Celtics Targetting Lue As Rondo's Backup

[bc legends]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... os_backup/

The Celtics are still looking to make some additions via free agency this summer.

They are interested in signing Grant Hill to their biannual exception, and the Boston Herald has reported that president Danny Ainge is targeting free-agent point guard Tyronn Lue as well.

[bouga]

cheap back up, i would prefer someone who's more known for playing good ball, but cant always get what you want in fa.

[humblebum]

Ya, I don't think it's clear that Lue is being thought of as Rondo's backup as much as House's backup... But we've heard this and Lue and KG are best of friends so this makes plenty of sense from a team chemistry and injury insurance standpoint.

[ddb]

sure why not? haha. All we need from the back up PG is a guy who can get the ball up court and get it in the right guys hands. some energy off the bench wouldn't hurt either.

[ParticleMan]

House can play spot duty at PG, but he's really a SG. As soon as Doc has another option than Eddie at PG, he uses it.

I don't see why everyone is so down on Lue. He's a career 44% shooter, 39% from downtown. He has A/TO ratio of 2.6. He's a veteran. He's KG's friend. I could easily see him giving Rondo some solid backup mins.

I mean, who the hell else can we expect to get at the vet min?

[wigglestrue]

Yuck. There's no one else available at the same price better than Lue? Brevin Knight? Dixon?
If this happens, I'm going to be a little nauseated every time Lue is on the court.

[Fencer reregistered]

I thought Tyronn Lue has a great college coast-to-coast drive in college ala Danny Ainge, but my memory may be off, because I can't find evidence of same via Google ...

[Celts17Pride]

Still would prefer Marbury to come to his senses. He can't possibly need more money. This is a great chance to win a title.

[bc legends]

Still would prefer Marbury to come to his senses. He can't possibly need more money. This is a great chance to win a title.

[Gant]

This goes back to Doc and Lue's close friendship from Orlando.

[tlee324]

Lue as a backup isn't a problem for me at all. He can bring the ball up under pressure, and he'll move the ball. He's a pesky defender too. The problem occurs when/if Rondo is out for an extended period. Lue isn't good enough to carry the load.

Pruitt, we still haven't tested him yet, and I'd like to see what he can do as a PG. He appears to be more of a SG, mentally.

[ParticleMan]

Sadly, Tyronne Lue is better than Marbury at this point.

[gocelts]

I wish Danny could get a little more creative at this point on in FA. Dont get me wrong, passing on the draft, not keeping Powe, and potentially loosing Baby to get aquire Sheed is great, but at some point you have to stop using KGs buds to hook up the roster and do a little scouting/recuiting yourself.

Lue wasnt that good in his prime, and couldnt crack playoff minutes on a team that was depleated at his position. His only talent seems to be his frienship with KG and Doc. I cant imagine he's gotten better after a year of rotting on the Magic bench...

As an alternative to Lue, I'd realy like to see what Danny has in Pruitt and Lester...or even challange Danny to see what he can net us with Scal's or TA's contracts. Back-up 3rd string pointguards are a dime a dozen and I realy think a good GM like Ainge should be able to get one better than Lue...even at the league minimum.

[Celts17Pride]

Sadly, Tyronne Lue is better than Marbury at this point.

I highly doubt that. Lue isn't even going to beat out Pruitt or Hudson. If he does then Celtics are in BIG trouble.

[humblebum]

Pruitt seems a bit shaky mentally overall though. Not very assertive and that's a death knell for fringe NBA talents. I actually really like his game and his athleticism though. Hopefully he can pull it together but he's got some competition and may be on the outs in Boston.

If Rondo goes down for an extended period of time the Celtics are royally you-know-what. I don't agree with GreenDreamer that Rondo is the Celtics best player but he is in many ways it's most important piece, especially given his upside. He's the player that makes this team go from very good to great.

However, it is important that the team can add backups that could step in in case of injury. But that has to be weighed against financial constraints and team chemistry concerns (for instance, Marbury could probably fill in nicely for Rondo in case of injury but if Rondo stays healthy Steph could become a malcontent with playing only 10-15 minutes a night).

[Avalanche]

This goes back to Doc and Lue's close friendship from Orlando.

and a very close friendship between he and KG too

lets just say i wouldnt be knocking his door down to get him signed, explore your options DA

[Dogen]

I thought Tyronn Lue has a great college coast-to-coast drive in college ala Danny Ainge, but my memory may be off, because I can't find evidence of same via Google ...

Are you thinking of Tyus Edney perhaps?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHceOvR464s

[Lewis35]

I really do not believe that Lue is better than Marbury at this point. Marbury had not played in a year and he has to run the point on the fly. If you give Marbury a full camp he will hands down be a better PG than Lue.

[tlee324]

When Marbury is aggressive to the basket and kicking out to open players, I like him as the backup. But too often he goes Antione and stands around waiting for his jumper. Defensively, it's just like his offense... he's the ABILITY to do things right, but just doesn't do it, and that's been his story way before he got to Boston.

[Celts17Pride]

Last year Orlando played Alston, a hurt & rusty Nelson and 85 yr old Anthony Johnson ahead of Lue. What does that tell you?