Which new face will contribute the most and why?

[Big Baby]

So we went and got four new players this offseason in POB, Miles, Giddens and Walker. We also have Gabe Pruitt who is pretty much a rookie in that he hardly played last year. So, among these five players, who will contribute the most this year and why? Who can pack their bags early for the DL?

[buckner1976]

So we went and got four new players this offseason in POB, Miles, Giddens and Walker. We also have Gabe Pruitt who is pretty much a rookie in that he hardly played last year. So, among these five players, who will contribute the most this year and why? Who can pack their bags early for the DL?

I say Giddens even though he'll be behind Tony starting the season. I almost went with O'Bryant because he's got a good chance to see a lot of minutes early behind Perk. But Giddens strikes me as a player whos just "ready to go" out the box. NBA-ready body. Has good fundamentals especially at the defensive end. Ridiculously athletic and will be finishing off breaks and completing lobs from Rondo before very long. He has already struck me as a hard-working kid and gym rat with the reports I have read and humble enough to understand the opportunity he has in front of him. I see him soaking up GPA right away and it speeding up his learning curve. Numbers-wise I'm not sure what to expect yet but I bet it won't take long before this kid is contributing and making a play or 2 out on the floor for us whenever he's called on.

[Dogen]

^^^ Exactly what I wanted to say.

[canman1971]

I think Pruitt. Ainge obviously must feel he is ready to contribute due to his lack of interest in any PG in free agency. Whether he is proven right or wrong, I have to believe that Pruitt will be given every chance to get some solid minutes at the backup PG whether it is third, behind Rondo and House, or 2nd behind Rondo, with House backing up Ray.

[Dave_From_NB]

I went with POB. The others have competition at their positions, and it can be expected that guys like Tony Allen and Eddie House are going to get some minutes. Rondo is also likely to play more minutes. So I think Pruitt and the wing players just don't have have enough minutes available to make a big contribution. Of course injuries open things up, but you can't plan for injuries.

POB on the hand has no competition for backup minutes. Davis and Powe really are Centers of complete desperation, they're physically so unsuited to Center that if POB shows any game whatsoever he's going to get significant minutes. I don't see any value in giving early season backup minutes to Davis for example, because if he's all you've got at that position, there is going to be a late season pickup to replace him. As a result, I think that POB is going to immediately get many of the backup minutes just to speed his development, and determine if he is the answer as backup C.

[Bad-Thoma]

I'd have to say Giddens, I think he may end up being a rich mans Tony Allen.

[ParticleMan]

I went with Giddens, although I don't expect it'll happen much until the 2nd half of the season. POB is a possibliity, he's got boom or bust potential. But I think powe will be the backup big out of the gate, and Powe is not a guy who is going to be passed easily. TA definitely has the inside track on the backup wing spot, but I believe Giddens is competitive with TA right now, for the reasons buckner pointed out. Despite POB being in the L 2 years I think Giddens is actually more ready to contribute now.

[Spin Move]

This is a tough call, honestly I think it will end up being Darius Miles, i think he is in the right mindset to help us and is the only one with real NBA experience (no offense to POB) and doc has shown he really does not like to play a young guy when he has a servicable vet who can do 80% of what the younger guy can. Reports are he can touch the top of the backboard now. Furthermore he is our longest wing, I don't know how his 3 point shooting or defensive technique will be but if he is willing to work I belive he can do alot of what posey did, he has a similer body, much more athletic ability he just needs to be taught what do do and practice it like crazy, I think he is at a place in his carreer that he will do whatever he is told.


I think POB could make an impact but wont get enough minutes to make a huge one. I don't think JR Giddens has the handle to be really good yet, think slightly taller tony allen. Bill walker is the intruiging one but he wont be 100% till late in the season.

[UGA Hayes]

I'd be surprised if it weren't POB. Half the reason young players don't play is that they don't have any experience with NBA defensive schemes. POB has been in the NBA 2 years so even if he isn't very good, he probably knows the right place to be.

[Big Baby]

This is a tough call, honestly I think it will end up being Darius Miles, i think he is in the right mindset to help us and is the only one with real NBA experience (no offense to POB) and doc has shown he really does not like to play a young guy when he has a servicable vet who can do 80% of what the younger guy can. Reports are he can touch the top of the backboard now. Furthermore he is our longest wing, I don't know how his 3 point shooting or defensive technique will be but if he is willing to work I belive he can do alot of what posey did, he has a similer body, much more athletic ability he just needs to be taught what do do and practice it like crazy, I think he is at a place in his carreer that he will do whatever he is told.


I think POB could make an impact but wont get enough minutes to make a huge one. I don't think JR Giddens has the handle to be really good yet, think slightly taller tony allen. Bill walker is the intruiging one but he wont be 100% till late in the season.

I picked Miles for the same reasons you mentioned. I think he'll surprise.

[MVP16]

I would have to go with Giddens as well. Miles will have a hard time making the team with his questionable knee and 10 game suspension, so I have a hard time thinking that he will contribute the most when I have doubts in him even being on the roster. Pruitt wont have too many minutes available behind Rondo and House. Walker is coming off a knee injury and is probably less ready to contribute then Giddens (that's why DA chose Giddens at 30). And O'Bryant will probably be the 5th big off the bench. So by process of elimination I think it's Giddens. A big positive for him is that he can contribute without needing to have the ball in his hands...get rebounds, play tough D and maybe knock down the occasional 3. I can see him giving us a solid 10-15 minutes a game this season...similar to Big Baby last year. Of course, this may change with injuries. If either Perk or Rondo go down for any extended period of time, O'Bryant or Pruitt will get a good opportunity to provide meaningful contributions.

