"Who is Matt Barnes?"

[campybatman]

Very informative article about Barnes. Wow, I didn't know he'd three-point range! I'm sold... Barnes is the player Ainge must target right now, immediately. And he's only twenty-eight. What a coup for Ainge if he can have O'Bryant and Barnes both from the Warriors. Golden State is like Shaw's right now. Every other team's going to them to shop.

“We are not necessarily looking for a small forward”? Come on Danny, let’s not lean on Pierce too heavily now. There is a spot on the bench that DOES need to be filled between the back-up shooting guard (whether its Eddie House (FA) or Tony Allen (FA) or Greg Pruitt behind Ray Allen) and the back-up power forward (whether its Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis or Brian Scalabrine behind KG). Do the math - the Celtics most certainly need a bonafide small forward, i.e., a wing player with some length, coming off their bench.

According to 82games.com, Posey played the most minutes at power forward with Garnett sliding to center. He played approximately 12.5 minutes per game (mpg) at PF and 9 mpg at SF. Ray Allen played a little over 4 mpg at SF, with Pierce essentially getting the rest (32 mpg).

So if the Celtics stand pat, they are limited to sliding Ray Allen to the 3-spot and having the unsigned House or TAllen coming in for Pierce and playing SG. So Celtics could always have either Paul Pierce or Ray Allen on the court to cover the SF position, but where’s the length when you need it? You still have to cover the 6′ 9″ Tayshaun Prince or AK47, the 6′ 8″ LBJ or Melo, and the 6′ 7″ Richard Jefferson, Caron Butler and Josh Howards of the world.

He’s a reasonably long 6′ 7″ and can play some PF like Posey, and in fact played most of his 20 mpg with the Warriors at the PF position, but that was in Don Nelson’s small ball system where he even got minutes at center on occasion . . . by most accounts, he’s a classic small forward.

Barnes is a utility guy, similar to Posey, but is not the marksman that Posey is. But realize that Posey was limited offensively, and had no offensive game between 23 feet and 5 feet out. It was all 3-pointers or dunks for Posey.

Barnes is athletic and can hit the spot up jumper, and has a bit more versatility offensively. Barnes also has 3-point range. However, that is a recent phenomena, because he only added the three to his game when he joined Golden State 2 years ago, and then proceeded to set a team record with 7 threes in a game!

Barnes defense is also good, as he has accumulated a high steals and blocks in limited minutes, and he definitely has the mind set for playing tough defense.

But I think if signed, you will be seeing someone that can easily match Posey numbers, minus the clutch shooting aspect.

http://mvn.com/nba-celtics/2008/07/18/t ... nk-barnes/

[Albanian Damien]

I really liked Barnes during Golden State's playoff run 2 years ago. I don't know what happened to him this season but I definitely think we should go after him. He shouldn't even be that expensive so it can't hurt.

[Rocky5000]

I have a problem with this article - Bench players don't need to match up against all-stars, it's pretty impossible to find players that can do so. Do you think that the Spurs are worried about how their backup center matches up with Yao Ming? Bench players play against other bench players.

He also forgets about our draft picks, both have very good length, one of which(Walker) is a "bonafide SF."
Giddens' wingspan is 6'11.25", a quarter of an inch less than the aforementioned Caron Butler, and 1 inch less than LeBron James. The great James Posey, measure at 7'0", 3/4" more than Giddens.

[cisco]

I have a problem with this article - Bench players don't need to match up against all-stars, it's pretty impossible to find players that can do so. Do you think that the Spurs are worried about how their backup center matches up with Yao Ming? Bench players play against other bench players.

He also forgets about our draft picks, both have very good length, one of which(Walker) is a "bonafide SF."
Giddens' wingspan is 6'11.25", a quarter of an inch less than the aforementioned Caron Butler, and 1 inch less than LeBron James. The great James Posey, measure at 7'0", 3/4" more than Giddens.

