If Camp Started Today...

[Vermont Green]

We have 10 players signed and 2 rookies who I am assuming will be signed and that gives us 12 players.  We have 2 PG (RR and Gabe), 2 SG (RA and JR), 2 SF (PP and BW) but then we have 6 "bigs" (KG, Powe, Scal, Perk, POB, and BBD).  The big changes so far are Posey out and Walker in (yikes) but then it isn't so bad (meaning this year as compared to last year going into camp), Pruitt kind of replaces House, JR replaces TA, and Patty replaces Pollard (or PJ).  Making estimates for rookie salaries, overall we are at almost $75M (wow).

I had been thinking another big was the primary need but after looking at it, I don't think we can add another big unless we cut or trade someone.  I know it wouldn't break anyone's heart to cut Scal but I don't see that happening.  I think we have our bigs and it is no worse than last year, maybe even better if Patty stays on the court more than Pollard did.  PJ came late of course but I don't think it is asking so much for POB to give us what Pollard+PJ did.

The biggest hole is probably the back up at SF.  It would be a miracle if Walker stepped up to that this year.  I am not sure we are going to fill all 15 slots and those slots we do fill are probably going to be at or around the minimum which isn't going to buy us much.  They may spend more on one of the slots and I think it is likely that the back-up 3 is where the money will go or maybe more of a versatile 2-3 type player.  It would be nice to do that plus get a 1-2 like Delonte but I really don't think they are going to be able to spend that kind of money.

To be honest, I am sick of worrying about the roster, I hope DA just signs one or two more decent players and gets things started.  Actually, I wish camp did start today and they just went for it with these 12 players.  We have a few holes but so doesn't every team in the league.  The talent pool is very shallow for the 13th, 14th and 15th slots for everyone.

[paintitgreen]

I agree on the bigs thing, I'm starting to think we're going to start with O'Bryant at backup center (which I'm concerned about, but hopeful) and leave a roster space open in case we want to have to add somebody else. I still feel like we're going to sign some type of backup point, even if it is House. On the small forward, I think we're just going to roll with whomever will take a minimum contract; if not, Giddens and Walker will try to fill the role. I wouldn't be surprised by some sort of non-guaranteed move for Miles.

I wish training camp started today, but only because I want to see whether O'Bryant is close to or far from being a capable backup center, same for Pruitt as backup point and Giddens/Walker as backup wings. But Walker's still probably two months away from really working out, and both he and Giddens are unsigned.

(Ahh, my 500th post. I'll take the liberty of welcoming myself to the Ray Allen club.)

[MattG12]

I agree on the bigs thing, I'm starting to think we're going to start with O'Bryant at backup center (which I'm concerned about, but hopeful) and leave a roster space open in case we want to have to add somebody else. I still feel like we're going to sign some type of backup point, even if it is House. On the small forward, I think we're just going to roll with whomever will take a minimum contract; if not, Giddens and Walker will try to fill the role. I wouldn't be surprised by some sort of non-guaranteed move for Miles.

I wish training camp started today, but only because I want to see whether O'Bryant is close to or far from being a capable backup center, same for Pruitt as backup point and Giddens/Walker as backup wings. But Walker's still probably two months away from really working out, and both he and Giddens are unsigned.

(Ahh, my 500th post. I'll take the liberty of welcoming myself to the Ray Allen club.)

And, a tommy point for you to give you an even 80 with your 500th post. I'm with you guys, I wish training camp started today, but only because when training camp starts we are likely to have signed a couple more players. Danny is making me bored by not making any moves, I feel like I'm playing a long game of chess or poker.

[cdif911]

I agree on the bigs thing, I'm starting to think we're going to start with O'Bryant at backup center (which I'm concerned about, but hopeful) and leave a roster space open in case we want to have to add somebody else.

that I'm very concerned about - dude's career high minutes played in a game is 16... partially perhaps because he fouls once every 3 or so minutes - playing behind perk who gets his share of fouls could be a huge problem. We definitely need another big body, teams like Orlando with big guys like Howard are going to eat us up inside and we need more bodies to throw at them. Even if its Lance Allred or another young big who's looking to stick on to a team, its better than looking down the bench after Perk has 3 fouls, O'Bryant has 4 and there's 8 minutes to go in the second quarter and you have no one to go to without getting abused

[dcsceltics]

I think we should sign Tony Allen to fill out the Sf spot.

