Giddens

[ryaningf]

So out of those five I'll say Scal and Giddens round out the twelve to start the year. TA and Walker go on the injured list, and Williams I suppose will suddenly have some sort of mysterious ailment too.

I think Danny Ainge has a few moves to make before the season starts. I think the Celtics would love to keep Sweetney and another roster spot open in case a vet free agent becomes available (Antonio Daniels buyout for example).

I don't think Giddens, Tony Allen, S. Williams, Walker or Hudson are safely on the Celtics roster at this point. It's going to be an interesting few weeks of potential roster moves.

I don't think so. I don't think ANY of those players are in danger of losing anything in the next 2 weeks. Why juggle the roster for Sweetney, when he has about zero chance of getting in shape this season? We don't NEED low-post scoring that bad, especially when it comes in a non-defending package. KG, Perk, 'Sheed, and even Baby can provide enough low-post scoring.

The easiest and most likely scenario is that Sweetney gets cut, probably before the last preseason game. They've given him a chance to show he can still play (like D Miles last year), but there's no way they're entertaining actually keeping him.

I don't think Giddens gets his option picked up, but he might get some minutes this season. I think TA stays until he gets healthy, with the outside chance that he's included in a deadline deal--he won't be cut. Williams is here for the year--he's exactly what you want in a 12th man. Walker will be given a chance to get healthy, and perhaps compete for a role later in the season (when and if TA is traded away). Hudson right now is in a real battle with Scal for the 10th man role. Hudson's a keeper either way.

Keep this in mind guys: we have a stout 9-man rotation right now. We're not going to bend over backwards to add salary just so we can have a stout 10-man rotation, especially when Scal/Hudson/TA/Giddens are more than capable of being a 10-minute-a-night 10th man at no extra cost.

I only see us making moves if a.) a long term injury occurs, weakening the 9-man rotation; or b.) we decide we need to improve our 9-man rotation. Other than that, we're not doing anything. We're STACKED as of now. Only so many players can play consistent minutes--and we've already filled all those roles.

[Dogen]

If Danny is going to make a move before the season, he's playing his cards very close to his chest. I haven't heard nary a rumor for a while now. Maybe it's all part of the master plan to get Bob Swift into the starting lineup by opening night. Swift, the Anti-Shaq.

I'd prefer to part ways with TA at this point, but word is that he was basically unmoveable all summer. Why would it be any different now? I think what we see is what we'll get until the trade deadline.

[sam_I_am]

There is no way Hudson goes away. In fact, I would be shocked if the team doesn't try to lock him up for 3 years like they have done with second round picks in past. This guy is exactly what you want for a young player on the bench. He may have a limited ceiling but he has no fear and really seems to know how to make plays even in his limited role. Reminds me of a miniature Gomes offensively in that regard but he is also NBA ready defensively.

[Jammer]

The starters and first 4 subs have been announced by management several times.

Starters: Ray, Paul, Rajon, Kevin, Kendrick
Backups: Rasheed, Eddie, Glen, Marquis
10th Man: Brian (also announced, and logical)
11th Man, Backup PG: Lester
12th Man: My guess is Justin, from what is going on

Inactive: Shelden, Tony, Billy

Some logical moves: Obviously one of Tony, Justin and Billy will never see the light of day. Billy can at least go to D-League a while. Tony can't. I think the Celtics try to move Tony to a team with an injury need (Sacramento), although Memphis is a possibility. What does Memphis do if one of Mayo, Conley or Iverson go down. Remember, Memphis is trying to negotiate a buyout with Marko Jaric, who plans to play in Europe. The cap space that buyout will create would allow Tony to play in Memphis without Memphis having to send a player back.

The 6th, Inactive Big, between Sweets and Sheldon. Keeping Sweets would require shipping Sheldon out. Phoenix is looking for a center. Don't expect much for Celtics. Maybe a six pack and a bag of chips. A Ham sandwich would be a stretch. Sweetney would eat it en route.

[billfromBoston]

I don't see a ton of value in either Walker or Giddens going to the D league they have proven that they are above that level, Hudson perhaps but I think he is also ready to play. The only reason the other two have for going to Maine is to get some mins to get the rust off or the dream is slowly dying.

I actually think that based on need Hudson is in the first 10 at this point with either Giddens or TA and Scal or Shelden rounding out the 12 man unit each night at least until Walker gets back and then add him to that mix. The injury is a set back but just based on size and strength Walker as a SF has more value to this roster than TA or Giddens night to night but not with a bum knee.

Danny's son coaches the Red Claws - so you can bet your bottom dollar that any Celtics player is going to get far more relevent playing experience in the D - league this year...Walker, Giddens, and Hudson should all spend some time down there to get reps in...the back-and-forth travel will be much easier as well.

Giddens needs to learn how to be a role player to be sure, but he has the ability to come off screens in the mid-range game as well as catch-and-shoot/ball-fake, one dribble/slash options....he just needs to get away from holding the ball and trying to assess in ISO - something our very own Paul Pierce had to learn late in his NBA career.

