Do we NEED a rim protector?

[Rosco917]

The last 4 teams remaining in the season have legitimate rim protectors. Of we do, every team needs one.

And rim protector is not just shot blocking. It's that, plus the ability to defend shots close to the rim by just being a presence, challenging shots, making it difficult for others to get easy baskets in the paint.

I don't think I'd call Mozgov a legitimate rim protector.

He's 7'1" 275, he certainly makes guys change they're minds about attacking the rim, or setting up in the paint. He actually does protect the rim pretty well.

Just look at the change in the Cavs when he came aboard.

[D.o.s.]

rim protector is not just shot blocking. It's that, plus the ability to defend shots close to the rim by just being a presence, challenging shots, making it difficult for others to get easy baskets in the paint.

TP.

[Bosstown]

The last 4 teams remaining in the season have legitimate rim protectors. Of we do, every team needs one.

And rim protector is not just shot blocking. It's that, plus the ability to defend shots close to the rim by just being a presence, challenging shots, making it difficult for others to get easy baskets in the paint.

I don't think I'd call Mozgov a legitimate rim protector.

Mozgov moves his feet well enough on defense and puts his hands up to protect the rim. The guy is very underrated and really was a big reason why the Cavs looked so good after they traded for him. I think of Mozgov like Perkins circa 2008, minus the scowl.

[wdleehi]

The biggest myth is that a rim protector is a shot blocker.



The teams needs a rim protector, not the athletic weakside shot blocker.  (the shot blocker would be a nice addition as well, but less necessary)


The team needs a backbone to the defense. 


And most importantly, he does not need to be the C.  If the Celtics can upgrade the C position with a more offensive player, replace the PF with the defensive backbone. 

[biggs]

The last 4 teams remaining in the season have legitimate rim protectors. Of we do, every team needs one.

And rim protector is not just shot blocking. It's that, plus the ability to defend shots close to the rim by just being a presence, challenging shots, making it difficult for others to get easy baskets in the paint.

I don't think I'd call Mozgov a legitimate rim protector.

He's 7'1" 275, he certainly makes guys change they're minds about attacking the rim, or setting up in the paint. He actually does protect the rim pretty well.

Just look at the change in the Cavs when he came aboard.

Totally agree, and was gonna use him as an example. Mozgof may not be a traditional "rim protector," but what a load he is! He's arguably been the most important aquisition they made this year.

To the OP- I'm not sure this team needs the traditional rim protector.  Like, for example, trading up for WCS, because he fills a need for us.

Like others have said, there is value in having an elite defender on the wing. I would rather have a lock down multiple position defender, like Kawhi or Draymond Green, than a traditional rim protector, as most of the elite talent in this league plays positions 1-3.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

The last 4 teams remaining in the season have legitimate rim protectors. Of we do, every team needs one.

And rim protector is not just shot blocking. It's that, plus the ability to defend shots close to the rim by just being a presence, challenging shots, making it difficult for others to get easy baskets in the paint.

I don't think I'd call Mozgov a legitimate rim protector.

Mozgov is 2nd in the NBA in FG allowed at rim, allowing 34%. He may not blow you away with fancy shot blocking, but he does it in different ways. He alters shots, making it difficult for opponents to get a shot close to the rim.

He's better than Andrew Bogut in that regard, and is only below Anthony Davis, who are legitimate rim protectors.

[GratefulCs]

We need a rim protector as long as the NBA continues to have a rim





In my opinion

[GratefulCs]

The last 4 teams remaining in the season have legitimate rim protectors. Of we do, every team needs one.

And rim protector is not just shot blocking. It's that, plus the ability to defend shots close to the rim by just being a presence, challenging shots, making it difficult for others to get easy baskets in the paint.

I don't think I'd call Mozgov a legitimate rim protector.

Mozgov is 2nd in the NBA in FG allowed at rim, allowing 34%. He may not blow you away with fancy shot blocking, but he does it in different ways. He alters shots, making it difficult for opponents to get a shot close to the rim.

He's better than Andrew Bogut in that regard, and is only below Anthony Davis, who are legitimate rim protectors.

if bogut was on the cavs, he might be able to get away with a lot more though



But maybe not




Mozgov is way better than i origionally thouht

[Evantime34]

Yes we do. Our defense was set up where the guards had to funnel the ball away from pick and rolls due to our bigs inability to protect he paint. If we can get someone in there to alter/deter shots our elite defensive guards will have a chance to really bother opposing guards.

I expect us to get a defensive oriented big from the draft or a veteran one in free agency (hopefully both)

[Celtics4ever]

How is this even a question after what we saw this season

  My thoughts exactly.

The thing that no one has really mentioned is that a shot blocker affects a lot of shots that he doesn't block by merit of blocking a few.   Guys watch for him, alter shots out of respect for that ability.  There are others ways like putting your body to protect the rim but they do not always have this effect.