Boston and LA: Offseason Moves

[Barnabas]

I was listening to the Zenmaster at the end of the game.  He said that obviously, they will need to find people who can play big inside.  We know Bynum addresses a lot of the "softness" issues that they have.  Boston will also need to find complementary players to help the Big Three next year, particularly at the backup Center position (assuming PJ will retire).  So, here are some questions:

1)  Lakers:  Who do you think will be traded?  Who can they reasonably acquire, given that they're over the cap like we are?

2)  Celtics:  Who will not be back next year?  Who can we get to replace PJ Brown?

3)  The Lakers want toughness inside.  The Celtics want a tough, experienced backup Center.  Do you think we will be competing for the same players?

4)  Lakers:  They got Gasol for basically nothing.  However, they are still paying his sizeable salary.  Do you think they need him once Bynum gets back?

5)  Celtics:  Do we need both Powe and Big Baby?  It seems to me like if we have one, we don't need the other.  What's your take? 

6)  Lakers:  Who are their tradeable pieces? 

7)  Celtics:  Who are the tradeable pieces on this team?

  Are there any other teams, east and west, that could threaten either team from meeting again in the Finals next year?  Are there any teams out there that can better these two with just a few minor personell adjustments?

Back to #3.  If this holds true, then this competitive rivalry will continue in the off-season as Danny and Mitch compete for the same players.  The competition for the next championship will start long before the start of the season.  Your thoughts?

[celtpinoy]

good start Barnabas

hmmmm...for celtics

Sam Cassell and PJ Brown are probably saying goodbye to boston
I hope to see big game james and eddie house back for another run...


for Lakers

I feel we've seen the last of ODOM in laker uniform 

[Brickowski]

1. Resign Thibodeau

2. Resign Posey

3. I'm a big Tony Allen fan and would like to see him return as well.  But that's not as crucial as the first two.

4. Get rid of Scalabrine.  Buy him out if necessary.  Waste of a roster spot.

5. I'd like to see a draft day trade in which the player selected at #30 is moved for a future pick.  Failing that, they should draft a Euro project who can be stashed.

Both Powe and BBD are under contract for next year, so they don't have to decide now.

As for the Lakers, who cares?

[celticmaestro]

i see the lakers going all out for ron artest. no d, no title.

i see the celtics strengthening on all ends. replacing pj, doing what they can to re-sign thibodeau, posey and house. i'd also give tony allen a contract, he's got the ability he's just been so unfortunate with injuries.

for the celtics, the biggest obstacle is to maintain that desire that got them over the line in the end. if the focus and the desire is still there, we should be having this conversation again a year from now.

[Who]

I was listening to the Zenmaster at the end of the game.  He said that obviously, they will need to find people who can play big inside.  We know Bynum addresses a lot of the "softness" issues that they have. 

Bynum is an unknown quantity in terms of interior defense and toughness in the paint. He's still a kid and he's still figuring out how much bigger he is than everyone else and how to effectively use that. Perkins bodied him up and outmuscled Bynum early in the season and he wasn't the only one to do so.

That said Bynum was coming on leaps and bounds quicker than I've seen anyone's interior D develop in season ... perhaps ever. It was phenomenal to see how much better he was getting just through the match experience. So even though the Bynum at the start of next season doesn't address enough of their interior D issues doesn't mean that the Bynum that finishes next season won't.

The most painstaking part of losing Bynum was the missed playoff experience. Bynum also didn't play much against Phoenix in the two previous summers. That's going to hold him back. The Playoffs will be a big learning curve for him about what he can do and what he'll get whistled for ... about how to react and play poised when being beaten up inside. Huge amount of lessons ahead for Bynum. Normally first year playoff young centres who are asked to be the most physical player on the court fail, it's just a question of when.

The Lakers will need more physical bodies to line up behind Bynum and Gasol. Guys who'll rough it up down low like Kurt Thomas. Someone who can lead and teach Bynum in games and in practices throughout the season. If LA don't get those bodies behind Bynum their interior D will still be a huge issue.

