Who is the Backup 3? does anyone else NOT see a glaring weakness??

[kozlodoev]

What makes you think that a 6'5" rookie shooting guard is going to be able to play backup small forward in the NBA?

The simple fact that he is a better option for this right now than Tony Allen, Bill Walker or Brian Scalabrine.

I obviously can't provide a link, because noone is really discussing next season's rotation in the middle of free agent season. But Giddens measured 6'4 barefoot with good standing reach, and is a superior rebounder for his size. Having in mind we're playing Pierce at SF, I don't see how we wouldn't consider Giddens there, who seems to be essentially a Pierce redux.

[cordobes]

yeah, the thing i don't understand is i've been hearing that matt barnes is going to sign with phoenix for 1 year at 1.2 mil...after signing house and allen, we still have more than this available to offer him. i know, he isn't posey, but lets face it, there isn't another posey out there. barnes is younger, and actually appears to have a slightly more versatile game (consistent mid range jumper as well as slashing abilities, a 3 pt range, and good defense). then again, maybe we have talked to him, and he simply doesn't want to have to relocate to the east coast...who knows.

If Barnes was all that, he'd get a better contract than the vet minimum. He's going to make $1.2 million because the CBA makes impossible to pay him less.

Probably the most puzzling thing I found this off-season is the myth surrounding the quality of Matt Barnes. It's even funny. I like him, I appreciate the thoughness and the hustle, but slashing abilities? 3 pt range? defense? Scal is probably better than him at all those things.

[PRIDE]

I think DA plans on addressing this with the final roster spot. He has already said he isn't after anymore bigs. I think we'll go after a legit SF with legit SF size.

I think DA will try to boost the value of some of the younger guys to trade for a vet and make a roster spot for PJ Brown or Zo at the trade deadline.

[libermaniac]

Having in mind we're playing Pierce at SF, I don't see how we wouldn't consider Giddens there, who seems to be essentially a Pierce redux.

Pierce is 6-7, Giddens is 6-4.  Reach or not, he's not a SF.

[Who]

Tony is replacing Posey
Giddens is replacing last year's Tony

Tony may be taking Posey's minutes maybe but he won't replace him..not without growing another 4 inches in height and 8 inches in wingspan. He's listed at 6'4 but you know those numbers are always inflated. We're gonna guard Lebron, or Caron Butler with a 6'4 guy?

Yep it looks like the C's are going to just that. Tony is a tough player, he can handle most of the bigger bodies.

I'd be worried about Orlando the most because Hedo and Rashard can both shoot over the top of Tony comfortably.

I'm not that concerned about Tony on Butler. LeBron ... depends no whether he adds a post move or not ... if not, it's not ideal but it's not an awful matchup either. Guys Tony's size have defended LeBron well, like DeShawn Stevenson.

Celtics definitely got a lot smaller on the perimeter but are there better options out there? Tony can defend the SF better than George and better than Newble. That's the two top unrestricted defensive SFs on the market.

[Chris]

What makes you think that a 6'5" rookie shooting guard is going to be able to play backup small forward in the NBA?

The simple fact that he is a better option for this right now than Tony Allen, Bill Walker or Brian Scalabrine.

I obviously can't provide a link, because noone is really discussing next season's rotation in the middle of free agent season. But Giddens measured 6'4 barefoot with good standing reach, and is a superior rebounder for his size. Having in mind we're playing Pierce at SF, I don't see how we wouldn't consider Giddens there, who seems to be essentially a Pierce redux.

I agree with this.  I think Giddens will be a SF in this league.  He plays much bigger than his height (he has freakishly long arms, and great strength).

I wouldn't be surprised if they bring in one more guy though (my money is on Miles), on a vet minimum deal, just as insurance in case Giddens and Walker are not ready.

BTW, I also think Walker is a legit SF.  He is a big guy, and has a SF's inside-out game.  I think they are going to take him along slower though.

[Jon]

For what it's worth, NBADraft.net has this to say about Giddens in it's player bio: "Is listed at 6'5 but plays bigger because of his long arms and excellent jumping ability."  Maybe he'll have some luck on guarding opposing 3s. 

I still don't like that as "the plan" though. 

[Bankshot]

I think Ainge is still looking for a backup 3 (I was hoping it would be Barnes -- too late ).  No way he's counting on a rookie.

[Chris]

I think Ainge is still looking for a backup 3 (I was hoping it would be Barnes -- too late ).  No way he's counting on a rookie.

Well, if the price isn't right (meaning no one is willing to come in cheap), then I think he is OK with going into the season with a rookie, with the caveat that he can fill the hole during the season if the rookie doesn't step up big time.

[zerophase]

Rondo/House/Pruitt
Allen/Allen/Giddens
Pierce/Walker/Scal
Garnett/Powe/Davis
Perk/O'Bryant

i'd take that roster. i know the 3 spot looks weak but the 1,2, and 4 spots look okay. walker needs playing time. however, if walker were to go down, say with a torn acl, the celtics are in big big trouble.

[kozlodoev]

Pierce is 6-7, Giddens is 6-4.  Reach or not, he's not a SF.

No, not really. With no shoes on, Pierce is likely 6-5 and Giddens is 6-4. Not that much of a difference if you ask me. As already noted, Giddens plays bigger than his size. What worries me though is that Giddens apparently measured at 200 lbs, which is the bigger problem here. Pierce came in the league 230 lbs.

I agree that the team is likely looking for a veteran wing to sign to a 1-year vet minimum deal (it looks like the only viable options left are Quinton Ross, Mo Evans, and Bonzi Wells). If this doesn't work out, though, Giddens remains the best option at SF, since he is slightly bigger than Tony, more skilled than Scal, and readier than Bill Walker.

[zerophase]

Having in mind we're playing Pierce at SF, I don't see how we wouldn't consider Giddens there, who seems to be essentially a Pierce redux.

Pierce is 6-7, Giddens is 6-4.  Reach or not, he's not a SF.

giddens on lebron? i chose not to see that matchup.

[Brendan]

Last year Pierec played 66% of the team's SF minutes and 4% of the teams SG minutes, let's assume they keep him exclusively at SF. That leaves 34% of the team's SF minutes to be played. However Posey only played 19% of the minutes at SF, with the remaining 15% going to Ray Allen (9%), Brian Scalabrine (2%), Tony Allen (1%), and others.

Let's assume Pierce is used exclusively at SF, since they have Tony and House playing bigger roles at the guard spots. That leaves 30% of the SF minutes. Give Tony Allen - Ray's minutes and his own for another 10%. Now you basically have Posey's 20% left. I suspect they will hand these out to Tony Allen and Scal as a platoon. Scal will get a shot at the bigger guys and Tony will take the smaller guys.

Giddens and Walker are likely uncounted on for now. Assume they are signed, they may break in like BBD did, or they may ride the bench and see the NBADL like Pruitt.

[guava_wrench]

Regardless of height, Giddens is a rookie who is considered a reach by most as a first round pick. I don't see how we rely on anything from him coming into the season.

[Cman]

Giddens might not be as tall as Pierce, but Giddens possesses a big wingspan (6'11.25") and a good standing reach (8'8").  This is slightly better than the average SF.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/measurements.php?page=&year=2008&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=2&sort=1

In any case, I think Tony Allen is the backup SF at this point.