[buckner1976]

This is a tough call, honestly I think it will end up being Darius Miles, i think he is in the right mindset to help us and is the only one with real NBA experience (no offense to POB) and doc has shown he really does not like to play a young guy when he has a servicable vet who can do 80% of what the younger guy can. Reports are he can touch the top of the backboard now. Furthermore he is our longest wing, I don't know how his 3 point shooting or defensive technique will be but if he is willing to work I belive he can do alot of what posey did, he has a similer body, much more athletic ability he just needs to be taught what do do and practice it like crazy, I think he is at a place in his carreer that he will do whatever he is told.


I think POB could make an impact but wont get enough minutes to make a huge one. I don't think JR Giddens has the handle to be really good yet, think slightly taller tony allen. Bill walker is the intruiging one but he wont be 100% till late in the season.

Interesting theory considering he hasn't made the team yet nor proven he's in any type of game shape yet either. It's one thing to impress a general manager with your overall health considering he was once thought to have a career-ending injury. Fact remains though he IS coming off what was thought to be a career-ending injury and he hasn't played in the NBA in 2 years. I would love for him to come in here and show us something but I think people should really temper their expectations for this kid. Being 2 years removed from the NBA coming off the type of injury he had makes all his previous experience null and void IMO.

Danny all but said hes gonna throw POB out there early and often at the very least to see what we have in him so I disagree with the assertion he won't get minutes. If there's a chance he could be a longterm answer to the backup center problem they wanna know and know soon.

I do agree about Giddens handle though I don't expect him to do much ballhandling. The "taller Tony" comparison has some merit but I think he's gonna end up being a smarter player than Tony.

[lojowo]

Giddens right now because he will definitely make the squad.

If Miles knees are healthy, he maybe the man that makes the biggest inpact.

I noticed that Danny seemed to be interested in getting more athletics slashers ( Giddens, Miles Walker, keeping Allen ) into the rotation this off season.

Do you think its a result of the media callling a Celtics a old jump shooting team in the first round against the Hawks? Maybe he's looking to get into the bonus early in the period by throwing the young athletes into the lane instead of setting for the Posey three pointer?

[Big Baby]

Giddens right now because he will definitely make the squad.

If Miles knees are healthy, he maybe the man that makes the biggest inpact.

I noticed that Danny seemed to be interested in getting more athletics slashers ( Giddens, Miles Walker, keeping Allen ) into the rotation this off season.

Do you think its a result of the media callling a Celtics a old jump shooting team in the first round against the Hawks? Maybe he's looking to get into the bonus early in the period by throwing the young athletes into the lane instead of setting for the Posey three pointer?

I think it's because our lack of athleticism was one of our biggest weaknesses last year. We had trouble with the quicker 2s and 3s like Caron Butlers and Joe Johnsons of the world.

[3pt %]

Walker, just because I'm biased and I think he is a lotto talent who won't be kept out of the rotation

[tombattor]

It's gotta be Pruitt because he'll get a lot of minutes behind Rondo and with Pruitt's ability to shoot, he'll be a good complement to Rondo.

[GuyClinch]

Pruitt's going to beat out Eddie House? I will believe it when I see it.. I don't see how you can write in alot of minutes for Pruitt - though I kind of liked him in his limited minutes..

I'd go so far as to slot TA as the third PG...

1) Rondo/House/TA/Pruitt

2) RA/TA/Giddens/Pruitt/Walker

3) Pierce/TA/Miles/Giddens/Walker

I voted for POB. Not because I like his game..but..

Perkins (who can play like max 25 minutes before getting tired)/BBD (who is short)/POB. I can easily see POB winning this contest. It's a total glut at the 1/2/3 spots with this team..

Pete

[tombattor]

Pruitt's going to beat out Eddie House? I will believe it when I see it.. I don't see how you can write in alot of minutes for Pruitt - though I kind of liked him in his limited minutes..

I'd go so far as to slot TA as the third PG...

1) Rondo/House/TA/Pruitt

2) RA/TA/Giddens/Pruitt/Walker

3) Pierce/TA/Miles/Giddens/Walker

I voted for POB. Not because I like his game..but..

Perkins (who can play like max 25 minutes before getting tired)/BBD (who is short)/POB. I can easily see POB winning this contest. It's a total glut at the 1/2/3 spots with this team..

Pete

Well, I don't necessarily think Pruitt will beat out Eddie House, but the 2 players play different roles. House is more of an off-guard where as Pruitt is more of a lead guard. I imagine Doc will even play the 2 players at the same time at some point, especially since Pruitt is a pretty tall PG at 6'4". Maybe I'm in the minority, but I see Pruitt playing about 15 minutes a game next year, which is less than what Cassell got for us after he came over.

[GuyClinch]

^^^ I suppose if Doc does his "line change" subsitutions then he might play some..

[wetsthebed]

I think Giddens is a little more ready to step in and play right away than the others.