What will be Boston's answer to Stuckey and Maxiell?

CelticFan101 · Post #21 » by **CelticFan101** » Sun May 25, 2008 1:19 pm

I'd take Jason Maxiell over either Davis or Powe, and probably over both if offerred the two in a trade.... That said, I do see Davis as an effective option neutralizing Maxiell.... He just has to use his girth to get in the way.... That's how Baby got the 2 FTs last night that really represented the turning point of the game.... We were barely up 2 after Detroit's first comeback, Maxiell was crashing for an offensive board, and Baby just made Maxiell go through him to get the ball.... Baby got the foul 94 from our basket and converted 2 FTs when we were having a helluva time scoring.... I like Baby as a counter to Maxiell, but also think that there is a place for Powe in this series....

My real concern is Detroit's guards off the bench.... Stuckey, IMO, will be neutralized because it's so simple to do so.... Detroit fans have said as much, simply treat him like they do Rondo, back off of him, and make him hit jump shots.... Hunter is, on both ends of the floor, a far greater concern.... I still haven't figured out Doc's response to Detroit's pressure unit lead by Hunter.... Rather than putting our best ballhandlers on the floor at the same time, he takes them all out save Pierce and the PG.... If Detroit goes to the 1-2-2 trap again with Hunter/Stuckey/BillupsorHamilton/Prince/Sheed, I'd counter with Rondo/Cassell/Ray Allen/Pierce/KG.... Forget Posey, give Rondo another PG to help him with this trap.... Our matchups on D would still work well against Detroit's lineup, and we'd have an extra ballhandler on the court.... I love James Posey, I really do, but when Detroit is pressuring the ball with Hunter/Stuckey, I'd sub him out in favor of Rondo, Cassell, House, or even Tony Allen.... Flip is saying that we don't have the ballhandlers to sustain pressure defense, but with a 2 PG lineup, I think that becomes less of an issue....

campybatman · Post #22 » by **campybatman** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:13 pm

OT: Speaking of Davis, one of the former wide loads of the NBA is making a come back.

Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry did not waste any time once the Cavaliers were eliminated from the postseason last week. Robert "Tractor" Traylor will participate in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas as a member of the Cavs, according to a source close to the situation. The summer league runs July 11-20. It's a tryout of sorts for Traylor, who last played in the NBA (with the Cavs) during the 2004-05 season. Traylor also played with the Cavs during the 2000-01 season. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Based on his play in Puerto Rico (11.7 points and 7.8 rebounds in the regular season), several scouts said Traylor is ready to return to the NBA. If so, the Cavs could use some of their midlevel exception ($5.5 million) or all of their bi-level exception ($1.8 million) to sign Traylor. A possible return of the 6-8, 290 pound Traylor would mean more toughness inside for the Cavs. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Rocky5000 · Post #23 » by **Rocky5000** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:21 pm

Remember how crappy Powe played his first season? In summer league when he was making Oden look like a fool, I couldn't believe it because the change was so huge. In Big Baby's first year he's played much better than Leon did as a rookie. Next year, he'll probably make a big jump just by being more comfortable on the basketball court.

P2 · Post #24 » by P2 » Sun May 25, 2008 5:00 pm

Rocky5000 wrote:Remember how crappy Powe played his first season? In summer league when he was making Oden look like a fool, I couldn't believe it because the change was so huge. In Big Baby's first year he's played much better than Leon did as a rookie. Next year, he'll probably make a big jump just by being more comfortable on the basketball court.

And he'll also be the backup PF, because I'm almost sure that we will pack #30 and Powe for a lottery pick. Leon has got value right now, but Baby will definitely be the better player. We could get Anthony Randolph/DeAndre Jordan with #8 (from Milwaukee) or #13 (from Portland). I'm pretty sure both teams could use Powe.

