Backup point guard for 08/09?

[slam]

The problems we had this year with the House/Allen combo was primarily that they couldn’t handle the ball when being pressured by opposing point guards, and teams knew it so often threw traps at them to try and generate a turnover, often with success.  They also just didn’t see the floor that well, being that they weren’t true point guards, and didn’t frequently generate baskets for teammates like a traditional point guard would.

The problem we’ve had since Cassell assumed the role is that he isn’t a pass first point guard.  Not to mention that he is a terrible defender and his solid mid-range jump shot has been anything but solid.  To top that off, he doesn’t know/didn’t have time to learn our plays.  Having said that, I think it’s unlikely that a training camp will turn Cassell into the backup we need him to be, he’s shown he’s not what we need, and his game is rapidly declining.

So what do we skills do we need a backup point guard to possess?

Pass first mentality
Solid Defender
Ability to handle the ball under pressure
Veteran experience

For 2007-08, many said we had to get someone like Brevin Knight to be our back up point guard.  We didn’t, and we suffered for it by not having anyone that could handle the ball when Rondo came out early in the season, and now we have the very obvious issues with Cassell.  Regardless of how this season turns out, this concern has to be addressed in the off-season so we can avoid the same issues I’ve mentioned in the opening two paragraphs of this post.

I think the Celtics ideal backup point guard becomes a free agent this off-season.  Chris Duhon is exactly the unselfish good ball handling distributor the Celtics need coming off the bench for Rondo.  He has all the traits I listed above.  To top it off, though his overall shooting percentages aren’t impressive by any means, he is enough of a threat to keep defenses honest.  Despite a couple of minor issues with the Bulls, he is a good guy in the community and the locker room.  He will just get the job done.

Duhon is not a starting quality point guard, but he is a quality back up one.  Let’s try and get him.  Thoughts?

[cdif911]

some interesting and not so interesting names will be available

Of the unrestricted free agents

Duhon would be a good option as may be:

Earl Watson
Jason Williams
Royal Ivey
Carlos Arroyo
Beno Urdrih
Earl Boykins

Of the restricted:

Calderon (though he's gonna get paid)
Bassy (JK)
JC Navarro
JJ Barea
D. West
Daniel Gibson

No one else really in our price range I don't think assuming they come on the markey (Baron Davis, Agent 0, etc.)

So no major impact guys but some solid players with potential to help the team

But for now lets focus on THIS year!

[Who]

It's too early to be thinking about this. There's games to be played and those games will decide whether or not this team needs to look elsewhere for a point guard.

[TripleOT]

I see White Chocolate signing here for cheap money, unless Sam suddenly remembers how to be a good PG and helps the Cs to the title, and resigns on the cheap for a final year.   

[MaineBleedsGreen]

I like Beno ... tho that's strictly from following him in fantasy league and not from actually seeing him play.

[Bankshot]

Isn't Janero Pargo a free agent?  I like the way he plays.

[ma11l]

Delonte and Booby Gibson are the names that stick out to me on that list.  I also believe that Pruitt will be on the active roster and play a role on the team next year, they like what they've seen from him.

I started to go to the draft and who we might be able to pick up with our pick, then I realized I'm getting waaaaaay ahead of myself, let's get focused, I'm pumped for Game 5.

[fairweatherfan06]

Way too soon for this talk, that being said. Jarret Jack, fits all the prerequisites and Portland is 100% unloading him to make minutes for Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez.

[nickagneta]

I'd love them to give my third all-time favorite NU Huskie(my son and Reggie Lewis being the others), Jose Juan Barea a chance. He's a fearless, pass first, but can find my own offense, true PG. He's small, and maybe not be the fastest guy, but he's a warrior and a floor leader.

I also think he's a decent back-up if Gabe Pruitt turns out to be more of a combo or shooting guard than a point guard.

Regarding something the OP said:

"we suffered for it by not having anyone that could handle the ball when Rondo came out early in the season"

I actually don't think we suffered by not having that veteran PG on the bench. Did it make times tense when Eddie or Tony was in, sure. But look at the long term reward. Doc didn't have a veteran presence to go to off the bench to start or take major minutes from Rondo when he struggled. Doc had no option and was forced to have Rondo grow into the role of major ball handler and floor general for this team. Rondo was thrown into the lake and forced to sink or swim and Doc didn't have a life jacket to throw out there.

Because of this we have a 22 year old PG that is probably first team All-Defense in quality and is the most consistent player on thecourt during the playoffs with a confidence that will never subside.

Personally, I think that's pretty cool.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I love Jose Juan, too bad he doesn't get many chances because of his size.  Same with Arroyo, but it seems that he's always having some trouble with the coaches (maybe Sloan is to blame).  But Jose Juan is a good kid, who's certainly talented enough in this league.  But his size is a concern.

I'd love to see Pruitt get some run to see what we have with him.

Others I'd like to take into consideration:

Jannero Pargo (This guy keeps getting overlooked)
Anthony Carter
Chris Duhon
Lindsey Hunter
Shaun Livingston (Restricted)
Jason Williams
Darrell Armstrong (For insurance)
Louis Williams (Restricted)
Jose Calderon (Longshot)

[jr_3421]

I really don't think we need a "pass first" point guard. I like the idea of having a combo guard who can score and defend. Cassell is just a shooter and not playing the role of pg. Our bench has a lot of hustle players, but not any players that you can go to when you want a bucket (powe and bbd are improving but im talking about a slasher type).

[Triboy16]

pargo for sure would be a nice choice. I'm really not big on gabe pruitt. Giving him up won't be anything like chauncy billips regret the celts made. Pruitt maybe one day could become like a tj ford but look at where tj has taken the raptors.

Is it me or is cassell is decent shape at the moment?? 39 backup is not the greatest idea but if cassell would take a 3.5 million one year deal i don't mind having him as a backup next year

[BudweiserCeltic]

pargo for sure would be a nice choice. I'm really not big on gabe pruitt. Giving him up won't be anything like chauncy billips regret the celts made. Pruitt maybe one day could become like a tj ford but look at where tj has taken the raptors.

Is it me or is cassell is decent shape at the moment?? 39 backup is not the greatest idea but if cassell would take a 3.5 million one year deal i don't mind having him as a backup next year

Pruitt can also play SG, has a nice shooting touch, plus he's quite taller than Ford. About 4 inches worth. From what little I saw of him this year, he also seemed to play some nice defense out there.

[Cman]

(a) Way too early for this thread;
(b) Nothing wrong with having someone like Cassell who does things opposite from Rondo (shoot first) so as to keep opposing team on their toes;
(c) whoever it is will be someone who can come aboard cheap.  It might be House again, might be Cassell.  I would say those two are numbers 1 and 2  at this point (not necessarily in that order, and no pun intended).