Would it Pay to Talk Jason Williams out of Retirement??

Jammer · Post #1 » by **Jammer** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:12 pm

If the Celtics are looking for another ball handler for the playoffs

(meaning Danny Ainge decides not to blow up the team chemistry by bringing Steph Marbury
and his ridiculous utterings on board);

I think that it's pretty clear that Doc feels that gabe Pruitt is so far behind
Rajon Rondo, Eddie House, Ray Allen and Tony Allen
that Gabe barely sees any time,
including blowouts and deperate moments.

Doc Rivers had offered Jason Williams a minimum salary contract in July,
but Jason apparently thought he might be backing up Baron Davis,
then abruptly retired 6 or 7 weeks after signing with the Clippers (late September).

The Clips might just release 33 year old Jason Williams for as little as
the draft rights to Ben Pepper, Albert Miralles or Josef Sesar.

I think Danny could afford to part with one of them.

Of course, if this were to happen,
it would mean that Jason Williams is getting Gabe Pruitt's spot on the
active roster, and either Gabe or Sam Cassell is getting waived/traded.

SonicYouth34 · Post #2 » by **SonicYouth34** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:34 pm

Why? We have Sammy and Eddie, both of whom are better.

Jammer · Post #3 » by **Jammer** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:00 am

SonicYouth34 wrote:Why? We have Sammy and Eddie, both of whom are better.

Eddie is obviously better.

Sam Cassell is a much better shooter, but I don't what kind of legs that he has left.

The position that I'm referring to is the 5th guard on the Active 12.

Rajon, Ray, Tony and Eddie have 4 spots locked up.

The function of the 5th guard is on days when some of the top 4
can't buy a shot,
or if one of the top 4 is injured,
the 5th guard is suddenly a rotation player.

Pruitt hasn't shown much to warrant entering the rotation on days
when the top 4 guards are having scoring difficulties.

I don't know that Jason Williams would cure that much
(Sam is probably a better choice as a scorer),
but Williams can still protect the ball.

Sam is at the point I don't know if he can even bring the ball up the court
against a pressing point guard like Jordan Farmar, Mo or Deron Williams,
or Chauncey Billups.

SonicYouth34 · Post #4 » by **SonicYouth34** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:33 am

If we wanted a 5th guard wouldn't it make sense for it to be a 2 guard, not a fifth point guard.

Jammer · Post #5 » by **Jammer** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:06 am

SonicYouth34 wrote:If we wanted a 5th guard wouldn't it make sense for it to be a 2 guard, not a fifth point guard.

There are 5 guards in the 12 Active Players

1. Rondo = full time PG

2. Ray Allen = starting SG, backup SF to Pierce

3. Tony Allen = backup SG, backup SF

4. Eddie House = backup PG

House's ball handling is questionable, that's why I believe that Doc Rivers (his is the only opinion that counts here) wants the 5th guard on the active roster to be someone who can protect the ball and score. Marbury fits the bill talent wise, but his hurtful ramblings destroy harmony and become distractions. Keeping Marbury in line would be difficult, at best. Jason Williams is a better ball handler/passer than Gabe Pruitt, who has a point guard mentality and although not a particularly good shooter, has proven over 10 seasons that he shoots better than anything that Gabe Pruitt has shown.

Sam Cassell has only been on the active roster for the two games when Gabe Pruitt had the flu.

MVP16 · Post #6 » by **MVP16** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:32 am

Sam Cassell will be the 5th guard when the playoffs roll around. Why would the Celtics sign Sam and then proceed to waive him for someone else and waste $2 million?

Bad-Thoma · Post #7 » by **Bad-Thoma** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:09 am

I'll take Sam over J Will, neither brings a ton to the table but Sam at least knows the plays on O and D at this point. Plus he is more of a coach like personality on the bench, every time I they show him on the bench he is talking with one of the youngs. While I'm just speculating I can't see J Will in that role.

3pt % · Post #8 » by **3pt %** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:50 am

I'm also assuming Sam is still on the court during practices, so he will be able to slot almost seamlessly into the sets.

God knows i didn't want Sam resigned.. but he is and hopefully last year was a bit of an aberation and Sam will be back as a clutch game changer... and we get to see the testicle dance.

The benefit of Sam doing a testicle dance when he nails a game winner over the lakers cannot be underestimated. I would keep him on the roster just to see that!

MyInsatiableOne · Post #9 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:51 pm

Is this thread title serious?

cdubbz · Post #10 » by **cdubbz** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:42 pm

i do think u guys need a another ballhandler...a "5th" gaurd. hopefully cassell is in shape when its his time to come in and handle the ball pressure

Jammer · Post #11 » by **Jammer** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:07 am

Apparently Jason Williams is a free agent.

When Jason retired late September, waying he didn't want to play anymore,

apparently he told the Clippers that they could keep their money.

The Clippers two choices were:

1) Keep paying him, for the duration of his contract, retaining the right to trade him
or re-instate him

2) Let Williams retire, with no salary obligation this season

The Clips chose option 2, so Williams is free for anyone to sign.