Why the Celtics could conceivably be a better overall team this year

[mhbhaecceity09]

I'm with those who think that bringing in increased athleticism off the bench will make us more competitive.  Further, the bench will not only come in as a unit but will be called upon to provide an answer or change of pace in the face of a difficult match-up.  If Ray Ray is getting killed by a super athletic, attacking, or tireless two, TA, Miles, and hopefully Giddens will be there to spell him.  Likewise, Darius and Walker may give us flexibility off the bench against big threes and perhaps even some weaker 4s or even 5s (think Dirk, Camby, Aldridge, or Okur).  In summary, we have two guys off the bench that can create mismatches and shots for themselves and others, TA and Miles (allowing that they are questionable), a great pure shooter, House, a steady old hand, Cassell, a hard-nosed low post 4, Powe, and a potentially productive shot-blocking and rebounding 5 who is a true 7 footer, O'Bryant. That isn't bad for an achilles heel.

Just a word on Posey: economically, Danny did the right thing.  He won't be worth the MLE for 4 years.  By the end of the season, it became apparent that his best role was a smallish 4 who could spread the floor.  While he may be able to do that for a few more years, if that's all he can do, he's not worth playing over Leon in two years, forget paying him 6 million.  While the ability to defend LBJ may not be the best barometer of continued defensive prowess, the fact remains that James' eyes lit up every time he saw Pose during that series.  He went to the basket without fail and scored, was fouled, or found the open man constantly.  Pose was brought in to match up with guys like that and give Pierce a rest, but given his performance in the playoffs, age, and Pierce's success in filling the defensive stopper role, there's little reason to keep Pose around for more than another year or two.

[wdleehi]

Our major weakness last year was against young athleticism, which is why we struggled vs. ATL in the play-offs. One would think we are clearly going to be more athletic this season. So in that sense, I see an improvement.  I think the hardest thing to replace will be Posey's clutch 3 point shooting. The guy was just incredible when he counted.  Don't think we have been able to address that with our athleticism.

Boston went to 7 games against Atlanta not because of how Atlanta played, but because Boston played no defense on the road.  If Boston played Atlanta at the same level it played later in the playoffs, they would have swept Atlanta with ease. 



This team needs more sure things on the bench.  They have not replaced Posey or PJ with a player that is a known quantity in the NBA.  (or what is known about them is not good) 

The bench right now is House, Powe, Cassell and sometimes TA (because he is just so inconsistent)  Davis is close to joining them. 


The rest, no one knows. 

[billysan]

I do not agree with the 'athleticism was needed' comments for this years Celtics, but I dont think adding it hurts one bit. I hated to lose James Posey, but if we have to run a little more with the second unit due to a shortage of 3pt shooting, that will not hurt. Eddie House and Paul or Ray will be available for that open jumper trailing the play.

As long as everyone is on board, an attacking style is good for us. It certainly will suit Rondo's game better than a half court set with ball rotation to the open shooter and pick and roll.

Just my opinion, but I have always felt that changing the tempo of a basketball game was an effective way to play. A team that is versatile and doesnt rely on a single style is very likely to win more if they can execute well in multiple looks. Execution is the name of the game, the more stuff the other team has to look for the more difficult time they have dealing with it. That's why our big three were so effective. It was a pick your poison type deal.

Our major weakness last year was against young athleticism, which is why we struggled vs. ATL in the play-offs. One would think we are clearly going to be more athletic this season. So in that sense, I see an improvement.  I think the hardest thing to replace will be Posey's clutch 3 point shooting. The guy was just incredible when he counted.  Don't think we have been able to address that with our athleticism.

Boston went to 7 games against Atlanta not because of how Atlanta played, but because Boston played no defense on the road.  If Boston played Atlanta at the same level it played later in the playoffs, they would have swept Atlanta with ease.  



This team needs more sure things on the bench.  They have not replaced Posey or PJ with a player that is a known quantity in the NBA.  (or what is known about them is not good) 

The bench right now is House, Powe, Cassell and sometimes TA (because he is just so inconsistent)  Davis is close to joining them. 


The rest, no one knows. 

While I agree with 90% of your assessment, I have to give some credit to Josh Smith and Al Horford. They are two difference makers when on the floor IMO. Another year for Johnson, with Bibby and a healthy Pachulia will put the Hawks right back in the playoffs. 

[greg683x]

While I agree with 90% of your assessment, I have to give some credit to Josh Smith and Al Horford. They are two difference makers when on the floor IMO. Another year for Johnson, with Bibby and a healthy Pachulia will put the Hawks right back in the playoffs. 

Trust me, Im not trying to take anything away from Atlanta, they played well, and showed they were an up and comer.  Im sure the other guys argueing the same point as me will agree too.  However, I think the main issue with that series against Atlanta was that this team had to learn how to win together, on the road, in the playoffs, in a loud hostile evironment like playing in Atlanta was in that series.

I'll say it again, Im not trying to take anything away from Atlanta here, but its not like the games in Boston were anywhere near being close.  All the games in Boston in that series were 20 pt blowouts.  You could clearly tell the problem wasnt necessarily the team but it was playing away from home court in the playoffs.

[TitleMaster]

PJ Brown showed later in the year, just in time for the playoffs.

Likewise, there'll be late year signs up to address guarding swingmen a/o big guys. By not having a Posey for the first half of the season, it'll give others time to step up to the challenge.

[TerreHaute]

I agrees 100% with two things said on here about Posey. We will struggle to find even a group of players who defend with the effectiveness and versatility he gave us. We also will stuggle to find someone who will hit the clutch three as well. That shot will be there for someone in crunch time as long as we have Pierce and Allen on the wings. Team will not leave them to help, so that leaves one other player open. Who will that be and how consistently will they hit the open shot remains to be seen.

