OUR BIGGEST NEED - PF

[Curmudgeon]

We need a pf but not some skinny guy like Markannen or a small forward who can't shoot and has been thrust into the pf role. We need a bruiser who can also defend out on the perimeter. Think P.J. Tucker. On the current roster the players who fit that bill are Grant Williams and maybe Bruno Fernando, because Horford has difficulty defending in space.

If Millsap has anything left he would be ok, but he turned down the Celtics before when he was a free agent. Ilyasova is another possibility, but he can't defend in space either. Really, I don't see anyone out there who is so much better than the much maligned Grant Williams that I'd be willing to pay additional luxury tax to add to the roster.

[darrendaye]

Covington is the ideal fit both in terms of skill-set and contract length. But not likely available unless Lillard asks out.

But while I'd classify it as the biggest positional need (more specifically a guy who can defend quick tall forwards while also tough it out against low box 7 footers when switched), it's very difficult to find guys with that prototype and not worthwhile to go nuts trying to find other PF types that would be square pegs in round holes anyway, but like we currently have on the team (Grant, Parker, and players "playing down").

This is one reason it kind of baffles me to see a high number posts suggesting it's a foregone conclusion that Parker is waived. His one on one scoring and decent rebounding ability would seem valuable in what likely will continue to be a bit of a mix and match #10 rotation spot.

[GoGreen]

Thing with Parker is he's slow as molasses and might have the worst defense I have ever seen from an NBA player his size. He has two left feet out there. Absolute turn style and only useful in the post to get buckets.

Little interest in Can't Williams. His shrugging off of summer league play and his putrid effort last year really turned me off. He became fat, lazy and ambivalent. I have little hope for him at the 4.

What's up with RHJ? He only played 10 minutes a game last year. Something's up with the dude.

Millsap is the best we got. An older vet to balance off the kids. Leader, great locker room guy. 15-20 is all we need from him. Horf can play some of the backup minutes, too. This position will likely end up being "by committee" as they say.

[playa-hater]

It is hard to have a PF check all the Boxes. But we do have one that apparently you guys need to have more faith in.

HAUSER.

Last year, I was one of the few who truly believed Nesmith was going to be good when he struggled early on. Hauser, with a lot less pressure than a lottery pick has the one thing we need more than anything IMO and that is a steady "make you pay shot"

Against almost any team I see him being able to come in right away and do his one thing well. Only the Bucks with Giannis do I see problems. That game we may need more of Bruno.

And reminder, Hauser will have a ton more open looks when playing with Tatum/Brown especially and his sweet looking stroke will be even more deadly.

[GoGreen]

It is hard to have a PF check all the Boxes. But we do have one that apparently you guys need to have more faith in.

HAUSER.

Last year, I was one of the few who truly believed Nesmith was going to be good when he struggled early on. Hauser, with a lot less pressure than a lottery pick has the one thing we need more than anything IMO and that is a steady "make you pay shot"

Against almost any team I see him being able to come in right away and do his one thing well. Only the Bucks with Giannis do I see problems. That game we may need more of Bruno.

And reminder, Hauser will have a ton more open looks when playing with Tatum/Brown especially and his sweet looking stroke will be even more deadly.

I want to see more from Hauser. I want to believe! Let's see what's he's got for the rest of the summer league.

[Curmudgeon]

Hauser is a poor man's Duncan Robinson or maybe Doug McDermott. He's not a power forward. No power.

[Kids Are Alright]

Fernando lacks the offense of Hauser, but he’s a 6’9” banger, maybe some burn at pf?

[playa-hater]

Hauser is a poor man's Duncan Robinson or maybe Doug McDermott. He's not a power forward. No power.

In this ERA, not as big a problem. He will be fine. But at 6'8, I would definitely take the value of a "poor man's Duncan Robinson".

[playa-hater]

Fernando lacks the offense of Hauser, but he’s a 6’9” banger, maybe some burn at pf?

With Horford at times maybe. We can't have both our Bigs at the 4 and 5 spot not being able to shoot.

PS, I have no idea if Bruno can defend in space. Like most-all centers I say probably not.

[moonie_mcgee]

Tatum is our PF. Horford can slot in for some minutes to go big. Grant and Parker are there too. Not sure where this gaping hole is, but even if there is, I'm definitely not trading Timelord in order to fill it.

PF is a dying position. You play one big and four perimeter players.

Just play Tatum at the 4.

Dying position? That's not true at all unless defense, rebounding and posting are now dying. Of course the 3pt line opened up the game but not close to entirely. Playing Tatum at the 4 without shoring up thecfront court will invite another disappointing, underachieving year.

[moonie_mcgee]

Hauser is a poor man's Duncan Robinson or maybe Doug McDermott. He's not a power forward. No power.

In this ERA, not as big a problem. He will be fine. But at 6'8, I would definitely take the value of a "poor man's Duncan Robinson".

He's more like Joe Harris to me. When he's 27 28 he'll be stronger.

[playa-hater]

Hauser is a poor man's Duncan Robinson or maybe Doug McDermott. He's not a power forward. No power.

In this ERA, not as big a problem. He will be fine. But at 6'8, I would definitely take the value of a "poor man's Duncan Robinson".

He's more like Joe Harris to me. When he's 27 28 he'll be stronger.

That is also a nice Comp. Having at least one, pure knock down shooter goes along way. The fact that Harris and now Duncan Robinson signed for 80 and 90 million dollars and both start shows the value of having a pure shooter. The thing is we don't even need Hauser to start. just come in and hit a few open looks and keep the floor spaced for Tatum, Brown and now Schroder.

