Dionte Christmas is a BULL

[chambers]

JJJ has shown that he is at best a role player on a summer league team...why keep him?   And he cannot guard bigs at all.

He's been pretty good the last two games. His jumpshot is falling and he's altering lots of shots like Steimsma with his length, particularly from the weak side. At this point we really don't have much choice considering our big man depth. I think Danny and Doc are rolling the Dice on Sullinger and JJJ this year and going with them for reasonable minutes, at least at the beginning of the season.

[kozlodoev]

Not sure what our personal rosters envision but I'm thinking Lee+ Pietrus+ another big before Dionte Christmas. If there's room then throw him in- he deserves it.
If it comes down to Pietrus vs Christmas Pietrus probably takes the veterans nod if Doc and Danny are choosing right?
Christmas then gets signed up someone like the Bulls ala Mike James.

I'd rather have 1 really good G and 1 really good C, which probably boils down to the last spot being Pietrus vs Christmas, where I'd rather have Christmas.

Another scenario is that we strike out on all sign and trade options and end up with Pietrus _and_ Christmas. In any case, I don't think we're in a position to pass on a 25 year old with some upside.

[Jon]

JJJ has shown that he is at best a role player on a summer league team...why keep him?   And he cannot guard bigs at all.

Because it's his first summer league, ever? Overreact much?

All you need to do is remember about Chauncey Billups.

Plus, I'll come back to it again, while Tyronne Lue keeps talking about how he wants Joseph to be aggressive, what's really more useful in the summer league, having a player be an effective role player or having a guy dominate the ball?  

To his credit, Joseph hasn't gone AI on us, but the fact of the matter is that (at least for next year) pretty much all of these guys are going to be asked to hustle, play defense, and hit open shots.  

Seeing Dionte Christmas go off today was great; however, even if he were to make the team (which he won't), he'll never get those looks in a meaningful minute of an NBA game.  

To me a the bigger question for a lot of these guys is can they be good role players.  So if JJJ is proving that he can hit open jumpers, play tough defense, and hustle, then that might be enough.  On a team with KG, PP, Green, Bradley, Terry, and Rondo, he's not going to get a lot of shots.  

[celts55]

Is Christmas on the Celts' Las Vegas roster. I have liked him since college and hope he gets an invite to camp.

I could be wrong, but I thought I read somewhere he's playing in Vegas, but for a different team. Correct?

[DavorCroatiaFan]

I was watching alot of greek basketball last year and i remember when Dionte Christmas scored 41 points (4/5 for 2, 8/15 for 3, 9/11 ft) against eventual greek and european champions Olympiacos. And believe me, scoring over 40 against Olympiacos is a big deal...

[feckless]

He is good, but I like Joseph more.
I think Joseph, Moore and JJJ will make it ahead of Xmas. He's taking too many rushed or questionable shots and often looking like a chucker. A few times he's taken bad shots directly off a Boston offensive rebound with 20 seconds on the shot clock. I understand he's trying to impress.His defense is very nice though.

Less of a chucker than E Moore in my opinion.

[chambers]

Not sure what our personal rosters envision but I'm thinking Lee+ Pietrus+ another big before Dionte Christmas. If there's room then throw him in- he deserves it.
If it comes down to Pietrus vs Christmas Pietrus probably takes the veterans nod if Doc and Danny are choosing right?
Christmas then gets signed up someone like the Bulls ala Mike James.

I'd rather have 1 really good G and 1 really good C, which probably boils down to the last spot being Pietrus vs Christmas, where I'd rather have Christmas.

Another scenario is that we strike out on all sign and trade options and end up with Pietrus _and_ Christmas. In any case, I don't think we're in a position to pass on a 25 year old with some upside.

Personally I'd rather have Pietrus in a playoff run.
I've seen him defend the elite SF's and SG's in the NBA- he's made a career of getting down and dirty, whilst hitting that 3 point shot. (Although I hope he shoots better this season than last).
Doc and Danny know that in a playoff run we are coming up against Deng, Wade, Hamilton, Evan Turner etc...the guy they want coming in to defend those guys ain't Etwaun Moore, and it ain't even Kris Joseph- I really doubt it's going to be Christmas.
Pietrus has proven himself and proven himself while injured- he'll probably only contribute more this season after having time off to fix his knee and get over his head injury more.
It's just the reality of the situation for Dionte Christmas. He might scrape a camp invite-I hope he does- but probably no presents under his tree this season unfortunately.

[kozlodoev]

Not sure what our personal rosters envision but I'm thinking Lee+ Pietrus+ another big before Dionte Christmas. If there's room then throw him in- he deserves it.
If it comes down to Pietrus vs Christmas Pietrus probably takes the veterans nod if Doc and Danny are choosing right?
Christmas then gets signed up someone like the Bulls ala Mike James.

I'd rather have 1 really good G and 1 really good C, which probably boils down to the last spot being Pietrus vs Christmas, where I'd rather have Christmas.

Another scenario is that we strike out on all sign and trade options and end up with Pietrus _and_ Christmas. In any case, I don't think we're in a position to pass on a 25 year old with some upside.

Personally I'd rather have Pietrus in a playoff run.
I've seen him defend the elite SF's and SG's in the NBA- he's made a career of getting down and dirty, whilst hitting that 3 point shot. (Although I hope he shoots better this season than last).
Doc and Danny know that in a playoff run we are coming up against Deng, Wade, Hamilton, Evan Turner etc...the guy they want coming in to defend those guys ain't Etwaun Moore, and it ain't even Kris Joseph- I really doubt it's going to be Christmas.
Pietrus has proven himself and proven himself while injured- he'll probably only contribute more this season after having time off to fix his knee and get over his head injury more.
It's just the reality of the situation for Dionte Christmas. He might scrape a camp invite-I hope he does- but probably no presents under his tree this season unfortunately.