Post #25 » by **ParticleMan** » Sun May 25, 2008 5:04 pm

I love Leon, but if we could package him + #30 for a lotto pick that would be an insanely good deal. in other words, you're friggin dreaming. nobody gives up a lotto pick for a #30 + an undersized PF who's in and out of the rotation in 2 years in the league.

I actually think Powe will be better than Baby eventually. He already is, except he misses too many defensive rotations. he's a lot better than last season. I love Powe's strength around the rim, and he can actually play against guys lot bigger than him because of his strength and insane wingspan. Baby is more skilled but for a big man I'd take power and toughness, and Powe has that over Baby.

campybatman · Post #26 » by **campybatman** » Sun May 25, 2008 5:05 pm

If Ainge can draft a legitimate starting or back up center from the draft having two picks or sign or trade for one via free agency this summer. Then I've to guess that either Powe or Davis and Pruitt could be traded. A lot could depend on the futures of Cassell, House and (Tony) Allen and how the draft affects Ainge's decisions on bettering the roster.

Would be ideal if Pruitt could be Boston's Stuckey. But, I believe Rivers would prefer to have a veteran point guard in between two young ones. In other words, a veteran over a first or second year player at back up. I'm a Cassell fan but I'm leaning more toward the team going in a different direction from Cassell. Brown has proven to be the better acquisition then Cassell. Moreover, I'm willing to see what Pruitt can add to the roster at either back court positions next season with regular minutes. I recall that Boston had an interest in Keyon Dooling. In contrast, Carlos Arroyo could be a more truer point guard but it depends on his price tag and interest in playing a back up role in Boston.

Post #27 » by **UGA Hayes** » Sun May 25, 2008 6:51 pm

In regards to Stuckey, it would help if we stopped getting caught up in so many switches whith him . He scored quite a few baskets b/c GArnett or Pierce somehow end up on him. I like him though. HE is a prime example to me of why you take a guy like Mayo over an Eric Gordon and Why you draft a Rondo even if he can't shoot. One guy has ball handling skills and the other doesn't. Ability to create shots > almost any other skill.

billfromBoston · Post #28 » by **billfromBoston** » Mon May 26, 2008 2:19 am

Its time for Powe to be put back into the rotation imo...Davis hasn't done very much in this post season and quite frankly, I don't think he'll ever be better than Powe....Powe's had some very good games this post-season, but Boston's road woes have increased Doc's propensity for shuffling the deck...

..we'll see what happens next year, but I'd imagine Powe will continue to outwork Davis and honestly, there isn't a lot that Davis does that Powe doesn't do better...he may pass better, but Powe is better around the rim, is a better defender in space, and is better in the post...

..PJ Brown has been playing fantastic bball and has earned his current role, but I think Doc should go back to using Powe and stick with him and let him produce...he has some very good posessions in game one, but got an early hook in game 2....if Davis had shown any more consistency than he has I'd be all for him playing, but he's not doing very much on the court right now and I don't think EITHER Powe or Davis will establish themselves if they both get flip-flopped for 6-10 minutes every other game...

..the numbers in the regular season and post season clearly favor Powe and I think he'll make his mark in his next turn in the rotation...

GuyClinch · Post #29 » by **GuyClinch** » Mon May 26, 2008 6:19 am

I agree with BFB - unless BBD loses like 50 pounds I don't see how he will ever be better then Powe. Doc's leash is too short with Powe and TA lately IMHO. Davis might be a good lovable guy but not really a great basketball player. He finishes like Brandon Hunter - actually that's not fair Hunter had more lift.

