Who will be resigned in the off-season, Nate or TA?

[Roy Hobbs]

I'd like to see both back.

At this point, it's hard to choose only one, not knowing what our options are.  For instance, if we can sign a good SG, then obviously Tony would be more expendable.  The same thing if we can sign a good point guard for cheap; it means Nate goes.

I like the two of them in combination, though.  Nate's shooting makes up for Tony's lack of an outside game.

[rondohondo]

I hope neither will be back but probably both will be re-signed and at numbers nowhere near where the OP is suggesting. I think the C's will probably bring both back on two year deals at a combined $5-$5.5 million per year.

Why wouldn't you want them back? Have you been watching the D TA has been playing in the playoffs? He has frustrated both Lebron and Kobe.

And Nate is instant energy/offense off the bench. You can tell he loves being on a winning team and has already helped win 2 games in the playoffs (game 6 against orl + game 4 vs LAL)

[nickagneta]

I hope neither will be back but probably both will be re-signed and at numbers nowhere near where the OP is suggesting. I think the C's will probably bring both back on two year deals at a combined $5-$5.5 million per year.

Why wouldn't you want them back? Have you been watching the D TA has been playing in the playoffs? He has frustrated both Lebron and Kobe.

And Nate is instant energy/offense off the bench. You can tell he loves being on a winning team and has already helped win 2 games in the playoffs (game 6 against orl + game 4 vs LAL)

I don't like them and I don't like their games. I think the C's could improve the team with better players but, unfortunately, those better players will probably mean not using the MLE in other areas and it would make more sense to re-sign these guys not using the MLE and then using the MLE to sure up the back up spots at the SF and PF positions.

[Gainesville Celtic]

At this point, I could see them bringing them both back provided Nate's not getting a contract increase.  TA's contract will be a relative bargain and he's played well this year to earn it. 

If both are resigned, and I'm assuming Ray is also, C's have their 9 man rotation in place for another season which will give them another year to gel with Sheed and Nate.  Free up Finley, Scal and Shelden's spots for an MLE 4/5 swing player (Travis Outlaw would be my choice) that can immediately contribute and a 5th big that's not a stiff (good luck with that).  spots 12-15 can be used for developing young players that won't be required to produce immediately but can learn and contribute next year or, if we're lucky and they do so, contribute this year.

I also hope/expect Ainge to target Travis Outlaw with the MLE, but  he's a 3/4 not a 4/5.

I also really want to see Shelden Williams brought back. Outside of that atrocious stretch in Game 3, he's been a great value for bench guy, is a solid contributor as a 5th big and I'm sure would resign for the vet min (to reward BOS for taking a chance on him this summer and rescuing his career).

----

It's hard to say I don't want TAllen back at this point, but sheesh every time he gets the ball on offense i feel sick to my stomach -- so I can see where guys like Nick A are coming from.

I think TA's defense is more replaceable (as silly as that sounds). But I also get the sense the guys on this team like TA...

I guess though i'd want them both back --- can see Nate really settling into that Vinnie Johnson role nicely.(and finally contributing something to my 2 fantasy teams he's on  )

[Roy Hobbs]

I hope neither will be back but probably both will be re-signed and at numbers nowhere near where the OP is suggesting. I think the C's will probably bring both back on two year deals at a combined $5-$5.5 million per year.

Why wouldn't you want them back? Have you been watching the D TA has been playing in the playoffs? He has frustrated both Lebron and Kobe.

And Nate is instant energy/offense off the bench. You can tell he loves being on a winning team and has already helped win 2 games in the playoffs (game 6 against orl + game 4 vs LAL)

I don't like them and I don't like their games. I think the C's could improve the team with better players but, unfortunately, those better players will probably mean not using the MLE in other areas and it would make more sense to re-sign these guys not using the MLE and then using the MLE to sure up the back up spots at the SF and PF positions.

This is where I come down.

Both TA and Nate are flawed players.  In fact, they're both *very* flawed players, and on certain nights, they cost a team wins.

There are better players available than each of them in free agency, and in an ideal world, I'd prefer to see us sign those players.  However, we can't really afford to sign a new PG, a new SG, and still find an athletic SF for our bench.

That means the team has to prioritize.  I can live with both Nate and Tony -- they're competent players who will be net positives -- if it means we can upgrade at backup SF.

By the way, my opinion of Nate and Tony overall doesn't mean I don't respect the heck out of the job they're both currently doing, in terms of giving the team a lift.

[nickagneta]

I hope neither will be back but probably both will be re-signed and at numbers nowhere near where the OP is suggesting. I think the C's will probably bring both back on two year deals at a combined $5-$5.5 million per year.

Why wouldn't you want them back? Have you been watching the D TA has been playing in the playoffs? He has frustrated both Lebron and Kobe.

