Who is going to fill out our roster!?

[Evantime34]

I'd like to hear guesses as to who fills out our roster. 10 tps from me to whoever comes the closest (I'm sure other will also donate tps).

Here is what we got so far
C- Big Baby
PF- KG/ Harangody
SF- Pierce
SG- Bradley
PG- Rondo

Injured: Perk

Resigned Players
SG- TA, Ray (I believe both will resign)
PF- Shelden Williams

MLE
Mike Miller

Vet Min
Kwame Brown
Roger Mason

Signed off summer league
Zoubek
Gaffney

[wdleehi]

To early to figure out.



Until they make a decision with Ray, the rest of the team will be a mystery. 

[BballTim]

  Who's going to fill out our roster? Danny Ainge.


  Couldn't resist..

[PosImpos]

Well, between Harangody and Big Baby I think we have the whole "filling out" thing pretty much covered.

Oh, were you talking about actual roster slots?

[Beat LA]

To early to figure out.



Until they make a decision with Ray, the rest of the team will be a mystery.

Good point, TP.  I think we should resign Ray, sign Ben Wallace to be our starting center, replace Sheed with JO, add Joe Smith, Tim Thomas, Jerry Stackhouse, and at least look into Jamaal Tinsley, Jannero Pargo, Anthony Carter, Drew Gooden, Kurt Thomas, and Jason Williams.  Getting Roger Mason or Eddie House wouldn't hurt my feelings either.  Oh, and add Charles Garcia.

Depth Chart

Center:  Ben Wallace/Jermaine O'Neal
Power Forward:  Kevin Garnett/Jermaine O'neal/Joe Smith/Tim Thomas/Luke Harangody/Glen Davis/Charles Garcia
Small Forward:  Paul Pierce/Jerry Stackhouse/Charles Garcia
Shooting Guard:  Ray Allen/Avery Bradley/Jerry Stackhouse
Point Guard:  Rajon Rondo/Jamaal Tinsley, Jason Williams, or Jannero Pargo/Avery Bradley

6th man - Jermaine O'Neal
7th - Avery Bradley
8th - Jerry Stackhouse

Oh, and just for clarification - I'm not trying to turn this team into a '95/'96 draft class reunion, nor the remainder of the once-mighty Pacers teams from several years ago.  As we all know, injuries can happen at any time, so having quality veteran big men in Smith and Thomas should help on that front.

Lastly, limit everyone's minutes.  Pierce and Ray need to play about 30-32 minutes a game this year.  Garnett 30 minutes per.  Big Ben about 28 minutes (just as he played last year).  Jermaine O'Neal about 20-25 per.  I didn't list Perk because I don't know what's going to happen with him.  BTW, I really wish that Sheed would come back.  He was great in the postseason, started last year strong, and I, like so many of us, was wrong about him.  We never would have made it past Orlando (or maybe even Cleveland) or pushed LA to 7 tough games without #30.  We were reffed out of Game 7 (in addition to having our own problems).

[elcotte]

Well, between Harangody and Big Baby I think we have the whole "filling out" thing pretty much covered.

Oh, were you talking about actual roster slots?

Edit: No need for personal attacks. - Chris

[feckless]

Sounds like Ryan Gomes will likely be available--a nice bench player IMO.

[Rashi]

To early to figure out.



Until they make a decision with Ray, the rest of the team will be a mystery.

Good point, TP.  I think we should resign Ray, sign Ben Wallace to be our starting center, replace Sheed with JO, add Joe Smith, Tim Thomas, Jerry Stackhouse, and at least look into Jamaal Tinsley, Jannero Pargo, Anthony Carter, Drew Gooden, Kurt Thomas, and Jason Williams.  Getting Roger Mason or Eddie House wouldn't hurt my feelings either.  Oh, and add Charles Garcia.

Depth Chart

Center:  Ben Wallace/Jermaine O'Neal
Power Forward:  Kevin Garnett/Jermaine O'neal/Joe Smith/Tim Thomas/Luke Harangody/Glen Davis/Charles Garcia
Small Forward:  Paul Pierce/Jerry Stackhouse/Charles Garcia
Shooting Guard:  Ray Allen/Avery Bradley/Jerry Stackhouse
Point Guard:  Rajon Rondo/Jamaal Tinsley, Jason Williams, or Jannero Pargo/Avery Bradley

6th man - Jermaine O'Neal
7th - Avery Bradley
8th - Jerry Stackhouse

Oh, and just for clarification - I'm not trying to turn this team into a '95/'96 draft class reunion, nor the remainder of the once-mighty Pacers teams from several years ago.  As we all know, injuries can happen at any time, so having quality veteran big men in Smith and Thomas should help on that front.