[libermaniac]

I agree on the bigs thing, I'm starting to think we're going to start with O'Bryant at backup center (which I'm concerned about, but hopeful) and leave a roster space open in case we want to have to add somebody else. I still feel like we're going to sign some type of backup point, even if it is House. On the small forward, I think we're just going to roll with whomever will take a minimum contract; if not, Giddens and Walker will try to fill the role. I wouldn't be surprised by some sort of non-guaranteed move for Miles.

I wish training camp started today, but only because I want to see whether O'Bryant is close to or far from being a capable backup center, same for Pruitt as backup point and Giddens/Walker as backup wings. But Walker's still probably two months away from really working out, and both he and Giddens are unsigned.

(Ahh, my 500th post. I'll take the liberty of welcoming myself to the Ray Allen club.)

And, a tommy point for you to give you an even 80 with your 500th post.

That's a heck of a TP ratio!

[paintitgreen]

And, a tommy point for you to give you an even 80 with your 500th post.

That's a heck of a TP ratio!

Thanks. Sadly, I do in fact pride myself on that ratio, but it's mostly because when I take the time to post, I get pretty long-winded. Throw enough darts and one of them will hit the bullseye.

I bet my word count:post count ratio is absurd.

[paintitgreen]

I agree on the bigs thing, I'm starting to think we're going to start with O'Bryant at backup center (which I'm concerned about, but hopeful) and leave a roster space open in case we want to have to add somebody else.

that I'm very concerned about - dude's career high minutes played in a game is 16... partially perhaps because he fouls once every 3 or so minutes - playing behind perk who gets his share of fouls could be a huge problem. We definitely need another big body, teams like Orlando with big guys like Howard are going to eat us up inside and we need more bodies to throw at them. Even if its Lance Allred or another young big who's looking to stick on to a team, its better than looking down the bench after Perk has 3 fouls, O'Bryant has 4 and there's 8 minutes to go in the second quarter and you have no one to go to without getting abused

I completely agree it's a major cause for concern, but I'm not sure going for another young guy is the solution. I think at this point I'd rather see an old guy, even if it is a Scot Pollard or a Theo Ratliff, more of a known quantity. The injury risk is obviously much greater, but in my opinion, it's more valuable because you already have a young guy whose contributions are extremely uncertain. Kurt Thomas would be pretty ideal, but I have a feeling Ainge won't be looking to open the wallet any more than he already has. And that's what it would take to get a Thomas type.

[Surferdad]

Currently I think it's very possible that Ainge re-signs Cassell and Tony Allen and is done with it.  That puts the roster at 14 (assuming the rookies are signed and Walker doesn't go to Europe) leaving an open spot to sign PJ (pray he comes back again).  Wyc was wiling to go 2 years/MLE for Posey but there's really slim pickins' left out there on the FA market. 

[This is one of the things I like about how the current ownership has operated lately:  They poney up the dough for guys who are truly worthwhile but do not overpay for average NBA players that won't make a substantial difference. (Maybe Scal is the exception there.)  But I digress...]

Anyway, Tony Allen's chances of being re-signed went up significantly when Posey left.  Ainge pretty much said this would happen.  Paraphasing him, he said something like "Posey is our top priority, then we've got Tony and Eddie to try to bring back..."

Sam Cassell will have a full training camp this year and will learn the plays, so we won't see him improvising out there so much.

All the young guys will be better:  Rondo, Perk, Powe, Davis, Pruitt.

Hey this is not such a bad scenario.  At least everyone has played together for a season, including playoffs and that counts for something.

And maybe Ainge still does something at the trade deadline.

[xmuscularghandix]

i know it sounds wierd but im actually kindof excited about POB, i know he apears to be a stiff but "his excuse" actually makes sense, in the warriors system you don't really have room for a strong defensive center with a solid post game, most of their shots go off before 7 seconds have even gone off the shot clock, they're run and gun. he said he never felt like he fit in, cause he didn't, and there has to be a reason why he was picked 9 overall. i think that being in boston with a good group around him will allow him to get his game pack and will be his second chance to become a good center in the league.

then again i could be wrong.

