Jason Collins / Celtics two way game

[Surferdad]

http://magicbasketballonline.wordpress.com/2011/04/15/limiting-the-impact-of-jason-collins-on-dwight-howard-is-the-key-to-advancement-seriously/

Jason Collins is a good defender against big men, like Dwight Howard.  He will provide valuable depth at Center I believe, albeit probably only 15 min per game.  Looks like KG will have to handle the other 33 min.

If we get lucky and either Melo or Sullinger show they can play effectively at Center, then KG will slide to PF and take minutes away from Bass.  I am not expecting much from Wilcox, I think Collins will be more valuable.

Definitely agree.  If anything, bringing back Wilcox is the underrated move, not the Collins signing.  If fully healthy, CW is a big man who can run as well as get dirty down low and score some too.  Collins, OTOH, is what he is, a big body decent defender, mediocre rebounder, non-scorer.  He has a role on this team but this is not an underrated signing.

Why aren't you expecting much from Wilcox?  I understand the injury concerns, but when he was healthy, he was very effective last year.  And, he is actually a very good fit at center against most teams in the league.  He doesn't match up well against the few, true, low post guys (Bynum, Howard, Hibbert), but that is what Collins is for.  But against everyone else, he provides mobility, and a nose for the ball that we really need.

My guess is that as long as Wilcox is healthy, he will be getting the majority of the backup center minutes, other than when they are facing the few teams with real post threats.

[crimson_stallion]

2.  According to SynergySports' stats Allen, Pietrus, and Pierce (via reduced minutes) got more points per possession in transition than their replacements Green, Lee, and Terry on roughly the same percentage of plays. Probably attributable to better 3 point shooting as "trailers" than anything else, but really a very small downgrade.  IOW, if we get a lot more fast break scoring, it's going to be because of better rebounding, not better finishing by the wings.  (Sullinger might help in that regard since he appears to be a good rebounder and passer, but how much time he'll get is a guess).

With the exception of Green's brief stint (which isn't worth counting) neither of those guys played on a team with Celtics defense and Rajon Rondo running the break.

Neither Kyle Lowry, a 2011 Russel Westbrook or a 40 year old Jason Kidd runs a fast break the way today's Rajon Rondo does...and neither the Rockets, the 2011 Thunder or the Mav's turn tough defense into quick offense the way Boston does with Rondo running the show.

Those numbers really aren't an accurate comparison.  While Pietrus is capable on the break, neither Allen nor Pierce is really a 'fast break' type of player at this point in their careers. Allen is more inclinded to pull up for a three, and even Pierce doesn't really have the athleticism to keep up with Rondo.

Rondo, Bradley, Lee, Green and Wilcox may well be the best fast break lineup in the league.  Rondo and Bradley are two of the best in the league at forcing turnovers, and when they do every guy in that lineup will be out and running.