The Posey Factor

[SCBirdman]

No one has mentioned this, but to me, Posey was just as valuable as any starter in the 2008 Finals. In the big comeback at LA, Posey had an incredible game.

Posey was like a 6th starter. We have not had anyone like him, that could shoot the 3, play multiple positions, and when we went with small lineup in the 4th Q, he could play the PF and we slid KG in at C.

Posey was a Laker killer. With both Posey and Eddie now departed, our 3 point shooting is drastically decreased, which along with our D won banner 17.

Just wanted to get your thoughts. I don't see BBD or Sheed being as effective as Posey. As deep as our bench is, there is no James Posey on that bench.

Sure, Sheed can shoot 3's, but they are different players. BBD is different, and so is Nate, but Nate has not been given the chance to be a consistent threat like Posey was.

I don't think we will miss PJ, Sam, or even Eddie, although he was a big threat Phil talked about having to defend.

I just think Posey gave us an additional matchup problem that is lacking in his Finals.

So, what do you think?

[moiso]

Posey was awesome.  He was tough as nails and super clutch.  But I'm not really missing him right now.  I love our rotation and Baby has been very impressive.

[timpiker]

I agree that Posy was a great player for us and its hard to see how not having Posey doesn't decrease our chances....but, if the bench plays well we will not miss him.  What a lot of people are forgetting is Tony Allen.  I have hated Tony in the past but his 1 on 1 D against the stars in this league during these playoffs are amazing and he's played much better D than Posey ever did. 

[RockinRyA]

only reason we'l miss posey this postseason is his defense on odom.

[BballTim]

No one has mentioned this, but to me, Posey was just as valuable as any starter in the 2008 Finals. In the big comeback at LA, Posey had an incredible game.

Posey was like a 6th starter. We have not had anyone like him, that could shoot the 3, play multiple positions, and when we went with small lineup in the 4th Q, he could play the PF and we slid KG in at C.

Posey was a Laker killer. With both Posey and Eddie now departed, our 3 point shooting is drastically decreased, which along with our D won banner 17.

Just wanted to get your thoughts. I don't see BBD or Sheed being as effective as Posey. As deep as our bench is, there is no James Posey on that bench.

Sure, Sheed can shoot 3's, but they are different players. BBD is different, and so is Nate, but Nate has not been given the chance to be a consistent threat like Posey was.

I don't think we will miss PJ, Sam, or even Eddie, although he was a big threat Phil talked about having to defend.

I just think Posey gave us an additional matchup problem that is lacking in his Finals.

So, what do you think?

  I don't see why Davis can't be as effective as Posey was, albeit in a different role. Same for TA if he's healthy. If he can defend Kobe the way he defended Wade we'll be in pretty good shape.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Someone had to bring up Posey again...

[rjsuperfly66]

I think JP from two years ago made up of two guys this season.  You have TA who comes off the bench and is supposed to be the lockdown defender like Posey was.  And then you have Rasheed who is hitting the dagger threes.  So yes Posey was important to the 2008 team, but the Celtics bench has much more depth than it did back then.

[cdif911]

We have 3 point shooting galore - PP, Ray, Sheed, Nate and Finley can all knock them down

Defensively, TA has been solid on elite wings, a reason I don't think we saw much of him in the ORL series, there was no one for him to lockdown

You are right, Odom may be a tough cover - I'd think Sheed/Baby would go against him, maybe Pierce...but that is a tough one

Posey today couldn't hang with him anyways though - we thank him for the job in 2008 and move on from it - the c's have the personnel to win this thing, that's why they are here

[kg is king]

TA brings two things to the table that Posey lacks:

1. Slashing ability
2. Athleticism

They are both good on-ball defenders but TA has a slight edge in that department.

I think we all miss big game James but he had his flaws too. He was mainly an offensive liability outside of his 3 point shooting. TA can be our "Posey", just one with a different skill set.

[Bynum4MVP]

Posey was tough on Kobe...hard fouls and subtle pushes
Powe got some critical flops and free throws
PJ Brown pushed Pau and Odom around like they were kids

I'm Glad all 3 of them are gone for this series.

[Cman]

TA brings two things to the table that Posey lacks:

1. Slashing ability
2. Athleticism

They are both good on-ball defenders but TA has a slight edge in that department.

I think we all miss big game James but he had his flaws too. He was mainly an offensive liability outside of his 3 point shooting. TA can be our "Posey", just one with a different skill set.

Yeah, we just have a different bench.
Posey was great off the bench, and so were Eddie, Powe and PJ Brown.  Now we have TA, BBD, Sheed and Nate.  They aren't exact substitutes, but that is okay.  They bring different skills, but their skills still complement each other in a way that makes our bench pretty deep and dangerous IMHO.

[clover]

TA brings two things to the table that Posey lacks:

1. Slashing ability
2. Athleticism

They are both good on-ball defenders but TA has a slight edge in that department.

I think we all miss big game James but he had his flaws too. He was mainly an offensive liability outside of his 3 point shooting. TA can be our "Posey", just one with a different skill set.

Yeah, we just have a different bench.
Posey was great off the bench, and so were Eddie, Powe and PJ Brown.  Now we have TA, BBD, Sheed and Nate.  They aren't exact substitutes, but that is okay.  They bring different skills, but their skills still complement each other in a way that makes our bench pretty deep and dangerous IMHO.

Yep.  And the current bench is fair starter material across the board.  Several of them could more legitimately step in and play starter minutes in a pinch.

[Cman]

Posey was tough on Kobe...hard fouls and subtle pushes
Powe got some critical flops and free throws
PJ Brown pushed Pau and Odom around like they were kids

I'm Glad all 3 of them are gone for this series.

Ummmm, let's not talk about flops, okay?
Or do I need to remind you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjsFu882zks

[Jon]

I was a huge fan of Posey.  And I think had KG stayed healthy last year and we narrowly missed winning a title, we legitimately could've blamed Ainge for not resigning Posey, particularly with last year's craptastic bench.

Still, that didn't happen, and this year is a different year.  

Sheed, a much improved BBD, and a much improved TA all help make this bench at least on par with the '08 squad's.  More importantly, while Posey hit some big threes in the Finals, his value really would've been felt more defending bigger perimeter players like LeBron James or Rashard Lewis.  

With L.A., I don't think it's as big of a deal.  TA's quickness is probably a better fit on Kobe than Posey would've been, and while Artest is good, he's certainly not someone we need to worry about "locking down."

[Bynum4MVP]

Posey was tough on Kobe...hard fouls and subtle pushes
Powe got some critical flops and free throws
PJ Brown pushed Pau and Odom around like they were kids

I'm Glad all 3 of them are gone for this series.

Ummmm, let's not talk about flops, okay?
Or do I need to remind you:

Pau doesn't flop, he's just soft.

Powe, ironically a huge muscular dude, is a flopper.