I will admit that I don't understand the infactuation with Rasheed on this Board and by Danny/KG. But that said, I don't the Gortat is worth the full MLE.
And another thing, I don't get why we would need Sheed to "spread the floor". The first unit has Pierce and Allen. The second unit will have Eddie and Scal, why exactly do we need our PF/C to spread the floor? I want someone who plays tough defense and rebounds. As I said, I don't think Gortat is the answer but not because he can't spread the floor.
to Cle makes the most sense. They have Shaq and Ilgauskas (spelling?) so they can use 's skills more.
Gortat is a limited offensive player. Sheed has scoring tools that Gortat just doesn't. Sheed is an older player true, but his experience and savvy will be a GOOD thing in the playoffs. I'm not worried about him being too old because he won't be asked to play starter minutes, more like 25-30. Basically he's going to be like PJ Brown but with a better stroke and a 3 point shot.
Now do you really need to ask why the Celtics need the ability to spread the floor? Rondo has many games where he looks lost on offense and can't or just won't take the 15-18 foot open jumpshot. Perkins is strictly a near the basket scorer. When they are sagging off Rondo and doubling on Pierce and/or Allen you need another shooter out there.
And NO, KG should not be playing 40 mpg next season. Not if we want him to last all the way to the playoffs. And when Allen is not hot, and there are definitely days where he isn't, you need someone else to pick up the scoring slack. Sheed can do that, and he can play PF or C. Gortat is strictly a backup C.
Gortat might turn out to be a solid player but there is no reason to get infatuated with him. He's not a better overall player than Rasheed Wallace. And I don't see him as the next Biedriens. The reason that the Rockets are so hot to sign Gortat is that Yao Ming's career could be OVER. It's that simple.