ability to do so.  If he isn't ready, he won't play, but if he is, he will and that is pretty much the bottom line.

There is a big difference between developing young guys on a lottery team for future value and playing raw guys on a contender.

I'll spot you Glen Davis and stop you there.

Please tell me why he played Ryan Hollins instead of trying out JaJuan Johnson.  JaJuan can't possibly be worse than Hollins.  My thought was that it is because he is a rookie.

Because Ryan Hollins is actually a C, the position we needed mins at, and Juan is a PF who is so thin we are trying to talk ourselves into him being a SF?

That is an easy one.

[Fafnir]

Please tell me why he played Ryan Hollins instead of trying out JaJuan Johnson.  JaJuan can't possibly be worse than Hollins.  My thought was that it is because he is a rookie.

Ryan Hollins is a center, and for all of his bad play actually played better defensively than JJJ did.

And the only reason he got any burn at all is because a rookie, Steamer, slumped during the playoffs and struggled to defend.

[ScottHow]

Sullinger is a actually a very good rebounder and as someone here mentioned it usually translates to the pro game pretty well. Melo is a project but he might end up becoming an okay rebounder once it's all said and done. I think the Celtics should send him to the school of "Hakeem" but something tells me Melo doesn't do well in school...

I kid, but seriously that wouldn't be a bad idea

Atleast Melo has already said KG contacted him and he didn't p--- him off. I feel like that's half the battle so he doesn't end up like POB.

I think he'll be better than POB it seems like he's open to learning

Yea, he really has handled all the questions about the classroom failures well.

If I went to another country where English isn't the first language I would struggle too. Good thing is basketball is pretty universal.

[Jon]

Honestly, we probably won't address it too much, particularly if Ray is back (because it'll force us to play a lot of small ball). 

Part of the problem is by design (Doc telling the players to get back on defense instead of crashing the boards), part of it is a product of us relying on so many jump shots (and consequently spacing the floor), part of it is age and lack of athleticism, and part of it is effort and personnel. 

Only the last part is really able to be changed, and given how this team is constructed and what we have left cap wise, I don't see a lot of room for growth. 

Sullinger could help, but he's going to have to get minutes.  Bass should start at the 4 and Green should get minutes there.  That doesn't leave much time for Sullinger.  And while Sullinger could play the 5 next to a taller 4, Green and Bass don't fit that bill, making it very difficult for Sullinger to play next to anyone but KG (which essentially means he's limited to only what's remaining of the 4 minutes anyway). 

[Lightskinsmurf]

Doesn't look like it. The reason we lost to the heat were because of injuries, no bench scoring, and rebounding *Refs to!*. 2 out of the 3 will be fixed at least to start the season. We can only pray no serious injuries occur again. Honestly we would be a perfect team almost if we could rebound to. I think we can win it all tho with a bench of Jason terry jeff green ray allen mickael petrius, jared sullinger.

[laker-bob]

I've been wondering the same thing.  It's quite comical watching your guys' inability to grab rebounds.  And your interior/paint defense has holes that need to be plugged up too.