Closing Games out without James Posey, PJ and Eddie
Posted: Sun Jul 6, 2008 4:41 pm
With PJ Brown likely to sit out until at least February (and possibly retire for good),
and James Posey possibly signing with another team like the Lakers, Houston, Detroit or New Orleans, and even Eddie House's return not a sure thing;
I think that it is wise to forget stats for a minute and look at the possible game closeout lineups that the Celtics used in the playoffs, and the implications that they face
if Posey/Brown/House are not there.
Game Closeout Lineup 1 (Mobile with 3 to 4 Three Point Shooters):
C: Garnett
PF: Posey
SF: Pierce
SG: Ray
PG: Rajon or Eddie
Depending how Rajon is playing (and whether Eddie was hitting) usually determined which got time at the end of the game. One is a penetrator/defender while the other is a shooter.
Eddie gave the Celtics 5 shooters on the floor, with 2 slashers (Pierce and Allen).
Rajon gave 4 shooters, and 3 slashers with better defense.
The candidates offered a minimum one year contract who might replace Eddie who have yet to be resolved are Jason Williams of Miami and Tyronn Lue (who sounds like he would come, which means Williams might have first crack).
Williams doesn't give you another shooter at the end of the game, but is able to run an offense and push the break well. Lue is more of an Eddie House clone, but has been better paid over the years.
I don't see a mobile PF for situations that it is called for that would be as good as it as Posey. Asking Maggette or Pierce to step up at the end of the game, versus using Powe or Scalabrine, is making sacrifices in other areas. If the Celtics put Maggette out there with Pierce and Ray Allen, it's definately going small. And I would still want Eddie House around in case a shooter was called for and other guys were off (like Rajon or Williams), unless the Celtics sign Lue instead of Williams, but I'd still prefer House.
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Game Closeout Lineup 2 (Big)
C: PJ Brown
PF: Garnett
SF: Pierce
SG: Ray
PG: Rajon or Eddie
Here, with the Celtics Big game closeout lineup, they had size (PJ is 6' 10" w/o shoes, with long arms) alongside Garnett. PJ offered post D and a pick and pop jump shot, especially useful on screens and rolls.
The Celtics, if they were able to add someone like Alonzo Mourning (Alonzo is 4 months younger than PJ, on one kidney) for minimum, would still have a center who can hit a shot.
But, as I see it, I see that the Celtics can potentially lose out the GREAT closing lineups that they had:
The mobile lineup (with Posey at PF), and
the Big lineup (with PJ Brown at center).
The ability to pick and choose between Rajon and Eddie would also be nice, even though I would still want to add one of Jason Williams or Lue for minimum if they would come.
and James Posey possibly signing with another team like the Lakers, Houston, Detroit or New Orleans, and even Eddie House's return not a sure thing;
I think that it is wise to forget stats for a minute and look at the possible game closeout lineups that the Celtics used in the playoffs, and the implications that they face
if Posey/Brown/House are not there.
Game Closeout Lineup 1 (Mobile with 3 to 4 Three Point Shooters):
C: Garnett
PF: Posey
SF: Pierce
SG: Ray
PG: Rajon or Eddie
Depending how Rajon is playing (and whether Eddie was hitting) usually determined which got time at the end of the game. One is a penetrator/defender while the other is a shooter.
Eddie gave the Celtics 5 shooters on the floor, with 2 slashers (Pierce and Allen).
Rajon gave 4 shooters, and 3 slashers with better defense.
The candidates offered a minimum one year contract who might replace Eddie who have yet to be resolved are Jason Williams of Miami and Tyronn Lue (who sounds like he would come, which means Williams might have first crack).
Williams doesn't give you another shooter at the end of the game, but is able to run an offense and push the break well. Lue is more of an Eddie House clone, but has been better paid over the years.
I don't see a mobile PF for situations that it is called for that would be as good as it as Posey. Asking Maggette or Pierce to step up at the end of the game, versus using Powe or Scalabrine, is making sacrifices in other areas. If the Celtics put Maggette out there with Pierce and Ray Allen, it's definately going small. And I would still want Eddie House around in case a shooter was called for and other guys were off (like Rajon or Williams), unless the Celtics sign Lue instead of Williams, but I'd still prefer House.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Game Closeout Lineup 2 (Big)
C: PJ Brown
PF: Garnett
SF: Pierce
SG: Ray
PG: Rajon or Eddie
Here, with the Celtics Big game closeout lineup, they had size (PJ is 6' 10" w/o shoes, with long arms) alongside Garnett. PJ offered post D and a pick and pop jump shot, especially useful on screens and rolls.
The Celtics, if they were able to add someone like Alonzo Mourning (Alonzo is 4 months younger than PJ, on one kidney) for minimum, would still have a center who can hit a shot.
But, as I see it, I see that the Celtics can potentially lose out the GREAT closing lineups that they had:
The mobile lineup (with Posey at PF), and
the Big lineup (with PJ Brown at center).
The ability to pick and choose between Rajon and Eddie would also be nice, even though I would still want to add one of Jason Williams or Lue for minimum if they would come.