[Who]

The Lakers have a huge number of concerns for a team so close to the title

(1) They need a top drawer defensive small forward. Someone like a Posey or Captain Jack or Artest.

Paul Pierce killed the Lakers defensively and the Celtics will be the frontrunner to win the East next season. If it's not Pierce it's likely LeBron. If it's not Bron it's likely Lewis/Hedo and the Magic. They're the only three teams capable of winning the East and they all have top small forwards. Pierce and Bron are the two best SF's in the league and Hedo/Lewis are both borderline All-Stars. It's imperative the Lakers land a top defensive small forward to combat this otherwise they're in for a huge amount of trouble next season.

(2) Trade Odom

Odom can't play small forward. He couldn't at the start of this season and he didn't do much better in the past. Lamar doesn't have the range on his jump shot to space the floor which will make Kobe's/Gasol's/Bynum's lifes miserable. Odom is a much better defensive player on power forwards than small forwards. He loses a lot of his value when moved over to small forward.

Odom is the bait to land the top flight defensive small forward.

(3) Bynum needs to get healthy and learn how to play the game ob both games. He needs to finally crack out of his shell and have enough self confidence to use the post moves that he actually has. He also needs to keep improving defensively. Rebounding is very advanced already.

(4) Add physical interior big men to re-inforce their starting duo. They need muscle and hustle and in the paint. Guys that are willing to fight and bruise. Without that Bynum and Gasol will be unneccessarily vulnerable to physical teams.

(5) They need to solve the mess of Radmanovic and Walton making a combined 10mil while being on the books for several more years.

(6) Re-sign Sasha

As a personal angle I think they need to consider Farmer's future and their potential point guard of the future. It would be much better if they could move Fisher to the bench but that's not possible if Farmer is the starting option. He's simply not good enough so they have to decide if he's ever going to be good enough and if so how long will it take for him to get to that level ... Fisher is better 20 minutes and his career will last longer if they can start now. Depends on the trade market for Farmer.

[rondofan1255]

1) The lakers' best move might be no move. They just need to improve themselves with what they have, and they have an awful lot, just not defensive oriented people, which is not their fault 100%.

2) Boston needs size, and as much as I like Powe and BB, they aren't 6'10+, and we need size to match up to certain teams, or we will be in for a delirium to win certain games. I say we draft a wing in the draft, for more depth; we only have Posey and Allen at the 2 and 3 at the moment. We should sign big guys (6'10+, and not too skinny, who can bang and rebound most of all) that would fit in well. I emphasize being able to play with desire, with character, and in this team defense, as well as not be a problem off the court. An early 2nd round pick wouldn't hurt, and I want our team to sign a point guard, that's a vet, to go with Pruitt. I think House will leave, sadly.. I hope the Vet can shoot too.

[bucknersrevenge]

la i think when bynum comes back they trade odom. this next year he becomes an expiring contract so im sure theyll try to move him. artest was quoted as saying hes "99% sure he wont opt out" so that looks like a long shot right now. a better move for them might be richard jefferson. hes a wing that can play defense and new jersey knows its not winning anytime soon. they can dump jefferson, and clear some salary before they move to brooklyn. maybe even give them a shot at lebron later. thats what id do if i was them. odom for jefferson and boone.

as for boston, everything depends on what happens to posey. obviously we want him back but he is opting out. that said there are few teams that can offer him both money AND contention and he obviously isnt going to a team that wont contend. he knows our team and knows hes gonna get major minutes here. right now id say theres a 70% chance he comes back. after that im a huge house fan but i understand if danny decides to go with pruitt and maybe a better ballhandler like say a tyronn lue(a good friend of KGs). as tony allen i wouldnt mind him back if danny thinks he still has something. but with the amount of late round sg talent in the upcoming draft i can easily see danny drafting tonys replacement. after there that i see pj riding off into the sunset with his ring and next year we try to find a younger version. maybe an elson, or kurt thomas, or melvin ely.

