what is the updated plan for acquiring a backup for paul pierce ?

[EJPLAYA]

I hate Ainge. He said that we're going to find a backup SF very soon, but since we landed Rasheed, nothing happened. Look at Orlando and look at us. No way we beat them with our current bench.

You have absolutely no idea what Ainge has done or hasn't done since signing Sheed. As much as you'd like to think so, this involves more than just what Ainge wants. It either involves other teams who are trying to screw us, or agents whose job it is to also screw us and get us to overpay for their free agents. When you give some specific documented examples of Ainge sitting on vacation with his cell phone and computer turned off since Sheed signed then you have a beef. Otherwise you are just spouting anger with no foundation.

[vagrantwade]

I hate Ainge. He said that we're going to find a backup SF very soon, but since we landed Rasheed, nothing happened. Look at Orlando and look at us. No way we beat them with our current bench.

Look at Orlando?  I'm a hell of a lot more scared of SA.

I don't think we will have a problem getting past SA to get to the Finals.

[Shoot the J]

I hate Ainge. He said that we're going to find a backup SF very soon, but since we landed Rasheed, nothing happened. Look at Orlando and look at us. No way we beat them with our current bench.

Look at Orlando?  I'm a hell of a lot more scared of SA.

I don't think we will have a problem getting past SA to get to the Finals.

Mostly because that scenario is not possible

[JHTruth]

My guess is we'll pull a trade with Scal/TA to get a Nocioni/Maggette/Posey type guy. That way it's a net salary impact of close to zero. I think the FA market has run its course.

I'm not too worried. SF/SG is the easiest position to fill in the NBA, it really is. Talented bigs are anywhere near as common. Now that Danny landed Sheed, it's just a matter of filling in the blanks..

[vagrantwade]

I hate Ainge. He said that we're going to find a backup SF very soon, but since we landed Rasheed, nothing happened. Look at Orlando and look at us. No way we beat them with our current bench.

Look at Orlando?  I'm a hell of a lot more scared of SA.

I don't think we will have a problem getting past SA to get to the Finals.

Mostly because that scenario is not possible

I'm glad you caught that.

[Aaron]

SF/SG is the easiest position to fill in the NBA, it really is.

Amen, brother.

[BballTim]

I hate Ainge. He said that we're going to find a backup SF very soon, but since we landed Rasheed, nothing happened. Look at Orlando and look at us. No way we beat them with our current bench.

  We'll add more players, but with our current bench we probably could beat Orlando. THe teams were equally matched last year. They traded Hedo and Lee for Bass and Carter, we traded Davis (if he leaves) and Marbury for KG and Sheed.

[Mike-Dub]

I hate Ainge. He said that we're going to find a backup SF very soon, but since we landed Rasheed, nothing happened. Look at Orlando and look at us. No way we beat them with our current bench.

Ainge said during this offseason that we were going to sign players to help our team but those players had to be the right players... He doesn't think any of the left over small forwards are the right players so he's not just gonna sign the best 3 that is left... He is probably going to do a sign and trade with our expirings for a backup 3.

[Shoot the J]

I hate Ainge. He said that we're going to find a backup SF very soon, but since we landed Rasheed, nothing happened. Look at Orlando and look at us. No way we beat them with our current bench.

I don't think Orlando is any better. Losing Hedo is going to hurt them more than Carter and Bass will help them. I know they'll have Nelson back, but trading Alston shouldn't be overlooked either.

[MVP]

We have only the minimum and LLE left to offer free agents. Has any decent free agent signed for that amount yet? I can't think of any. They usually wait throughout July in hopes some team gives them a portion of the MLE and in August when reality sets in, they'll start listening to us. This is what happened to Posey. He wanted the MLE, but eventually settled for 1/2 of that. If we sign a backup wing, it probably wont happen for a few weeks.

There are still some players available. Moon, Barnes, Udoka, Bogans, Wally, Herrman, Thomas, Graham, etc. And I'm sure Ainge is exploring his trade options. There's no rush, the season doesn't even start for a few months.

[ssspence]

SF/SG is the easiest position to fill in the NBA, it really is.

Amen, brother.

yeah sure -- you can find a Tony Allen or Scal or JR Giddens lyion' around anywhere. oh wait, they suck.

[PosImpos]

The truth is things aren't nearly as dire as they seem.  It's only what...July 14th?  

As fans, we just want things to happen NOW because it's the summer and we're bored with the sports coverage that's currently available.

There's still plenty of time for stuff to happen.  All our team needs is serviceable backups at 3 positions (PF or C, PG, and SF) and we will be one of the top 3 teams, easily.

The remaining selection of swingmen isn't great, but we don't need a great backup, just somebody we can rely on for 10-15 minutes a game.  There's still plenty of time left for somebody like that to get signed, not to mention the trade options that might be available.

[huzy]

If our plan is to allow Giddens/Walker to compete for backup small forward minutes, I find it a bit refreshing.  One frustrating result of our top heavy payroll is that each of the last three offseasons we've found ourselves saying "who can we get for the LLE or veteran's minimum?" Ainge's forte has always been finding quality talent in the draft. His track record is solid.

If this time last year someone asked me how I felt about Glen Davis starting 14 playoff games, I would have asked if we were trading him. because there's no chance I would have felt comfortable with BBD as our starting PF  in July last year. Shows how much I knew...

This is a veteran team with a "win now"...actually a "should've won yesterday" mentality. It's understandable that most of us don't trust unproven players to be solid contributors.

However, this is how young player's become the "Matt Barnes's" of the world. Three years ago no one would've sniffed at him, or BBD, or Brandon Bass. Now they're in consideration for multi year deals.  

I personally see a lot of positives in having Giddens/Walker as our backup SF options. This is why JR was drafted in the first round. This is why Ainge bought the pick from Washington to acquire Walker.

Birth by Fire!!!

[jdpapa3]

You know who's not bad: Joey Graham. He's pretty tough and I have seen him knock down the midrange jumper pretty well. I'm trying to to think of vet min type of players here. I don't see players out there worth the LLE that are significantly better than JR or Billy.

[indeedproceed]

You know who's not bad: Joey Graham. He's pretty tough and I have seen him knock down the midrange jumper pretty well. I'm trying to to think of vet min type of players here. I don't see players out there worth the LLE that are significantly better than JR or Billy.

I'd rather have Ime Udoka