Ainge on Weei this morning 7/22

[Chris]

*if the playoffs started today, he'd like to improve the center position

that's my favorite part

some options if Kurt Thomas doesn't sign here include Alonzo and PJ Brown - both of whom we'd have to wait several months before bringing in

I agree that this was the best part.  I think for the most part, he said what I expected...but I was pleasantly surprised that he was honest about that.  I mean, I was confident he saw the hole there...but this tells me that he is much more motivated to fill it.

[nickagneta]

With the roster "set" and Giddens not expected to have a large role(read: NBDL) and Danny saying the one area he would like to improve being the center position, does this signify that the end to small ball for long, extended portions of every game?

I used to defend Doc saying that he basically had no choice because until we picked up P J Brown, he had small personel, his best bench player was a wing who could defend some at the 4 and his bigs were not great FT shooters.

With Posey gone, Giddens playing a small role, and no Posey, I can see Tony, Ray and Paul rotating at the wings, KG and Powe at the 4, Perk and Baby and POB at the five and Rondo and Eddie at the point. I understand that with Baby playing the center position the team might not be big but I don't see them as playing "small ball" if that makes any sense.

If the above scenario is what they are going to do until further help comes, that is a team that is going to win a boatload of regular season games. Probably the most in the league. But I'd feel a lot better with a larger back C and a scoring wing that can play some defense come playoff time.

Of course, maybe we should get through the season first.

[Jeff]

the thing is, you can get away with a little "small ball" when your small forward is 7 feet tall and can guard Yao Ming

it isn't ideal, but it can get you by for a few minutes a game

[nickagneta]

the thing is, you can get away with a little "small ball" when your small forward is 7 feet tall and can guard Yao Ming

it isn't ideal, but it can get you by for a few minutes a game

Oh, I agree and the results weren't always as bad as many made it out to be. But Doc got reliant on it and teams figured out he would and a comeback run always seemed to occur during the small ball time in the game through the last 2/3 of the season.

If Baby can come back 20-25 lbs lighter yet just as strong or stronger and have some more vertical, I think he can be a very effective center and if he plays mostly with KG, I think the team will basically avoid small ball this year.

[libermaniac]

Well, it sounds like the offseason is done, except for the formality of signing Giddens (and then Walker probably during camp).  I guess I'll talk to you guys in Oct! 

[Jeff]

Well, it sounds like the offseason is done, except for the formality of signing Giddens (and then Walker probably during camp).  I guess I'll talk to you guys in Oct! 

noooo! don't go!  quick, someone make up an outlandish trade rumor!

[Cman]

No surprises here.  Ainge is more or less done (to do list includes signing the rookies).  He will wait and see if someone shakes out of the FA market by training camp.  Main position of need to fill is Center.

Here is my list of possibilities: Thomas, Skinner, Elson, (PJ Brown, Zo)

[Redz]

Well, it sounds like the offseason is done, except for the formality of signing Giddens (and then Walker probably during camp).  I guess I'll talk to you guys in Oct! 

noooo! don't go!  quick, someone make up an outlandish trade rumor!

I can't believe Danny made no mention of his double secret plan to bring back every Celtic from the 06-07 season (except subbing in Twoine for Big Al)

[Eeyore III]

TA as the primary wing back-up makes me ill.     What's the over/under on TA turnovers per 40?  I'd say 6.  Let's hope Giddens proves DA wrong. 

[action781]

With the roster "set" and Giddens not expected to have a large role(read: NBDL) and Danny saying the one area he would like to improve being the center position, does this signify that the end to small ball for long, extended portions of every game?

I used to defend Doc saying that he basically had no choice because until we picked up P J Brown, he had small personel, his best bench player was a wing who could defend some at the 4 and his bigs were not great FT shooters.

With Posey gone, Giddens playing a small role, and no Posey, I can see Tony, Ray and Paul rotating at the wings, KG and Powe at the 4, Perk and Baby and POB at the five and Rondo and Eddie at the point. I understand that with Baby playing the center position the team might not be big but I don't see them as playing "small ball" if that makes any sense.

If the above scenario is what they are going to do until further help comes, that is a team that is going to win a boatload of regular season games. Probably the most in the league. But I'd feel a lot better with a larger back C and a scoring wing that can play some defense come playoff time.

Of course, maybe we should get through the season first.

I could see us going with Rondo, Eddie, Ray, PP, and KG in some situations. A guy who can almost get into the lane at will, 3 incredible shooters, and kg will be a nice offensive matchup against relatively small lineups with a pg who cant stay with rondo.

[kozlodoev]

TA as the primary wing back-up makes me ill.     What's the over/under on TA turnovers per 40?  I'd say 6.  Let's hope Giddens proves DA wrong. 

And this ridiculous 'assessment' is based on what exactly? His worst TO per 40 up to now has been about 4, and the typical value is around 3.

[TripleOT]

TA as the primary wing back-up makes me ill.     What's the over/under on TA turnovers per 40?  I'd say 6.  Let's hope Giddens proves DA wrong. 

Lifetime TA averages 2.7 TO per 36 minutes, and 1.9 steals, for a net of -.8 possessions per game.  Pierce averages 3.0 TOs per 36 minutes and 1.6 steals per game for a net of -1.4 possessions per game.  Turnovers happen. 

It is extremely frustrating to watch TA come up with boneheaded turnovers, and he needs to cut them down, but it isn't the end of the would if he turns the ball over next year at his career average of once every 11 minutes, especially if he gets the ball back almost as much at the other end.

Another important stat for TA besides TOs is points per shot.  If TA shoots a high percentage like he did two seasons ago (51.4%, and gets to the line a lot again like that year (a FT every 6 minutes), he will help  the Cs second unit a lot.  TA and Powe (FT every 4.2 minutes, actually better than PP's excellent FT per 4.7 min) should be able to draw fouls, which helps the second unit stop runs, and gets more time for the starters to rest.   

[Evantime34]

TA as the primary wing back-up makes me ill.     What's the over/under on TA turnovers per 40?  I'd say 6.  Let's hope Giddens proves DA wrong. 

It scares me a little bit, not because of TA's play when he is healthy. What concerns me is what will happen if he gets injured. That why I think we need another good wing player like D-Miles.

Also I thought it was interesting that he said Giddens would probably not have a big role (nbdl) but he said Walker could have been a top 20 pick healthy, does anyone think this might indicate that Walker might see more time than Giddens.

[libermaniac]

Well, it sounds like the offseason is done, except for the formality of signing Giddens (and then Walker probably during camp).  I guess I'll talk to you guys in Oct! 

noooo! don't go!  quick, someone make up an outlandish trade rumor!

You know what, Jeff.  I say that, but reality is, I'm hooked!  Perhaps one of these days I won't visit Celticsblog first thing when I wake up and every 5-10 minutes at work, but, I am officially hooked.

[nickagneta]

TA as the primary wing back-up makes me ill.     What's the over/under on TA turnovers per 40?  I'd say 6.  Let's hope Giddens proves DA wrong. 

And this ridiculous 'assessment' is based on what exactly? His worst TO per 40 up to now has been about 4, and the typical value is around 3.

Maybe it's just an exaggeration of his poor ball handling skills because as your stats show, Tony turns the ball over 33% more than the average NBA player.

That's not good for a guy who plays a position where sometimes a lot of dribbling is needed.