If not Miles, then who?

[jdub1660]

Let's pretend Miles doesn't pan out well for us, and Ainge goes to look for a replacement(Plus too many ppl are hating on Darius which is why I started this thread) Who's left out there that could be better ALL AROUND? And please, try not to be real with your pick and not decide out of hatred towards Miles...The obvious choices are...

Bonzi Wells?  -  Can play D if he feels like it, out of shape too fast, wants too much $$$/head case.huge questionmark
Austin Croshere?  -  UGLY...make that FUGLY shooting mechanic, but has 3 point range and decent D....maybe
Mickael Gelabale?  -  Young talent with some 3 point range plus athleticism...nah we have giddens and bwalker for that
DerMarr Johnson?  -  Can hit a 3 as well, and athletic but little defense...maybe next year
Grant Hill?!  -  He's not injured and hasn't been signed?WHY?? Slasher,D, and now some 3's? I would take him
Ronald Dupree  -  This guy seems to be thrown around the league b/c he's only decent but not good....skip him

After looking at the choice my pick would be Grant Hill or Austin Croshere, but more faith for Grant. The guy is smart on the court, can play D, still can dunk, some how learned to hit 3's in Phoenix, nice mid range game, and finds a way to still put the ball in the hoop...I would take a risk on him now even....your thoughts, sir?

[johnnyrondo]

I think one out of Tony Allen, Walker, or Giddens will step up as the wing off the bench. At first I feared losing Posey, but good championship teams lose role players and someone steps up. Examples of repeating championship teams (this is off the top of my head, so correct me if I'm wrong). Didn't the Lakers lose Ron Harper and Glen Rice between championships? The Bulls lost Brian Williams between their 5th and 6th titles and he was really good off the bench for them. The Pistons lost their starting pf Mahorn after their first title. The fact that we were able to retain our starting five, and House, T. Allen, and Powe is encouraging. One of the Giddens, Tony, Walker trio will step up. Wouldn't be surprised if it's Giddens. He's a little bit older for a rookie and the past two years rookie guards have had a big impact in the Eastern conference playoffs (Stuckey last yr and Boobie in '07)

[P2]

Grant Hill has re-signed with the Suns.

[Cman]

I think one out of Tony Allen, Walker, or Giddens will step up as the wing off the bench.

Ditto.  I don't expect Miles to be around come regular season, but I have pretty high hopes for Tony Allen this year and either Walker or Giddens next year.

[Who]

I don't think the team needs to sign another wing.

I think Giddens and Walker can contribute enough to be the second wing behind Tony.

[celticmaestro]

Gelabale is out until Feb-March, Hill is with the Suns, Croshere is done, Johnson and Dupree aren't very good. That just leaves Bonzi as a viable option. I think if Miles doesn't make the cut then we need another back-up SF, Scal wont cut it and neither will either of the rookies.

[Section301]

It's funny... because he didn't make much of an impact during the playoffs, I forget sometimes how successful TA was during the season at filling holes when needed. He never really shone, per se, but he did what was needed to keep things moving toward the victory.   Yes, there was the unfortunate foul on Billups in Boston-Detroit I, but beyond that he was a solid defensively and non-toxic offensively.    The points that stick out most in my mind are the win in LA when he started at PG for Rondo, the win in Houston when he started for Ray Allen, and the night before that when he started for Ray against San Antonio.  All big games on big stages.  He didn't take over, or even stand out, but he started against good teams and played good basketball.  He's not Posey, and will bring something different than Posey did.  But as a wing player of the bench, I think he is capable of doing what is really needed: play tough defense, keep mistakes to a minimum, and be enough of an offensive threat to keep your man honest. 

I think it's worth keeping in mind that if our agreed upon goal is another championship, then the goal of the regular season is to prepare for the playoffs by meshing the pieces and winning enough games to get a good playoff position.  Even if the loss of Posey costs the C's 10 regular season wins (and I'm not sure it does.  They'll win fewer games probably, but more because Doc won't ride the starters as hard out of the gate as he did last year), I still think that a 56 win Celtics team gets decent playoff seeding.  So that means they have the better part of the season to work out the first wing off the bench issue, even if that means eventually having to bring someoen else in.   

[gar]

It's funny... because he didn't make much of an impact during the playoffs, I forget sometimes how successful TA was during the season at filling holes when needed. He never really shone, per se, but he did what was needed to keep things moving toward the victory.   Yes, there was the unfortunate foul on Billups in Boston-Detroit I, but beyond that he was a solid defensively and non-toxic offensively.    The points that stick out most in my mind are the win in LA when he started at PG for Rondo, the win in Houston when he started for Ray Allen, and the night before that when he started for Ray against San Antonio.  All big games on big stages.  He didn't take over, or even stand out, but he started against good teams and played good basketball.  He's not Posey, and will bring something different than Posey did.  But as a wing player of the bench, I think he is capable of doing what is really needed: play tough defense, keep mistakes to a minimum, and be enough of an offensive threat to keep your man honest. 

