WEEI Reporting Darius Miles to the Celtics

[Celts1485]

The Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent forward Darius Miles to a non-guaranteed contract.

"He's coming to training camp and he's going to try to prove that he can make the team," said Celtics general manager Danny Ainge. "He has come in for a couple of workouts. He'll try to make the team somehow."

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/

[Rondo2Giddens]

I've been reading this board for a while and I just joined so I could comment on this signing. Here is the write up I did for Realgm, I think it kind of sums it all up.

I'm really excited about this signing.

I think Miles might be able to take over some of what Posey gave us, a long athletic defender for three's and quick fours. People say Miles wasn't a good defensive player, but he always got some blocks, and always had the natural ability to play, I don't think it's out of the question to think that Thibs, KG, and our system can get the best out of him defensively.

Also, he has sounded very mature in interviews regarding his comeback. I don't think he is the same young kid who was a cancer, I would like to think (maybe hope) that he has grown up. He said all he wants is to come off the bench for a contender, and he certainly has that opportunity. He said he wants to sign, move to his new city and immediately start working out until training camp, and I'm looking forward to Globe and Herald articles in the near future that report something to that effect.

It was also reported that he and Pierce are good friends. Its also no secret that KG was his idol growing up. Even though he is already 26, I think KG will take him on as a personal project. If Miles can be a productive member of any locker room, let alone team, its this one. He also is going to have every opportunity to succeed on the court.

I think he has a good chance to become our primary back up SF. The only thing I don't like is that it takes min. away from JR, and potentially a spot away from Walker, although I think we should still sign him as insurance. But that is more just a binky thing, if he is productive I'll be happy.

If for nothing else this gives us some interesting lineup options if he is healthy, here are a few I'm looking forward to seeing now that Miles is part of the fold:

Rondo/Ray/Pierce/Miles/KG
Similar to how Posey came in first in most games to spell Perk
Rondo/TA/Giddens/Miles/KG
Potential to be an extremely athletic and great defensive team. Great video game lineup.
Ray/Pierce/Miles/KG/Perk
If we want to go big, Miles has shown that he can be a decent facilitator for his player type.


I echo what almost everyone else said, great low risk high reward signing. If this is a Dahntay Jones or Brandon Wallace type deal, I'm not sure how it can be seen as a negative thing.

[P2]

I was like "YESSSSSS!" when I read this. Miles still has a lot of potential at 26 years of age, and I assume we signed him because he is back to his old self.

[ACF]

I like it.

[celts55]

Since it's a non-guaranteed contract, I don't see any down side to it. If he's healthy and can play, he makes the team, if not he doesn't. Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems like a no brainer to me.

[Andy Jick]

looking forward to seeing him do that thing where he waves the back of his palms against the side of his head.  don't know what that means, but i sure hope i see a lot of it (typically follows a thunderous dunk.)

[acieEarl]

Non-guaranteed contract... this is a very good signing.

This is a no lose situation. If the guy is truly damaged goods they just cut him. Someone else said this already, but there is nothing else left on the free agency market. Miles will be surrounded by vets and he knows this may be his last chance.

[jdpapa3]

1 pierce
2 garnett
3 allen
4 allen
5 rondo
6 perk
7 pruitt
8 house
9 obryant
10 giddens
11 powe
12 davis
13 scal
14 walker
15 miles

Am I missing someone? This doesn't 100% mean that Walker would have to be cut, unless we plan on going with 14 in case of a PJ Brown or Sam Cassell situation arises again.

[zerophase]

yea our roster is completely full now.

[Schupac]

My thoughts on this are simple so I will keep it short:  Darius Miles has definitely not proven himself to NBA fans.

But Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers have.  And he proved himself to them.  So I am 100% behind it.

[acieEarl]

I am less then excited about this signing.  Unless he is going to play, I don't see the point because it means either Walker goes over seas or Pruitt get waived when the Celtics get that vet big man. 



The Posey decision being dragged out so long really hurt the Celtics as the possible replacements signed elsewhere.

I'm not too excited either but I still think its a good signing. Danny brings him into camp and it will not take long to find out if Miles can still play or he's damaged good. If Danny has his doubts he'll just cut him.

I see Walker going overseas either way. Wouldn't get much run on this team. Better off playing over seas.

[GregKite]

I think is a good move. He can be fired at any time. And honestly, if he gets his stuff together there is a ton of upside. And if he starts to act out, KG will him.

I don't mean that rhetorically. I mean KG will actually physically kill him with his bare hands.

I think having KG as the drill sergeant, more than anything, is the reason Danny is willing to take on such a problem child.

[Chris]

I see Walker going overseas either way. Wouldn't get much run on this team. Better off playing over seas.

I am starting to agree with this.  I think the C's would prefer to keep him around, so they can monitor his health better, but unless they are able to pull off a 2 for 1 deal, it makes too much sense to let him play the year in another league, and then let him try to win a job next year.

[Chris]

I think is a good move. He can be fired at any time. And honestly, if he gets his stuff together there is a ton of upside. And if he starts to act out, KG will him.

I don't mean that rhetorically. I mean KG will actually physically kill him with his bare hands.

I think having KG as the drill sergeant, more than anything, is the reason Danny is willing to take on such a problem child.

BTW, I think the "problem child" thing needs to be put in context.  If I am not mistaken, the only real problems he has had has been with smoking Marijuana, correct?  I may be forgetting some things, but I don't think he was ever a bad locker room guy or anything.

[RebusRankin]

I like it. Little risk, high reward. Now send Walker overseas to free up a roster spot for another big.