[libermaniac]

Currently I think it's very possible that Ainge re-signs Cassell and Tony Allen and is done with it.  That puts the roster at 14 (assuming the rookies are signed and Walker doesn't go to Europe) leaving an open spot to sign PJ (pray he comes back again).  Wyc was wiling to go 2 years/MLE for Posey but there's really slim pickins' left out there on the FA market. 

[This is one of the things I like about how the current ownership has operated lately:  They poney up the dough for guys who are truly worthwhile but do not overpay for average NBA players that won't make a substantial difference. (Maybe Scal is the exception there.)  But I digress...]

Anyway, Tony Allen's chances of being re-signed went up significantly when Posey left.  Ainge pretty much said this would happen.  Paraphasing him, he said something like "Posey is our top priority, then we've got Tony and Eddie to try to bring back..."

Sam Cassell will have a full training camp this year and will learn the plays, so we won't see him improvising out there so much.

All the young guys will be better:  Rondo, Perk, Powe, Davis, Pruitt.

Hey this is not such a bad scenario.  At least everyone has played together for a season, including playoffs and that counts for something.

And maybe Ainge still does something at the trade deadline.

No House?  Seems like we'd be relying on Pruitt or Giddens too much for 3-point shooting without House.

[cmburrill]

  I believe Perkins had one of highest fouls per 40 minutes in the league 1-2 years ago. If playing behind Perk and KG does not help this kid. Then the OB gamble will not pay off if his signing was to replace Brown. The fact that Pollard was hurt and also prone to picking up fouls, will surley make the OB pick equal(16 mins 6 fouls) as productive as Pollard.

    The Celtics did not see Powe as a wing and he has bulked up considerably since California. He seemed to be quicker and I have seen him go coast to coast without the awkwardness he appears to have now. It is a possibility that we see Powe lose some muscle and then possibly be able to defend the taller wings(rashard lewis) If we run small. The factt that the C's have their starters completley comfortable in their rolls and most of the bench gaing with maturity and hopefully learning from having vets like PJ House, Posey and Sam. Their developement is what I look forward to the most.

    Btw, I just read on espn.com that Lue is "dissapointed" in the C's. Looks like hes not coming....I say, so what.

[Surferdad]

Currently I think it's very possible that Ainge re-signs Cassell and Tony Allen and is done with it.  That puts the roster at 14 (assuming the rookies are signed and Walker doesn't go to Europe) leaving an open spot to sign PJ (pray he comes back again).  Wyc was wiling to go 2 years/MLE for Posey but there's really slim pickins' left out there on the FA market. 

[This is one of the things I like about how the current ownership has operated lately:  They poney up the dough for guys who are truly worthwhile but do not overpay for average NBA players that won't make a substantial difference. (Maybe Scal is the exception there.)  But I digress...]

Anyway, Tony Allen's chances of being re-signed went up significantly when Posey left.  Ainge pretty much said this would happen.  Paraphasing him, he said something like "Posey is our top priority, then we've got Tony and Eddie to try to bring back..."

Sam Cassell will have a full training camp this year and will learn the plays, so we won't see him improvising out there so much.

All the young guys will be better:  Rondo, Perk, Powe, Davis, Pruitt.

Hey this is not such a bad scenario.  At least everyone has played together for a season, including playoffs and that counts for something.

And maybe Ainge still does something at the trade deadline.

No House?  Seems like we'd be relying on Pruitt or Giddens too much for 3-point shooting without House.

That's right no House.  Sorry, but I think it's Sam.  He's willing to play for the minimum and he can hit an occasional 3.  C's will just have to adjust without Eddie.

[cdif911]

 
    Btw, I just read on espn.com that Lue is "dissapointed" in the C's. Looks like hes not coming....I say, so what.

Lue signed with the Bucks

[jdub1660]

The team as-is doesn't look that bad. The only issue is that there is NO room for injury. We were lucky that the Big 3 were able to stay healthy for 90% of the season and all of the playoffs, but you can't bank on that every year. We need reserves for multiple reasons.
A. As said above, the possibility of injuries.
B. The likeliness that our rookies don't grow fast enough.
C. The chance that the rookies don't mesh with our returning Celts.
D. A team with more weapons will spread the floor better for open shots.