As many here know, I wasn't the biggest fan of the Celtics off season. However, I did acknowledge and agreed with many, many more that this was still going to be a formidable team because their young players would get better and so make up for any shortcomings in the possible makeup of the bench. I agreed but also thought and might have mentioned once that sometimes young players aren't a given to improve every year, sometimes they even take a step back. Yes, I remember saying that.
Well, so far, could I or anyone else be any happier with the way that the young players on this Celtics team have progressed thus far this season. Except for Rondo's shooting outside of 5 feet from the basket and Leon's FT shooting woes, all the youngsters have definitely improved their game.
Rondo appears so much more in control of the offense and his passing at times has been spectacular. He had 3 or 4 things of absolute basketball beauty last night. His defense might be even better than last year. When his shooting comes around, Rondo will be a very dangerous player.
Perk is staying on the floor, sometimes. He still fouls a lot but he's spacing it out and because of that his presence on the floor is so much better than last year. Blocks, blocks, blocks the last three games. Unreal defense against Yao and anyone who entered the paint last night. His outside shot is dropping and he's still being ignored as the last offensive option by other teams. His overall game is noticeably better.
Leon has become an off the bench beast having only continued with his excellent play of last year and been the most consistent bench player thus far this year. He often is playing against players larger than himself and yet is constantly outplaying them, out rebounding them, out hustling them. I am amazed at the amount of rebounds he can pull down with taller players around him. He and Davis might not be the tallest front court but they can be the most surprising in regards to effectiveness.
Ahhhhh, Tony. Okay, I haven't liked your game for years and still don't. But even me, one of your bigger critics can see the difference in your play. You are driving into the lane with your head up and with less abandon. Your defense, except for the first half of game one has been exemplary. You are making good passes underneath and appear, without a doubt to be at least a step and a half quicker than this time last year and the elevation is almost completely back. I still hate the fact that you can still be faked in the air by the occasional head fake and that you somehow find a way to dribble the ball off your foot a couple of times a week, but you are much improved and you are proving me wrong. Good for you.
Big Baby. As far as I am concerned he may have come further than maybe anyone else with the least amount of physical work. His basketball mind and effort and determination have been taken to a higher level and is easily seen on the floor. He's not rebounding in big numbers but he is boxing out people so that other teammates will get the rebound and he is keeping a lot of balls alive for other teammates with tips. His defense has been stellar. His screens and picks and offensive ball movement have been maybe the best on the team. He crashes the offensive boards, maybe not with the best results but the determination and will to get them is there and yet he is always back on defense. He has worked on that outside shot and last night it started dropping. He's come a long way and if he has the same type of mental effort in his diet and conditioning could be quite a force.
The confidence that these young players exhibit is something. They are five players that make up the core of this team and yet here are their current ages:
Rondo - 22
Perk - 23
Leon - 24
Baby - 22
Allen - 26
Something about being around the the veteran superstars and players and earning those rings have empowered these players to play with a confidence and skill level that belies their collective ages. It appears it is Danny's plan to keep this group together and add or re-sign or sign superstars as the Big Three's contracts end and, if indeed that is his plan, it is one that is working marvelously thus far.
Also, is it just me or are these guys getting a lot more respect from the refs and not getting all the stupid ticky tack fouls that they used to be called for. Amazing what a little bling will do for your game.
Topic: Celtics youngsters growing up before our eyes. (Read 6529 times)