Depth Chart: Jefferson A Rising Star
By: Brian Gleason
With training camp underway and the regular season approaching, join Celtics.com as we bring back the Depth Chart series for the third season. After breaking down the shooting guards Monday and the centers Tuesday, we'll move to the other inside position today and take a look at power forward.
Despite the left ankle sprain that has sidelined second-year forward Al Jefferson early in camp, this is still his position to win or lose. The Celtics are expecting great things from Jefferson, but now it's a matter of will it be sooner or later. Backing up "Big Al" will be a battle between some new faces and some returning players.
Al Jefferson
Tale of the Tape: 6-10, 265 lbs, Prentiss HS, 2nd Season
04-05 Stats: 6.7 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 14.8 mpg.
Skinny: In his rookie year, Jefferson showed that a lot of teams may have made a big mistake in the 2004 NBA Draft by overlooking him. He showed offensive moves in the low post that haven't been seen from a rookie in a long time, and by mid-season was a regular in the rotation, even getting crunch-time minutes in some big games. After spending most of his summer in the gym, Jefferson returns with the inside track on the starting power forward job, and is expected to be a big contributor this season.
Questions: In just his second season in the league, the training wheels will be coming off for Jefferson. How he responds will go a long way to determining how the Celtics fare this season. Exactly how much playing time he gets this season could be based on how much he has improved on the defensive end of the court.
Brian Scalabrine
Tale of the Tape: 6-9, 235 lbs, USC, 5th Season
04-05 Stats: 6.3 ppg., 4.5 rpg.
Skinny: Although it's not a lock to end up this way, Scalabrine will have the inside track on backing up Jefferson at power forward. If Scalabrine brings the toughness that he showcased his first four seasons in New Jersey and shows the coaching staff that he can knock down the open jumpshots and the occasional three, then he should have no problem.
Questions: Will solid contributions in limited minutes with New Jersey translate to bigger production in larger minutes this season? When Danny Ainge signed Scalabrine this summer, the hope was that he would become better with more minutes. This seems to be case, as he averaged 10.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in his 14 starts last season.
Raef LaFrentz
Tale of the Tape: 6-11, 245 lbs, Kansas, 8th Season
04-05 Stats: 11.1 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 1.3 bpg.
Skinny: As we indicated yesterday, LaFrentz should be the starting center, but if Scalabrine were to struggle, LaFrentz could also move into the backup power forward role. LaFrentz has a sweet three-point stroke, and Head Coach Doc Rivers has mentioned having LaFrentz play some power forward. If Mark Blount comes off the bench to replace Jefferson, then LaFrentz could slide over for some minutes at the "4".
Questions: LaFrentz playing some power forward could come down to matchups. If the Celtics are playing an athletic frontcourt, can LaFrentz defend the opposing power forward? The other question is durability. Rivers likes to limit LaFrentz's minutes, so playing backup power forward could be something he decides against, in order to save LaFrentz for later in the season.
Ryan Gomes
Tale of the Tape: 6-7, 250 lbs, Providence, Rookie
04-05 Stats (College): 21.6 ppg., 8.2 rpg.
Skinny: This is another spot where Gomes can get some minutes. If Rivers wants to go with a small lineup and is also looking to avoid wear and tear on LaFrentz, then Gomes should get some minutes here after Scalabrine. Although undersized, Gomes has a nose for rebounding and often uses positioning and athleticism to out rebound taller players.
Questions: Can Gomes consistently knock down perimeter jumpers? So far, he's proven a very capable mid-range shooter, which would make him a big weapon when he's being defending by slower less mobile power forwards.
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