Powe or Davis? One emerges, platoon or trade one

[campybatman]

Because of the uncertainty at center, I believe regardless of which player wins the backup power forward spot for the time being. Both players will likely remain on the roster at least through next season. Unless O'Bryant steps up and makes one of them expendable.



Leon Powe or Big Baby?

http://celticsblog.com/index.php?option ... Itemid=189

[Rocky5000]

Well, we should have more time at PF for these guys with Posey now gone. To me it all depends on how Miles and O'Bryant shake out. If both of those guys make the final roster and start producing, we will have to make a decision. Right now, I hesitate to say that either of those guys will be in the regular season rotation, but they each have the potential to be better than both Powe and Big Baby. Miles likely being a one-year rental, O'Bryant is probably the most important player to the team looking into the future.

Make no mistake, Powe had a better year than BBD. But he had the experience advantage over Davis, this year maybe Glen will have a similar jump in play. In the long term, both have health concerns, Baby's weight, and Powe's knees. Big Baby is a more multi-faceted type of player, and is consequently more versatile, being able to play both the 4 and the 5. Leon does a few things very very well, get post position, draw fouls, grab boards, and convert offensive rebounds. His defense has also improved quite a bit from the start of the season, in the Cleveland series his help D on Lebron was huge.

[sully00]

I don't think that this is an either or situation. Big Baby is much more effective at center just like Powe is much more effective at PF. I like Baby when KG is on the court and I like Powe when KG is sitting. In the end I think Baby's mins will be determined by O'Bryant and Perkins and Powe's will be determined by Miles.

I don't think there is much of a long term future in Boston for any of these guys unless they like playing on the cheap. They are here for the next year or two to fill a role development is not part of the equation.

Because of the suspension to Miles and Doc's love of execution, my guess is that mins will be there for Powe and Davis early in the year and it will come down to hustle and execution.

[Collinto]

Which ever one learned to consistantly hit a 15 foot jumper this summer.

As a side note, I think that Powe's minutes are soley dependant upon his ability to make the proper defensive rotation. He was benched more than once last year for his defensive failures.

[campybatman]

...O'Bryant is probably the most important player to the team looking into the future.

I agree with that assertion. In my opinion, the point guard and center are the two most important positions to fill on your team. Even more important to establish depth once you've starters at both spots. I think Boston at the center position is intriguing with (hopefully) a healthy Perkins, an aspiring center in O'Bryant and a foreign prospect in Erden down the road.

As for Powe and Davis, I view them both as what Ainge refers to as chips. So, it's tough to grow attached to a young player for Boston. Because you never know whether or not their future is here or elsewhere. For me, I liked Gerald Green and liked his potential as a shooter. He was a player you wanted to root for in way. Likewise, one could've those same feelings toward a Powe or a Davis. You'll like for them to succeed and better in Boston. However, Ainge is a general manger. He has to keep the wheel spinning. I wouldn't be surprised if neither player sticks with Boston meaning that they aren't retain and instead each traded. Every action depends on something to happen so either could be resigned or neither could be resigned. Who knows... So, I'm cautiously optimistic about them both. I do believe one of them will emerge and contribute to the regular rotation. But, with Rivers you don't know.

[Havlicek17]

I think both Baby's and Powe's future will be determined by Miles. It has been said numerous times on this board that we may not be able to sign Powe in the offseason, so we should trade him now. If Miles can really return to form, then it may be tough for us to sign him. He's going to look for a much bigger contract than Powe. If Miles is a one year rental then we need to keep both Powe and Baby.

If Miles fizzles and does not return to form, then we need both Powe and BBD.

[War of the Lamb]

I think what everyone loses site of is that team chemistry and an individuals ability to lend something special to the team are very important. Powe has a quirt toughness that inspires his teamates. BB has a personality that loosens his teamates and a very high basketball IQ. I always watch him away from the ball and I for one am impressed. He may take it up 2 notches this year.

