Celtics Stuff Live! Pt. 1-Sun @ 8PM, W/Scott Souza.
This week the show will be in two parts.
The first segment will be on Sunday Night from 8-9PM with Scott Souza who has been at the training camp in Newport and the second will be a post game show on Wednesday night, immediately following the first preseason game with the Sixers.
Scott, of course has been, the Celtics beat writer/blogger for the Metro West, whose columns are syndicated through Gatehouse News Service, but did you know he's added to his resume with duties for "OT" the full color sports magazine (also available online ) published by the Globe?
So far out of camp, news has been sparse, as most of the practices have been closed to media, but we have learned several things that were questions a week ago.
Obviously our starting five is set, but there are rotation spots open and of course that sixth man role, shouldered so well by the departed, but not forgotten, James Posey, last season.
While the inside track is surely held by Tony Allen, Bill Walker the rookie from Kansas State has turned heads, evidenced by this section of Mark Murphy's report in the Herald on Oct. 3rd.
“He definitely has an NBA body,” said Pierce.
Body-wise, Walker is ready to go. Now, he just has to learn how to play in the NBA.
“He’s a helluva talent, man,” said Pierce. “He has a great attitude, too. He’s going to be good for us.”
Though Rivers had noted two days earlier that none of the newcomers stood out, the coach had changed his mind by yesterday.
“Bill Walker is playing extremely well,” he said. “He attacks. We tell him that this is a competition, and he gets it. He was aggressive out there.”
Walker, who got into a mild jawing match with Kevin Garnett yesterday, also doesn’t seem to be unduly wowed by his celebrated company.
The other top candidate to emerge for that 6th man role is Darius Miles, the free agent with a non guaranteed contract, who was written off for dead by his former team in Portland.
If his knee is healed, the multi talented forward will be hard to keep off the floor. Not only can he run the wing and finish on the break as well as any player in the game, he would bring a shot blocking presence from the small forward position that very few teams have.
There are some very good signs to date, as reported by Frank DelAppa in the Globe on Oct. 4th.
NEWPORT, R.I. - Darius Miles made a breakthrough yesterday, practicing for the fourth successive day for the first time since undergoing microsurgery on his right knee two years ago. If Miles continues to progress, he could play a major part in the Celtics' eight-game exhibition schedule.
...Miles was going full speed late in yesterday's 2 1/2-hour practice, missing a dunk off the back of the rim in a half-court set, then stuffing on a spectacular fast break. Miles has mostly been used at power forward, often matching up against Glen Davis.
We also can't leave out of any 6th man talk, Leon Powe, who keeps earning his minutes the hard way, with toughness and determination. He's fighting with Patrick O'Bryant for back up center minutes, but even if he loses out to O'Bryant's length, he will find his spots and like last season, can ignite the team when the pace and intensity lags.
Coach Rivers has the luxury with this team of using preseason to fine tune his rotation, he's not worrying about any major deficiencies. So far, he must like what he sees as he has cancelled the planned second daily practice since Tuesday.
We're all pretty excited to watch this team, off it's championship run, which has traded some experience and guile for youth and athleticism.
Between Scott's reports from camp and the first game on Wednesday, we should have a lot to talk about.
We hope you will join us.
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