Internally:
Move Ray to the bench and bring in TA as a starter:
I think Ray would be a significantly more effective scorer against the other teams back up wings. Not only could he space the floor in such a role, but he could probably be much better at creating offense. TA as a starter only has to play defense and slash if the defense sags. It's a role that suits him much better than his bench role and I like him & Rondo on the floor together at the same time. They can push it.
Big Man Rotation:
Personally I don't care if Rasheed is making the money and Shelden is not. If Shelden hustles and plays then he gets more time. We need someone who is willing to mix it up, play down low and bruise. Baby can't rebound and Rasheed is Rasheed. I loved the Sheed signing this summer, but it has been years since I really watched him play and his game is not what it used to be. Point is we need someone to come in and be a big man in that rotation - rebound and play w/their back to the basket.
Stop being a 3 point shooting team:
Too many long rebounds, too many bad shots. I think the offense has to run through Rondo at all times and he needs to slash and score and slash and pass. No more triple screens to get Ray open for 3. Either try to create a mid-range mismatch with Paul or cut with Rondo. Work the offense off those plays. Look for Ray/Eddie around the perimeter with the extra pass, but quit forcing it to them. Every time I see this play I wonder if about whether they could have used that 15 seconds it takes to run that play to get a better shot.
Externally:
Trade expiring contracts for a scorer:
I love Ray, but we need someone who is going to break down offenses, get to the rim and score. Paul used to be that man, but he isn't that player anymore. He still has his mid-range game and the occasional game where he bounces through the lane, but it is not consistent. If we can get a scorer for Ray then I'd do it. If they are not a "defensive minded" player, so be it. Neither was Ray when he came to Boston.
Trade expiring contracts for an enforcer:
Jeff Foster or someone of that ilk would be good for this team. They need a player that fights for the second chances and the garbage points. If they had this as the 4th big instead of an undersized 4 w/either brick hands or no rebounding ability, it would compliment Rasheed's game more and create a more fluid bench.
Point Guard:
Eddie doesn't cut it. Eddie has been important for this team over the past two years, but he's off this year from 3 and if he can't hit the 3 @ a very good clip he is not worth his minuets. He is a one trick pony and if that trick doesn't work he is useless. They need to bring in someone that can handle the ball, initiate the offense and shooting would be a plus.
The second unit falls flat for a lot of reasons but the big 3 are a lack of a scoring option, a reliance on the 3 and no rebounders. IMO you solve this by moving Ray to 6th man, and bringing in a PG and a rebounder with your expirings. Or you bring in a scorer to solve the 1st units problem and hope you can get a rebounder and back up PG w/buyouts. But I think the offensive stagnation w/the first unit can be solved internally w/a change in execution and offensive philosophy.
Topic: What do the Celtics need most? (Read 8876 times)