Jammer wrote:The strengths and weaknesses of the bench are already becoming clearer.
Hauser may actually be able to contribute in the playoffs as well as the regular season as a floor spreading 3 point shooter who can score efficiently, and get by defending at the wing with his 6' 7" Frame and willingness to pass and move without the ball.
Pritchard is a concern defensively in the playoffs, as he will be exploited and attacked, but may sneak thru the regular season. He's more of a spot a shooter than a PG since he can't get to the rim and finish. More often than not he pulls up in the lane to kick it out or shoot a floater or jump shot. He could be moved with a another bench player should someone like Caruso become available. Still, Pritchard spreads the floor and can deliver from 3 on occasion. Even though Pritch is shooting 20% from 3 this season, his career average from 3 is 39.1%, which apparently is why he got 4 years for 30M tacked on after this season.
Luke Kornet looks nice against teams without strong backup Bigs, but can be of limited use in the playoffs because he is not physical (definately not a Banger type, which is probably what the Celtics need for their missing Backup C), and he has poor hands to grab contested rebounds or finish thru traffic.
Oshae Brisset's lack of a shot is a concern for someone playing the wing, no matter how much energy he brings.
Svi Mykhailiuk is a poor defender who is slow and basically a backup 3 point shooter. He might someday go 4-5 from 3 when it matters but that would be a day when a starter or Hauser or Pritchard is not available. He's deep bench unless he offers more than just a shot, and so far this season he is off to a cool start.
Lamar Stevens hasn't played much but hasn't looked bad in limited minutes. Jury is still out on him.
Dalano Banton is tall at 6' 7", but may not have the handle to face the full court presses that Playoff Teams will utilize against him (think Miami and Philadelphia, with switching) so he may be more of an SG than a PG as far as playoff utility goes. Still, the jury is out on him and it will probably be a while before we know what we've got.
Jordan Walsh isn't in the rotation yet, or even active most games, so we will have to wait until they take the wrapping paper off their new gift.
Houser is much more on D than just getting by, he has looked good to very good on D and is helping out on the boards ! he may be best all-around sniper in NBA
PP is playing GREAT, doing a bit of everything and will makeup for/overcome and deficiencies on D in the POs
I want Jordan Walsh worked into mix NOW, as I believe he is far superior to anyone else we have after top 8.
Add a vet big that can REBOUND AT VERY HIGH level !! Giving up defensive rebounds and subsequent 2nd chance points is our biggest weakNESS and may be achilles heel that prevents us from the title