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

[kozlodoev]

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.  

Well, Ainge said he thinks that Tony plays better when he's given long rather than spot minutes. So maybe they're thinking of giving the entire 24 minutes available behind Ray and Paul to him. That would be interesting.

[wdleehi]

They need a larger # that can defend.  Even if most the season he doesn't play.




Cleveland gave the Celtics the biggest fits.  Right now on the bench, the Celtics are weak in two spots Cleveland is very strong.


SF - Lebron

C  - Big Z

[Who]

They need a larger # that can defend.  Even if most the season he doesn't play.

Cleveland gave the Celtics the biggest fits.  Right now on the bench, the Celtics are weak in two spots Cleveland is very strong.

SF - Lebron

Wdleehi, is there any small forward attainable free agent that you think can defend LeBron James considerably better than Tony Allen?

I don't see anyone. The two best defensive SFs are likely George and Newble. I'm comfortable with Tony's ability to defend SFs when put against those two guys.

[sns0274]

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.

While this is true, Giddens wingspan is actually longer than PP at almost 7ft. While I agree that covering someone like lebron is probably asking too much of Giddens, those quick small forwards will have a tougher time and PP will have to take on the responsibility of the tougher, bigger 3's like LeBron.At the same time, is there really any reason that Ray Ray can't take some time at the 3?

[wdleehi]

They need a larger # that can defend.  Even if most the season he doesn't play.

Cleveland gave the Celtics the biggest fits.  Right now on the bench, the Celtics are weak in two spots Cleveland is very strong.

SF - Lebron

Wdleehi, is there any small forward attainable free agent that you think can defend LeBron James considerably better than Tony Allen?

I don't see anyone. The two best defensive SFs are likely George and Newble. I'm comfortable with Tony's ability to defend SFs when put against those two guys.

Someone like Kirk Snyder at the Min.  6-6, 225.  Can play physically on the defensive end.  Someone the does not require minutes most the year.  12th man type. 

[Ersatz]

They need a larger # that can defend.  Even if most the season he doesn't play.




Cleveland gave the Celtics the biggest fits.  Right now on the bench, the Celtics are weak in two spots Cleveland is very strong.


SF - Lebron

C  - Big Z

Agree with the SF part of this. To an extent. Posey was very good against LeBron the first two or three games of the semis, but after that he was pretty bad. LeBron got my him at will. Tony might be smaller than Posey, but he's not going to let LeBron speed by him as easily as Posey did.

But still, Pierce is the best option against LeBron, so between rests of LeBron and Pierce, we at most need someone else to guard James for 4 or 5 minutes a game.

[wdleehi]

They need a larger # that can defend.  Even if most the season he doesn't play.




Cleveland gave the Celtics the biggest fits.  Right now on the bench, the Celtics are weak in two spots Cleveland is very strong.


SF - Lebron

C  - Big Z

Agree with the SF part of this. To an extent. Posey was very good against LeBron the first two or three games of the semis, but after that he was pretty bad. LeBron got my him at will. Tony might be smaller than Posey, but he's not going to let LeBron speed by him as easily as Posey did.

But still, Pierce is the best option against LeBron, so between rests of LeBron and Pierce, we at most need someone else to guard James for 4 or 5 minutes a game.

But he did allow Pierce to get a rest.  Lebron didn't go wild on him either. 

But he was a fresh big body to throw at Lebron.

[cordialb]

They need a larger # that can defend.  Even if most the season he doesn't play.




Cleveland gave the Celtics the biggest fits.  Right now on the bench, the Celtics are weak in two spots Cleveland is very strong.


SF - Lebron

C  - Big Z

Tony is a good defensive player, and a few inches wont matter so much, because we defend as a team and not as individuals.  I dont see many people able to guard lebron period, but you can make him uncomfortable and tony can do that.  And when the game is on the line, Pierce will be in.

I really believe danny isnt done, and will let a lot of these questions be answered as players battle in camp.  It will be interesting to see how giddens/walker play.

The only major downside of losing posey is losing his calm presence and clutch shooting at the end of games.  Often times we would end games with posey playing the 4 spot.  I just wonder what lineup we will finish close games with this year.  It puts a lot more pressure on perk to stay out of foul trouble, because he will have to be on the court at the end IMO.  

