Finding the C's Next Dominant Big Man

[rondohondo]

So since I don’t think KG is ever going to return to old form( even to 2009 form) I have been looking around the league to see who the C’s could possibly get as their next dominant big man once KG retires. It is clear you need a dominant big man to win a championship and the C’s don’t have that anymore and won’t until they acquire one of these players or someone through the draft. To me it is more important to find a replacement for KG than Ray.

1st Tier All Pro Level Big Men

Dwight Howard = UFA in 2013 / 24 years old
I could see him pulling a Shaq and bolting for a franchise with young pieces in place(Rondo, Perk) and a storied history if Orlando can’t get over the finals hump in the next few years . Has a very good relationship with Bill Russell so that can only help our chances. We would likely have enough cap room to sign him because KG and Sheed will be off the books in 2012

Chris Bosh = UFA 2010,
 I don’t think there is any possible way for the C’s to acquire him without giving up Rondo and that would be pretty pointless since Rondo makes everyone better and has much more of an effect on the game

Amare Stoudamire =Opt Out 2010, UFA 2011 / 27 years old
This is a very interesting big man to me. Danny had talks with  Phoenix over the summer and there was apparently and offer on the table of Stodamire and Barbosa for Rondo and Ray.  Amare is not a traditional back to the basket big man, but he attacks the rim just as good if not better than most players in the NBA. Like with Bosh I wouldn’t give Rondo up for him, but if the C’s could get a 3rd team involved and somehow acquire Stoudamire for anything other than Rondo I do it.

Carlos Boozer = UFA 2010 / 28 years old
Boozer is one of the top 5 dominate big men in the game today on the offensive low post. He is a 20/10 machine and would give the C’s a great presence on the boards and getting easy hoops. I think there is a chance the C’s could deal for him this off-season. Ray and Perk for Boozer and Brewer works and I think the Jazz would do it.

2nd Tier, Young All-Star Level Big Men

Andrew Bynum = UFA 2014 / 22 years old
Long, athletic, great touch around the rim. Has potential to be a dominant big man if he can pick up jis defense. Not going to happen. I don’t see any way the Lakers and C’s would deal with each other. Even if they did we would have to give up Rondo which is a no go for me to get Bynum.

Al Jefferson= UFA 2013 / 25 years old
We all know and love Big Al. Easily a top 5 low post big man on offense. Probably has the best low post moves in the game today, great touch and footwork. He is a 20/10 guy when full healthy and probably capable of being the 2nd scoring option on a championship caliber team. He already has ties with the C’s organization and grew up with Rondo and Perk. A perk, Jefferson, Rondo core entering their prime together would be great to see. By 2013 we would have cap space to sign him unless we sign a max player the year before(2012) When Sheed and KG come off the books

Al Horford = RFA 2011, UFA 2012 / 23 years old
A terrific low post beast. This kid plays both sides of the ball. Is a big reason for Atlanta becoming a contender for the last few years. Does a lot of the dirty work and plays out of position at Center to help the team. If you put Horford next to a true center like Perk I think you would see him blossom even more.

David Lee = UFA 2010 / 26 years old
This guy in a junk yard dog. Does all the little things to help a team win. Not the most skilled big man in the league , but gets the job done with pure hustle. He is averaging 20/11 this year. We could likely get him in a trade this summer in my opinion. Perk and pieces for David Lee might make sense for both teams, especially if New York Is able to add a big time PF free agent this summer.

David West = UFA 2012 / 29 years old
Very good 18-20 ft jump shooting PF. He is one of the better big men in the NBA when it comes to shooting. Is a solid rebounder . He is soon to be 30 so not sure he has to many good years left, we shall see. If the C’s could get him for expirings and a pick I would do it , but wouldn’t give up anything substantial to get him.

Kevin Love = RFA 2012, UFA 2013 / 21 years old
To me he would look great in green . Much like David Lee he doesn’t have a ton of skill but he goes all out 100% of the time. A great rebounder and passer and hard working defender. Probably has the best outlet passes of any big man in the game getting the fast break started. I could see a Perk for Love trade working?

Andrea Bargani / 24 years old
A poor mans Dirk Nowitzki. He is a terrif outside shooter and at 7 ft tall he can get his shot off over anyone. He has become more aggressive this year taking the ball to the rim hard and not just settling for jumpers. If he could improve his defense to above average- good he would be an all-star many times.