And Nate is instant energy/offense off the bench. You can tell he loves being on a winning team and has already helped win 2 games in the playoffs (game 6 against orl + game 4 vs LAL)

I don't like them and I don't like their games. I think the C's could improve the team with better players but, unfortunately, those better players will probably mean not using the MLE in other areas and it would make more sense to re-sign these guys not using the MLE and then using the MLE to sure up the back up spots at the SF and PF positions.

This is where I come down.

Both TA and Nate are flawed players.  In fact, they're both *very* flawed players, and on certain nights, they cost a team wins.

There are better players available than each of them in free agency, and in an ideal world, I'd prefer to see us sign those players.  However, we can't really afford to sign a new PG, a new SG, and still find an athletic SF for our bench.

That means the team has to prioritize.  I can live with both Nate and Tony -- they're competent players who will be net positives -- if it means we can upgrade at backup SF.

By the way, my opinion of Nate and Tony overall doesn't mean I don't respect the heck out of the job they're both currently doing, in terms of giving the team a lift.

TP. Much better said than I said it and I feel exactly the same way.

[Cman]

Both will be back, IMO.
If forced to choose one, it would be TA.  I shudder in anticipation of what I am about to write, but... TA brings more consistency, especially on the defensive end.

[slamtheking]

I hope neither will be back but probably both will be re-signed and at numbers nowhere near where the OP is suggesting. I think the C's will probably bring both back on two year deals at a combined $5-$5.5 million per year.

I understand that you'd like to upgrade over both of them.  I think it's fairly safe to say that most people would including myself.  I think the financial reality prevents us from getting an upgrade over both of them since we only have the MLE (which would presumably go for player that can cover multiple positions, defend and score but not necessarily a combo guard which is what we'd need to replace those two players) and the vet min available.  I cannot see getting overly optimistic that the solution to the problem will be found at #19 in the draft.

If you have something in mind as a better option, please share.

[bagley5]

the problem with re-signing nate is, will he remain happy and a good teammate playing 15 minutes per game backing up rondo on a permanent basis? it is one thing to do it for a few months here at the end of the season, but at some point, he is going to want to play more minutes.  there isn't anything wrong with that, but it just will never happen for him here.

[nickagneta]

I hope neither will be back but probably both will be re-signed and at numbers nowhere near where the OP is suggesting. I think the C's will probably bring both back on two year deals at a combined $5-$5.5 million per year.

I understand that you'd like to upgrade over both of them.  I think it's fairly safe to say that most people would including myself.  I think the financial reality prevents us from getting an upgrade over both of them since we only have the MLE (which would presumably go for player that can cover multiple positions, defend and score but not necessarily a combo guard which is what we'd need to replace those two players) and the vet min available.  I cannot see getting overly optimistic that the solution to the problem will be found at #19 in the draft.

If you have something in mind as a better option, please share.

Fact is I could give you a list of a bunch of players that I would rather have than Tony or Nate because I believe them better players than Tony And Nate. But the financial realities of the situation are getting those players to come here while just using the MLE would be unlikely and would make it more difficult to improve this team and it's chances to repeat next year. So I will decline trying to write out any scenarios.

[incoherent]

I don't think that Tonys skill set is easily replaced.

Very few NBA players defend as effectively as he does. 

I chose TA over Nate defense is more important here.

[jasail]

I hope neither will be back but probably both will be re-signed and at numbers nowhere near where the OP is suggesting. I think the C's will probably bring both back on two year deals at a combined $5-$5.5 million per year.

Why wouldn't you want them back? Have you been watching the D TA has been playing in the playoffs? He has frustrated both Lebron and Kobe.

And Nate is instant energy/offense off the bench. You can tell he loves being on a winning team and has already helped win 2 games in the playoffs (game 6 against orl + game 4 vs LAL)

I don't like them and I don't like their games. I think the C's could improve the team with better players but, unfortunately, those better players will probably mean not using the MLE in other areas and it would make more sense to re-sign these guys not using the MLE and then using the MLE to sure up the back up spots at the SF and PF positions.

I agree with Nick, but probably have more love for TA and Nate than he does.  I agree they are flawed, but that is why they are bench players.  In a perfect world I'd love to see the C's bring in guys like Deng and Hinrich who can defense multiple positions, and provide more offense.  But it ain't a perfect world and there is a salary cap taboot.

That said Nate and TA are competent enough and the fill important holes on the roster and resigning them won't be constrained by the cap b/c no one is giving them a 20% raise.  

Keep these two guys and then you have the MLE, vet min and two draft picks to fill the two other glaring holes: a 3/4 to give PP some extra air and a 5th big.  IMO the 5th big is the most important piece because you know Sheed won't show up until May, KG is a year older, Davis is undersized and Perk is injury and foul prone. 