I think it's worth keeping in mind that if our agreed upon goal is another championship, then the goal of the regular season is to prepare for the playoffs by meshing the pieces and winning enough games to get a good playoff position.  Even if the loss of Posey costs the C's 10 regular season wins (and I'm not sure it does.  They'll win fewer games probably, but more because Doc won't ride the starters as hard out of the gate as he did last year), I still think that a 56 win Celtics team gets decent playoff seeding.  So that means they have the better part of the season to work out the first wing off the bench issue, even if that means eventually having to bring someoen else in.   

Agree with Tony's value at the 1/2 slot. But is a stretch to say that because be could replace Rondo or RAllen, therefore he can be an effective replacement for Posey. In the recent workout video, Pierce is noticeably taller than Giddens and Walker. How are you going to go up against the LeBrons, Durants, and RLewis types without some height at that position. Paul can do it; but he is undersized, how do you expect these Rookies or post injury TAllen to get it done?

I love the small ball potential of putting four 6'4"-6'6" slashers on the floor and being able to kick out to Pierce or RAllen, but am uneasy about possible matchup issues during the course of the game.

TAllen PG, RAllen SG, JRGiddens SF, PPierce PF KG/POB center

[wdleehi]

I think the Celtics will give the rookies a chance to earn that 2nd swing off the bench spot.



If they fail, expect to see more Scali unless the C makes a trade.

[ben]

Am I the only one who thought Matt Barnes would have been a perfect fit?!  I was so upset when I heard Pheonix picked him up.  He was one of the best players on the GSW team that upset the Mavs in the first round of the playoffs.  He can play 3 and 4 (even 5 for the run and gun warriors).  And he is tough, and scary to look at.  Would have been a perfect posey replacement.


So if not Barnes, or Miles, i guess I'd go with Bonzi

[jdub1660]

Am I the only one who thought Matt Barnes would have been a perfect fit?!  I was so upset when I heard Pheonix picked him up.  He was one of the best players on the GSW team that upset the Mavs in the first round of the playoffs.  He can play 3 and 4 (even 5 for the run and gun warriors).  And he is tough, and scary to look at.  Would have been a perfect posey replacement.


So if not Barnes, or Miles, i guess I'd go with Bonzi

No...you're not the only one that was disappointed about Barnes not being signed here. I ranted for Barnes for at least 2 weeks, but ppl here had "sources" saying that he wanted too much money...yet he signed in Phoenix for the veteran minimum...? Yeah, "too much money". Bonzi has skills, but Miles should be staying...
By the way, I'm surprised nobody chose Austin Croshere. He's a shadow of his old self, but he's a true veteran and can shoot and play D. I dunno, I guess having undefined rookies picking up important roles scares me.

[billysan]

I think the Celtics will give the rookies a chance to earn that 2nd swing off the bench spot.

They will certainly make a trade if they find themselves 'short' on the wing. While I love Tony Allen, I think he is way undersized for the SF position regardless of any athleticism arguments. Scalabrine is not the long term answer either, although the job will be his to lose if the rookies dont pan out after TA.

Let's just hope the Celtics dont play Paul excess mpg to cover this deficiency if it does become an issue.

[wdleehi]

Am I the only one who thought Matt Barnes would have been a perfect fit?!  I was so upset when I heard Pheonix picked him up.  He was one of the best players on the GSW team that upset the Mavs in the first round of the playoffs.  He can play 3 and 4 (even 5 for the run and gun warriors).  And he is tough, and scary to look at.  Would have been a perfect posey replacement.


So if not Barnes, or Miles, i guess I'd go with Bonzi

No...you're not the only one that was disappointed about Barnes not being signed here. I ranted for Barnes for at least 2 weeks, but ppl here had "sources" saying that he wanted too much money...yet he signed in Phoenix for the veteran minimum...? Yeah, "too much money". Bonzi has skills, but Miles should be staying...
By the way, I'm surprised nobody chose Austin Croshere. He's a shadow of his old self, but he's a true veteran and can shoot and play D. I dunno, I guess having undefined rookies picking up important roles scares me.

No.


Celtics already have a Barnes with better defense, Scali.  Take him out of Nellie ball, he goes back to the no name player he was before. 

[ssspence]

per Jeff's post about camp invites Q Ross is a guy who should be mentioned here. we need to replace a guy who could defend the 2 and 3 and hot a three pointer. Ross may not have the chops of Posey, but you can bet he'd be a welcome addition to this team as the 14th or 15th man, far more so than the gentlemen listed in the poll here...

[ssspence]

per Jeff's post about camp invites Q Ross is a guy who should be mentioned here. we need to replace a guy who could defend the 2 and 3 and hot a three pointer. Ross may not have the chops of Posey, but you can bet he'd be a welcome addition to this team as the 14th or 15th man, far more so than the gentlemen listed in the poll here...

excuse the typo... 'hit' not 'hot'. shot 43% from 3 last year (granted in limited total shots).