Free Ballin’

Continuing my NBA VIEW

Boston Celtics:

Everyone knows who they are.  There are no surprises.  They’re really really good, as long as Kevin Garnett is healthy.  Is he?  I dunno, but since he’s…well, because he’s KG, I’ll assume he is or will be.  And I think Rasheed Wallace will help a lot—regardless of his early output.  He’s been one of my favorites for a decade.  And I only liked him more when I saw him live in Detroit last season, during the Freeballin’ tour.  I got hooked up with seats right behind the Pistons bench and learned that Rasheed Wallace doesn’t stop talking the entire game, whether or not he’s on the bench.  And he’s loud; and the guys on the court talk trash back at him—so much fun.  He had a running conversation with Vince Carter, on and off the court, throughout the game.  Oh, and he can play basketball too.  There are what, two three other guys in the league that play outstanding low-post defense and shoot well (when he’s not forcing it) from three?

The Rondo signing work out well, or not so well, but I bet the former, despite some legitimate issues.  All the crap the Celtics management and Doc Rivers gave Rondo over the summer made it pretty clear that they figured it was the last time he would ever listen to a word they said, if they signed him long term—so better to say it now.  I can understand them looking at their options, if they truly felt he’s uncoachable.  I don’t know, but regardless of his playoff numbers, it was pretty hard to watch Rondo going one-on-one possession after possession, in the Celtics/Bulls series last season.  He took so many difficult pull-up shots late in close games when Ray Allen and Paul Pierce were open, it was just plain stupid.  On the other hand, his abilities range from good to terrific at everything other than shooting, and he can be quite the marvel when he’s not shot-happy.

Aside from his temperament, there are other things to consider.  Because Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Wallace shoot so well, it’s not a huge deal that Rondo can’t shoot.  But going forward, it could be problematic.  The trouble with having a point guard who can’t shoot is that your wings have to shoot very well, plus one of your bigs needs to be able to shoot.  Good bigs who can shoot are uncommon and expensive.  In the end, he’s still young and though…eccentric, I get the impression that he’s a smart, and he clearly plays with passion.  Over time, I think he’s a pretty decent bet to iron out the internal issues, and though I can’t see him ever being much of a shooter, I think he’s a good bet to play to his contract.