For what it's worth... [free agency: 7/8]

[mohammed10]

So the guy would get minimal minutes and you expect him to also get hurt. Why should we sign him again?

Rico - You misunderstood. I was referring to our current front court not staying healthy.

[Dat2U]

Dom will likely be spending his last season in DC. There's just no room for him and he's yet to distinguish himself as a viable NBA rotation player. His offensive skills just hasn't shown the necessary improvement to validate a significant role on a playoff team. His handle is still not tight enough and his jumpshot is still completely unreliable. It's too bad b/c I actually do like his on-court awareness and his effort on the boards and defensive end.

He may eventually find minutes for another team but right now he's the 3rd string PF and 3rd string SF. The only way he gets minutes in DC is if we have another rash of injuries. Of course, that's quite possible given our history.

I'm not sure that he'll be ruled out in Flip's schemes this year. We have a ton of scorers, points at all positions to satisfy Flip's offensive playbook. What we lack is the lead guy in his match-up zone. The Tayshuan Prince player who can be used to slowdown and neutralize whatever opposing player has the hot hand, the guy who can stall the attack and force the initial pass-off allowing the triangle to flatten.

This a key feature of Flip's defense, having a guy equally competent and comfortable in man or zone, who can effectively blur the lines between the two with his length and athleticism. Recall Flip's comment that 80% of that fat playbook he carries is actually defense, then ask who you plan to plug in to captain that D late in a game when stops are more important than scoring.

Consider also that Flip loves to run his guards past screens, etc. But which players on our squad are best suited to set a living wall? Haywood certainly, Oberto yes. But Jamison? Caron maybe. But not so much Mike Miller. McGee doesn't set a narrow enough screen to be useful. A guy like Dom seems to have the aptitude to pick up these wrinkles quickly.

If I'm eyeballing it from here, when I'm guessing what player may lose minutes compared to year's past I'd suspect that our Capitawn's 40-per might be the likeliest target. Dray may siphon some, bumping Tawn to a few minutes at SF, but I suspect it's not a forgone conclusion that Dom won't find minutes in a defensive configuration. Remember the PF in Flip's zone is responsible for guarding half the paint. I'd bet Jamison gets bumped to more minutes at SF with Dray in the frontcourt, provided Dray proves more consistently reliable. Fact is Jamison at PF really strains the defense, whereas Jamison at SF can be shaded and protected somewhat. Dom's shortfall (offense) is a team strength at other positions, but what he does well (versatile inside-outside defense) is not replicated elsewhere. A smart coach will find a use for him.

I hear ya doc, but bumping Jamison down to SF means less minutes for Miller or Miller gets bumped down to SG. And if that happens that means less minutes for Young and Foye.

There's just a log jam on the roster and not enough minutes for everyone. I personally wouldn't mind seeing McGuire getting minutes because I agree that he fits a need defensively but looking at the roster in totality, to me it looks like he's the one that's going to get squeezed out.

[doclinkin]

I hear ya doc, but bumping Jamison down to SF means less minutes for Miller or Miller gets bumped down to SG. And if that happens that means less minutes for Young and Foye.

There's just a log jam on the roster and not enough minutes for everyone. I personally wouldn't mind seeing McGuire getting minutes because I agree that he fits a need defensively but looking at the roster in totality, to me it looks like he's the one that's going to get squeezed out.

There's a log-jam which ever way we slice it. I see Foye getting minutes behind a re-developing Gil, and Nick earning minutes by merit or not at all. I fully expect Miller will start the season at 2-guard, not terribly concerned about his minutes.

What I don't see is 2 of the three keystone players who can run the Zone system. And, taking Kanye's point, if you look at Flip's track record he's always found somebody who can fit that defensive system even if he has to bump a Szerbiak to the bench to do it.

Maybe I should bump the Coaching thread requesting line-ups that have the aptitude to run both the match-up Zone and the pick-and-screen heavy Hawk offense.

For best defense you need one long multipurpose perimeter defender, one intimidating paint presence, one positional rebounder who can hold their ground seal the paint underneath. If Both your frontcourt players have components of intimidation/rebounding you're good. Right now who is the 'point' man in the zone? Who picks up the best perimeter guy at the top of the key? Who blocks out and disallows 2nd chance points (a major point of emphasis in Flip's system).

If the Wiz are getting blown up by guys getting loose in the paint, and Jamison is continuing to collect rebounds only in open space, not sealing his man out, I suspect Flip may find a few minutes more inside for someone else. Maybe ask the FO to look around (Elton Brand swap?). Else he'll only hope Blatche can step up. Or try Dom in late game defense situations. Jamison's points seem more replaceable this year than ever in the past. May begin his elder years bench transition.

I'd if they swap Jams this year it might jeopardize Haywood's re-sign. Maybe not. But if Jamison stays the rest of his contract, there's no way he'll stay in that starting role and still satisfy Flip. Not unless his game somehow becomes a little more physical on defense. Just a little. And offensively he doesn't do enough of the rest of what Flip likes best. He's unpredictable, both good and bad.

Still, if Dom plays somewhat less this year and it drives down his re-sign price, dandy. Maybe then we keep him as a low-cost roleplayer on a discount, while he develops a useful role. Never hurts to have on your bench a role-playing defense/hustle guy who doesn't need points to play well. Especially if they're still young enough to improve.

