I think as fans our job is to use intuition along with our vast experience at observing the Boston Celtics over many years.
The problem with Zeller, to me, is that we have no center coach. If we do, I missed the hiring. I think Walter or some other former PF is our so-called center coach.
The C's fired Clifford Ray. It was controversial. I don't think they ever replaced him with a real center coach.
Zeller is perfect for this team. David Lee was the equivalent of trying to jam Jameer Nelson into a playing philosophy he was ill-suited for.
Rondo tried to do it Stevens' way and that's how I was able to start understanding what the long-term plan is.
But you can't teach old dogs new tricks. Green and Rondo had too many I won't call them habits but conditioned ways of playing. They might not be good examples because they were from the old regime and had side issues. Jeff Green has always been a disappointment and Rondo had major injuries, free agency, and Jackie MacMullan's ATH appearance hovering over his head.
David Lee could have worked out. Paul Pierce would have worked out. It would have taken a while, but he'd be passing and running, rotating on defense. It's all about being on the same page.
But David Lee felt the need to ball hog.
Evan Turner must be letting go of all his old habits. He is clicking with his teammates. He is clicking with us through his funny comments and personality.
Isaiah is young enough to have bought in. The power of the team will usually win over the power of the individual, say how we always used to beat on Lebron in the early years.
Rollie yet again nailed it with his commentary. He was for Zeller while most were saying he was a scrub and on the short list to be traded.
He is also correct that the Celtics are built for the long haul.
I think we can make it to the Finals. I base that on Blatt getting canned. A man needs to know his limitations.
I might disagree with Rollie as to the extent of our depth. I wouldn't include Lee, Young, Hunter or Rozier as depth. I give Jordan Mickey an incomplete. I think it has been a mistake to not give him some minutes. I know there is a logjam there, but common sense says he should now be #5 in the PF/C pecking order. We should find out now whether he has post-season potential for this year. I can visualize Mickey terrorizing Golden State and Cleveland. The key to basketball management is understanding the totality of each player in the context of team play and winning.
Rollie is correct we are basically the same team as last year, just add Amir. I would just add that many of the players from last year's core have soared this year, I mean Kelly, Avery, Turner, Crowder, Marcus and anyone I am missing. They are the same people. They are not the same players. They are much better now.
It's good to see Zeller finally coming through. He was patient and a good teammate the whole awkward time.
Our final look as a team will include plenty of running, passing, ferocious team defense, and apparently yes also depth. We'll end up like Calipari's "Refuse to Lose" UMASS team? I recall Cal would just keep running out fresh legs, about ten guys playing twenty minutes. That's not as easy to do in the pros, as there is much more politics to it, to go with the business side, etc..
I don't mean to diss Hunter and Rozier, but they are too raw. I don't mean to diss James Young, but he can't help us advance in playoffs this year either. Lee is simply the remnants of the penalty side of the KG/Pierce trade.