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Depth Help
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:16 am
by Youth4Glory
We need help with our bench, it looks okay if not iffy now, but its a whole different ball game come playoff time. In the playoffs is where depth and the bench becomes important, if someone is off you can replace them with someone else who has the ability to make up for it (for the most part), but not on this team. We have no back up PG and a weak front line.
After watching the Denver game I am very frustrated with Eddie House's play, he is too streaky and cannot be relied upon come a big game. I question his bball IQ, not to mention his dribbling is poor.
It remains a question how Rondo will handle the pressure and necessary decision making in a tight game with high stakes come playoffs, i'd like to think he can handle it. Also his jumpshot is going to be very important in the playoffs. He has been playing really well, arguably our second best player really, while KG has been out.
Big Baby and Leon have never experienced the playoffs and it worries me that they have something to learn about intensity in the playoffs, especially being height disadvantaged with the likes of Ilgauskus, Varejao, D. Howard and Sheed, whatever matchup we get.
Scal has no business getting minutes in the playoffs. If Pollard is going to play in the playoffs why isn't he getting any run now? Is he really hurt? What if he gets hurt come playoffs?
Perk, though a solid leader and defender just isnt doing enough, although he is injured.
My main concern is that if KG gets in foul trouble and one of our bigs (Powe or Baby) is out of the game (whether physcially or mentally) its going to be very challenging for us to win. Weird things have happened before to deplete teams, i.e. Stoudemire and Diaw (I think) getting suspended for stepping onto the court when Horry dirty fouled Nash.
Come playoffs we are going to need everyone to step up and play their best games, and that doesnt always happen, whether its mental focus, being injured or just not making shots (which arguably is mental). This roster leaves very little room for error.
To get to the finals and compete, let alone out of the second round I think we need to fill the last two roster spots. I hope Danny has something planned. The trade deadline is approaching and I think Danny is waiting a bit to see how things pan out but, I do believe moves will be made. Theres no sense in leaving the roster spots open going into the playoffs, its like going to war with a gun without a full clip.
We need a back up pg that can dribble, distrubute and make an occassional shot/3pter. I am an advocate of Cassell, but talks have seemed to have died down since then.
I think we also need to sign another PF/C. Someone who is atleast 6'10'', that can bang and play d. Someone like Dale Davis, if he's not washed up (pretty sure he is). Danny might be willing to take a risk on a young guy here as this is more of an insurance piece than the back up pg. This player is less likely to see minutes that a back up pg, IMO. Whether signing a D league player, a free agent or someone that gets cut I'm not sure.
Its hard to see Danny pulling of a decent trade with our limited chips, but crazier things have happened.
Are you all as concerned about our depth as I am? What moves do you see Danny making? If you think we should stay pat, why?
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:26 am
by Al n' Perk No Layups!
Dale Davis is someone I've been pushing for us to get. I think he'd be a perfect fit.
Sacto has a few guys I'm interested in. Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, and Lorenzen Wright. I think we can get one of these guys rather easily.
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:32 am
by Youth4Glory
Lorenzen Wright, is quite intriguing to me. He could be useful. Ive liked him for a few years now, I think he could pass Pollard on the depth chart.
My thoughts are that if Eddie House gets off to a bad shooting streak his first couple playoff games, hes gonna have the plug pulled on him. We need someone else that can provide a spark at the pg position of the bench. Eddie does it mostly in terms of shooting, but we dont necessarily need that. It could just as easily be a good passer or defender, but we need something.
We need a pg that can provide a solid 15 minutes a game, that takes pressure off of House to be a PG, he can share minutes with Tony if he is playing well.
Posey concerns me a bit too in the playoffs, though he played well for the Heat when they won/
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:34 am
by Fencer reregistered
Pruitt can't be relied on due to youth, nor Pollard due to health. Beyond them, the Cs are 11 deep.
So yeah, 2 more guys would be good. One PG, one center. The first is of course more easily done than the second.
