Celtics Bench

[BudweiserCeltic]

Raja Bell wouldn't be the answer to ANY of our current bench problems. The only thing he would improve for us would be adding more range... but that's hardly the problem of our bench, nor a problem that can't be solved with our current roster if Doc would simply give more playing time to Pruitt.

Wasting a roster spot on him I would find quite redundant an uncessary, and trading away assets for him would not improve our team.

[Sweet17]

Raja Bell wouldn't defend Lebron any better then TA IMHO. He has a very slight build. We need a 3/4 not a 2/3.

[RebusRankin]

Whats the status of Wilkins?

[amenhotep04]

Okay, I'm really out there on this.  I think a defensive big is ideal, but during the season I would play a second unit with Eddie, TA, and Gabe on the floor at the same time like during the preseason.  They were quick, ran the floor, and put pressure on whomever they played.  I would really emphasize energy in that unit, and with Gabe in there with Eddie, it's doubtful the other team could pressure Eddie and create turnovers.  I think this would help with the second unit scoring, and would also allow them to pressure like crazy for six or seven minutes at a time.

[cordobes]

Whats the status of Wilkins?

Bench player for the Thunder. They have a similar guy in Desmond Mason. Plus Kyle Weaver, who can develop into a solid wing defender. I doubt he's part of their plans for the future, but he has a player option for next season so I doubt a buy out is coming.

[EJPLAYA]

A solid defensive 3/4 would be great, but realistically who can guard Kobe and Lebron?! It just isn't going to happen. The best thing for Lebron is to give him an extra couple steps and make him outshoot you. If he does so be it. Kobe can be outmuscled and so PP does a solid job against him. 95% of the time though when our starters are sitting so are Kobe and Lebron.

IMO opinion the best thing you can do if you can't defend them, is score WITH them. In those couple minutes if we score basically the same as them then it doesn't hurt us. That's why I have called for Bonzi Wells for months. He may not be a great defender, but he can score in a hurry off the bench and keep us level.

[Dybdal]

I think the bench needs an identity/leader, so if anyone is being brought in it should be someone who has the time to establish that leader role.

[cordobes]

Second units, leaders and all that jazz don't matter in the play-offs. What you need is 4 guys that complement the starters - the cohesion among them is unimportant.

EJPLAYA, Wells was of no use to the Hornets last season in the play-offs. He's now playing in China. I think we have Ray, Pierce and Allen to throw at Kobe; I'm more worried with Orlando's and Cleveland's wings.

[EJPLAYA]

Second units, leaders and all that jazz don't matter in the play-offs. What you need is 4 guys that complement the starters - the cohesion among them is unimportant.

EJPLAYA, Wells was of no use to the Hornets last season in the play-offs. He's now playing in China. I think we have Ray, Pierce and Allen to throw at Kobe; I'm more worried with Orlando's and Cleveland's wings.

Wells is an isolation scorer on the block and extremely effective at it. NO had three players in Mo Pete, Pargo, and Bobby Jackson who were shoot first type players. There were only so many shots to go around and they weren't patient enough to get it to Bonzi down in the block. He creates big mismatches for other SG's. Here's who we need to be concerned with that he will be matching up against:

Sash Paclovic on the Cavs
Flip Murray and Mo Evans on the Hawks
Keith Bogans, Courtney Lee, and Reddick on the Magic


With his post skill and wide body he can score on any of them. He may not be the perfect player, but he can definitely put points on the board and create matchup problems. I would have rather had him on the roster than Sam. I do agree that a true backup center is a bigger need though as POB is still a year or so away if at all, and BBD has eaten his way out of the rotation (or losing minutes at least). PJ or Mutombo would be nice. I'd rather have them than Bonzi.