I don't think he forgot about them. They are rookies and we need some experience on the bench, especially for the playoffs.

[ParticleMan]

Not a bad analysis. I wouldn't mind Barnes, though I think the author oversells him a bit. He's not as good as Posey, but he could provide some of the same things. I'd prefer Barnes to Tony Allen, if only because I think JR replicates TA. Barnes has good length and a decent outside shot.

[grantlongforpresident]

Matt Barnes sucks. I can't believe the bandwagon is in favor of him.

[Tricky Ricky]

Matt Barnes sucks. I can't believe the bandwagon is in favor of him.

Matt Barnes does not suck, he can play D and can hit open 3s which is what we need. Now am I saying Matt Barnes is a superstar? No, hes not even star but out of the list of players to replace Posey hes the best one THAT WE HAVE A REALISTIC SHOT AT.

[Rocky5000]

I have a problem with this article - Bench players don't need to match up against all-stars, it's pretty impossible to find players that can do so. Do you think that the Spurs are worried about how their backup center matches up with Yao Ming? Bench players play against other bench players.

He also forgets about our draft picks, both have very good length, one of which(Walker) is a "bonafide SF."
Giddens' wingspan is 6'11.25", a quarter of an inch less than the aforementioned Caron Butler, and 1 inch less than LeBron James. The great James Posey, measure at 7'0", 3/4" more than Giddens.

I don't think he forgot about them. They are rookies and we need some experience on the bench, especially for the playoffs.

Production wise, they could give as much as Barnes. Barnes has only been to the playoffs once in his career, I think you're overblowing the experience thing. Like Gomes, Giddens is a 4 year college player, he has plenty of experience, and will get more if we allow him to see the court this year.

[ManchvegasBob]

Thanks for the shout bonsaiflipflops! And I appreciate those that are like-minded on this issue.

Cisco is correct, although we have two rookies that could spend sometime at the back-up SF, there is a moderate risk in putting your eggs in the rookie basket. The alternative is playing Pierce and Ray Allen more minutes than we would like, or god forbid, trotting out Brian Scalabrine as the SF, as I've seen on some published depth charts for the C's.

And I hope we have something in Billy Walker and JR Giddens, but we really don't have any idea how they will fare as rookies. We hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, and that is why you secure veterans during the summer if you can, especially if you are entertaining being in the championship hunt again.

I have a problem with this article - Bench players don't need to match up against all-stars, it's pretty impossible to find players that can do so. Do you think that the Spurs are worried about how their backup center matches up with Yao Ming? Bench players play against other bench players.

Yes, but there are times when our subs have to match-up against the other teams starters due to injuries or foul trouble, etc. If we have to play Tony Allen or Brian Scalabrine or a unproven rookie at SF, versus having somebody like Matt Barnes, then the Celtics are going to be at a serious disadvantage going against the better SFs.

He also forgets about our draft picks, both have very good length, one of which(Walker) is a "bonafide SF." Giddens' wingspan is 6'11.25", a quarter of an inch less than the aforementioned Caron Butler, and 1 inch less than LeBron James. The great James Posey, measure at 7'0", 3/4" more than Giddens.

I really hope Giddens (and TAllen if resigned) can play some SF, but if we face LA in the finals next year, and the 6'10" Lamar Odom or Vlad Radman are the SF, do we really want to be stuck with the only alternative of playing 6''4"/6'5" guys on them?

Matt Barnes sucks. I can't believe the bandwagon is in favor of him.

I didn't think there was a bandwagon or I wouldn't have wasted my time writing the article. I actually was attempting to do a bit of flag waving so that perhaps Barnes would at least get in the conversation amongst the Celtics brass - he would be perfect for a 1-year deal at the minimum, and possbily more. That is all - he would be a good catch, but not a superstar by any means.

