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I know that Stoudamire is a solid veteran, but I don't see how he'll help this team defensively. I mean, we have a guy like Gabe Pruitt who's ready on the bench, and I think we should figure out what Pruitt can give before we bury him even further on the bench. From what I saw of Pruitt, he was a pretty solid defender with a sweet jumper. He was certainly more scorer than playmaker, but at this point we really need a point guard who can make contributions both offensively and defensively while Rondo is recovering. I would give Pruitt some minutes because he could be a solution to part of our problem.

Totally as an aside, I also wonder if the team would benefit by playing Ray in the second unit. Kind of like a role that Szczerbiak has with the Sonics this year. He could just come in and drain shots and not have to worry about getting lost in the offense. But that might be a conversation for a whole different topic.

Infinite Llamas wrote:I know that Stoudamire is a solid veteran, but I don't see how he'll help this team defensively. I mean, we have a guy like Gabe Pruitt who's ready on the bench, and I think we should figure out what Pruitt can give before we bury him even further on the bench. From what I saw of Pruitt, he was a pretty solid defender with a sweet jumper. He was certainly more scorer than playmaker, but at this point we really need a point guard who can make contributions both offensively and defensively while Rondo is recovering. I would give Pruitt some minutes because he could be a solution to part of our problem.

Totally as an aside, I also wonder if the team would benefit by playing Ray in the second unit. Kind of like a role that Szczerbiak has with the Sonics this year. He could just come in and drain shots and not have to worry about getting lost in the offense. But that might be a conversation for a whole different topic.

We don't need help offensively far more than we do defensively. We need someone who can bring the ball up, score, and pass. Damon fits that. Seriously, I don't know what you guys expect? Do you think that Chauncey Billups is gonna get bought out? If Damon gets bought out he is the best available PG and we damn well better take him. He fits most of our needs. There are no great PGs available in the middle of the season.

I love Pruitt, I'm the leader of his bandwagon and I personally think he should be backup PG right now. But it's quite obvious he isn't gonna get that shot this year, and if you pass on a guy like Damon because he isn't a superstar, it'll bite you in the a$$ come playoff time.

i thought allen iverson was "the answer"

Not an answer, just a patch. And, unless you could turn around and make another deal, like say, Eddie House to Houston for Chuck Hayes, I don't think the patch would be all that effective.

At this point, I think Stoudamire should come in and start...I am beginning to think that Rondo is teh biggest problem with the offense right now. It certainly could be his back, but either way he needs a rest. Someone said he's the straw that stirs the drink...and the drink is just sitting there right now. He's lost confidence, if he'd drive and distribute the offense would be doing better, but he's just pounding the ball aimlessly. The J he found at the beginning of the year has abandoned him too, and now he's getting burned on defense. Right now I think Stoudamire would be a very good patch.

chakdaddy wrote:At this point, I think Stoudamire should come in and start...I am beginning to think that Rondo is teh biggest problem with the offense right now. It certainly could be his back, but either way he needs a rest. Someone said he's the straw that stirs the drink...and the drink is just sitting there right now. He's lost confidence, if he'd drive and distribute the offense would be doing better, but he's just pounding the ball aimlessly. The J he found at the beginning of the year has abandoned him too, and now he's getting burned on defense. Right now I think Stoudamire would be a very good patch.

Nah, he needs to play through it. Consistency is good, but 2nd year pgs seldom have it. Rondo is going to have his ups and downs, but slumps happen to every player and if he's benched he won't learn how to work himself back.

Earl Boykins is a better shooter than Damon Stoudamire, and probably a better defender too despite his size. He makes a better pickup regardless of a Stoudamire buyout.

I don't think Rondo is the biggest problem anywhere right now, if anything he's not completely healthy. I thought the few game where he sat out or was limited showed us how important he was to the current roster, but then again we really haven't been playing so well past few weeks regardless.

Sam Cassell works so much better for you guys. Plus add in the KG factor and it looks real good, as long as the Clippers move him either through trade or buyout.

He is not the answer. We need a big ie S. Swift, J Maglorie that can pay PF /C.

I actually really like damon as a player. he hits the open shot, isn't a huge liability on defense, and is a very good ball handler. he's eddie house in the point gaurd mold, which is basicaly what we need.


i think our need for another 5 is overrated. big baby, pollard, and spots of powe+scal are good enough.

in a word "nope"

I would start by saying I'd rather have Cassell. However, if he is not an option then I would be all for Stoudimire. I think he's still a solid NBA point guard that could really help with the second unit. He knows how to run the second unit and can score.

I like him a whole lot more than Boykins who was mentioned earlier.

Here's the thing that I think a lot of people tend to forget in this scenario. Damon Stoudamire on the Grizzlies is a whole different story than Damon Stoudamire on the Celtics. He'd be getting more easy opportunities to score with the C's in half a season than he has for the last 2-3 years of his career. He's a solid ball handler and he has a lot of experience, including big game experience from his days in Portland. His defense would probably be shaky but I believe he would make up for it with his offensive abilities. One way or the other, he's worth a shot because I sure as heck don't think we'll get Cassell, and I sure as heck don't want to trade Tony Allen to improve at backup PG or C (though I think the C's are SET at the 4-5). Tony Allen's defense on big PG's and scoring SG's (shoot, even some 3's) and his slashing ability are too important coming down the stretch. Damon wouldn't solve all of our problems but I don't think he'd be any worse than a Jacque Vaughan in San Antonio.

listen, DS doesnt have to be a defensive genius. he needs to come in when rondo is playing badly. DS can pass better than rondo and has quicker last second judgement in getting rid of the ball. he is quick and can score. rondo looks confused sometimes and down right awful against really good ball handling guards. he is still learning and I think DS fills pieces rondo doesnt have yet. rondo looks like a great pg in one game and then looks like a rookie another. sometimes he passes like a great pg should, other times just looks off and confused and not sure where to put the ball. no doubt he will be great eventually.

I think he is a good fit backup. although rondo has shot good in some games, plus I hardly think DS misses layups like rondo does.

is it me or does it seem like our teams misses alot of layups ? god even KG missed one the other night.