Hollinger article on the Posey signing

[RonJohn]

I am not a huge fan of Hollinger as sometimes the numbers do not translate into what a player gives on the floor. However saying that, numbers do not lie. BGJ cannot create his own shot and as good as a defender as he was, he isn't ELITE. Don't get me wrong, I would have loved him at 3 years at the MLE, but not four. We need to stay flexible. I would not offer the Full MLE to any RFA as of now. It ties up our cap for seven days.

I think splitting the MLE between Dooling (2 years, 5 mill?) and TA shores up the back court. I would offer Barnes to come in for the LLE.

At some point, the C's are gonna have to pick between Powe and BBD. They are almost the same player. Yes, we can get into Nuances that they are different but they are both undersized PFs that give energy off the bench. Can we package one of them with Scal and get something? Not great value but something to fit? I don't know. I can't see into the crystal ball.

[Brickowski]

Powe and BBD are actually quite different.  BBD has a floor game, Powe doesn't. BBD is also a better post defender than Powe. 

But Powe is better at scoring inside in traffic.  BBD is still learning how to use his bulk to advantage down there, and has trouble finishing.  Powe has those herky-jerky moves and usually gets his shot off.

[sk7326]

Haven't read the article yet... but I heard he thinks Posey won't make the Hornets better?  I cannot see anyway that this is true.

Posey is a perfect backup/complement to Peja.  Peja is not the stingiest of defenders, so if he's having an off night and having trouble holding his man, Posey can come in and bring toughness, defense, and still solid 3 point shooting.  The Hornets also lack the kind of finals experience and glue that Posey brings big time.

The Hornets might not add many more regular season wins,  but Posey makes them a much tougher playoff contender in my opinion.

No.  It's because he will be taking minutes from Julian Wright who is younger, performed very well last year in a similar role, and has much more potential.  Wright could easily pass Posey on the depth chart. 

The Finals experience angle is overrated.  Our Celtics had exactly zero finals experience and did ok.  Hornets lost because their backup big people stink.  Posey could help them, but they were bolstering a strength. 

The Hornets are a finals caliber team because of Paul, the good defense and the good coaching.  The Hornets were a very good defense a year ago.  If Julian Wright took Posey's minutes it would not significantly hurt their case. 

The Celtics need to make sure the backup SF/PG are addressed.  But they are not high value positions.  They should not be spending the full MLE on it.  It's just poor management.  The only MLE deals offered so far are either questionable (Posey) or spectacularly dumb (Diop, Udrih).  Backup PGs are easy to find.  House could be back, but there is a reason that he has not been scooped up.  There is a reason Tyronn Lue had to settle for a minimum level deal with the Bucks.  The position is pretty fungible.

It feels like everybody is indispensible when you win it all.  But as was astutely pointed out elsewhere on the forum, would we feel this way if LeBron found a way to pull out that Game 7?  Or if Detroit did not let a 10 point fourth quarter lead get away?  Absolutely not.

So the bases on which these bench guys become CRUCIAL is a matter of a few games.

[winsomme]

So the bases on which these bench guys become CRUCIAL is a matter of a few games.

yeah, but those few games are the difference between a team being a Champion and just being considered a REALLY good team that almost won it all.

that is not to say that Danny can't bring in someone else to help win those few games next year, but Posey was a known quantity for us and any replacement will be an x-factor that we will just have to wait and see on...

[sk7326]

So the bases on which these bench guys become CRUCIAL is a matter of a few games.

yeah, but those few games are the difference between a team being a Champion and just being considered a REALLY good team that almost won it all.

that is not to say that Danny can't bring in someone else to help win those few games next year, but Posey was a known quantity for us and any replacement will be an x-factor that we will just have to wait and see on...

Yes, but it's all perception.  If LeBron makes a couple of shots, which has nothing to do with Posey or House, suddenly we are just considered a really good team that came up short, and the luster is off of Posey even though he did nothing to deserve that.

Championships raise everybody's market perception.  Posey took advantage.  Good on him.

[MBunge]

and that is also why i would have been willing to have overpaid for Posey....because he filled needs that we have.

I don't think that's true.  Pose's versatility as a defender was very important, but I think the needs demonstrated throughout the season and the playoffs were...

1.  Someone who can handle the ball besides Rondo.

2.  Size.

3.  Athleticism.

4.  Rondo taking and hitting open jump shots.

If Ainge can find a way to address those needs, I think that would more than compensate for losing Pose's contributions.

Mike