3rd Tier, Young Big Men With Tons of Potential or Coming off injury

Yao Ming = UFA 2011 / 29 years old
We all know about Ming. Great touch, can rebound and block shots. Unfortuantely injuries have kept him from being the most dominant big man in the game today. I don’t think there is any way the C’s can get him unless he is injured again and Houston just lets him go. Wouldn’t give up anything for him in a trade at this point

Greg Oden = RFA 2011, UFA 2012 / 22 years old
Greg Oden is a monster . Physically he is strong enough to guard any big man in the league. Great shot blocker and rebounder. He was just starting to come into his own when he went down with a knee injury. If he could be had for Perk and picks I would do it after he proves he is healthy

Blake Griffin = RFA 2013, UFA 2014 / 20 years old
Another big man with great potential. He is an athletic freak and high riser. Unfortunately he was injured before the season ever started( Clippers luck). I don’t see him going anywhere anytime soon though. Could still be the savior the Clippers are looking for.

Marc Gasol = UFA 2011 / 25 years old
Brother of Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol has made a name for himself over the past few years in Memphis. He is a very big body with good post moves and a very capable defender. Seems to play with a lot of heart and hustle. Maybe a slight upgrade over Perk so I wouldn’t give up to much for him.

Jeff Green = RFA2011, UFA 2012  / 23 years old
Was drafted 5th by the C’s in the 2007 draft only to be traded in a package for Ray Allen. Jeff Green has bee very solid on OKC as Kevin Durant’s wing man. Doesn’t really have a position as he is a tweener, but probably the best tweener in the league. I wouldn’t give up much for him

Anthony Randolph = RFA 2012, UFA 2013 / 20 years old
I must admit I haven’t seen much of this kid, but from everything I hear he has the potential to be a top 5- 10 big man in the league some day. He is out for the rest of the year with injuries. Would love to see KG and Clifford Ray get a hold of him and teach him. I would trade Ray and picks for one of GSW bad contracts and Randolph if at all possible


Best Chances
Big AL
David Lee
Kevin Love
Carlos Boozer
Dwight Howard


So who do you want to see as the C’s next dominate big man of the future? And which of these players has the best chance of joining the C’s?

[Mr October]

Its too early to tell who will be available in 2 years. But you have to do what it takes to get an all star big man, preferably one who can play above the rim.

Howard and Bosh seam like long shots. At the moment, I'm digging the idea of Al Horford - he could fit in nicely with Perk and Rondo.

One thing I do know is that I have no interest in an undersized 4 or 5, who doesn't have a chance of protecting the rim.

[moiso]

Thanks for starting this topic.  This is exactly the issue.  All the talk of trading for 1's, 2's, and 3's seems a little pointless.  Upgrading those positions would give us a small boost but it wouldn't address the real problem.  We have no real good big guys at this point.  From that list I like Boozer the best.  He'd be great with Perk.  Also Horford, that would give us two nasty beasts but nowhere near the skill level and scoring of Boozer.

[rondohondo]

Its too early to tell who will be available in 2 years. But you have to do what it takes to get an all star big man, preferably one who can play above the rim.

Howard and Bosh seam like long shots. At the moment, I'm digging the idea of Al Horford - he could fit in nicely with Perk and Rondo.

One thing I do know is that I have no interest in an undersized 4 or 5, who doesn't have a chance of protecting the rim.

Yea my first choice would be Howard if there would be any possible way, but realistically I think they could likely end up with Big Al or Horford , which definitely wouldn't be a bad thing. A core of Rondo, Big Al or Horford and Perk(or whatever we trade perk for) would be easily a 50+ win team with each player just entering their prime.

[rondohondo]

Thanks for starting this topic.  This is exactly the issue.  All the talk of trading for 1's, 2's, and 3's seems a little pointless.  Upgrading those positions would give us a small boost but it wouldn't address the real problem.  We have no real good big guys at this point.  From that list I like Boozer the best.  He'd be great with Perk.  Also Horford, that would give us two nasty beasts but nowhere near the skill level and scoring of Boozer.

Yea I think it is paramount to get a very capable big who is either an all-star or borderline all-star in return for Ray Allen. I think Daniels could actually be really good as a starter with TA coming off the bench. We would lose offense, but we would have a very good defender at the SG position all 48 mins.