[Who]

The Celtics picture is a lot clearer. The temptation is going to be to hold onto every present player even if it limits other neccessary moves. Most championship teams in the NBA do that. It cost Miami greatly and San Antonio greatly as the writing was already on the wall for each team's supporting cast but they choose to ignore it.

The good news is that the Celtics are in a great position. They only really have one major issue. The rest of the team looks in prime position for the repeat especially with Rondo's continued development.

Major Issue - Big man off the bench with size and length.

Likely no PJ Brown next season. The Lakers are coming back with Bynum to add to Gasol so they're only going to be bigger. Phil's press conference had shades of 1990 just before the Bulls went out and got physical bangers to compete with Detroit so look for LA to upgrade their backup bigs too. Many other teams in the West have bigger big men also.

The Celtics need to consider if Powe is the guy they want being the first big man off the bench. His lack of size is an issue as his developing game as is the extra burden he puts on KG to play centre.

Unfortunately there's hardly any available options for the Celtics so it very well could be both their biggest issue and a moot point.

Second Potential Issue - Backup Point

Firstly I don't think it's an issue at all. I just brought it up because some others might and I'll let them make their arguments (ballhandling) for their that. I think Eddie House does a very good job and fits in brilliantly with the team. I see no need to make a change here.

[Gainesville Celtic]

I was listening to the Zenmaster at the end of the game.  He said that obviously, they will need to find people who can play big inside.  We know Bynum addresses a lot of the "softness" issues that they have.  Boston will also need to find complementary players to help the Big Three next year, particularly at the backup Center position (assuming PJ will retire).  So, here are some questions:

1)  Lakers:  Who do you think will be traded?  Who can they reasonably acquire, given that they're over the cap like we are?

2)  Celtics:  Who will not be back next year?  Who can we get to replace PJ Brown?

3)  The Lakers want toughness inside.  The Celtics want a tough, experienced backup Center.  Do you think we will be competing for the same players?

4)  Lakers:  They got Gasol for basically nothing.  However, they are still paying his sizeable salary.  Do you think they need him once Bynum gets back?

First off -- who cares what the Fakers needs and targets are?  They're losers and we're NBA Champs

I want to resign Posey, House and T.Allen (to his qualifying offer).

House is our backup PG.  End of story.  We need a 3rd PG (like a 5th starter in baseball). Pruitt will grow into this team, but rather than resign Cassell, we should sign Ray Allen's old college and MIL teamate Kevin Ollie to come in *only* for those games like DET where Eddie *proves* he gets taken out of the game b/c of defensive pressure.  Ollie's veteran enough to not rock the boat during the other times. Versus 25 of the NBA teams, Eddie House is fine.

I love PJ Brown, but my big man targets are:  Chris Anderson, Diop, Malik Allen, Jake Voskuhl; Najera would be great but he's undersized.

5)  Celtics:  Do we need both Powe and Big Baby?  It seems to me like if we have one, we don't need the other.  What's your take? 

6)  Lakers:  Who are their tradeable pieces? 

7)  Celtics:  Who are the tradeable pieces on this team?

I love Big Baby --- have always loved guys like Barkley, Brandon Hunter, Corliss Williamson who were more round than tall like me  --- but i do think he and Powe duplicate each other.

More pressing .... i think Big Baby may be way too expensive to resign next summer. If i'm understanding the CBA correctly we can match up to the MLE, which is the most another team can offer, but we'd have to use the MLE to do so. The FA pool is gonna be too rich next summer to do so.  Even an offer of $2.5M would be too much.

I'd love to package Baby + Scal + future 2nd to NJ for Trenton Hassell... he'd be great insurance for Posey or T.Allen leaving or getting injured and could help reduce Pierce and R.Allen's minutes... and he's played with KG so he knows the deal.

  Are there any other teams, east and west, that could threaten either team from meeting again in the Finals next year?  Are there any teams out there that can better these two with just a few minor personell adjustments?

Back to #3.  If this holds true, then this competitive rivalry will continue in the off-season as Danny and Mitch compete for the same players.  The competition for the next championship will start long before the start of the season.  Your thoughts?

