Marc Spears latest thoughts

[SSFan V]

I think we are all going to miss Marc's insights, here's what he's says today in the Globe:

“Yes, definitely I think we’re a better team now,’’ Ainge said yesterday.

Ainge’s excitement is also due in part to the confidence he has that free agent forward Glen Davis will be back.

Davis showed his value by doing a solid job filling in during Garnett’s absence during the regular season and particularly the playoffs. Davis averaged 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds as a starter in the postseason and knocked down a game-winning buzzer beating jumper against Orlando in Game 4. Davis, 23, is working out in Houston and said he has been losing weight doing martial arts and pushing his shooting stroke to 3-point range. Big Baby also will take part in USA Basketball’s minicamp next week in Las Vegas.

“We like him and want him back,’’ Ainge said about Davis. “We’re trying to get Glen back. We’re planning on having Glen back.’’

The problem for Boston is other teams are also interested.

Detroit, Utah, Cleveland, Charlotte, Dallas, and New Orleans also covet Big Baby. The Pistons recently dealt two players to Denver to clear salary cap space and are trying to make another medium deal to gain more money to sign Davis to an offer sheet, according to an NBA source. Detroit and New Orleans might have to work out a sign and trade to make such a deal for Davis happen.

So how much should Davis be paid? One NBA team liked Davis more than newly signed Magic free agent forward Brandon Bass, who received a four-year, $18 million deal. Utah restricted free agent forward Paul Millsap, who is regarded slightly higher than Davis, signed a four-year, $32 million offer sheet with Portland that could be matched. Don’t be surprised if Davis signs an offer sheet that will challenge Boston, which is over the luxury tax and recently signed Wallace to a three-year, $18 million deal.

I honestly feel the interest in the BBD by Boston is posturing by Ainge to get a sign and trade done to bring in a legit 2/3 back up and that the Celts are hoping Powe is healthy by mid season.

Even if a new small forward is not brought in, Boston has two young players in J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker who have the talent to fill the void. Ainge said guard Tony Allen, who could play some small forward, should be recovered from ankle surgery in August.

Ainge still hasn’t decided whether to exercise Gabe Pruitt’s $825,497 Aug. 1 option for next season, but he liked how the guard played in the Orlando Pro Summer League. It’s also uncertain whether Boston will sign second-round pick Lester Hudson for the season or ask him to go overseas. But Ainge said it’s possible both could be on the roster for the upcoming season. While the Celtics have had regular discussions with other teams, Ainge said nothing is imminent on the trade front.

Maybe Pruitt, maybe.  Other than that, I can't see any of the players mentioned playing a key role in the upcoming season.  Low cost back of the bench players, sure but a key role no way.

[celtsrp33]

I'm not so sure that a backup 3 is as much of a concern as some people make it out to be.  Couldn't Ray, Sheed and TA all play "some" minutes at the backup 3?  Ray could spend some time at the 3 when Eddie is at the 2 and there is a quicker guy at 3 on the opposing team.  Sheed could play 3 when Perk and KG are on the floor and there's a bigger guy at the 3 opposing him....they would be HUGE!  Tony could be OK with 10 mins or so.  What do you guys think? 

I am thinking a backup PG is more important to our success at this time. 

[celticinorlando]

i agree about the guys he mentioned...giddens, walker and tony are not going to be the solution at wing. thing is when boston needs to sit perk and KG...if baby walks they have no legit back up for KG. sure sheed gives flexability but they still need a LEGIT back up wing and what they have now is not good enough..they need to resign baby, add a wing and add a point. if that is by trading deadweight then so be it. but i cant see pruitt being on this team after Aug 1

[SSFan V]

i agree about the guys he mentioned...giddens, walker and tony are not going to be the solution at wing. thing is when boston needs to sit perk and KG...if baby walks they have no legit back up for KG. sure sheed gives flexability but they still need a LEGIT back up wing and what they have now is not good enough..they need to resign baby, add a wing and add a point. if that is by trading deadweight then so be it. but i cant see pruitt being on this team after Aug 1

could almost be a poll question:

what's more important?
Signing Davis as a back up
Sign & Trade Davis for back up 2/3
Sign & Trade Davis for back up 1

