A case for signing Quinton Ross

[campybatman]

I can't see how Miles would be a better addition than Ross. He defends and can play two positions can be another "stopper" with Tony Allen for the Celtics as far as a player you reply on to be a better than average defender against the opposing team's top scorers. I wonder what he and agent are asking for in salary.

4 - Garnett, Powe and Scalabrine
3 - Pierce, Miles (?) and Walker
5 - Perkins, Davis and O'Bryant
1 - Rondo, Pruitt, House and Cassell (?)
2 - R. Allen, T. Allen and Giddens

Of course, this only works if Miles and Cassell are removed from the equation. Personally, I prefer to have one less point guard, Cassell, and an inevitably suspended player, Miles, in favor of a true defender in Ross. Ross could provide your team more versatility (image what Thibodeau could do with him) while my guess is Miles and Cassell would provide you frustration and headaches.

Ross can probably best be described as a poor man's Bruce Bowen. He takes pride in defending some of the best perimeter players on opposing teams, and like Bowen, can hit an open shot if opponents choose to leave him open on offense.

From a financial perspective, it's easy to understand why there are players who have been contributors in the past such as Bonzi Wells, Kirk Snyder, David Harrison, etc, without jobs due to the fact many GM's are hesitant to fill up their 14th and 15th roster spots because of economic concerns. With a player like Ross, though, whose primary strength is something that is not very high on the priority list of many NBA players, there are a number of teams who might regret not picking this guy up.

Ross could bring a dose of perimeter defense to the Los Angeles Lakers and could be the team's version of James Posey come playoff time. The Denver Nuggets, quite possibly the worst defensive team in the Association a season ago, could no doubt benefit from Ross' ability. Ross could also help improve the defense in Phoenix under new head coach Terry Porter.

The list of potential suitors goes on and on.

None of this is meant to imply Ross will be an All-Star anytime soon, but as we saw with Posey last season, sometimes role players who can defend are just the kind of players who help turn very good teams into championship teams. Sure economic times are tough, but there are more than a few owners who should consider pulling out their checkbooks and making sure Ross is in the fold before camp starts in less than two weeks.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10026

[Truthiracy]

I'd take him, actually

Barring D-Miles being ineffective, and I DEFINITELY don't want Samuel Cassell back under any circumstance.

[GreenGrizz]

This is a very good case. I always thought he was one of the toughest guard defenders. I never liked him guarding our players. Do we want to sign him? Are you telling me he is available?? I thought the summer has gone by.

[greenbeans]

I'd love to see them bring Ross in for camp and tell both him and Miles they're fighting for the 15th spot.

[BillessuR6]

There really is no need for Ross. We have tony, giddens and walker at his position...

[campybatman]

I'm somewhat surprised by the seemingly disinterest in signing Ross as a free agent from teams. I mean it was reported that Ainge was interested in James Jones before he signed with Miami. For a team who's staple was team defense, you would think Boston would readily consider a player such as Ross seeing as in today's NBA having a capable defender like Bowen, Battier, Artest, G. Wallace or even Tony Allen is a premium. Right now, Quinton Ross could prove to be a bargain for a team. He's only twenty-seven and I can't imagine that his asking price is out of the range of the Celtics.

No one would ask or expect him to replace what Posey brought you this season. However, there's little reasons to doubt that Ross couldn't come in and be another important piece to a still formidable defensive team that's the Boston Celtics. Isn't that what other teams around the league are trying to do: Get better defensively as Boston did this season.

[Rocky5000]

Usually you need at least a little bit of offensive talent to stick in the league. Ross isn't good enough on D to make up for his offensive short comings, IMO.

[campybatman]

Conversely, the same reasoning not to pick up Ross can be said of Miles. He doesn't offer enough on defense and shooting efficiency to make up for what he could potentially offer on offense, if he's healthy. Ross would be a better fit on this bench, in my opinion. His flexibility affords the coaching staff options on different match ups according to the teams they'll face. Miles was only brought in with the assumption that he can provide more offense off the bench and is supposedly a low risk/high reward player because the Celtics aren't on the hook for his Portland salary. For me, that isn't good enough of reasons to sign him. I prefer the team to stick with that defensive mentality across the board. You don't do that signing players that have little semblance of defense in them. Ray might be an exception to the rule. Ray didn't want to be a weak link on the team defense so he worked at it. For Miles, how will his lateral movement be on a bad wheel? You've to move your feet and get that timing down on rotating defense. I remember Powe had a problem with that somewhat this season.

I'm just not sure Thibodeau can work a miracle on Miles in that aspect.

[MVP16]

Conversely, the same reasoning not to pick up Ross can be said of Miles. He doesn't offer enough on defense and shooting efficiency to make up for what he could potentially offer on offense, if he's healthy. Ross would be a better fit on this bench, in my opinion. His flexibility affords the coaching staff options on different match ups according to the teams they'll face. Miles was only brought in with the assumption that he can provide more offense off the bench and is supposedly a low risk/high reward player because the Celtics aren't on the hook for his Portland salary. For me, that isn't good enough of reasons to sign him. I prefer the team to stick with that defensive mentality across the board. You don't do that signing players that have little semblance of defense in them. Ray might be an exception to the rule. Ray didn't want to be a weak link on the team defense so he worked at it. For Miles, how will his lateral movement be on a bad wheel? You've to move your feet and get that timing down on rotating defense. I remember Powe had a problem with that somewhat this season.

I'm just not sure Thibodeau can work a miracle on Miles in that aspect.

I was under the assumption that we signed Miles in large part due to his defensive impact and versatility. He averaged over a steal and a block a game in the last 2 seasons that he has played. The team has allowed 5.3 and 3.7 points/100 possesions less with him on the floor the less 2 seasons that he has played. And the fact that he is 6'9" with good length allows him to switch between playing sf/pf positions. Getting Miles has more to do with his potential defensive impact then his offensive impact IMO.

