What's the word our wing backup for next season?

[celticinorlando]

i can only recall one good game by tony allen...the night he played point guard vs the lakers when rondo couldnt go two years in LA..i do think tony is a better defender than anything else. he defends pretty well

[BudweiserCeltic]

With all that said, even though I like Tony, I'm ready to move from him. Initially the reason I wanted to sign him was because I saw some trade value in him, especially in a short deal. 2.5 million for two years was a pretty good deal for us. And I was sure that he was going to play better than the year before, which he did.

But, I would really like for Giddens to win the backup SF role, and be given the opportunity to contribute. If he fails, or is found to be inadequate with some good playing time, I'd be the first to admit that I was wrong about him. But I really think that his skills (defense, rebounding, passing) would be very good/solid contribution for us. I only wish someone would get him to work on those corner 3s and on those free-throws.

But hey, if some SF comes along that is a significant upgrade over Giddens-Walker-TA, go for it. Otherwise, I'm quite content with those three getting the job. If the SF we get is not a significant upgrade, I'd rather get as many big guys as we can and add to our PG depth.

[CoachBo]

Its funny, but if neither Giddens nor Walker played for us, isnt there a possibility that us bloggers would be striving in here trying to get Ainge to try to get both or one of the two to play for us? Remember the saying: The pasture always looks greener on the other side of the fence. right?!

Unlikely. Are we pining for other teams' second round picks who have done nothing in the NBA? If anything, we would be laughing at trade proposals of other teams where they want to send them to us.

The pasture doesn't look greener on the other side. People are good at rationalizing to feel content.

Co-sign. Reminds me of the 24-win days.

[Bankshot]

I preffer Giddens over Walker.

I think they'll be fighing for the role in training camp. We'll see who wins, I don't think any of us really have enough information to make a good judgment between the two.

In my opinion Giddens is a better defender, rebounder, passer, and distributor. He also protects the ball a bit better, and doesn't seem to foul as much as Walker. Those things alone should put him over Walker in my opinion.

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that Danny loves Giddens.  Also Tommy Heinson (saw him on Sports Tonight) said that he loves Giddens' game.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I preffer Giddens over Walker.

I think they'll be fighing for the role in training camp. We'll see who wins, I don't think any of us really have enough information to make a good judgment between the two.

In my opinion Giddens is a better defender, rebounder, passer, and distributor. He also protects the ball a bit better, and doesn't seem to foul as much as Walker. Those things alone should put him over Walker in my opinion.

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that Danny loves Giddens.  Also Tommy Heinson (saw him on Sports Tonight) said that he loves Giddens' game.

Tommy loves everyone wearing green lol.

[cornbreadsmart]

how many more times are we gonna try the tony allen experiment. that dude needs OUT of boston. he's a complete headcase here. maybe a change of scenery will help him.
  in the plaoffs when tony allen came in i was saying "please don't foul him shooting a 3." "please don't foul him shooting a 3." did'nt you just feel he was gonna do that AGAIN?
  i don't believe for a second that aingge is relying on walker or giddens. maybe they get some run and we pick up our backup at the trade deadline?

[Atzar]

When did Walker fall out of favor so abruptly?  Admittedly, I was away for a few weeks... so did I miss something? 

[BudweiserCeltic]

When did Walker fall out of favor so abruptly?  Admittedly, I was away for a few weeks... so did I miss something? 

No clue, but I've always been a Giddens guy.

[Spilling Green Dye]

I preffer Giddens over Walker.

Me too.  From the little I've seen he just seems like a smarter player.  While I like some things about Walker, every interview I've seen with him he thinks he's already a star in the league.  I want gritty players who have an above average bball IQ... and as a result I love the 'Sheed pickup.

[mgent]

I preffer Giddens over Walker.

I think they'll be fighing for the role in training camp. We'll see who wins, I don't think any of us really have enough information to make a good judgment between the two.

In my opinion Giddens is a better defender, rebounder, passer, and distributor. He also protects the ball a bit better, and doesn't seem to foul as much as Walker. Those things alone should put him over Walker in my opinion.

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that Danny loves Giddens.  Also Tommy Heinson (saw him on Sports Tonight) said that he loves Giddens' game.

I recall Tommy talking about how much he loves Giddens in several games (which he didn't even play in).  If Tommy thinks he's okay then we gotta listen.

[BrickJames]

Giddens will be out of the league soon.  He's not our answer.

[Atzar]

When did Walker fall out of favor so abruptly?  Admittedly, I was away for a few weeks... so did I miss something? 

No clue, but I've always been a Giddens guy.

Fair enough.  I'm just kind of surprised by the attitude regarding Walker now.  At the start to the summer, everybody seemed to be in agreement that Walker could work hard this summer and probably take the backup SF job at some point next season.  Now, the sentiment seems to have shifted to "he's not the answer, dump him".  A bit harsh, especially given that he's 21 years old.  

I preffer Giddens over Walker.

Me too.  From the little I've seen he just seems like a smarter player.  While I like some things about Walker, every interview I've seen with him he thinks he's already a star in the league.  I want gritty players who have an above average bball IQ... and as a result I love the 'Sheed pickup.

Really?  I thought the biggest complaint about Giddens was that he didn't look like an intelligent player.  Also, I took Walker's attitude to be a good thing - it seemed like the theme was that he thought he could be a star if he busted his butt.  I like that attitude.

For the record, I'm neutral - I don't prefer either over the other.  I'm just curious about the apparent reversal of opinion on him.

[snively]

I preffer Giddens over Walker.

Me too.  From the little I've seen he just seems like a smarter player.  While I like some things about Walker, every interview I've seen with him he thinks he's already a star in the league.  I want gritty players who have an above average bball IQ... and as a result I love the 'Sheed pickup.

I think Doc likes Walker quite a bit better.  Billy got in 29 games, with spot minutes in contested games, while Giddens barely got about 7 minutes of garbage time all year.  Walker's complimentary offensive skillset seems stronger, while Giddens complimentary defensive skillset seems better.  

Hopefully one of them will make an incremental leap.

[celticinorlando]

meh...don't really like either but think giddens is more of a complete player than billy will every be. i also expect if boston can get a legit wing he will make the team and billy will be gone

[BballTim]

Its funny, but if neither Giddens nor Walker played for us, isnt there a possibility that us bloggers would be striving in here trying to get Ainge to try to get both or one of the two to play for us? Remember the saying: The pasture always looks greener on the other side of the fence. right?!

Unlikely. Are we pining for other teams' second round picks who have done nothing in the NBA? If anything, we would be laughing at trade proposals of other teams where they want to send them to us.

The pasture doesn't look greener on the other side. People are good at rationalizing to feel content.

  The pasture is greener as often as not. Did you know that Quinton Ross would have been a key contributor in the playoffs last year? That we probably would have won the title with the birdman? That we could solve our big man problem last year with Robert Horry? That we wouldn't have been looking for a big in February if we had Brian Skinner? When we traded for Ray and KG many teams had big 3s that were as good or better than ours. Teams like Orlando (Howard/Lewis/Hedo), Phoenix (Amare, Marion and Nash) and of course NJ (Kidd, Carter and Jefferson). Speaking of Jefferson, go back a year (before his breakout year) and most teams had a young big with as much talent as Al. Players like Nick Collison, Etan Thomas and Channing Frye. LA wouldn't trade Andrew Bynum for our entire roster. And did I mention that there were easily 25 players in the league that were clearly better than Paul Pierce? Well, you get the idea. IMO the "grass is greener" concept explains why we could trade away Rondo and replace him with players like Mike Conley and Steve Blake and not see much of a dropoff.