Then use 1.9 and D-League guys to fill in the other hole

[celticinorlando]

my biggest fear is this come the season that this is our roster

rondo
ray
PP
KG
Perk
Sheed
eddie
tony
walker
giddens
scal
swift
pruitt

if that is our bench...boston is in trouble

[ssspence]

I'm not so sure that a backup 3 is as much of a concern as some people make it out to be.  Couldn't Ray, Sheed and TA all play "some" minutes at the backup 3?  Ray could spend some time at the 3 when Eddie is at the 2 and there is a quicker guy at 3 on the opposing team.  Sheed could play 3 when Perk and KG are on the floor and there's a bigger guy at the 3 opposing him....they would be HUGE!  Tony could be OK with 10 mins or so.  What do you guys think? 

I am thinking a backup PG is more important to our success at this time. 

couldn't disagree more. Ray is the starting 2, and the oldest player on the team. He needs his own back-up, not to become a back-up himself. TA has not been able to stay on the floor, or hit the rim when he does. Rasheed Wallace is not now nor has he ever been a 3 -- he's a 5 who can play the 4.

The Celtics need a player who can absorb some minutes from both Ray and Paul off the bench. A guy who can defend and hit an open shot without wild drives to the basket and a turnover problem ala TA or Giddens.

I'm not removing the importance of back-up PG, but I do feel that Pruitt's defense is underrated especially considering his size, and I like his upside more than most here. There are also other low cost options who will be available like Ivey and Douby. The priority right now should be someone who can fill Posey's role, or at least 50% of it.

I could see the s&t ideas i've thrown out with NOH for Wright and Posey or Peterson as possibilities, then add a guy like Diogu or Powe as a back-up 4. But short of that the Cs need to get a Q Ross-type -- Bogans, Udoka, Barnes, etc -- into the fold first and foremost.

[SSFan V]

my biggest fear is this come the season that this is our roster

rondo
ray
PP
KG
Perk
Sheed
eddie
tony
walker
giddens
scal
swift
pruitt

pick two of 3 not crossed off for the back end.  Trade TA & Scal's contracts (perhaps w/ BBD) Add two more players with BBD's spot (maybe him) and the 1.9, but leave enough for Powe.

[wdleehi]

Ainge will address the backup SG/SF before the offseason is done.

He has talked about the different waives in FA.  Maybe, the swingmen he is interested isn't in the price range of the current range.


And as for Davis' 4th big man spot, it will be filled.  Either by Davis or another player that will be fine in a 10 minute a game role.

[Prof. Clutch]

I'm not so sure that a backup 3 is as much of a concern as some people make it out to be.  Couldn't Ray, Sheed and TA all play "some" minutes at the backup 3?  Ray could spend some time at the 3 when Eddie is at the 2 and there is a quicker guy at 3 on the opposing team.  Sheed could play 3 when Perk and KG are on the floor and there's a bigger guy at the 3 opposing him....they would be HUGE!  Tony could be OK with 10 mins or so.  What do you guys think? 

I am thinking a backup PG is more important to our success at this time. 

couldn't disagree more. Ray is the starting 2, and the oldest player on the team. He needs his own back-up, not to become a back-up himself. TA has not been able to stay on the floor, or hit the rim when he does. Rasheed Wallace is not now nor has he ever been a 3 -- he's a 5 who can play the 4.

The Celtics need a player who can absorb some minutes from both Ray and Paul off the bench. A guy who can defend and hit an open shot without wild drives to the basket and a turnover problem ala TA or Giddens.

I'm not removing the importance of back-up PG, but I do feel that Pruitt's defense is underrated especially considering his size, and I like his upside more than most here. There are also other low cost options who will be available like Ivey and Douby. The priority right now should be someone who can fill Posey's role, or at least 50% of it.

I could see the s&t ideas i've thrown out with NOH for Wright and Posey or Peterson as possibilities, then add a guy like Diogu or Powe as a back-up 4. But short of that the Cs need to get a Q Ross-type -- Bogans, Udoka, Barnes, etc -- into the fold first and foremost.

