Preseason Recap: The Unsung Hero

Posted by Brendan Jackson on Oct 21, 2010 1019513 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F10%2F21%2Fpreseason-racap-the-unsung-hero%2FPreseason+Recap%3A+The+Unsung+Hero2010-10-21+19%3A36%3A18Brendan+Jacksonhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D10195

The Preseason is over and what better way to kill time before the regular season than to try and draw any conclusions from eight meaningless games.  Today’s topic is Marquis Daniels.

The back-up small forward position is a sensitive subject for the Celtics.  Last season, coach Doc Rivers struggled to get any consistency from that spot.  Marquis Daniels was never really able hit his stride last season after injuring his wrist and Tony Allen‘s inconsistencies were well-known.  Due to Daniels’ inability to stay on the floor, Rivers ultimately settled on Tony Allen.   TA thrived as the de facto back-up wing and was able to establish himself as a force on the defensive end even against the league’s elite wing players (Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James).

This season Allen is gone and Daniels has returned for his second stint with the Green.  While the preseason means very little to most, it meant a lot to Daniels as he was going to have to prove to the Celtics that he was able to embrace the back-up small forward role and fill the void left by a departed Tony Allen.  Luckily for the Celtics, Daniels stepped up to the challenge and put up some very impressive numbers.

Here are Daniels’ totals in 7 preseason games:

• 174 Minutes
• 24-of-42 from the field (57% FG%)
• 31 Rebounds (4 offensive)
• 11 Assists
• 5 Steals
• 2 Blocks
• 9 Turnovers
• 17 Personal Fouls
• 67 Points

The following is Daniels’ production per 40 minutes (assuming my math is correct):

• 57% Field Goal Percentage
• 7.13 Rebounds
• 2.53 Assists
• 1.15 Steals
• 0.46 Blocks
• 2.1 Turnovers
• 3.9 Personal Fouls
• 15.4 Points

All of these numbers are close to the league average for small forwards in 2010 (HoopData.com).  The sample size is obviously very small.  This fact stands in the way of making any accurate predictions for the upcoming season.  Still, it’s nice to see Daniels have such a good preseason, statistically.  This, however small, gives hope to the Celtics that at least for the time being they have a reliable back-up wing.

Tuesday brings the real test.  Can this type of production be sustained over the course of the season?  What do you think?  I am hoping for something close.