Lastly, limit everyone's minutes.  Pierce and Ray need to play about 30-32 minutes a game this year.  Garnett 30 minutes per.  Big Ben about 28 minutes (just as he played last year).  Jermaine O'Neal about 20-25 per.  I didn't list Perk because I don't know what's going to happen with him.  BTW, I really wish that Sheed would come back.  He was great in the postseason, started last year strong, and I, like so many of us, were wrong about him.  We never would have made it past Orlando (or maybe even Cleveland) or pushed LA to 7 tough games without #30.  We were reffed out of Game 7 (in addition to having our own problems).

Tp.

Now am not sure how much I agree with how the roster looks, but you did mangage to fill it up.

Honestly speaking there are a lot of possibilites being thrown out on what we can do, but we'll be able to get a better view of the picture after Wednesday when Pierce makes his decision.

Hopefully he will decide to opt out, and the fun will begin.

[Chris]

Sounds like Ryan Gomes will likely be available--a nice bench player IMO.

I'd take him for the vet minimum, but not much more.  He doesn't really bring anything new to the table that the team doesn't already have.

[the_Bird]

Would rather have either Big Ben or Kurt Thomas at the minimum that Jermaine O'Neil.  O'Neil's just as washed up as the other two, but doesn't quite realize it yet.  Brad Miller could be a decent option as well, although last time I saw him play he was getting killed defensively.  He's lost a step, and he didn't start out with all that many to begin with.

Would love to see one of those guys to help man the 5 until Perk is back, and spend the MLE on either Mike Miller, JJ Reddick, or Travis Outlaw.  Not in love with any of the centers who are available as free agents; probably feel the best about Ben Wallace, who at least we know will grab some rebounds and play some D.  Closest thing to a Perk replacement that's out there.

Veteran minimum to one of the decent backup point guards who are out there - Earl Watson could fit, but there are others who should be available and could fill in the 10 MPG we need.

We'd still be short a big man, which probably means a clever trade with 'Sheed's contract.  

Wondering how much Hakim Warrick might get this offseason.  Probably more than we have to spend.  Would love to get a defensive-minded, athletic 4 for the second unit (especially if we get a shooter like Miller to play the 3).  

Having to fill in for both 'Sheed and Perk, as well as getting a backup wing, is going to make this a challenging offseason. but it can be done.  At least, I hope!

[Jon]

Would rather have either Big Ben or Kurt Thomas at the minimum that Jermaine O'Neil.  O'Neil's just as washed up as the other two, but doesn't quite realize it yet.  Brad Miller could be a decent option as well, although last time I saw him play he was getting killed defensively.  He's lost a step, and he didn't start out with all that many to begin with.

Would love to see one of those guys to help man the 5 until Perk is back, and spend the MLE on either Mike Miller, JJ Reddick, or Travis Outlaw.  

Veteran minimum to one of the decent backup point guards who are out there - Earl Watson could fit, but there are others who should be available and could fill in the 10 MPG we need.

We'd still be short a big man, which probably means a clever trade with 'Sheed's contract.  

Wondering how much Hakim Warrick might get this offseason.  Probably more than we have to spend.  Would love to get a defensive-minded, athletic 4 for the second unit (especially if we get a shooter like Miller to play the 3).  

Having to fill in for both 'Sheed and Perk, as well as getting a backup wing, is going to make this a challenging offseason. but it can be done.  At least, I hope!

The thing is, the C's hopefully don't need to worry about Perk's spot too much.  My thought is that if they get a vet like Big Ben and bring back Shelden, they just need to play Shelden, wins be [dang]ed.  The real key is to not burn out KG in the regular season. 

As long as Perk recovers by playoff time, I'm confident a Perk/KG starting line with BBD and a vet behind it will do well. 