The only team East or West that *scares* me is Cleveland.... especially if they add a guy like Michael Redd. Orlando and Toronto and Washington should be better and Detroit should stay good. NO, UTAH, and POR will be good for years in the West (unless Boozer opts out).

But CLE is the only team that i think can threaten us.

IMO, we're in the driver's seat for next year's title!

[Who]

Two chief rivals for the Celtics in the East will be the Cavs and the Magic. Both teams are one or two moves away from having enough talent to truly get into it.

The Cavs need a major move while the Magic need a few mid-level moves to improve their backcourt. Batties recovery from injury will solve a lot of Orlando's problems supporting Dwight in the paint.

It's a wait and see mode .... no idea how serious their threats are until they make those moves. Both teams are going to be very active trying to make deals.

Boston's reaction to their moves isn't important. They've one of the most flexible squads in the NBA because of KG's versatility at power forward, their three 20ppg scorers, their good PG, their bench and quality bigs. They don't need to worry too much about matchups. They only issue is the long backup big in PJ Brown who they will need to replace, but that small vulnerability is exactly that ... a small hole that likely won't decide anything if the main guys do what they're supposed to do.

[cordobes]

1. Resign Thibodeau

2. Resign Posey

3. I'm a big Tony Allen fan and would like to see him return as well.  But that's not as crucial as the first two.

4. Get rid of Scalabrine.  Buy him out if necessary.  Waste of a roster spot.

5. I'd like to see a draft day trade in which the player selected at #30 is moved for a future pick.  Failing that, they should draft a Euro project who can be stashed.

Both Powe and BBD are under contract for next year, so they don't have to decide now.

As for the Lakers, who cares?

1. Definitely.

2. Depends. Offer him a the 5 years early-Bird. 2 years full-MLE I don't know... It's the more important and hard decision that has to be made.

3. I'm not a big Tony Allen fan, but if we're offering Posey the full MLE, than Tony must stay. Otherwise, we should try to improve.

4. What's the point? He's a good minute filler during the regular season. We have plenty of roster spots. His contract will have some value next season.

5. My first option would be trying to draft a proved college winger who's ready enough to give some minutes, at least during the reg. season (CDR, Rush, etc). It's hard to see that happening, so I agree.

6. Powe and BBD - agree (unless we can get someone with a Powe/BBD+Scal, but right now it looks rather improbable).

7. PJ Brown - Let him take care of his charities in Louisiana till January. Then, take him back.

8. Pollard - If he's healthy and wants to play for the minimum, keep him.

[Who]

1. Resign Thibodeau

2. Resign Posey

3. I'm a big Tony Allen fan and would like to see him return as well.  But that's not as crucial as the first two.

Both Powe and BBD are under contract for next year, so they don't have to decide now.

(1) I don't care too much about Tom T. It'd be nice if he stayed because he's a good assistant but it is no way, shape or form important to the team. Houston's defense held up fine after TT, so would Boston's.

(2) Posey is important to the team. He's the team's best bench player and one of the leaders on the squad. Very physical, very good defender, and an excellent shooter. He either needs to be signed or replaced, preferably signed.

(3) Tony depends on the contract (under 3mil yes, no length on the deal). I'd like to keep him and think he has a lot to offer.

[amenhotep04]

Thibodeau is a defensive genius.  He's got to be resigned forever. Definitely resign Posey if possible. Given that Perk does get hurt, and I'm a huge Perk fan, I'd still go ahead and take the 6'11" kid from Cal, or find a way to trade up and get the kid from Rider.

TA? Big question mark.  I think Pruett becomes a presence next year, probably playing 15 to 20 minutes a game.

The others?  Wow.  It will be interesting to watch.

[ManUp]

1.Resign Thibideau (a must if you want to maintain the elite defense)

2.Resign Posey (one of a kind player a true celtic as far as i'm concerned)

3.Replace Sam and P.J.

4.Get rid of the non-contributors. Players like Scal, Pollard, TA, and BBD can be considered replaceable. The free agents will be lining up to replace them.

5.Resign House, although, he can be considered replaceable.