Could Pollard be back with the Celtics next season?
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 12:11 am
I doubt it but I'm asking since I know Ainge likes him as a veteran player and the Celtics will have to continue to look for reserves next season on the cheap. There could be better alternatives at center, specifically. Still, Boston has it's own players to consider to contracts and that's why I'm asking about Pollard. I don't see Brown coming back at season's end regardless if the team is able to make the finals or not or win the championship or not. His body might not be able to handle the grind of a full season. Right now he's fresh since he came aboard at the back end of this season. I wonder if Brown would've still been signed had Pollard not been lost for the season. Brown will turn thirty-nine before the start of next season and Pollard is thirty-three.
One surprise guest at the workout was Scot Pollard, who spoke with the media for the first time since having season-ending surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left ankle three weeks ago. Pollard said he had been sore from myriad ankle issues all season (What, you couldn
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 12:19 am
No.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 1:07 am
i hope not
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 1:32 am
Offensively Pollard and Brown are about the same, since Pollard only takes high percentage shots, while PJ launches jumpers that don't fall.
The biggest difference is PJ's superior mobility, which makes him the better rebounder and defender.
There is a 5 year age difference, and Pollard's foot will be much better in the future (I presume).
Scot has been in the playoffs 9 straight years, I think. This will be his 10th consecutive year with a playoff team.
I can see Scot rehabbing himself until before the playoffs, and possibly signing on with a team late like PJ did. I suspect that Scot will sign for the veteran minimum again, which this year the Celtics only paid him $770k, with the league paying about $450k. If Scot doesn't sign on for training camp, those numbers would go down somewhat if he waits until mid-season, probably around 25% less.
Other than offering the full mid-level to Kurt Thomas, who can play center and PF, I don't know which free agent Bigs that the Celtics would go after.
But yes, there is a possibility that Scot could be back. It will also depend on who the Celtics may trade around draft time to move up in the draft, or buy a pick (i.e. $3 million cash + Pruitt or Glen Davis, for example, for ???).
The biggest difference is PJ's superior mobility, which makes him the better rebounder and defender.
There is a 5 year age difference, and Pollard's foot will be much better in the future (I presume).
Scot has been in the playoffs 9 straight years, I think. This will be his 10th consecutive year with a playoff team.
I can see Scot rehabbing himself until before the playoffs, and possibly signing on with a team late like PJ did. I suspect that Scot will sign for the veteran minimum again, which this year the Celtics only paid him $770k, with the league paying about $450k. If Scot doesn't sign on for training camp, those numbers would go down somewhat if he waits until mid-season, probably around 25% less.
Other than offering the full mid-level to Kurt Thomas, who can play center and PF, I don't know which free agent Bigs that the Celtics would go after.
But yes, there is a possibility that Scot could be back. It will also depend on who the Celtics may trade around draft time to move up in the draft, or buy a pick (i.e. $3 million cash + Pruitt or Glen Davis, for example, for ???).
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 1:51 am
I'd like to see Brown brought back next year. Then I'd like to see Patrick O'Bryant given a free agent contract. He just doesn't fit in with what the Warriors are doing and could become a very good defensive Center with his 9'4" standing reach, and he does have some athletic ability. He could be a good backup to Perkins.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 2:15 am
Stick a fork in Pollard, he looks done. I'd much rather have another D-League player then him. We should definitely bring back P.J. though. He's a reliable vet.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 2:33 am
PJ could very easily be back if he'll play for the veteran minimum.
The thing is, so could Scot, even though he might sit out to February or March rehabbing.
The thing is, so could Scot, even though he might sit out to February or March rehabbing.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 2:40 am
Jammer wrote:PJ could very easily be back if he'll play for the veteran minimum.
The thing is, so could Scot, even though he might sit out to February or March rehabbing.