[dobrojim]

just did a quick perusal of the talk in this thread (which I expected
to have died down with the expected signing of Oberto) -

I still like Dom but my impression in talking to Flip at the
meet the coach thing was that he didn't expect him to have
a major role. Remember that the rotation is basically 8 players
with #s 9-10 getting spot duty. Barring injury or spectacular improvement,
I think Dom's going to sit a lot. He might get 5-7 mpg.

[JWizmentality]

What I'd give to have Bowen sign with this team.

[Dat2U]

What I'd give to have Bowen sign with this team.

Ryan Bowen or Bruce Bowen? Because at this point in their respective careers they're about equal in terms of talent and impact.

[JWizmentality]

What I'd give to have Bowen sign with this team.

Ryan Bowen or Bruce Bowen? Because at this point in their respective careers they're about equal in terms of talent and impact.

I'd rather watch Bruce than Debrick. Bruce uses his skills and not his mouth to get under your skin.

[RickRoll_inDC]

count me in on the Bruce Bowen thing. Yes, I like McGuire, but Bowen could really be that missing piece. McGuire could even move up to the 4 at times if we pick up Bowen. The bench is pretty dang good if Bowen is added. McGee/Blatche/Bowen/Young/Foye. 3 young guys and a couple of veterans. I like it.

[Wizardspride]

What I'd give to have Bowen sign with this team.

Ryan Bowen or Bruce Bowen? Because at this point in their respective careers they're about equal in terms of talent and impact.

I'd rather watch Bruce than Debrick. Bruce uses his skills and not his mouth to get under your skin.

At this point Bruce doesn't have much "skill' left.

[miller31time]

Bowen is a total self-check on offense. This is true.

But it does mean something to acquire a guy who would instantly be our best perimeter defender for pennies on the dollar.

We could use him exclusively when we need a stop or if we have more than enough offense on the floor and need some defense.

[JWizmentality]

At this point Bruce doesn't have much "skill' left.

Wasn't talking about basketball skills.

[Wizardspride]

At this point Bruce doesn't have much "skill' left.

Wasn't talking about basketball skills.

[FreeBalling]

Question.

When is the last day to pick up or trade FA's?

[LyricalRico]

Question.

When is the last day to pick up or trade FA's?

I assume you're talking about guys with non-guaranteed contracts who need to be waived by a certain date or their deal becomes guaranteed. There is no league-wide date for that. It's based on the structure of each player's individual contract.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Boston signed Shelden Williams.

First thought is Candace Parker's gonna be hard for him to keep, being on the left coast and with all those WNBA players, err, guys after her.

On a basketball note, I think Shelden's a great addition for Boston. He can do what Perkins does. Bang and board. Block a shot here and there and score chippies. He's a young, defensive guy, to mesh with Sheed and KG's old, savvy play on offense (as well as defense). Good guy to add in place of Powe/Davis considering Wallace will fill the rest of the minutes.

Honestly, the Cs have really had a good offseason...

Sheed. Marquis Daniels. The Landlord. And two guys who might just surprise in J.R. Giddens and Lester Hudson. Haven't heard anything about Hudson this summer but I think any guy who gets a quadruple double in any conference can ball. Likewise, Giddens put up monstrous numbers boarding and scoring in the D-League.

I was counting the Cs out due to age, but these additions are solid.

[closg00]

Boston signed Shelden Williams.

First thought is Candace Parker's gonna be hard for him to keep, being on the left coast and with all those WNBA players, err, guys after her.

On a basketball note, I think Shelden's a great addition for Boston. He can do what Perkins does. Bang and board. Block a shot here and there and score chippies. He's a young, defensive guy, to mesh with Sheed and KG's old, savvy play on offense (as well as defense). Good guy to add in place of Powe/Davis considering Wallace will fill the rest of the minutes.

Honestly, the Cs have really had a good offseason...

Sheed. Marquis Daniels. The Landlord. And two guys who might just surprise in J.R. Giddens and Lester Hudson. Haven't heard anything about Hudson this summer but I think any guy who gets a quadruple double in any conference can ball. Likewise, Giddens put up monstrous numbers boarding and scoring in the D-League.

I was counting the Cs out due to age, but these additions are solid.

Since Boston did not field a SL team (they did at Orlando), I was wondering how they were going to evaluate Hudson? Does Hudson ride the pine, or do they send him to the D-League like Walker and Giddens? Hudson looks like the kind of guy to put up big numbers in the NBDL.

[verbal8]

And two guys who might just surprise in J.R. Giddens and Lester Hudson. Haven't heard anything about Hudson this summer but I think any guy who gets a quadruple double in any conference can ball. Likewise, Giddens put up monstrous numbers boarding and scoring in the D-League.

I was counting the Cs out due to age, but these additions are solid.

It looks like Hudson got hurt playing summer league, but will be back.

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60960/20090804/boston_receives_good_news_on_hudson/

I definitely agree that the Celtics have had a good offseason. I think they and the Spurs are the two contenders who definitely improved their teams. The moves made by the Cavs, Magic, Lakers and Mavs are significant, but they could either pay off or could backfire.

[nate33]

Can we un-sticky this thread now?