The Celtics Center Thead

[Jiri Welsch]

Last night Gorman mentioned that *combined* Theis and Kanter provided 28 pts and 17 rebounds vs. the Hawks. Obviously the big asterisk is that Boston's opponent was Atlanta.

However for the season Theis and Kanter are averaging a combined 16.0 pts and 14.0 rebounds in 39.6 minutes of play. All things considered, I am pretty happy with that production. I also like the fact that Kanter and Theis often plug-in to different roles depending on the Celtics' needs in a particular game.

So even though a popular topic on this forum is "Which Big do we go after before the trade deadline or on the buy-out market?" I want to just take stock of the Center position as we inch our way closer to the half-way point of the season:

(1) Considering Theis and Kanter's combined production, do you still feel that the C's are in dire need of another--more formidable--big man on the team? Especially considering we would need to give up assets via trade? Or (at least) one of these guys would lose significant minutes to make room for someone else?

(2) How are you viewing Robert Williams III now that he's suffered the setback of a pretty serious injury? What is his role on the team now that Theis and Kanter seem to have found a decent amount of consistency?

[Celtics4ever]

1) No , I think people are panicking as usual.  We have beat some good teams with those guys.

2) I think Rob has a place when he gets back because he adds a verticality and passing the other two do not possess.

[Surferdad]

For the record, I'll point out that this thread was started right after the C's beat a team with a weak front-court who lost their best center (John Collins) during the game.

[Jiri Welsch]

For the record, I'll point out that this thread was started right after the C's beat a team with a weak front-court who lost their best center (John Collins) during the game.

Thanks for this insight. I actually addressed the fact that the Hawks are bad in my opening paragraph, and even made a point to mention the impetus for my thought (which was Gorman's comment).

I take it you think the Celtics need another big, then?

[Somebody]

Timelord is probably a couple of years away from being a 15-20 MPG rotation centre. He's just so raw that he needs time to develop as a player, ntm that he needs time to recover from his recent injury.

In the meantime, I'm incredibly happy with our duo of Theis Theis Baby and the Kanter!

[Surferdad]

For the record, I'll point out that this thread was started right after the C's beat a team with a weak front-court who lost their best center (John Collins) during the game.

Thanks for this insight. I actually addressed the fact that the Hawks are bad in my opening paragraph, and even made a point to mention the impetus for my thought (which was Gorman's comment).

I take it you think the Celtics need another big, then?

TBH, I am undecided.  It all depends on what is going out.

My larger point is not what I think they need, but that the overall sentiment on this board changes depending upon who they last played.  Your "asterisk" can't and shouldn't be ignored.

[Jiri Welsch]

For the record, I'll point out that this thread was started right after the C's beat a team with a weak front-court who lost their best center (John Collins) during the game.

Thanks for this insight. I actually addressed the fact that the Hawks are bad in my opening paragraph, and even made a point to mention the impetus for my thought (which was Gorman's comment).

I take it you think the Celtics need another big, then?

TBH, I am undecided.  It all depends on what is going out.

My larger point is not what I think they need, but that the overall sentiment on this board changes depending upon who they last played.  Your "asterisk" can't and shouldn't be ignored.

Unfortunately for the sake of this discussion (yet fortunately for the team), we don't play any good teams until Philly. So I will make sure to remember your comment during that game!

[iadera]

If we are ok with 2nd round PO this year, then we are fine with Theis and Kanter. I'm also fine with them. But, for anything more than that, we need someone bigger and better at their position.

[nickagneta]

I know people criticize Theis due to size but, please tell me how many starting centers in the league could have gotten switched onto Trae Young and made the play Theis did to win that game last night?

Theis with the other four has been a dominant 5 man unit. He fits in tremendously with that group and I feel okay that that group can outperform any other 5 man unit in the East.

Kanter, as I have noted in the Enes Kanter Love thread, has been elite in his role as the backup center. No, he isn't the defender Theis has. He can't guard the pick and roll or switch all the way down to the 1 like Theis does, but neither does Theis have the ability to bang down low against great centers, score down low at will or be an elite rebounder like Kanter. Kanter is very much the Yang to Theis' Yin.

What they both do, but in different ways, is compliment the other starting four players tremendously. Both are excellent fourth/fifth options that know they must allow the likes Hayward, the Jays and Kemba to be the offensive engines and get their points in the flow of the offense.

Do I wish Tatum was 2" taller and 3" longer? Sure! Do I wish Kanter could at least be able to switch down to credibly cover a wing and be a much better pick and roll defender that could be a better shot blocker? Yup. But if they were both that good then the Celtics wouldn't be able to afford both players.

I don't see an available difference making big that is affordable so, I am okay sticking with the guys we have to go after a title.

[carlucho]

I think that Vincent Poirier needs a fair opportunity to show what can he do to help the team.We are talking about a 7'1 center with good mobility and who was the leading rebounder in the Euroleague.

[nickagneta]

I think that Vincent Poirier needs a fair opportunity to show what can he do to help the team.We are talking about a 7'1 center with good mobility and who was the leading rebounder in the Euroleague.

Well, he is injured and still expected out for several more weeks. Also, he has shown to be clearly inferior to Theis, Kanter and Robert Williams so, not sure he is even deserving of minutes

[Birdman]

I’m more worried bout no bench scoring myself..Semi, Carsen, Both Williams, Wanamaker are not going to cut it

[Phantom255x]

I still feel we need to add another center (either through small trade or buyout) before the deadline for depth. Because as we unfortunately know by now, all it takes is an injury to someone to suddenly be thin on depth. Like over the last few years, when Baynes got hurt, even with Horford our frontcourt became a weakness especially if Horford sat. If 1 of Kanter/Theis went down, do we have the depth to compensate? I mean, we're already missing 2 centers to injury as is.

[Fierce1]

I think a minor move like getting one of the 3 among, WCS, Noel, and Poeltl will make the Celts better for the playoffs.

RWill is the future, but right now he's just not ready.

[carlucho]

I think that Vincent Poirier needs a fair opportunity to show what can he do to help the team.We are talking about a 7'1 center with good mobility and who was the leading rebounder in the Euroleague.

Well, he is injured and still expected out for several more weeks. Also, he has shown to be clearly inferior to Theis, Kanter and Robert Williams so, not sure he is even deserving of minutes

Again ,How can you say he is inferior than the other centers if he doesn't play ? First you have to give him a fair time of play( not 2 minutes of garbage time )Then you can judge if he is good or not.I can stand to see Grant Williams playing 20 minutes and grabbing 2 rebounds ,while Poirier is on sitting on the bench,Grant Williams is not a center,and anybody can see that.