It is ESSENTIAL that the Celtics replace James Posey

[vanillacoke4234]

A lot is being made of Poseys 3 point shooting. Yes, he hit some timely 3's, but lets not forget that he rarely did anything except shoot a 3, and Powe, House and Tony Allen were all more effective scorers given equal minutes. Posey and Perk played the same minutes, and Posey was only half a point better average than Perk, who I don't think anyone would consider to be much of an offensive threat. And hey, don't you think Rondo will be shooting the J more this year?

Well Posey didn't show what kind of player he was through stats. Yes, he only averaged 7 points, 4 boards, and a steal per game. Yes, he shot 41% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc. He's maintained this average for the past three years -- when he won a championship with Miami and just recently with Boston. Posey plays exceptional defense. Posey hustles. Posey dives, he doesn't flop like f--kin Manu Ginobili. Posey plays with heart. Posey is one of the best role players in the NBA, hnads down. Posey doesn't put up 20 a game and that's why some people under-estimate him. Posey's been around the leauge and he's not like Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki or Gilbert Arenas who loves a team so much that he can stay with them -- Posey left because he was offered more money and not as much as because of the perfect combination of youth and championship potential of the New Orleans Hornets. I'm not really pissed that he left. I think he's replaceable; the Celtics organization didn't do that much for him because upon signing with the Celtics, he had a reputation for being the amazing role player that he is. Replacing him won't be easy, but how much simpler can I put that replacing him is 'ESSENTIAL'?

As for Rondo? All season, he gradually began to shoot more and attack the basket, and I think we can expect more of that this year.

[JMillott]

People are making far to big of a deal over James Posey, he was a quality rotation player and he made some very clutch shots and such. Its doubtful that we can get those clutch high basketball IQ veteran plays out of Giddens and Allen but its not too much to ask that we can get more of them from R.Allen, Rondo, Perkins, Powe and even Garnett now that they have won titles and the confidence that comes with it.

I think its a good thing for the Celtics to get more athletic off the bench and to become less of a jump shooting team from top to bottom with the likes of Pierce, Powe, Giddens, T.Allen and Rondo it shouldn't be such a glairing problem from now on.

This is why we almost lost to the Hawks and Cavs because they challenged shots and stayed with our shooters. If we can attack the rim more consistently it will open up our shooters and hopefully put an end to our cold streaks where we couldn't score.

[Tricky Ricky]

It's funny how I'd pointed out days ago that the Celtics lack depth at small forward and I get ripped but when someone else says that we need to sign someone. It's different...

Only two people before you responded, I think people just want to think we will be fine with TA replacing Posey. Its not like theres anyone out there who could replace him anyway.

[Rocky5000]

take a look at the championsjip dvd-we don't win a championship without posey'sD and his timely 3 pointers. I think danny intends for walker and giddens to play minutes this year and pick up some of posey's time

Meh, you can say that about just about any player. even PJ Brown, who was pretty downright bad overall.

Yep, we also don't win game 1 against Cleveland without Sam Cassell.(13 points in a 4 point win) If we lost that game, we would have likely lost the series and never even made the ECF.

[billfromBoston]

I think the only signing we have to do is of a player to replace James Posey. The three names that came up in rumors were Mavericks F Deaven George, Hornets F/G Bonzi Wells and Spurs G Michael Finley. I'm thinking Deaven George is our best bet, Bonzi Wells second but its a pretty close call. We don't want any 'super' vets (i.e. P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell) to come off the bench and be a role player, which is why two prime players such as George (entering his 9th season) and Wells (entering his 10th season) would be the best replacement for Posey. Michael Finley is nice, but he wouldn't replace the defensive mind that Posey has/had. Finley has an amazing offensive game for a man his age, but defense just isn't his forte. We already have plenty of offense in Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, as well as Eddie House coming off the bench. It couldn't hurt to sign Finley along with George or Wells because that way we'd have an even stronger scoring punch coming off the bench in addition to House; that may hurt the minutes of long-time Celtic G Tony Allen or first-year G J.R. Giddens, (who I for one am very excited to see play), which is why this move, if possible, or just signing Finley in general over the other two would be risky. I think Danny Ainge has one more move to make. The Celtics have $2.8 million available on their mid-level exception fund (that should be used for George or Wells), as well as the possibility of signing a player for a 1-year minimum contract (Finley, given his age and acceptance of playing a smaller role on the team these days; also, of course, if the Celtics really want or need him)