Like most other folks here, I'm still hoping for Sam Cassell.
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:25 am
by MaxwellSmart
Denver played this game as if their lives depended on it---plus they wanted to pay back the C's for getting crushed earlier in Boston...They played at twice the pace and sense of urgency that we did...and we still almost won...Our bench is okay, the All Star break and KG/Perk coming back screwed up our chemistry a bit---let's not panic.....oh,and this was the WORST reffed game in the history of the NBA.
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:01 am
by mr_sunshine
MaxwellSmart wrote:Denver played this game as if their lives depended on it---plus they wanted to pay back the C's for getting crushed earlier in Boston...They played at twice the pace and sense of urgency that we did...and we still almost won...Our bench is okay, the All Star break and KG/Perk coming back screwed up our chemistry a bit---let's not panic.....oh,and this was the WORST reffed game in the history of the NBA.
Couldn't agree more. I counted 10+ bad calls in the first quarter (most going against the C's, but some for them). Iverson was flopping around like a ragdoll and the refs ate it up, meanwhile ignoring C's getting mugged as if it were nothing.
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:23 am
by BillessuR6
Some interesting quotes in todays` Herald:
Rivers has said in the past his team is thin inside and at the point. Asked yesterday what he might like to see added, he replied,
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:36 am
by Jammer
They need another guard that can dribble and shoot for the days when Rondo or House are not hitting. Whether they can get that before summer free agency is the question.
There are no "Bigs" available for the salary that the Celtics can exchange, unless they sign a corpse out of retirement like Dallas did with Keith Van Horn, which would mean a double luxury tax hit since their would in effect be no outgoing salary.
So, Scot Pollard's return to health and availability is crucial, unless the Celtics do a corpse sign & trade, or the Celtics are lucky enough to add Kurt Thomas and his jump shot this summer.
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 3:54 pm
by Collinto
thebirdman wrote:Some interesting quotes in todays` Herald:
Rivers has said in the past his team is thin inside and at the point. Asked yesterday what he might like to see added, he replied,
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 4:40 pm
by BillessuR6
Collinto wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Are those going to be TA's or House's minutes?
I would say House`s. You put him in the game and if he makes a shot or two you play him if not you sit him down. When he isn`t shooting well he is useless on the floor. Like last night against DEN.
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 5:36 pm
by sully00
Because of Tony's rebounding ability he can play at the SF spot some in small line up.
I am with thebirdman on House. If he isn't making shots he is a nightmare in a big game, we need an option for him at this point. What and who is the question? I want a pg who can handle,and defend, that is were we lost that game last night and is essentially what Eddie is not.
A big would also help but as with anything we not only need a guy who fills the need we need somebody who can play. If the guy isn't a 14 PER guy who can guard he isn't going to crack the rotation.
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:08 pm
by Collinto
Just the threat of House's shooting ability, however, opens the lane and allows TA/Pierce/Ray to penetrate more easily when that second unit is in...
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:16 pm
by sully00
Collinto wrote:Just the threat of House's shooting ability, however, opens the lane and allows TA/Pierce/Ray to penetrate more easily when that second unit is in...
No argument. I like Eddie but like I said I think we are going to need an option to win this thing at the same time he has to be a able to play, not just a jag.
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:38 pm
by billfromBoston
....guys, the team is going to get Sam Cassell...they just have to wait until the deadline is passed and then Sam and a bunch more vets will be waived by crappy teams in order for them to latch onto contenders...
...80 percent of player's salaries have been paid now, so there is no incentive for team's to retain a veteran looking to contribute to a playoff push...this is the equivalent of giving a guy a few 100k over the summer for a TC invite...there will be guys available...whether or not the team feels any center who shakes loose is worth persuing relative to the luxury tax cost of acquiring him remains to be seen...
...it will be interesting to see if Diop is waived by NJ...Diop is a backup center all the way, but has playoff experience and is a quality defender with size...I could see the Celtics being interested in him as he has many similarities to Perk in terms of defensive ability and length/bulk...