[31to6]

Love the enthusiasm but Hauser is a lightweight rookie who will be lighting it up in Maine. We are going to try to get ourselves back to the top level of the East. Wish we had someone like Nance Jr. or Kyle Anderson (or cough cough Aaron Gordon) on our roster, but the cards didn’t fall that way over the last year and we’re — again — guard heavy.

If we’re going to compete we need Tatum to start getting his name in the MVP conversation, and if that happens it’s as a healthy PF playing big minutes.

So Grant or Jaylen or Al or (my favorite) Jabari backing him up for 15 minutes a game should be fine. I’d guess Hauser averages about 0.3mpg at PF with the “big” club over the course of 82 this season — what’s that, 28 minutes total at PF?

If he plays significant minutes it means Tatum’s hurt and we’re hoping for a lottery pick.

[31to6]

Pritchard and Nesmith are the “knock down” shooters it’s looking realistic to have expectations for this season. And Hauser down the road? Maybe. Let him get a bit older and stronger first, like that grizzled vet stud named Max Strus. I’ll be surprised if Hauser’s not mostly a SF, though. 6’8” and slender, I don’t want him down low on D.

[moonie_mcgee]

In this ERA, not as big a problem. He will be fine. But at 6'8, I would definitely take the value of a "poor man's Duncan Robinson".

He's more like Joe Harris to me. When he's 27 28 he'll be stronger.

That is also a nice Comp. Having at least one, pure knock down shooter goes along way. The fact that Harris and now Duncan Robinson signed for 80 and 90 million dollars and both start shows the value of having a pure shooter. The thing is we don't even need Hauser to start. just come in and hit a few open looks and keep the floor spaced for Tatum, Brown and now Schroder.

Ya he's looked good. Money from the corner and top of the key. Rebounds, passes, good size. He could be good enough to make the regular roster. Pritch did. We'll find out from camp. I like Bruno too but for different reasons. If anything we so much more size never mind talent and balance than last year.

[moonie_mcgee]

Pritchard and Nesmith are the “knock down” shooters it’s looking realistic to have expectations for this season. And Hauser down the road? Maybe. Let him get a bit older and stronger first, like that grizzled vet stud named Max Strus. I’ll be surprised if Hauser’s not mostly a SF, though. 6’8” and slender, I don’t want him down low on D.

Hauser has been more impressive than Strus. Bigger and rebounds. Maybe a better shooter too. Pritch and Nesmith took big steps. Pritchs command of the floor and handles are tighter. Nesmith could be a star if he keeps this progression going. He's shot is great and he's driving now too.

[moonie_mcgee]

Love the enthusiasm but Hauser is a lightweight rookie who will be lighting it up in Maine. We are going to try to get ourselves back to the top level of the East. Wish we had someone like Nance Jr. or Kyle Anderson (or cough cough Aaron Gordon) on our roster, but the cards didn’t fall that way over the last year and we’re — again — guard heavy.

If we’re going to compete we need Tatum to start getting his name in the MVP conversation, and if that happens it’s as a healthy PF playing big minutes.

So Grant or Jaylen or Al or (my favorite) Jabari backing him up for 15 minutes a game should be fine. I’d guess Hauser averages about 0.3mpg at PF with the “big” club over the course of 82 this season — what’s that, 28 minutes total at PF?

If he plays significant minutes it means Tatum’s hurt and we’re hoping for a lottery pick.

JT should being getting 30+ ppg. He's gonna get a bulk of the shot attempts. But having knock down shooters like Pritch Nesmith and maybe Hauser won't interfere with that. Hauser is a 4 year collegiate. Forget Maine. If he can shoot and rebound. Keep him available. He's not a young upside Maine guy. Besides the competition in camp will sort it out.

[captain green]

Concur on weakness but absolutely no on all trades you proposed rather take a flyer on vet minimum guy

[gocelts]

The position is a problem. It’s not fair to keep Tatum there long term….I get the rumors about Barnes last year and temptation of a quick short term fix like PJ Tucker or Jeff Green, but at this point, looking at free agents, unfortunately what we have on the roster is the best available.

We need Grant Williams to get in better shape or for Parker to learn how to play defense.

[Hal14]

it's not a need.

Siakam? Jaylen Brown dominated him in 2020 playoffs.

AD? The Lakers usually play him at the 5, not the 4 in meaningful minutes.

Collins? He's similar to Siakam but a little tougher down low. Let's be real. How many 4's are in the league who are as quick/skilled/athletic as Collins while also being able to body dudes inside? I'll give you the list = Collins, Giannis, AD. That's it, that's the list.

Siakam is too soft to body dudes inside. Again, Jaylen dominated him.

AD usually plays center in meaningful mins, again.

Which leaves Giannis and Collins. Collins is good, he's a tough matchup, but c'mon, he's never made an all-star team. should we really be that scared? No.

Giannis? He's a freak. 6'11" and can move like a guard, with the ability to dribble/pass/shoot and also play inside. We've literally never seen a dude like Giannis before. Rob has done decent against him. I think our best bet vs him is a zone, box and 1 or something.

Tatum had the best season of his career last yr playing pf. Why? 1 reason is because his natural progression as a player. Another reason is because playing the 4, he has slower guys guarding him so he can abuse them. You want to move him to the 3? lol well the he's gonna have quicker guys guarding him and he'll have a tougher time scoring.

I didn't readthe whole thred but:

1) the PF position is not what it used to be. This is not the same NBA as when McHale, Barkley and Malone played PF. It's much different now. The PF position today is really more what the SF position was 15+ yrs ago.

Just look at Durant. He was a SF when he came into the league but now is a PF. Dirk was a SF when he came into the league but by his prime he was a PF.

2) Tatum over the past 2 years has been around 11% or a little bit higher for a rebounding % which is right in line with many starting PFs in the league and higher than a few good PFs.