I couldn't agree more with the bolded points above or said it any better.  You capture how I feel exactly.  TP.

[celticinorlando]

i prefer

rondo
ray
PP
Perk
KG
Sheed
eddie
baby
signed wing
scal
signed PG
giddens
Signed cheap big

adios tony. gabe and walker

[celticinorlando]

Ainge will address the backup SG/SF before the offseason is done.

He has talked about the different waives in FA.  Maybe, the swingmen he is interested isn't in the price range of the current range.


And as for Davis' 4th big man spot, it will be filled.  Either by Davis or another player that will be fine in a 10 minute a game role.

i thought that last year when posey and pj left. i expected those two spots to be addressed during the summer but they never were. danny's solution was tony resigned to play the wing and POB...he can't afford to do that again this summer...standing pat with what they have right now won't get it. i hope you are right that he is going to be eventually proactive..just seems they aren't right now

[wdleehi]

Ainge will address the backup SG/SF before the offseason is done.

He has talked about the different waives in FA.  Maybe, the swingmen he is interested isn't in the price range of the current range.


And as for Davis' 4th big man spot, it will be filled.  Either by Davis or another player that will be fine in a 10 minute a game role.

i thought that last year when posey and pj left. i expect those two spots to be addressed during the summer but they never were. danny's solution was tony resigned to play the wing and POB...he can't afford to do that again this summer...standing pat with what they have right now won't get it. i hope you are right that he is going to be eventually proactive..just seems they aren't right now

But last year, there wasn't all the talk from the GM, Coach and Owner about the need for a better bench.  (including the talk about the need for a backup for Pierce)

[celticinorlando]

dont get me wrong..i think the sheed signing was fantastic as well as eddie coming back. those 2 guys will produce. i think baby is the best PF left out there because he is thick. provides a different aspect that our big don't have...KG and sheed are long..but baby would complement them with his girth...

i just want the wing to be addressed by an outside guy coming in..carney, bogans, udoka, someone that has proven they can play defense in a system and can contribute the moment they step on the court. i like scal as a utility guy. i guess you keep either giddens or walker..

i just don't want danny waiting until late summer to invite the celtics summer league team to camp and then try to find a replacement for baby and the wing out of that roster.

[ssspence]

Ainge will address the backup SG/SF before the offseason is done.

He has talked about the different waives in FA.  Maybe, the swingmen he is interested isn't in the price range of the current range.


And as for Davis' 4th big man spot, it will be filled.  Either by Davis or another player that will be fine in a 10 minute a game role.

i thought that last year when posey and pj left. i expect those two spots to be addressed during the summer but they never were. danny's solution was tony resigned to play the wing and POB...he can't afford to do that again this summer...standing pat with what they have right now won't get it. i hope you are right that he is going to be eventually proactive..just seems they aren't right now

But last year, there wasn't all the talk from the GM, Coach and Owner about the need for a better bench.  (including the talk about the need for a backup for Pierce)

maybe you're right, and maybe we're all just bored. but i'd suuuuure feel better if we'd just go ahead and sign a guy on the cheap -- either Bogans or Udoka.

[celticinorlando]

Ainge will address the backup SG/SF before the offseason is done.

He has talked about the different waives in FA.  Maybe, the swingmen he is interested isn't in the price range of the current range.


And as for Davis' 4th big man spot, it will be filled.  Either by Davis or another player that will be fine in a 10 minute a game role.

i thought that last year when posey and pj left. i expect those two spots to be addressed during the summer but they never were. danny's solution was tony resigned to play the wing and POB...he can't afford to do that again this summer...standing pat with what they have right now won't get it. i hope you are right that he is going to be eventually proactive..just seems they aren't right now

But last year, there wasn't all the talk from the GM, Coach and Owner about the need for a better bench.  (including the talk about the need for a backup for Pierce)

maybe you're right, and maybe we're all just bored. but i'd suuuuure feel better if we'd just go ahead and sign a guy on the cheap -- either Bogans or Udoka.

my thoughts exactly...get someone in ASAP