[kozlodoev]

At the same time, is there really any reason that Ray Ray can't take some time at the 3?

Yes -- he's not strong enough for this type of endeavor. Several minutes as a stop-gap solution, depending on who the opposition field, but that's it.

[Who]

They need a larger # that can defend.  Even if most the season he doesn't play.

Cleveland gave the Celtics the biggest fits.  Right now on the bench, the Celtics are weak in two spots Cleveland is very strong.

SF - Lebron

Wdleehi, is there any small forward attainable free agent that you think can defend LeBron James considerably better than Tony Allen?

I don't see anyone. The two best defensive SFs are likely George and Newble. I'm comfortable with Tony's ability to defend SFs when put against those two guys.

Someone like Kirk Snyder at the Min.  6-6, 225.  Can play physically on the defensive end.  Someone the does not require minutes most the year.  12th man type. 

Okay

But are you really going to put that 12th man in as the primary backup on the wings in a 7 game series against Cleveland and their best player LeBron James?

Because I'm not putting a player like Snyder in that important a position.

[meesho33]

They need a larger # that can defend.  Even if most the season he doesn't play.

Cleveland gave the Celtics the biggest fits.  Right now on the bench, the Celtics are weak in two spots Cleveland is very strong.

SF - Lebron

Wdleehi, is there any small forward attainable free agent that you think can defend LeBron James considerably better than Tony Allen?

I don't see anyone. The two best defensive SFs are likely George and Newble. I'm comfortable with Tony's ability to defend SFs when put against those two guys.

James Posey is a better defender against Lebr......oh wait, that's right - we let him go to NO for "cap flexibility" in 2013.  

[Chris]

They need a larger # that can defend.  Even if most the season he doesn't play.

Cleveland gave the Celtics the biggest fits.  Right now on the bench, the Celtics are weak in two spots Cleveland is very strong.

SF - Lebron

Wdleehi, is there any small forward attainable free agent that you think can defend LeBron James considerably better than Tony Allen?

I don't see anyone. The two best defensive SFs are likely George and Newble. I'm comfortable with Tony's ability to defend SFs when put against those two guys.

If Darius Miles is healthy, then I think he is an option.  He is quick, and long.  In the C's defensive scheme, what they need is someone to stand up on him, and put a hand in his face, and then be able to move just enough to show him to our big men that are cheating up. 

Obviously Miles is a huge risk...but you are talking vet minimum money, he is worth the chance.  And if it doesn't work, throw a couple of the contracts together to go after a better perimeter defender.

[cordobes]

I think that this was already said by someone - who maybe? - but the thoughest matchups for TA at the 3, from my point of view, are not LeBron and the likes. Rather jump-shooting and tall SFs. Guys like Hedo, Peja or Gallinari. 

[clover]

This is interesting.  The Globe has Bartelstein saying the C's are interested in Devean George:

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2008/07/celtics_agree_t.html

[Who]

Obviously Miles is a huge risk...but you are talking vet minimum money, he is worth the chance.  And if it doesn't work, throw a couple of the contracts together to go after a better perimeter defender.

I don't think the risk with Miles is financial. It's how much you're willing to depend on him.

What are we at now? 13 roster spots filled with Giddens, Tony, Eddie, O Bryant, Powe, BBD, Puritt, Scal behind the starters. Two roster spots left and that's not signing Bill Walker.

Roster spot. Missing out on other free agents. Time ... wasting time finding out the answers you need. Possibly being forced into a trade because it doesn't work out. Giving Miles the opportunities he needs to find out those answers, opportunities which could go to Giddens or someone else. Only real veteran presence on the bench is then Eddie House, all the rest of the bench are still trying to find their feet in this league.

I'd like someone more dependable than Miles. I feel like the roster has enough question marks already. If we didn't sign O Bryant I'd be more willing to roll the dice with Miles.

Also, I'm not sold on these workouts. They said the same things about Wagner and many others. It's when the daily grind comes on that their health concerns become visible. A independent doctor said he had a career ending injury just a few short months ago, that's there too much damage to recover from. His health is a huge risk.