O'Bryant / Ainge

[ScoobyDoo]

I, like many others, have my doubts about O'Bryant. I think he has some offensive skills around the hoop but is just mediocre defensively and I have questions about his desire and mental toughness.

However, working with Clifford Ray on Defense and then being put in a 90 foot by 40 foot ring with four Pit Bulls named Garnett, Perkins, Powe and Big Baby may do wonders for his toughness and desire. I think those four guys will either make or break the kid...so to speak. He'll either really excel or just reamin mediocre the rest of his career.

Then I thought about it more. And one thing I can say about Ainge is that he is very good at adding complimentary players. Players with one or perhaps two  certain skills that will benefit the core of the team.

And it dawned on me. Ainge isn't looking for a miracle from O'Bryant. He just wants him to be solid.

But most importantly is O'Bryant does have one skill that this team desperately needs in the lane. That is...a true 6'10" to 7 footer who has good hands and is good around the basket "offensively".   

With all the attention Garnett gets and with the slashing of Pierce, Allen and Rondo...one of our main weaknesses last year was that people really felt they could slack off Perkins defensively and play alot of help D in the lane. Also, often times when Perk would get the ball, he might fumble it a bit or not capitalize.

O'Bryant will defiantely capitalize when these other guys drop it off to him. This wa sa major weakness for us alst year. So this year, if people are really slacking off Perk or he's struggling offensively...enter O'Bryant...

It's his offesne around the rim that Ainge wants most, the rest will be gravy.

It's an inexpensive Eddie House signing at center. 

[cdif911]

It's an inexpensive Eddie House signing at center. 

except house has scored more in a week than O'bryant has scored in a season....

[wdleehi]

Except House had shown to be an NBA player before he signed with the Celtics.

[JR Giddens]

I hope you right about Patrick. I hope so!

[PRIDE]

Training camp is going to be HUGE for POB. If he can survive camp against KG, Perk, Powe and BBD then he should have what it takes to make it in the NBA. If he doesn't then I think we should cut him before the season starts.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

I have faith in Partick O'Bryant becasue:

1) Ainge brought him in.
2) Cliff Ray is working with him
3) He will be a teammate of KG

O'Bryant will be SOLID- mark my words.

[Jeff]

good thoughts, but I also like another element of POB's game, his weakside defense (well, that is reported to be a strength, I'm no scout, I'll just take their words for it)

if the guy can cover ground and rotate well as a help defender, he'll be a nice addition to Tom T's D

if not, he won't see the floor

I'm not too worried about his straight up defending.  Sure, some hulks will be able to post him up and overpower him, but if our D is helping out properly (KG, nuff said) then we can make up for any shortcomings with the team concept

honestly I'm a little more worried about his offense.  I'm sure he's got more touch than Perk, but that's not saying much

[BballTim]

But most importantly is O'Bryant does have one skill that this team desperately needs in the lane. That is...a true 6'10" to 7 footer who has good hands and is good around the basket "offensively".   

With all the attention Garnett gets and with the slashing of Pierce, Allen and Rondo...one of our main weaknesses last year was that people really felt they could slack off Perkins defensively and play alot of help D in the lane. Also, often times when Perk would get the ball, he might fumble it a bit or not capitalize.

  Aside from the fact that we don't desperately need anything, I think that decent defense and some rebounding with a little offense thrown in will be fine for a backup center.

[2short]

A HEALTHY Pollard did a nice job as a backup last year.  Why can't a true center, young fairly athletic with good offensive skills help us?
I feel the same way, the kid is either going to quit or be beaten to a pulp by KG, Perk and our 2 headed pfs.  He'll have more than enough motivation from the rest of the bigs.