Joe Smith would be a marked improvement over "No Outside Shooting Small Ball" - but I don't know that he fills the massive void at the 5. Perhaps PJ can be coaxed out of retirement.
Doesn't solve the lack of outside shooting and defense on the bench mess, though.
Ya know, I have come to respect your basketball knowledge - you are usually right on. I gotta say this though, if we win the title this year, I am totally calling you out for your repeated beating of the dead horse that is James Posey.
I for one think there are some holes on the bench (namely backup center) but I am certainly not ready to write off our title chances because of them. As for defense and shooting off the bench I still think that House and Allen will provide what is needed there. Both are above average defenders (TA being a great defender) and as for the outside shooting, we have Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Eddie House -- 3 of the best 3pt shooters in the L. When it counts, 2 out of 3 will be in the game.
Losing James Posey did not drive the stake into our teams heart. And I hope you admit you were wrong about him when we raise banner 18, given your repeated condemnation of the team for letting him walk. The backup C situation is different, I will agree with you that that does need to be addressed.
Yeah, I know. Danny's a genius. Blah, blah, blah.
I have said consistently that this team needs someone to stretch defenses and actually lock down a big scorer for a few minutes at a time. Despite the misinformation people love to post on this board, Posey brought those qualities to this team last year and we don't have them this year. The claim that Tony Allen has filled Posey's void is too laughable to warrant further discussion.
I've also wearied of the revisionist history that attempts to downplay Posey's substantial contribution to the championship last year. It's getting old reading that Posey couldn't defend, couldn't shoot, etc. None of that is true.
However, I have also consistently said that the mistake - and I will not waver from that statement; Ainge made a mistake not resigning Posey, one of several this summer - is done. Now, we must focus on replacing his skills, as listed above. A center, while a nice addition, does none of that.
I have also said consistently that this team will not win a title - or the Eastern Conference - with this sad excuse for a bench, put together by Ainge during the Dumpster Diving Summer of 2008.
A legitimate backup 5, instead of the failed O'Blount experiment, is a start. But it may not be enough to keep up with Cleveland, let alone Los Angeles.
Interesting. Never once have I read anywhere, from anyone, that Posey couldn't shoot or defend. And the fact that he is a daily topic of discussion only re-certifies how large his contribution was last year. No one is debating that, certainly not myself.
I would have loved to have him back, but the reality is that we just couldn't afford him. The crucial thing he brought last year was championship experience. Now we have a roster full of championship experience.
And you can flame me all you like for this next comment, but I will stand by it. Brian Scalabrine has the EXACT same skill set as Posey. Veteran player who defends the 4/3 and can hit the open 3. Just like Pose, don't expect him to drive the ball and don't expect a 10 rebound night out of him.
My point is that one bench wing player will not break this teams back. The team defense is better, and we have 3 of the best 3pt shooters in the league.
As for Paddy O, you will get no arguement there out of me. In fact I have given you credit for calling that one early on.
Backup Center is BY FAR this teams biggest hole. The wing situation just isn't as big a deal as you claim, imho.
While I might not necessarily use the construction of the term "skill set" as you do D Dub, would you agree that even under your premise, the skill levels are vastly different?
-sw
What Steve said is exactly what I was thinking. D Dub is correct that Posey and Scal are in theory out there to do the same things. Posey is just way better at every facet of the game. I'm not sure if D Dub was implying that Posey and Scal are interchangeable, but it seemed that way. If that's what he was saying, then he needs to reevaluate that stance, to put it lightly.
I never said Scal could be our primary 6th man like Posey was last year.
Here is the deal, barring some trade we will be able to add ONE player (and consiquently cut one guaranteed contract, which is a big deal to ownership).
With our current bench, it is easy to fill the role of spot up shooter/solid defender with different rotations that include TA, Scal, and House. Despite what the sheep say, Scal
is a solid bench player - if you watch the games and think for yourself you will agree.
Coach Bo seems pretty willing to spend Wyc's money, which is easy when its not your checkbook. I on the other hand, live in reality where owning an NBA team is a business and you can't just sign everyone you want. We should all consider ourselves lucky that Wyc is even willing to pay luxery tax on our Big 3...
If you had the choice to add ONE player to the roster, which is the reality of the situation, what position would it be?
The opinion that I am attempting to express is that our backup wing situation significantly more stable than our backup Center situation.