These two things will be major roles for us to fill, especially come playoff time.

This is not to say that the team can't find a way, but it will have to.

[billysan]

I agrees 100% with two things said on here about Posey. We will struggle to find even a group of players who defend with the effectiveness and versatility he gave us. We also will stuggle to find someone who will hit the clutch three as well. That shot will be there for someone in crunch time as long as we have Pierce and Allen on the wings. Team will not leave them to help, so that leaves one other player open. Who will that be and how consistently will they hit the open shot remains to be seen.

These two things will be major roles for us to fill, especially come playoff time.

This is not to say that the team can't find a way, but it will have to.

According to Danny, it could be Scalabrine.

I agree that we need a clutch shooter off the bench to go with Eddie House. So far the only candidate is Cassell.

[TitleMaster]

...it would actually be nice to have the Walter McCarty that we had like 4 years ago back to play.  I think he'd work out great.

Tommy would love it.

[Finkelskyhook]

I don't know if it was financial considerations.  But we sure had enough youth to look at to field a summer league team.  Especially if they could have gotten Erden to come over to play.

We'd have a lot better idea of how the athletism and young legs might cancel out the experience then.

[CoachBo]

I agrees 100% with two things said on here about Posey. We will struggle to find even a group of players who defend with the effectiveness and versatility he gave us. We also will stuggle to find someone who will hit the clutch three as well. That shot will be there for someone in crunch time as long as we have Pierce and Allen on the wings. Team will not leave them to help, so that leaves one other player open. Who will that be and how consistently will they hit the open shot remains to be seen.

These two things will be major roles for us to fill, especially come playoff time.

This is not to say that the team can't find a way, but it will have to.

No question. Excellent post. Those on this board who've disparaged a VERY significant contribution to the title that Posey made will see - soon - how much he's going to be missed.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I agrees 100% with two things said on here about Posey. We will struggle to find even a group of players who defend with the effectiveness and versatility he gave us. We also will stuggle to find someone who will hit the clutch three as well. That shot will be there for someone in crunch time as long as we have Pierce and Allen on the wings. Team will not leave them to help, so that leaves one other player open. Who will that be and how consistently will they hit the open shot remains to be seen.

These two things will be major roles for us to fill, especially come playoff time.

This is not to say that the team can't find a way, but it will have to.

No question. Excellent post. Those on this board who've disparaged a VERY significant contribution to the title that Posey made will see - soon - how much he's going to be missed.

For every poster that "disparages" Posey's contributions, there's one that exagerates/overstates his contributions.

Guess we'll see - soon - one way or the other.

[Sweet17]

The real problem for the C's will be the improvement of their oppostion - not the loss of Posey. I am a heck of alot more scared about the Lakers having a healthy athletic 7 footer in Bynum then I am worried about losing a 3 point shooting tweener who plays some crafty D.

I agree with Tony Allen. I think he is as good as Posey. They not the same player mind you but at this stage in their respective careers a healthy TA > Posey. TA is a ball hawk and an animal on defense. TA slashes to the hoop with the best players in the NBA. And he can stick some jumpers too boot.

But the C's really might have a heck of alot more to worry about with Bynum, Odom, Gasol on the front line of the Lakers.. The BBIQ downgrade of PJBrown to POB might really hurt us as well.

The Posey people have it all set to "prove" their point. But really we might have lost with Posey with the improvement of the Lakers and the replacement of PJBrown with POB.

Pete

[wdleehi]

The real problem for the C's will be the improvement of their oppostion - not the loss of Posey. I am a heck of alot more scared about the Lakers having a healthy athletic 7 footer in Bynum then I am worried about losing a 3 point shooting tweener who plays some crafty D.

I agree with Tony Allen. I think he is as good as Posey. They not the same player mind you but at this stage in their respective careers a healthy TA > Posey. TA is a ball hawk and an animal on defense. TA slashes to the hoop with the best players in the NBA. And he can stick some jumpers too boot.

But the C's really might have a heck of alot more to worry about with Bynum, Odom, Gasol on the front line of the Lakers.. The BBIQ downgrade of PJBrown to POB might really hurt us as well.

The Posey people have it all set to "prove" their point. But really we might have lost with Posey with the improvement of the Lakers and the replacement of PJBrown with POB.

Pete

You are kidding right? 


What has TA done in his NBA career to be considered close to being as good as Posey?  What big pressure shot?  What show of leadership? 


Plus, Posey was very consistent.  TA is anything but.


Posey plays very smart most of the time.  TA plays like a bonehead in half his games. 


And on offense, what is need more with the starting players, a slasher or a outside shooter that has hit big shots?  Sure, a slasher will create more exciting plays, ESPN highlights.  An outside shooter will help a team win more.





And the lack of a legitimate backup C (instead using short backup PFs) is also a big concern when facing teams with big Cs in the playoffs.  Sure, KG can guard them, but it will wear on him and that can cause a negative effect on his play towards the end of games (especially games late in the series) 

[wdleehi]

But I still think the team we see out there now will not be the team we see come playoff time.  I expect Ainge to make a couple of moves during the season to put together a more playoff ready and tested bench. 

[Roy Hobbs]

What has TA done in his NBA career to be considered close to being as good as Posey? 

Well, Tony does do *some* things better than Posey.  For instance:

Turnovers per 36 minutes:  Tony 2.9, Posey 1.3
Personal fouls per 36 minutes: Tony 4.4, Posey 3.6

Sure, Posey is a much more efficient scorer, an equal or better defender, and a better rebounder.  Still, Tony's penchant for doing things that hurt the team puts him over the top.