What about Wally?

[snively]

I saw that Jeff listed him on our been there, done that list, but I've been thinking that Wally Szczerbiak shouldn't be dismissed so quickly

There are of course issues: his rocky relationship with KG, his history of coming up small in the playoffs, his maligned defensive ability, his struggles with coming off the bench, and the possibility that he's over the hill, especially after looking so ineffective against the Magic.

There are also many positives: his still impressive 3pt %, the mesh of his skill-set with the starters, his familiarity with and past success in Doc's offense, his acceptable age (31) and relatively low mileage, his general competency and his position.  I also think is defense is solid as long as he's guarding 3's.  And after Marbury's signing, I  think KG's more than capable of putting bad blood in his past.

I believe his price will be fairly low (I think even below James Posey's was when he signed him, since he's so farther removed from the spotlight).  If we strike out on some of our more ambitious FA goals, and we could get him at the LLE or even a 2 year, 7 million dollar contract, I would do it.  Would you?

[PosImpos]

I don't dislike Wally but I don't think he's really what we need.  We already have Eddie off the bench to shoot 3's for us, and I don't think Wally is the kind of backup swingman with size and defensive capabilities that we need.

We need to look for a Mickael Pietrus type guy.

[snively]

I don't dislike Wally but I don't think he's really what we need.  We already have Eddie off the bench to shoot 3's for us, and I don't think Wally is the kind of backup swingman with size and defensive capabilities that we need.

We need to look for a Mickael Pietrus type guy.

I'd like someone with more length and athleticism too, but I disagree that we already have enough shooting options off the bench.  We had no reliable shooting off the bench for the 2-5 postions, unless you count Scal, and I certainly don't want to count on Scal for consistent production.  And House, despite his accuracy, created a lot of problems with his defensive liabilities and inability to thrive at the 1.

I think Wally's defensive capabilities are solid enough to make him a legitimate option for defending 3's for short stints, while his shooting will allow him to play with the starters without creating huge match-up problems or taking away from anyone else's game (as playing cold-shooting Marbury, diminutive House, short and inefficient Davis, brick-laying TA usually did).

[PosImpos]

I agree we could use some more shooting but that shooting has to come with athleticism, defense, and ideally some kind of mismatch factor (Posey's size gave us that).  Wally just has the shooting and maybe some okay defense at times.  But to be successful in the playoffs we need a guy who can come off the bench, provide scoring, hit clutch shots, and defend opposing stars like Wade, LeBron, and Kobe.

[johnnyrondo]

We have a hard enough time getting quicker spot up shooters like Ray and Eddie open against teams like Orlando in the playoffs. Pass on Wally. I can't believe Cleveland even played him in the playoffs.

[kenmaine]

Yes, by all means let's get Wally back.
 And then we can add Motumbo, Ratliff, Joe Smith, McDeyss, Jason Kidd, Reggie Miller(after all, you can shoot even if you're 50, right?), and don't forget Antoine- he isn't that old.
 
And for a young guy with "potential" lets bring in Darko.

Sorry, feeling sarcastic this morning!

[CoachCowens]

We have a hard enough time getting quicker spot up shooters like Ray and Eddie open against teams like Orlando in the playoffs. Pass on Wally. I can't believe Cleveland even played him in the playoffs.

I can't believe it either. I would have given Wally's minutes to Pavlovic.

[celticinorlando]

wally is horrid...2 ariballs and he can't guard a chair..pass

[Roy Hobbs]

Wally is pretty washed up.  He'd help the team stretch the floor, but that's about it.  There should be other options.

[cornbreadsmart]

i actually like wally. but i'd prefer we did'nt have any players who are defensive liabilities. he's a quality player but i think we could do better.

[ToppersBsktball10]

No thanks. He's a drama queen. He has definitly lost it. Can't play D. And KG punched him out in Minnesota.

[trueceltic]

he airballed a 16 footer last night. Nuff said

[Thruthelookingglass]

i actually like wally. but i'd prefer we did'nt have any players who are defensive liabilities. he's a quality player but i think we could do better.

That's the way I feel about Wally too and I think he still plays hard.  Still it pains me to watch him struggle to defend. 

He's probably OK during the season, but when the competition and the quality of the competition ramps up, his lack of quickness becomes a more painful liability.

[the_Bird]

We have a hard enough time getting quicker spot up shooters like Ray and Eddie open against teams like Orlando in the playoffs. Pass on Wally. I can't believe Cleveland even played him in the playoffs.

Forget playing him in the playoffs - I can't believe they didn't trade him at the deadline.  Cleveland wagered that it was better to get the group together rather than use one of the most sought-after expiring contracts to get LeBron some more help.

[cdif911]

he looks more like a statue at Madame Tussauds on defense than even Paddy O'Bryant

he can still shoot if open, but thats about it - I say no