Pete

TommyPoints · Post #30 » by **TommyPoints** » Mon May 26, 2008 6:27 am

I think Davis has had a pretty solid season for a rookie and still has a lot of room for improvement so I'm not going to think too hard on that yet. You can't expect consistent play from a rookie. I do love Powe. I just wish when Powe ran it didn't look like he weighed 500 pounds. I personally feel like Davis has more potential, but I guess we'll see. I'm all for giving Powe minutes over Davis right now.

threrf23 · Post #31 » by **threrf23** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:18 pm

On paper, leon powe and Tony Allen are the guys who truly ensure an edge for us in this series. But we haven't seen much of either.

campybatman · Post #32 » by **campybatman** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:23 pm

I think Pierce can guard Stuckey if Prince isn't scoring... Posey guards Prince when Ray Allen sits.

threrf23 · Post #33 » by **threrf23** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:24 pm

Also, I think Big Baby has more upside than Powe, and is currently useful when used as a finisher. If his offensive rebounds can pick up to where they were early in the season, he is very valuable to us. If not, other options are probably better.

Powe doesn't have what it takes to be a shut down defender, but he can play solid enough D while playing solid enough O while sparking energy. I think he should be first off the bench (like I think House should be first off the bench) and if he is not looking so good, he exits the game for good. As much as PJ Brown has impressed, I don't think he's impressed enough to earn his current role on an every night basis in context. Again, a large reason for our success early in the season was chemistry, largely formed by the Euro training camp. PJ and Sam were not there. There were certainly times during the season we could have used them, but I prefer not to see them on the floor unless one of Baby/Powe/House is not able to get a job done on a given night.

gocelts · Post #34 » by **gocelts** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:14 am

ParticleMan wrote:If the only Pistons we need answers for are Stuckey and Maxiell, then I think we're gonna be just fine.

Agreed, I dont care if Stucky scores 50 on us, just as long as we keep playing the way we have been the first three games.

campybatman · Post #35 » by **campybatman** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:51 pm

threrf23 wrote:Again, a large reason for our success early in the season was chemistry, largely formed by the Euro training camp. PJ and Sam were not there. There were certainly times during the season we could have used them, but I prefer not to see them on the floor unless one of Baby/Powe/House is not able to get a job done on a given night.

I don't mind Rivers using Brown when Perkins gets into foul trouble. I don't like to see either Powe or Davis as a center because neither is a center and could become a liability against taller centers like Ilgauskas.

I agree with a suggestion said on The Big Show. Play Billups and Stuckey together. I assume while Hamilton is on the bench.

Post #36 » by **UGA Hayes** » Wed May 28, 2008 4:40 am

billfromBoston wrote:Its time for Powe to be put back into the rotation imo...Davis hasn't done very much in this post season and quite frankly, I don't think he'll ever be better than Powe....Powe's had some very good games this post-season, but Boston's road woes have increased Doc's propensity for shuffling the deck...

..we'll see what happens next year, but I'd imagine Powe will continue to outwork Davis and honestly, there isn't a lot that Davis does that Powe doesn't do better...he may pass better, but Powe is better around the rim, is a better defender in space, and is better in the post...

..PJ Brown has been playing fantastic bball and has earned his current role, but I think Doc should go back to using Powe and stick with him and let him produce...he has some very good posessions in game one, but got an early hook in game 2....if Davis had shown any more consistency than he has I'd be all for him playing, but he's not doing very much on the court right now and I don't think EITHER Powe or Davis will establish themselves if they both get flip-flopped for 6-10 minutes every other game...

..the numbers in the regular season and post season clearly favor Powe and I think he'll make his mark in his next turn in the rotation...

I sort of think P.J is the guy we should be looking at to be subbed out at times as well. P.J has played pretty well but it was a little annoying that he was left in the game last night. Doc has to get over his preset rotations. After playing several good games in a row Brown didn't have it and Fliup Sauders giftwrapped us an oppurtunitty to play Davis or Powe when he put Ratliff in the game with McDyess. Unfortunately Doc waited way too long to put davis in the game.

I thought Doc did a good job in the first 3 games and last night was hardly his fault but I thought right from the outset that he didn't have a good pulse on the game. Waited too long on timeouts, not a ton of adjustments, stuck with guys who weren't giving any production. We still wouldn't have won so I'm not particularly upset but I would have liked to see Doc do things that made me thing he was paying attention.