How big was the POB pickup?

[amenhotep04]

I am loving POB right now.  He reminds me of a more finesse oriented Camby (what can I say, I'm a Umass alum!)...

But what I was/am dying to see... is a lineup with POB at Center and KG at the 4.... that would be beastly.  I like Perk and all.. but I like POB versatility.  Perk showed some promise last season with his upped blocks and boards...but I just really like this kid.

Nah.  Even if POB keeps playing at a high level (let's keep our expectations in check), you really want someone with Perk's bulk out there next to KG.  It's nice to have a legit 7-footer out there, but I can't see him having that same physicality of Perk. 

Gotta figure that POB will at least give us more production than Pollard.  I'd still expect to see some BBD and Powe in the middle against some teams. 

I missed the beginning of the game against Cleveland; was Big Z playing?  How did POB match up against him?  That's the one big man in the East who makes me the most nervous, just because he's so much bigger than either Powe or BBD.  I'm curious to see POB against Yao tonight, too. 

EDIT: Just read the box score.  Big Z, 5-5 from the field?  Ugh.  5 rebounds for POB in 27 minutes isn't that impressive either (that's a very Blounty rebounding rate).  Not the end of the world for the kid, but let's keep our expectations in check; if he can play 15 effective minutes backing up Perk, that's a win for Danny.

Besides, this is the year for Perk to really step his game up another notch.  We need him to be someone we can count on for 32-35 consistent minutes.  No more of this 25 MPG crap; you're a starter, you should be able to stay on the court for starter's minutes.

You can't go by the amount of rebounds versus the amount of minutes he played.  He was doing a lot of the intangibles last night that don't show up on a stat sheet. Blount never did that.

Even though POB started a little slow last night, what was impressive to me is how he almost always appears to be in control. 

He didn't deserve to be the 9th pick two years ago, but if he was a senior coming out of college right now, he'd be a steal for us.  He doesn't have to do much as long as the big three stay healthy. So this will give him the time to get comfortable with the team, and hopefully develop as a player.

I said this during the summer, but the kid has all the tools, the only thing that will hold him back is himself.  If he puts out the effort night in, and night out, he'll have a long career in this league.

Frankly, what impresses me most of what Danny has done, is that we have a lot of young guys on this team again that have a lot of upside.  I think he's set this team up to be very good for the next 10 years.

[arctic 3.0]

yup.

we now have two young centers who should fill there roles nicely and two solid young power forwards developing behind the TICKET.

by the time KG's contract is up some of these pieces should make nice trading chips and maybe, just maybe one or two of them will have developed enough to anchor the middle in the post KG era.

(i've had a dream where perk and paddy o' team up in a vicious charles oakley/ tyson chandler defensive tandem of beastliness)

[BrickJames]

How big was the POB pickup?  I'll let you know in April..

[Mr October]

POB's been good, but be careful with the hype. Remember Mr. October, Acie Earl? 

A shiver ran up my spine. At least POB doesn't look like he is ready to trip over his own feet at will.

I hope POB is the real deal once the real games start.

[Reyquila]

How big was the POB pickup? I believe he is listed at 7'0 and around 245 lbs.
 

[kozlodoev]

Several observations about POB:

First, his mobility is adequate, but not superior.  I don't know whether this has been a lack of effort of physical limitation, but he needs to hustle even more.

Second, we still have to see how he will handle being the primary backup. He needs to be able to be all-out, all the time in order to help us. He's taken some possessions off, which is unacceptable.

Overall, the guy is definitely better than advertised. I am quietly optimistic about this signing working out, but it's up to POB to put in the necessary effort.

[cdif911]

It looks like the Center position will actually be an upgrade from last year,

no, I'd take PJ Brown over POB any day of the week

[Birdbrain]

Well seeing as how at this time last year PJ wasn't actually on the squad I'm comparing him to Pollard.  We can compare the Center position with PJ or without him after the all star break. Of course just like Posey, PJs contribution is completely blown out of proportion. The dude made 1 big shot and played solid defense. 

Of course I still believe PJs coming back later this year as well. So then we can all be happy.

[Tenacious D]

Big.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/columnists/vecsey.htm

[Greenback]

Just like some of our financial institutions:  "Too big to fail."

[fan33]

Big.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/columnists/vecsey.htm

Peter Vecsey is SUCH a HOMER   

Oh and a TP for the link, Tenacious D   

[POBstuntin]

Probably on par with the Kg trade...

[Surferdad]

Well seeing as how at this time last year PJ wasn't actually on the squad I'm comparing him to Pollard.  We can compare the Center position with PJ or without him after the all star break. Of course just like Posey, PJs contribution is completely blown out of proportion. The dude made 1 big shot and played solid defense. 

Of course I still believe PJs coming back later this year as well. So then we can all be happy.

Yes.  The correct comparison for POB is indeed Pollard, and in that respect POB is better mainly because he's not injured.  I am also hopeful that PJ returns but he may not be needed if POB can do the job.  In that case, Ainge has the luxury of picking up a veteran for a different position, depending on what it seems the team needs come mid-season.  For example, it's just possible that a need will be for a wing shooter, since Eddie House is basically the only pure shooter off the bench.  Anyone currently trust Rondo, TAllen, Scal, Walker, or Pruitt can be relied upon to make a big shot when Pierce and Ray are on the bench?  I didn't think so.

[billysan]

For the salary he is getting, he is a bah-gain. He will surpass Pollard in productivity this season. If he just puts up 'Blountish' numbers, he is a steal at this price. Hopefully, the "play hard all the time" mantra will sink in, he could then quite possibly become a fan favorite.

I think as long as we dont expect too much of him, he will be ok. He clearly has an opportunity here to prove himself and is on the right track to doing just that. If the effort isnt there, he will sit in a suit and someone else will get his 15+ minutes every night.

Being on the 2nd unit will soon mean that he will get schooled by Perk in practice with some 'physicality'. That should be interesting, I am not sure how he will react to that.

[boscel33]

Big.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/columnists/vecsey.htm

I like this better, (from Boston.com, http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/10/13/obryant_swatting_any_misconceptions/)

A 7-foot center leaves a Bay Area team to join the Celtics after being called either lazy or unmotivated. That is what happened in 1980, when the Celtics acquired Robert Parish from the Warriors, and again this year as Patrick O'Bryant joined the Celtics as a free agent.