[Atzar]

I posted this in another thread, but it probably belonged here:

Ideally I'd love to see Ainge turn Sheed into Beasley, and then throw some money at Brendan Haywood.  Resign Ray, and give short-term deals to Nate and TA.  Perk will likely be out until midseason, so the early rotation will be:

Rondo/Nate
Ray/TA/Bradley
Pierce/???
KG/Beasley/Harangody
Haywood/BBD

There's a hole at backup SF that needs to be filled.  TA might be able to back the 2 and the 3 and play ~25-30 minutes a game, but that leaves us with a small bench at every position.  I don't expect Bradley to play early next season, and I don't expect Harangody to play at all.  

Later in the year, we get Perk back and the lineup becomes:

Rondo/Nate
Ray/TA
Pierce/Beasley
KG/BBD
Perk/Haywood

We go from having a very small bench to a pretty big bench, at least on the inside.  Beasley hasn't had much success as an SF so far, but I see no reason why that should continue to be the case - he's clearly athletic enough to defend the position, he can post up or shoot over nearly any 3 in the league on offense and his below-average boardwork at PF would become average or above at SF.  Avery Bradley could break into the rotation to replace either TA or Nate at this point in the year, as well.


If Danny really wants to give this core another run, then I really wish we had found a way to get Damion James, either instead of or in addition to Bradley.  I don't expect Bradley to help much this year (although he could prove me wrong), but Damion James would have filled pressing needs for us - we've needed a solid backup 3 for a few years now, and we desperately need somebody to help us crash the glass.

I'd love to bring Tyler Smith in on a contract - I think he could be a sleeper, the Wesley Matthews of 2010.  

[the_Bird]

Well, that's why I'm hoping the MLE get spent on the wing spot, rather than making a futile push for Haywood and then getting desperate and throwing dollars at someone like JO (who it probably the least likely of the guys I mentioned to sign for the vet min).  The three guys I mentioned should be able to give us some quality minutes while Perk mends, and slide into the fourth-big role when he returns.  

'Sheed's contract is the wildcard, though.

EDIT: I'm not optimistic about the prospects for signing Haywood, since he'd ultimately be being signed to be Perk's backup.  I'd think he's been looking to sign somewhere where he'd have a chance of being the starter long-term.

EDIT 2: Other wildcard is if KG steps up and is willing to play a bit more at the 5 spot for us.  Be easier to find another power forward.  Lots of people mentioning Beasley; if you wanted to take a chance and Miami would offload him basically for 'Sheed's contract, there would be a spot for him to play if KG's at the 5. 

[PosImpos]

Well, between Harangody and Big Baby I think we have the whole "filling out" thing pretty much covered.

Oh, were you talking about actual roster slots?

Edit: No need for personal attacks. - Chris

Oh man, now I'm curious to see what this person said

[Jon]

Well, that's why I'm hoping the MLE get spent on the wing spot, rather than making a futile push for Haywood and then getting desperate and throwing dollars at someone like JO (who it probably the least likely of the guys I mentioned to sign for the vet min).  The three guys I mentioned should be able to give us some quality minutes while Perk mends, and slide into the fourth-big role when he returns.  

'Sheed's contract is the wildcard, though.

EDIT: I'm not optimistic about the prospects for signing Haywood, since he'd ultimately be being signed to be Perk's backup.  I'd think he's been looking to sign somewhere where he'd have a chance of being the starter long-term.

EDIT 2: Other wildcard is if KG steps up and is willing to play a bit more at the 5 spot for us.  Be easier to find another power forward.  Lots of people mentioning Beasley; if you wanted to take a chance and Miami would offload him basically for 'Sheed's contract, there would be a spot for him to play if KG's at the 5. 

I largely agree with what you said.  Right now the way I see it on our bench (assuming we bring back Tony and Ray) we have a serviceable backup PG in Bradley (even if he can't run a team, he can at least defend the opposing PG for 10 mpg while Ray brings it up), a 4th wing in TA, and a 3rd big in BBD.  Thus, I see a need for a 3rd wing who can play big minutes, but only a need for a 4th big who need only play 10 mpg or so.  That's why I'm not too worried about Wallace.  Big Baby is ready to take some of the minutes Wallace played.  

As long as we have some bodies to cover for Perk while he recovers, we're fine.  We might lose a couple more regular season games, but this team will make the playoffs anyway.  Just need him healthy by playoff time.  

I also think KG already does play "center" at times when BBD is in the game.  Often times they'd switch who they were guarding depending on rotations and foul trouble.  As he slows down, there's really no reason he can't play some 5.