Giddens will be a player before his rookie contract is over - he can be a defensive stopper with solid scoring ability - if he does more than that its a bonus, but he has skills and a motor to work at it...

[C-West]

I'm assuming that it's a no-brainer for the C's to pick up his option before 10/31, right? I have just not heard anything about that either way.

[LongTimeFan]

I guess the D - League is not that bad for a Celtic prospect. That's a good point.

Giddens certainly has some natural talent on D. His arm length is outrageous.

[MVP16]

I'm assuming that it's a no-brainer for the C's to pick up his option before 10/31, right? I have just not heard anything about that either way.

It's not a no-brainer. DA is probably going to wait until the last day to make his decision and I think as of right now, it's a better chance that they don't pick up the option.

[Dogen]

I'm assuming that it's a no-brainer for the C's to pick up his option before 10/31, right? I have just not heard anything about that either way.

It's not a no-brainer. DA is probably going to wait until the last day to make his decision and I think as of right now, it's a better chance that they don't pick up the option.

Knowing Danny as much as I don't, I'd wager that he is probably going to bed each night worrying about the health and shape of his team and what the main competitors may be up to. So on the one hand the Celtics have been great about about taking care of players and having loyalty to the guys, on the other hand it's still a business. There may be one more move made before the season and JR's contract situation could be a piece to that puzzle. My guess is that in the end he will get the extension early this week.

[C-West]

I'm assuming that it's a no-brainer for the C's to pick up his option before 10/31, right? I have just not heard anything about that either way.

It's not a no-brainer. DA is probably going to wait until the last day to make his decision and I think as of right now, it's a better chance that they don't pick up the option.

Knowing Danny as much as I don't, I'd wager that he is probably going to bed each night worrying about the health and shape of his team and what the main competitors may be up to. So on the one hand the Celtics have been great about about taking care of players and having loyalty to the guys, on the other hand it's still a business. There may be one more move made before the season and JR's contract situation could be a piece to that puzzle. My guess is that in the end he will get the extension early this week.

Still think it's a no brainer. Why invest in the future wings of this team, get them to buy into the idea that they will pretty much not play for a couple years, and coach/teach them, if you're only going to keep them two years? These rookie salary scale is really not that bad, especially for a late round guy like JR. There's just no downside to passing on the option (it's not an extension).

[cloverleaf]

I think he's shown enough that they'll sign him--but they'll wait until the last day to do so. No reason to commit the team any earlier.

[ParticleMan]

i think it's a no-brainer too. with the uncertainty around TA, and giddens showing a good step forward this season, there's no reason to not pick up a $1mil option for an improving young player.

of course there's no reason to do it early. if he has a season-ending injury between now and then, then it all changes.

[chas0x01]

I'm pleased with what Hudson and Giddens have shown so far. I think all three - Walker, Hudson, and Giddens - could give us a solid 10 mpg if we needed them to contribute due to injuries.

[sully00]

I don't see a ton of value in either Walker or Giddens going to the D league they have proven that they are above that level, Hudson perhaps but I think he is also ready to play. The only reason the other two have for going to Maine is to get some mins to get the rust off or the dream is slowly dying.

I actually think that based on need Hudson is in the first 10 at this point with either Giddens or TA and Scal or Shelden rounding out the 12 man unit each night at least until Walker gets back and then add him to that mix. The injury is a set back but just based on size and strength Walker as a SF has more value to this roster than TA or Giddens night to night but not with a bum knee.

Danny's son coaches the Red Claws - so you can bet your bottom dollar that any Celtics player is going to get far more relevent playing experience in the D - league this year...Walker, Giddens, and Hudson should all spend some time down there to get reps in...the back-and-forth travel will be much easier as well.

Giddens needs to learn how to be a role player to be sure, but he has the ability to come off screens in the mid-range game as well as catch-and-shoot/ball-fake, one dribble/slash options....he just needs to get away from holding the ball and trying to assess in ISO - something our very own Paul Pierce had to learn late in his NBA career.

Giddens will be a player before his rookie contract is over - he can be a defensive stopper with solid scoring ability - if he does more than that its a bonus, but he has skills and a motor to work at it...

My problem with the D-league is the level of competition not the level of coaching. They expand the league every season but they don't increase the eligible pool of NBA players so the level of play never increases it. I don't think that the D league has gotten to the level of the old CBA before all the best talent went overseas. Walker might be worth using the time to get in shape but I just don't see the value in JR going down their to score 20 a night when he needs to learn to how to guard the opponents best wing. I am not a big believer in JR but if he is going to carve out a role in the NBA he needs to carve out a role in the NBA.

[sully00]

i think it's a no-brainer too. with the uncertainty around TA, and giddens showing a good step forward this season, there's no reason to not pick up a $1mil option for an improving young player.

of course there's no reason to do it early. if he has a season-ending injury between now and then, then it all changes.

Yeah I don't think it is that easy. There is nothing to stop Boston from resigning him to the option at the end of the year. If they don't pick it up he becomes a 1 mil expiring deal that Boston can add to TA and Scal in a deadline deal. Giddens is a minimum salary player on the open market why give him a guaranteed deal for next season if he isn't likely to be a rotation player.