Thursday, July 02, 2009
Thank you, Leon
Leon Powe was a sentimental favorite. He popped on the Hub Blog radar screen while I was attending a game a few years back with Reader No. 1. The Celts were getting hammered on the boards at both ends by the ‘76ers. Doc called off the bench what was then an unknown new player. “Watch this guy,’’ said Reader No. 1. “He loves the boards. I don’t know why Doc doesn’t play him more” The tempo of the entire game immediately changed. Leon would unglamorously throw his shoulders and body this way and that, marking out territory, hacking at the ball and hands, going up for rebounds like he was looking forward to mid-air collisions. Had Reader No. 1 not tipped me off about Leon, I wouldn’t have noticed why the game’s momentum changed so fast. Danny probably made the right team call on Leon, who won’t be back from his injury until early next year. But Leon will be missed. … Gerry warned about tough decisions like this. … The Celts are already eyeing Rasheed Wallace.
Leon Powe was a sentimental favorite. He popped on the Hub Blog radar screen while I was attending a game a few years back with Reader No. 1. The Celts were getting hammered on the boards at both ends by the ‘76ers. Doc called off the bench what was then an unknown new player. “Watch this guy,’’ said Reader No. 1. “He loves the boards. I don’t know why Doc doesn’t play him more” The tempo of the entire game immediately changed. Leon would unglamorously throw his shoulders and body this way and that, marking out territory, hacking at the ball and hands, going up for rebounds like he was looking forward to mid-air collisions. Had Reader No. 1 not tipped me off about Leon, I wouldn’t have noticed why the game’s momentum changed so fast. Danny probably made the right team call on Leon, who won’t be back from his injury until early next year. But Leon will be missed. … Gerry warned about tough decisions like this. … The Celts are already eyeing Rasheed Wallace.