[campybatman]

I haven't lost sight of anything. No one's debating what either can offer the team individually or how they function with teammates. Both Powe and Davis have contracts that are expiring. That's the bottom line.

[War of the Lamb]

So your point is that because you have two expiring contracts you have to get rid of one?
You may be right but I'm glad your not the GM or we would be back in the Pitino years.

[LenBiasBaller]

I think with our salary structure paying the big three the bulk of the money we need to showcase Powe this year. We all love his story and I would love to keep him long term. It seems we are running our organization like the Pats so if he end ups commanding too much for us then hopefully we can get something in return.

The thing is Ainage can draft Big Baby's/Gomes/Powes all day in a draft...these players are a dime a dozen...if one pans out to be truly special then it would be wise for us to hold on to them otherwise we get them on their cheap rookie deals and they play their hearts out to earn that big contract...

I like the system especially renting these guys with stuff to prove for a year or two....they play their asses off...

The tough part in deciding between Powe and BB is that they are so different and yet they are both undersized PF's.

Powe has a low BBIQ, Heart/toughness through the roof/more athletic
BB has a high BBIQ, Not ever going to be in great shape, not athletic, etc.

We should just wait it out and see how it goes. If Powe is willing to take a hometown discount like Perk than we hold onto him. We never have to worry about whether or not he will bring it on a given night.

With the whole steven hunter thing I would rather just keep powe and BB than get some stiff 7 footer that gets outworked by guys like BB and Powe. Yeah they are undersized but adding length just to add length makes no sense to me...If we can add a quality 7 footer than i'm all for it but unfortunately there arent many of those around...

[campybatman]

The tough part in deciding between Powe and BB is that they are so different and yet they are both undersized PF's.

Powe has a low BBIQ, Heart/toughness through the roof/more athletic
BB has a high BBIQ, Not ever going to be in great shape, not athletic, etc.

We should just wait it out and see how it goes. If Powe is willing to take a hometown discount like Perk than we hold onto him. We never have to worry about whether or not he will bring it on a given night.

See, it was my understanding that Perkins wanted the financial security, so Ainge managed to convince he and agent to sign early rather than later. That was Perkins' mistake and a coup for Aingle similar to when the Red Sox signed Ortiz to what turned out to be a bargain contract.

I think Powe likes playing in Boston but if another team or two decide that they want to over spend on him because they see him as a starter for their team. Then I wouldn't fault Ainge for accepting that and wishing Powe the best of luck where ever he lands.

And as much as we love the guys on our front court… the fact remains that Kendrick Perkins is still foul and injury prone… and bigger guys can get over the top of Leon/Big Baby. So in this suddenly competitive Atlantic Division… Patrick O’Bryant might be the key to keeping these upstart teams at bay.

I’m not asking the world of Patrick O’Bryant (we need a nick name for this guy… quick). But I know that guys like O’Neal and Brand are very much good enough to get Perk in to foul trouble… which to me is much more worrisome than his shoulder. And yes, KG will be handling his business in the paint as usual… we’ve seen how much more effective he can be with a partner in crime back there to help him out.

Perk is definitely the guy at the … and all this talk about how important O’Bryant can be will go away if Perk can keep his fouls in check. But until Perk proves that he can do that… the job of banging down low and helping KG might just fall on O’Bryant.

http://redsarmy.wordpress.com/2008/09/2 ... t-the-key/

[Dave_From_NB]

See, it was my understanding that Perkins wanted the financial security, so Ainge managed to convince he and agent to sign early rather than later. That was Perkins' mistake and a coup for Aingle similar to when the Red Sox signed Ortiz to what turned out to be a bargain contract.

That was my understanding as well, and that contract set him up for a life of comfort. Given the circumstances for (I believe) a poor kid knowing an injury stops his earning potential, I'd give him credit for a reasonable decision to sign an early extension.

Perkins is from Texas, Powe from California, I'm not sure I understand the discussion of "home town" discounts for either of them in a Celtics context. Perk taking a discount to play with Houston, or Powe to play with Golden State sound like home town destinations to me.