Personally, I don't think the Celtics have any legit role players besides House, which is why one more free agent signing must be made. Without a second role player, as much as I love and support the Celtics, and as much faith as I have in them, I just don't think they will be at the same level of title contention that they were at a year ago or even a month ago.

....actually, there is almost ZERO reason to try and replace or add anybody...the team has nearly 3 million to spend on a veteran FA and has a roster spot or potentially two with which to add a player at any time next year...

The team is being smart...they will win many games with their current roster and if and when they need help, help will be available on the market...

There is no rush to add dime-a-dozen swingman vets that will still be available throughout the year...

[billfromBoston]

IMO what people consistently miss when analyzing a player like Posey is HOW the team put themselves into a position for a player like Posey to contribute what he contributed...

I keep seeing all these examples of what Posey did to win games and then the proceeding logic is then to say, "minus that contribution the team would have lost. So without Posey here we are screwed."

The problem I have with that is simple, players like James Posey are valuable because they capatalize on the situations that OTHERS put them in....they don't carry the load and hardly ever win games on their own...

James Posey's contributions were essential to last seasons success, but the actual things he did were simple, role player type plays. Hitting "clutch" shots is nice, but at the end of the day those are still spot-up 3-pointers and the fact that the situaiton was huge is a byproduct of oportunity, not some type of proof-positive that he is the only man for the job.

While Posey is a known commodity, there is no reason to believe that other-more talented players-can't be capable of making big plays in key moments...especially if their overall role is relatively basic...Tony Allen, JR Giddens, and Bill Walker may not have that experience, but they have talent and if you limit their actual role responsibility to just incorporate their strengths, they may very well be able to capatalize on the limited plays that require those strengths...

The team still has Brian Scalabrine and Eddie House as bench veterans for steady, reliable play...but TA/Giddens/Walker all have upper-level talent that may just manifest in subtle ways throughout the season...the weight of the world isn't on these players-they will be asked to play simple roles and those roles will fit their current level of development and readiness...

At the end of the day, the weight still falls on the starting 5 and especially GPA...those guys will put the team in position to win regardless of supporting cast and its up to the bit players-Powe/Davis/TA/House...to make simple plays off the others in order to win the day...

I would rather have Posey, the known commodity, but I don't for a second believe he's the only person that can make key plays in big situations...that's a byproduct of mental toughness and an ability to remain composed under pressure--something even a rookie can do with the right personality and a seasons worth of experience under his belt...it happens all the time...

Rodney Stuckey, Amir Johnson, Paul Millsap-Rondo/Powe/Davis from Boston-Thadeus Young, Trevor Ariza, etc...you can find a player or two on many playoff teams who have very little NBA experience in terms of minutes played, yet found a way to the court-even if limited in role...

Bottom line, there is plenty of time to experiment and add a "veteran" later on...no need to go crazy adding some medicore player for a limited role...let the talent have a chance first and then go to the "steady vet" later if needed...

[Gomes3PC]

I'd much rather have Bonzi Wells. He has had some teammate issues in the past but I doubt that'd be an issue with Doc Rivers, the ultimate players' coach. He's always had an above-average offensive game (16.1 career PER, 15.1 last year with NO). He's got good size at SF and can slide down to PF in small ball even. He's a good rebounder, sometimes great when motivated to do so.

The one thing that he lacks is 3 point shooting, but he can score on his own, which is a skill our wings could not do when we sat PP.