[threrf23]

I don't mind Ross as a player but he's a SG and I don't necessarily think he'd be a better pick-up than the rumored Fred Jones - who is also athletic and known for having good defensive potential and by my calculations is a better three point shooter (ETA looking at stats Jones is a much better shooter, there's nothing to indicate that Ross is a better shooter than TA - his 43% from long range last year came out of nowhere and was based on very low shot quantity).

That said, if we expect JR Giddens to contribute, there is definitely no space for either unless we trade TA (doesn't make sense we need such a good defensive stopper in the backcourt to complement the rest of the team), or Giddens (doesn't make sense with DA's draft history he should have more trade value mid-late season). Quinton Ross, in particular, IMO is not a good enough offensive (or defensive) player to justify taking minutes from TA or hindering Giddens' development. DMiles', aside from further analysis, IMO, is a better pick-up simply because he is an SF (and can play minutes @ PF).

The one FA left out there I would love to see signed is Linton Johnson, you let him fight it out with DMiles for minutes, and occasionally the two could play alongside together if both impressed enough. Linton Johnson is a good defender decent rebounder and his three point shot at the very least shouldn't be a liability. And then you've got yourself a situation where at least one of the two likely turns out to be a nice steal.

[campybatman]

Why do people keep referring to what Miles did prior to his supposed career ending injury? That's in the past tense as in two seasons ago. You can't assume a player can play at his former level again. By Miles' own admission he'd said his knee will never be 100%.

Quinton Ross is a two-way player. He can play both shooting guard and small forward positions like Pierce.

Personally, I hope Walker gets every opportunity to win the back up small forward role. Because he's healthy and will be with the team learning the system and schemes and what have you on the defense. While Miles will be missing time rehabbing and getting back into shape and then must deal with more time away with his impending suspension. It won't be fair to other players who are with the team if Miles gets the back up role as soon as he returns if he even makes the team. Man, I really don't see the point with Miles. It'll be a long time for him to get acclimated with things that it'll be in Boston best interest to cut him before the season and give others a shot like Walker, Tony and Giddens if another player isn't brought in for training camp.

[MVP16]

Why do people keep referring to what Miles did prior to his supposed career ending injury? That's in the past tense as in two seasons ago. You can't assume a player can play at his former level again. By Miles' own admission he'd said his knee will never be 100%.

He still is 6'9' with great length. The knee injury doesn't effect that. I don't know how healthy he is but the Celtics sure seem to think that his knee might be good enough to play. He athleticism is going to be reduced, but it's not like he is going to become Brian Scalabrine athletically. And you don't need to be an that athletic to be a good defender. If Miles is 85% of what he was before athletically, then he'll be as athletic as Posey was last year.

Quinton Ross is a two-way player. He can play both shooting guard and small forward positions like Pierce.

Ross has zero offense. And we have plenty of players in the 6'5'' - 6'6" range. Ross doesn't give us any more then TA(and maybe Giddens) does. Both are good defenders but TA also brings some offense. Miles brings a different dimension in being able to guard many sf/pfs like Posey did.

Personally, I hope Walker gets every opportunity to win the back up small forward role. Because he's healthy and will be with the team learning the system and schemes and what have you on the defense. While Miles will be missing time rehabbing and getting back into shape and then must deal with more time away with his impending suspension. It won't be fair to other players who are with the team if Miles gets the back up role as soon as he returns if he even makes the team. Man, I really don't see the point with Miles. It'll be a long time for him to get acclimated with things that it'll be in Boston best interest to cut him before the season and give others a shot like Walker, Tony and Giddens if another player isn't brought in for training camp.

Why wont he able to learn the defensive schemes? He is already playing full 5v5 scrimmages with the team (something Walker isn't able to do yet because he is rehabbing after his knee after surgery). And the fair thing it doesn't matter. Was it fair the PJ Brown came in at the end of the season and took minutes away from Davis/Powe? It doesn't matter. If Miles proves to be healthy and better then the other backup sfs, he should be kept and given minutes. If he shows to be unhealthy and a shell of his former self, then he should be cut.

[sully00]

Quinton is a terrible basketball player, he shot 39% from the field in 20 mpg. I don't care if he tries hard on defense he is not an NBA talent based on last season.

Bonsa what do you have against Miles? I mean he was never great and may never return to form but he is 3 times the talent of Ross on one leg. Miles is a legit candidate to replace James Posey Ross is exactly as he was described "a poor man's Bruce Bowen" which translates into D-Leaguer.

The aspect about Miles that is somewhat underrated is that he is a really good defensive rebounder and excellent at slashing to the hoop, two of the 3 things that Posey did really well for this team. Obviously he is not a great 3 pt shooter but he is much more capable around the rim. He will be an after thought to teams on offense as well. He hasn't been a great defender in the past but he has the tools he just is really young and played on crappy teams.

I don't know if Miles will make it but there is certainly no place on this team for Quinton Ross.

[campybatman]

The one FA left out there I would love to see signed is Linton Johnson, you let him fight it out with DMiles for minutes, and occasionally the two could play alongside together if both impressed enough. Linton Johnson is a good defender decent rebounder and his three point shot at the very least shouldn't be a liability. And then you've got yourself a situation where at least one of the two likely turns out to be a nice steal.

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed free agent forwards DerMarr Johnson, Linton Johnson and Taj McCullough. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not released.

[GuyClinch]

D Miles is a big 6'9" who plays like a guy who is 6'9". If Powe and BBD can fake it at C/PF so can Miles. You can't compare some shooting guard to him.