If we could trade Ray, BBD and a pick for Boozer + a bad contract I think you absolutely do it! Get boozer and trade Sheed for Augustin

[Who]

(1) Drafting some new player that isn't in the league yet
(2) Anthony Randolph
(3) Chris Bosh
(4) Blake Griffin

I think those are the most likely options for the Celtics.

[rondohondo]

(1) Drafting some new player that isn't in the league yet
(2) Anthony Randolph
(3) Chris Bosh
(4) Blake Griffin

I think those are the most likely options for the Celtics.

I could see 1,2 and 4, but how would we get Bosh? We would have to give up Rondo, would you?

[clover]

(1) Drafting some new player that isn't in the league yet
(2) Anthony Randolph
(3) Chris Bosh
(4) Blake Griffin

I think those are the most likely options for the Celtics.

I could see 1,2 and 4, but how would we get Bosh? We would have to give up Rondo, would you?

It's going to be tough drafting a quality big man without really tanking in the standings first, but when and how do you see Griffin or Randolph landing here?

[Who]

(1) Drafting some new player that isn't in the league yet
(2) Anthony Randolph
(3) Chris Bosh
(4) Blake Griffin

I think those are the most likely options for the Celtics.

I could see 1,2 and 4, but how would we get Bosh? We would have to give up Rondo, would you?

If Bosh re-signs with Toronto ... he won't finish his new contract in Toronto.

He'll leave halfway through the deal like Pau Gasol did in Memphis and as Baron Davis did in New Orleans.

[Who]

(1) Drafting some new player that isn't in the league yet
(2) Anthony Randolph
(3) Chris Bosh
(4) Blake Griffin

I think those are the most likely options for the Celtics.

I could see 1,2 and 4, but how would we get Bosh? We would have to give up Rondo, would you?

It's going to be tough drafting a quality big man without really tanking in the standings first, but when and how do you see Griffin or Randolph landing here?

Randolph is already available in the trade market.

Griffin? Nothing concrete ... just because he's young and a lot can happen between now and long into the future + I don't think any of the other names have a hope of ending up here.

[rondohondo]

(1) Drafting some new player that isn't in the league yet
(2) Anthony Randolph
(3) Chris Bosh
(4) Blake Griffin

I think those are the most likely options for the Celtics.

I could see 1,2 and 4, but how would we get Bosh? We would have to give up Rondo, would you?

It's going to be tough drafting a quality big man without really tanking in the standings first, but when and how do you see Griffin or Randolph landing here?

Griffin = The Clippers
Randolph = taking back bad contracts and giving picks ?

[2short]

when was the last Cs dominant big man?
McHale?
To me the future is resting on rondo's shoulders so any "big" man would have to mesh well with rajon.  An extremely athletic running big who can block shots, clog the paint which allows rondo's gambling/up close d.

[rondohondo]

when was the last Cs dominant big man?
McHale?
To me the future is resting on rondo's shoulders so any "big" man would have to mesh well with rajon.  An extremely athletic running big who can block shots, clog the paint which allows rondo's gambling/up close d.

Dwight Howard

[PosImpos]

It will take a ton of luck to get the kind of guy you're describing.

I'm not even sure Boozer is good enough.  I mean, look at the Jazz - they haven't been able to be true contenders even though they have a decent amount of talent on their roster and the second best PG in the game plus Boozer.

If you look at the teams with those great big men (not the third tier guys), they all got them through luck (a lowish pick that turned out to be really good) or they tanked and got a high pick in the draft (also luck).

Also you left out Brook Lopez, who I think is definitely going to be one of the best centers in the league for a while.  He's easily forgotten on the Nets this year, but he's still playing an efficient game and putting up close to 20-10 even though he's double teamed all the time.

[Brickowski]

None of the listed players are avaliable, except Boozer and Stoudemaire, both of whom are 6-9. So here is what's available in the draft:

Demarcus Cousins-- load on offense, lateral mobility a problem on defense.

Cole Aldrich-- The second coming of Eric Montross

Donatas Motiejunas-- Highly skilled but skinny.

Ekpe Udoh-- Good all around game but only 6-10

Solomon Alabi-- raw but has the size.  Has foot poblems, though, like many tall guys.

Artsiom Parakhouski-- Big horse from Belarus averaging 22-13 at Radford.  Has played well against Duke and other top teams.  Sleeper.

Greg Monroe-- I can't get excited.