To address the 5th big I'd like to see a guy with size to defend and rebound.  Nesterovich is my man for this job, but there is some depth here with veteran guys: Battie, Wallace, Camby, Haywood, Etan Thomas, Kristic and even Darko could fill that the role for limited minutes.  Maybe that slob of a C from NYK (not named Lee) could turn it around in Boston.   

The other need is a 3/4 that can stretch the floor and play passable defense. IMO we don't need a 'stopper' anymore, TA showed he could do that.  A guy that has good lateral quickness, some length and a shot would be ideal, but Marvin Williams will probably be too expensive.  Beyond him there is Outlaw and Miller.  Outlaw is a poor perimeter player and Miller doesn't have the size to body 4's.  While size is what I love about Outlaws's I'd rather see Miller because he can stretch the defense and when TA and Rondo are out there that is most important. Not to mention Baby can guard bigger 3's and permiter 4's, particularly if you have depth down low.

Hopefully they can get Miller with the MLE and bring in one of the aging Center's with the vet min, or maybe even split the MLE between them.  

I'm interested to see what they do with the 19th pick.  I'd love to see them buy another pick in the early 20's too. Danny loves has been great in this part of the draft (AJ, DW, TA, RR, Perk).  I'd love to see them be able to get a solid wing this year, be the player that Walker/Giddens were supposed to be. 

[Brendan]

At this point I'd take Nate, because I think the team really needs the guy in Tony Allen's role to have some more size and because I think we need a good insurance policy on Rondo being out.

My ideal bench (assuming all starting 5 are back) would be:

Combo guard - e.g. Delonte West without the issues - must be a shooter so he can play next to Rondo. We've already seen Tony run PG next to Ray, so I think we just need someone that won't turn the ball over if pressed (e.g. House), but not necessarily a floor general - since they'll likely spend more time at the SG than at PG.

Combo forward - e.g. 2008 Posey (not sure who is like that now) - doesn't necessarily need to be a 3pt shooter, but I'd take guys like Marvin Williams, Al Thornton (if you could add a brain), or Thadeus Young. Basically someone who can play D against the better SFs to give Pierce a breather (or let him matchup against a weaker SG), play a small ball PF, and bring some athleticism to get the transition game going.

Big Man with a post game - Basically Al Jefferson - someone who could play next to Perk or KG and could be the focus on offense when needed. Better to be able to bang (for example when we go against a team with two big bodies in the front court.)

That being said - I think we'll have Sheed and Baby back, so I'd like to target a backup SF/SG with some size in the draft or with MLE, that means someone needs to be able to dribble and shoot behind Rondo, and that's Nate, not TA.

[CDawg834]

The more I see of this series, the worse Tony is looking, as the Lakers have completely figured out what to do when he is in the game: Leave him open 15-20 feet from the basket, and have his man play help defense on everybody else.

It's well known that TA simply can't shoot.  If I was a coach, I would gladly take his man and play 5 on 4 defensively and let him take open jumpers 20 times a game, as he hasn't done anything to show me he can hit them.  For a guard, he has no range whatsoever.

The Lakers specifically benefit from this when Gasol and Bynum are on the court together.  It takes the one thing he is decent at (slashing to the basket) and completely neutralizes it.  Since he can't handle the ball and can't shoot, they've made him effectively useless on offense.

[slamtheking]

At this point, I could see them bringing them both back provided Nate's not getting a contract increase.  TA's contract will be a relative bargain and he's played well this year to earn it. 

If both are resigned, and I'm assuming Ray is also, C's have their 9 man rotation in place for another season which will give them another year to gel with Sheed and Nate.  Free up Finley, Scal and Shelden's spots for an MLE 4/5 swing player (Travis Outlaw would be my choice) that can immediately contribute and a 5th big that's not a stiff (good luck with that).  spots 12-15 can be used for developing young players that won't be required to produce immediately but can learn and contribute next year or, if we're lucky and they do so, contribute this year.

I also hope/expect Ainge to target Travis Outlaw with the MLE, but  he's a 3/4 not a 4/5.

I also really want to see Shelden Williams brought back. Outside of that atrocious stretch in Game 3, he's been a great value for bench guy, is a solid contributor as a 5th big and I'm sure would resign for the vet min (to reward BOS for taking a chance on him this summer and rescuing his career).

----

It's hard to say I don't want TAllen back at this point, but sheesh every time he gets the ball on offense i feel sick to my stomach -- so I can see where guys like Nick A are coming from.

I think TA's defense is more replaceable (as silly as that sounds). But I also get the sense the guys on this team like TA...

I guess though i'd want them both back --- can see Nate really settling into that Vinnie Johnson role nicely.(and finally contributing something to my 2 fantasy teams he's on  )

the 4/5 was a typo on my part -- meant 3/4