Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here…
highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as
satisfying as a good morning dump.
In four of the last seven seasons, Wallace has taken
fewer 3-point attempts per game in March and April, than he took for the
season as a whole.But his drop-off this month has been the
steepest 3-point shooting dip of his career.Although he’s
averaging 3.97 3-point attempts this season, he’s only taking 1.83 per
game this month.
Wallace said his 3-point shooting isn’t
something he’s consciously trying to cut back on.“It’s just
happening,” Wallace said. “Just playing.”
CSNNE: No more long shots for Sheed
I almost feel like we need to make a check list of all the things that drove fans crazy earlier this season that are sort of going away now.
- Doc no longer overplaying of starters: check
- Celtics no longer collapsing and losing leads: check
- Rasheed Wallace playing inside and limiting all those 3’s: check
Hmmm… it’s almost as if the earlier part of the season was an opportunity to work some things out and now they’re putting it together.
Alright, I know, that’s a ridiculous over-simplification of what’s happened this season, but it’s the ridiculous over-simplification that most closely suits my argument over the past few months… so I’m sticking to it. The reality of the situation is the Celtics, due to injuries, new players, and yes, some coasting, spent months out of sync. Now they’ve got their full squad, guys are healthier, and with the playoffs around the corner… they’re stepping up their games a little. Sheed included.
Say what you want about Sheed so far, but we’ve seen him play great in the post. We’ve seen him play great on D. He has it in him. He’s starting to do it.
So maybe… possibly… Sheed is becoming the player we expected him to be. He just spent months driving us absolutely nuts, first.
Coming up, Page 2… where Baby is embracing his role too
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
“I have to bring energy, play defense, take what the defense is giving
me, do my role and set picks,” he said. “I have a knack for the ball,
being there the right time at the right time, reacting to the ball. Some
people just have the ability to do that. My strong point is offensive
rebounding. Go back up, try to get a foul, try to get an and-one.”
Herald: Key role right up Glen Davis’ alley
“Over the last two weeks he’s been
very consistent, and that’s who we need him to be,’’ said coach Doc
Rivers. “It’s important that he does that.
“That’s who he actually has to be in order
to be a good player. You can’t be a finesse player. That’s not who he
is. When he tries to do that, when he goes in the game with preconceived
ideas of scoring or whatever, he’s not as good. But when he goes in the
game and says, ‘I’m just going to play as hard as I can and see what
happens,’ then he’s a good player for us.’’
Globe: New role, and on a little roll
I know I’ve said it before… but Glen Davis is one step away from being awesome off the bench. There’s no doubt, he’s our best rebounder right now… especially on the offensive boards. I will give him props for that. And Ray Allen made a good point the other night about how giving up offensive boards can be demoralizing for a team (the Celtics should know).
BUT… second chances don’t come around very often. And while Baby is eating up clock and making the other team work harder for longer by getting the board… he HAS to recognize when he’s surrounded and kick it out. It’s better to just restart the play in that situation.
If he’s got a guy 1-on-1 after the rebound… or if he’s got some open space… then fine. Go up with it. But he’s got to be better at recognizing situations. As soon as he does that, then he’ll be the most important guy off the bench for the Celtics.
The rest of the links
ESPN Boston: Million dollar mistakes | Deflecting praise | Riding the Bench | Riding the Bench, part 2 | Loscy: My first Celtics game
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