What's the point in bringing back Scot Pollard? I'd rather have a player on the team that isn't injured so easily. He gets hurt like my great grandmother when I'm boxing with her.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 3:15 am
No. I would rather have one more year service from PJ Brown. Pollard was already done when he signed with us. I just knew it but Ainge needed an extra body just for an insurance.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 4:55 am
If Pollard remains an option for Ainge. I say why not as long as he isn't a back up to Perkins but the third center. Still, the Celtics will need a back up center then.
Unrestricted big men this summer will include...
Jamaal Magloire
Theo Ratliff
Patrick O'Bryant
Dikembe Mutombo
Kwame Brown
Alonzo Mourning
Michael Ruffin
Jake Voskuhl
Michael Doleac
DeSagana Diop
Chris Andersen
Lorenzen Wright
Kurt Thomas
Francisco Elson
Primoz Brezec
This doesn't look like much as a few of these names could retire or resign with their team. Of these players, if I were Ainge, I'll see if I could convince Andersen to leave New Orleans. He seems to be one of those players who has a non stop motor or he's a hustle guy. So, he could be a cheap signing who'll bring energy off the bench to play power forward or center. Otherwise, I don't think anyone else on this list is worth it or will be available. The names that people will immediate notice are O'Bryant and Diop. However, they're the ones I'm thinking will return to their teams or those teams will seriously try to retain them. Another name is Thomas but his age is a concern like Brown and Pollard. He'll turn thirty-six before the start of next season.
Others are either non factors on defense or on offense or they aren't that much of an upgrade over Pollard or Brown right now. I know Kwame is a player that some on here would be willing to take a chance on.
Unrestricted big men this summer will include...
Jamaal Magloire
Theo Ratliff
Patrick O'Bryant
Dikembe Mutombo
Kwame Brown
Alonzo Mourning
Michael Ruffin
Jake Voskuhl
Michael Doleac
DeSagana Diop
Chris Andersen
Lorenzen Wright
Kurt Thomas
Francisco Elson
Primoz Brezec
This doesn't look like much as a few of these names could retire or resign with their team. Of these players, if I were Ainge, I'll see if I could convince Andersen to leave New Orleans. He seems to be one of those players who has a non stop motor or he's a hustle guy. So, he could be a cheap signing who'll bring energy off the bench to play power forward or center. Otherwise, I don't think anyone else on this list is worth it or will be available. The names that people will immediate notice are O'Bryant and Diop. However, they're the ones I'm thinking will return to their teams or those teams will seriously try to retain them. Another name is Thomas but his age is a concern like Brown and Pollard. He'll turn thirty-six before the start of next season.
Others are either non factors on defense or on offense or they aren't that much of an upgrade over Pollard or Brown right now. I know Kwame is a player that some on here would be willing to take a chance on.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 5:02 am
Magloire could give us some help.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 5:05 am
Pollard was pretty much BPA at the time after the trade. He is done with this team. Unless, We are looking for a guy on the TV staff.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:33 am
O'Bryant's option was not picked up by the Warriors, he will be a unrestricted FA next year. He could be a good defensive presense off the bench in a few years for this team.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 6:15 pm
Or possibly....
We will take a look at him when he is fully healed and see if he can help us.
If he comes back at a better level of play than when we first got him because he is now healed I think it would be foolish to discount him.
We will take a look at him when he is fully healed and see if he can help us.
If he comes back at a better level of play than when we first got him because he is now healed I think it would be foolish to discount him.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 6:27 pm
Hemingway wrote:Or possibly....
We will take a look at him when he is fully healed and see if he can help us.
If he comes back at a better level of play than when we first got him because he is now healed I think it would be foolish to discount him.
Its not foolish at all. The guy simply isnt that good anymore. He only got signed this year because by the time we got Garnett their werent any good FA bigman options. I dont see that being as much of a problem this year.
Posted: Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:35 pm
Hemingway wrote:Or possibly....
We will take a look at him when he is fully healed and see if he can help us.
If he comes back at a better level of play than when we first got him because he is now healed I think it would be foolish to discount him.
I concur. This is my thinking... Perhaps, he was never 100% to begin with. Pollard did elude to that in recent comments. I think he'll get a second look depending on when he's able to play again. Probably, not until September or October.