Quick solution to our problems

[return2glory]

The bench needs help, everyone can agree on that. There is currently no spark off the bench. So here's what I would do that is realistic.

1. I would sign Marbury. Marbury is still a talented player. He would help the bench a lot with his scoring and he is better at getting to the line than House. Marbury is also a better play maker that House. Marbury can also create his open shots. He will be cheap as well.

2. Tony Alen is playing average at best. He isn't doing enough to help the team win. I would call up Bill Walker. This will help us get a little bigger and give us more energy. Walker can play about 10 minutes a game at SF. When Ray Allen goes out, Pierce can move to SG and play along side Bill Walker.

3. Like Tony Allen, Powe and Davis are average at best. These guys playing together really hurts us against taller teams like the Lakers and Blazers. I would play POB and sit Davis or Powe.
So there you have it. These are little changes and can be easily done. The new bench would be:

SF: Bill Walker
PF: Davis or Powe
C: POB
SG: Pierce
PG: Marbury

[return2glory]

Also, if we can add Joe Smith, which may be a little tougher, we will be much improved. The bench would look like this:

SF: Bill Walker
PF: Joe Smith
C: POB
SG: Pierce or Ray Allen (one of the PGA in at all times)
PG: Marbury

Now that would become of of the best benches in the league and improve our chances of repeating.

[ParticleMan]

I think that would be good to try, except for the Marbury part. I want nothing to do with that cancer, I don't care if he can play. He is a franchise killer, and his skill set at this point isn't enough to offset all the negative crap he brings. So leave House out there with the 2nd unit.

I'd say sit Davis, because the 2nd unit as constructed needs a go-to guy. Powe can be that guy.

Also, I'd bring up Giddens not Walker. Giddens is more adept at scoring on the ball. He is more polished offensively, and gets to the line. He's a lot like TA, but he might bring some spark that TA seems to be lacking right now.

But overall, I agree we should try to explore options within our organization before trying to get help. Joe Smith is another story; we should definitely get him if we can. There are no options within our organization like him. But we will have to give something up. I wouldn't mind it if Baby is traded for him, plus maybe Scal. That would be great.

[Hemingway]

I would be open to signing Marbs or Walker and letting them have some free reign with the second unit and see if things improve. I don't know about our backup Center problem, I doubt POB is the answer.

How do we get an open roster spot though? I've asked this many times and we never really discuss it.

[I love heinsohn]

Other than bringing in an extra big (Joe Smith or Zo) and relegating Baby to garbage time, I see no point to any of the other suggestions. Do you really think a rookie is going to be better defensively than TA? And despite his massive inconsistencies, a rookie will make just as many mistakes. Marbury is not even worth commenting on.

Bad teams panic.

28-5 teams whether the freaking storm, win 60 games and play their hearts out in the playoffs. If they don't have homecourt in every round, then things are that much harder, but I still trust Ainge to figure out the bench by March...

[return2glory]

Other than bringing in an extra big (Joe Smith or Zo) and relegating Baby to garbage time, I see no point to any of the other suggestions. Do you really think a rookie is going to be better defensively than TA? And despite his massive inconsistencies, a rookie will make just as many mistakes. Marbury is not even worth commenting on.

Bad teams panic.

28-5 teams whether the freaking storm, win 60 games and play their hearts out in the playoffs. If they don't have homecourt in every round, then things are that much harder, but I still trust Ainge to figure out the bench by March...

No, I don't think a rookie will do better defensively than TA. TA can still play, but I'd play him about 10 minutes a game instead of 18-20. However, I feel Billy Walker will be better offensively and better on the boards than TA. The team was counting on more from TA, not just defense and he hadn't delivered outside of maybe 2 or 3 games.

As far as for Marbury, I feel that people can change. Ainge must be showing interest in him because he feels the same way unless the reports are false. Marbury will have a role for this team and winning a title will be his goal. I feel he gives us for than Eddie.

These moves wouldn't be panic moves because you would be getting Marbury cheap. As far as his character, we would have strong personalities in GPA and Cassell (as an assistant coach) to guide him.

Playing Bill Walker 10 minutes a game wouldn't also be considered a panic move. He is bigger than TA, a better finisher, rebounder, and scorere than TA.

Giving POB about 10 minutes a game instead of the horrible Powe and Davis Combo woudn't be a panic move either.

[return2glory]

Sorry, double post.

[return2glory]

Also, I'd bring up Giddens not Walker. Giddens is more adept at scoring on the ball. He is more polished offensively, and gets to the line. He's a lot like TA, but he might bring some spark that TA seems to be lacking right now.

Where are you getting your info? Walker is averaging 18.5 points in 30 minutes a game. Giddens is averaging 17.8 ppg while playing 37 minutes a game. Walker also goes to the line more at 5.5 times per game vs 3.5 FT attempt by Giddens. Walker is the better socrer and gets to the line more. J.R. is the better rebounder.

Either way, one of them should get minutes because TA isn't doing much.

[Zin5]

Has Marbury even been waived yet? I still don't like the idea of bringing him in. We'd have most of the same problems with him that we did with Cassell last year, but with a lot more potential for a headache.

[TheMartian]

Marbury is a better scoring option than Cassell, and scoring is the biggest concern we have with our bench. I'd sign him just to see if it works. If not, we can always let him go because he's cheap.

[e in boulder]

In response to...

1. I'm probably too much of a Marbury hater to look at this point objectively but I'll try. I understand that Marbury is a big name with a big reputation, but if you look at the numbers I'm not sure if he's exactly what the Celtics need. First off he's a career 43% shooter. You give him Eddies minutes and Eddies FG attempts and he's only making .5 more FGs a game then Eddie.

Is he more talented then Eddie? Undoubtedly yes, but lets remember that this guy hasn't played a NBA Regular season game in exactly one year. He's also 32 and a huge pain in the butt.

Does Marbury seem like the kind of guy who is working on his conditioning and game throughout all the turmoil over the last 6 months? Will Marbury be open to 20 MPG as well as being the 4th best guard on a championship caliber team? Will he hustle on defense like Eddie (a very underrated aspect to Mr. House's game. While Eddie doesn't have the physique to be an excellent defensive player, his hustle alone makes him very solid.) How will the Big Three react to this vagabond ring chaser (told you I was biased) joining the squad?

The answers to these questions will vary, Celtic Fan to Celtic Fan. Ultimately, it's Danny's answers that will decide the fate of our backup PG position.

2. Can't agree with you here. POB looked like the second coming of Sam Dalembert in preseason, let's not make assumptions on a very important back up 2/3 position based on preseason and NBDL performance. If Walker was a better option then Allen he would be playing, period.

3. I agree with you here. We need inside scoring and shot blocking on the bench. I like Big Baby, but he's a slower/sloppier/shorter? version of Powe. POB, while a little to relaxed for my cased, brings both of these despite a huge liability on defense.