I'd say the chances of landing Cassell are about 90% with the only caveat being Sterling somehow not buying him out...Diop is a mystery, NJ may keep him for a backup of their own or he may be waived and return to Dal...who knows...
But, rest assured, team management knows the state of the team better than anyone on this board and if there is a move that makes sense it will be made...they aren't going to sacrifice the season to save money or to "risk it" on the current roster if they feel their are deficiencies that can be rectified...
...don't worry so much, the team is in good hands....
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:05 pm
by joneb
Does anyone know where the Celtics stand in terms of their slot for picking up anyone that is waived? Are they 2nd because they had the 2nd worst record last year?
Also, is a player that gets bought out like an unrestricted free agent? Can he negotiate with any team he chooses?
Thanks in advance for any pundit that cares to clarify these issues for me!
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:34 am
by Jammer
billfromBoston wrote:....guys, the team is going to get Sam Cassell...they just have to wait until the deadline is passed and then Sam and a bunch more vets will be waived by crappy teams in order for them to latch onto contenders...
...80 percent of player's salaries have been paid now, so there is no incentive for team's to retain a veteran looking to contribute to a playoff push ....
Not true.
NBA players are paid twice per month, from November thru June.
16 checks total.
The trade deadline is February 21.
The deadline for a waived player to be on a team's roster to be eligible for the playoffs is March 1.
Unsigned free agents like PJ Brown have until April 17 to get with a team and still be eligible for the playoffs.
Anyone bought out after February 21 must clear waivers (48 hours) before a team can sign them, so in reality, buyouts must be completed by February 26.
At that point NBA players will have received 8 of their 16 checks, or 50% of their salary.
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:06 am
by billfromBoston
Jammer wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Not true.
NBA players are paid twice per month, from November thru June.
16 checks total.
The trade deadline is February 21.
The deadline to be on a team's roster to be eligilble for the playoffs is March 1.
Anyone bought out after February 21 must clear waivers (48 hours) before a team can sign them, so in reality, buyouts must be completed by February 26.
At that point NBA players will have received 8 of their 16 checks, or 50% of their salary.
...I stand corrected Captain nit-picker...
let me re-phrase what I was saying...
ALMOST EVERY YEAR veteran players get bought our or released from non-playoff teams in order for them to get the chance to latch onto a contender...it is a courtesy that is afforded to meaningful vets on the last year of deals and good PR for struggling team possibly looking for upcoming FA themselves...
The Clippers/Cassell situation is very much like this, though Cassell pushed the envelope with his loose tongue a couple weeks back...
The Clippers will not be retaining Cassell after this season, are not in a position to make the playoffs, and are already obligated to pay Cassell this season since he has not been traded...there is no incentive for them not to buy him out and let him go to a contending team...therefore the likelihood of the team doing so is fairly high, almost certain if I was going to hazard a guess...
..it was interesting to know what the actual pay cycle of an NBA player was, that will surely be beneficial to other analysis, but it doesn't alter the current situation with Cassell and my point was predicated off the likelihood of Cassell being available...
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:34 am
by Jammer
Peace.
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:52 am
by billfromBoston
Jammer wrote:Peace.
...no disrespect intended, I should have put a smiley...I just wanted to clarify my point and show why it is still a likelihood...
...you're one of the best posters here, keep it up...
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:17 am
by Youth4Glory
Our need for depth just got a little bit more real tonight... Make some moves Danny, I don't want to see Eddie House play a single playoff minute
This team is seriously worrying me, we don't look like a team ready for the playoffs. Its been all down hill since the hot start this team got off to at the beggining of the season. We will be lucky to make it to the second rd if we keep playing d the way we played tonight. This team is like 6.5 players deep right now. I'm literally disgusted with the way this team defends. It can't be the refs either, cuz its been like this both nights, thats just how it is out west.
This team looks like its on life support, and we are nearly at full strength right now