[campybatman]

I can only speak for myself, but I don't see a support of Barnes as suddenly creating a bandwagon for him. What bandwagon? I for one am looking at who's left on the open market in unrestricted free agents and who best can replicate what Posey did for Boston this season. Ainge missed out on signing James Jones, I'm uncertain if he has an interest in Quinton Ross, Darius Miles isn't likely to be the answer and players such as Devean George, Ira Newble and Bostjan Nachbar could seek more money or even decide to play overseas if a better offer arises. For instance, Ricky Davis supposedly has an offer coming from Olympiakos (Greece). Nachbar still intrigues me but if a contract for Barnes is feasible. Then I sign Barnes instead. As said, I agree, Barnes could be a player that the Celtics have a reasonable chance at signing. Still, with any player, it's a matter of hammering out the right kind of deal that works for both parties. If Barnes can sign for half of the MLE. Then a deal is doable. If a team is willing to offer him the full MLE. Then I don't think Ainge will bite unless it's for two or three years tops. I believe Barnes' age works in his favor in that sense than it did for Posey.

[grantlongforpresident]

I can only speak for myself, but I don't see a support of Barnes as suddenly creating a bandwagon for him. What bandwagon? I for one am looking at who's left on the open market in unrestricted free agents and who best can replicate what Posey did for Boston this season. Ainge missed out on signing James Jones, I'm uncertain if he has an interest in Quinton Ross, Darius Miles isn't likely to be the answer and players such as Devean George, Ira Newble and Bostjan Nachbar could seek more money or even decide to play overseas if a better offer arises. For instance, Ricky Davis supposedly has an offer coming from Olympiakos (Greece). Nachbar still intrigues me but if a contract for Barnes is feasible. Then I sign Barnes instead. As said, I agree, Barnes could be a player that the Celtics have a reasonable chance at signing. Still, with any player, it's a matter of hammering out the right kind of deal that works for both parties. If Barnes can sign for half of the MLE. Then a deal is doable. If a team is willing to offer him the full MLE. Then I don't think Ainge will bite unless it's for two or three years tops. I believe Barnes' age works in his favor in that sense than it did for Posey.

fair enough. i just have an aversion to matt barnes and his game. please don't sign him ainge!

but i'll pipe down.

[campybatman]

If there isn't much out there. Then you can't be picky. Barnes isn't bad. I mean the Celtics aren't getting Artest so you look at alternatives. If a player hurts you more than he helps you. Then you don't need to sign him. I don't believe Barnes hurts your team unless he's overpaid.

[billfromBoston]

...I see no reason to try and replicate anything...the team should add the players that can impact the game the most with what they do best...Posey was a 3-point/defense type, the next players Ainge brings in may very well do those things, but its not necissary for that player to duplicate Posey himself..

Personally, I'd just as soon sign Mike Finley as the vet wing and go hard after Marbury when he's bought out...let the wing depth rest on the youth, but with a veteran backup as insurance...I'm looking for explosive scoring potential on the perimeter-hence Marbury-though if Ainge really thinks TA is back up to snuff, perhaps we simply sign him to a 3 year deal and be done with it...

[sully00]

Here here on Finley, I would be okay with Devean George as well.

Barnes is fine on a minimum deal or some sort of short mle money prior to camp. But the guys is the player you saw last season more than the guy you saw two years ago. There is a reason he has been waived four time in 5 years. James Posey he is not.

[campybatman]

...I see no reason to try and replicate anything...

I believe you took my word usage of replicate the wrong way. I'm not saying that Barnes has to come in and be James Posey. Only Posey can be himself. I was just saying that if you can sign a player that isn't a step backwards from what the previous player gave you at that position this season. Then what more could you hope for. Just like when you've a back up at a position on your team. He may offer something different in skills but there isn't a drop-off in his production so you can afford to rest the starter. That's all I was saying with Barnes: He won't make you forget about Posey, but ideally he can bring similar skills or as much of what Posey brought to the table as a reserve.