Pietrus has had 2 procedures on his knee the last two offseasons. I love his grit and size, but other than experience, he has little goign for him at this stage -- his shot is disgustingly streaky, and while a capable defender, I don't see him as the guy you keep to be a defensive stopper.

While I understand that your logic, I see merit in choosing the younger guy who may be less experienced, but potentially a better piece for the future. That is, if we think it's at all possible -- sadly, I didn't have a chance to see any of the games, so going just on box scores here.

[feckless]

JJJ has shown that he is at best a role player on a summer league team...why keep him?   And he cannot guard bigs at all.

Because it's his first summer league, ever? Overreact much?

All you need to do is remember about Chauncey Billups.

No I do remember Chauncey and JJJ has nothing at all in common ...and after an entire NBA season and having stunk up most of his time on the floor then and now showing little to mediocrity in the summer league i do not believe I am overreacting but calling a d-leaguer a d-leaguer!

[TripleOT]

I was watching alot of greek basketball last year and i remember when Dionte Christmas scored 41 points (4/5 for 2, 8/15 for 3, 9/11 ft) against eventual greek and european champions Olympiacos. And believe me, scoring over 40 against Olympiacos is a big deal...

The 2006 Us Scheme team agrees with you. 

[kozlodoev]

JJJ has shown that he is at best a role player on a summer league team...why keep him?   And he cannot guard bigs at all.

Because it's his first summer league, ever? Overreact much?

All you need to do is remember about Chauncey Billups.

No I do remember Chauncey and JJJ has nothing at all in common ...and after an entire NBA season and having stunk up most of his time on the floor then and now showing little to mediocrity in the summer league i do not believe I am overreacting but calling a d-leaguer a d-leaguer!

That would be a valid line of reasoning if he actually got any meaningful playing time in his rookie year -- which he didn't. With the risk of looking silly for holding to a piece of dead wood, I think we should give him some more time.

[blink]

haha TP for that.  Even though I do like xmas.  He looks nba ready.

Christmas in July is a lot different than Christmas in December. 

[GreenFaith1819]

SWEET CHRISTMAS!!

lol..where did this guy come from?

Look - if he doesn't make BOS's team, he's going to be on an NBA roster somewhere.

I'd LOVE for him to somehow make BOS's team..it's going to be tough, though. E'Twuan has played well.

His nickname if he makes our squad?

SWEET CHRISTMAS!

[clover]

Not sure what our personal rosters envision but I'm thinking Lee+ Pietrus+ another big before Dionte Christmas. If there's room then throw him in- he deserves it.
If it comes down to Pietrus vs Christmas Pietrus probably takes the veterans nod if Doc and Danny are choosing right?
Christmas then gets signed up someone like the Bulls ala Mike James.

I'd rather have 1 really good G and 1 really good C, which probably boils down to the last spot being Pietrus vs Christmas, where I'd rather have Christmas.

Another scenario is that we strike out on all sign and trade options and end up with Pietrus _and_ Christmas. In any case, I don't think we're in a position to pass on a 25 year old with some upside.

Personally I'd rather have Pietrus in a playoff run.
I've seen him defend the elite SF's and SG's in the NBA- he's made a career of getting down and dirty, whilst hitting that 3 point shot. (Although I hope he shoots better this season than last).
Doc and Danny know that in a playoff run we are coming up against Deng, Wade, Hamilton, Evan Turner etc...the guy they want coming in to defend those guys ain't Etwaun Moore, and it ain't even Kris Joseph- I really doubt it's going to be Christmas.
Pietrus has proven himself and proven himself while injured- he'll probably only contribute more this season after having time off to fix his knee and get over his head injury more.
It's just the reality of the situation for Dionte Christmas. He might scrape a camp invite-I hope he does- but probably no presents under his tree this season unfortunately.

Pietrus has had 2 procedures on his knee the last two offseasons. I love his grit and size, but other than experience, he has little goign for him at this stage -- his shot is disgustingly streaky, and while a capable defender, I don't see him as the guy you keep to be a defensive stopper.

While I understand that your logic, I see merit in choosing the younger guy who may be less experienced, but potentially a better piece for the future. That is, if we think it's at all possible -- sadly, I didn't have a chance to see any of the games, so going just on box scores here.

Also, Peaches would cost at least $1M more than either Xmas or Joseph.  I can see a theme next year if they both make the team, with KG, PP and RR as the 'three kings', Bradley as the 'new Jesus'?

Anyway, that extra million could be needed elsewhere.

[feckless]

JJJ has shown that he is at best a role player on a summer league team...why keep him?   And he cannot guard bigs at all.

Because it's his first summer league, ever? Overreact much?

All you need to do is remember about Chauncey Billups.

No I do remember Chauncey and JJJ has nothing at all in common ...and after an entire NBA season and having stunk up most of his time on the floor then and now showing little to mediocrity in the summer league i do not believe I am overreacting but calling a d-leaguer a d-leaguer!

That would be a valid line of reasoning if he actually got any meaningful playing time in his rookie year -- which he didn't. With the risk of looking silly for holding to a piece of dead wood, I think we should give him some more time.

A fair response  and I easily could be calling it prematurely..I just looked at the summer league as make or break for the Purdue Boys.... and as i type i remember there still is another week of summer league..so JJJ I hope will step up beyond his play thus far.  Moore has been good for the most part, with Christmas showing as better still, IMO.