[billy242]

i basically agree with BFB that other than not re-signing Posey, the Cs are in a really good position going into the season and see no reason to sign someone just for the sake of signing them.

i would much rather leave some money available and see who comes free during the season and let the youngs develop in the meantime.

i do think that replacing Posey's toughness and clutchness and veteran coolness under fire is not a given. i think either one of the youngs is going to have to make a huge jump in maturity or we are going to ultimately need to find another vet late in the season.

but i will actually enjoy watching the added athleticism of Giddens, Walker (if around), TA (if recoverd), Pruitt etc...they will be a nice addition to overall game we play....

and i also wouldn't have a problem signing another guy like Miles if it doesn't take away from the MLE and let him compete for a job because if nothing else it will push JR and Walker to work on their game in order to get PT.

all in all, i wish we still had Posey in terms of giving us the best shot for another Title, but we also are in a still very exciting place with a VERY exciting team.

***one last note, i would also like to keep on the back burner the option/idea of bringing back PJ at the end of the season - a la last year - especially if POB struggles with the backup minutes.

[campybatman]

Well, Miles and Livingston are unsurprisingly still out there to be signed. I've to believe that Ainge would strongly consider either if they both remain available before the trade deadline. But, that direction depends on the contributions by either rookies next season. Ainge's focus is on signing them both right now, I would imagine.

[sully00]

I am with BFB and Particleman on this. Posey was not a great wing defender for us last season, he actually was playing PF a majority of his mins though he did a good job on SF's he rarely matches up at the 2. What he did was mitigate the fact that we only had one center on our active roster and two extremely green if talented back ups at PF. Now we have a huge back up center who is at least alive and healthy, and those two green back up 4's now have championship experience.

Both TA and Pierce are better man to man defenders on the wing than Posey and this team is better, at least statistically, offensively with Powe, Eddie House, TA, or Davis on the floor.

http://www.82games.com/0708/0708BOS.HTM

This holds true for the postseason as well

http://www.82games.com/0708/playoffs/0708BOS.HTM

It is easy to do, but Posey's on court impact is being really overrated. Yes he made some huge 3's but he also took them. Those could be higher percentage shots that lead to trips to the line. Even if O'Bryant is just an orange drill cone out on the floor we will be better defensively and on the glass by allowing are other bigs to slide down a spot, and Powe and Davis will likely give us more offensively.

[campybatman]

I am with BFB and Particleman on this. Posey was not a great wing defender for us last season, he actually was playing PF a majority of his mins though he did a good job on SF's he rarely matches up at the 2.

Both TA and Pierce are better man to man defenders on the wing than Posey and this team is better, at least statistically, offensively with Powe, Eddie House, TA, or Davis on the floor.

It is easy to do, but Posey's on court impact is being really overrated. Yes he made some huge 3's but he also took them. Those could be higher percentage shots that lead to trips to the line.

The point should be made to New Orleans fans and media. Let's say Posey's an overrated lost for Boston. Then he's an overrated acquisition for New Orleans. That isn't to take anything away from him. But, players are often replaced in other ways and/or forgotten. Fans can be fickle.

One thing to keep in mind, Posey has succeeded in helping two teams, Miami and Boston, win a NBA championship. However, it should be pointed out that those teams reside in the eastern conference. To expect Posey (who's getting older) to be a final piece that could makes up a contending team in the western conference is a tall task. Yes, he'll be a contributor next season and maybe another season thereafter. But, the Hornets still need help to get there. The road to a title doesn't come simple in the west. It wouldn't have in the east. But, the point is the west is still what it is: A tougher conference then the eastern conference. Fans of his signing should be aware of that. Stojakovic might be ageless like Ray Allen because he's a scorer who's a proficient shooter. But, players such as Chandler, West and Peterson are helped by having Paul as their teammate and leader like Kidd during his early years with New Jersey. And the Hornets still play in a division that includes perennial playoff teams Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. While Memphis could sneak up on a few opponents expecting a cakewalk win. Still, like Cleveland, as long as you've Paul. You're a good team. Not to mention, that New Orleans gave up few points on defense being among the top five teams this season in holding opponents under hundred points.