I guess I'm confused about what constitutes a good Pierce backup

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

... at least from a physical standpoint. Just read somewhere that Quis is the only "traditional" backup for Pierce at this point, and that Rudy wouldn't be a great backup for Pierce because he's "more of a 2 than a 3." Daniels is 6-6, 200 (an inch shorter and 35 pounds lighter than Pierce) and is considered a legitimate backup for Pierce, but Rudy, who's also 6-6, isn't? Is it 'cause Rudy weighs only 185? Or is the opposition to Rudy more to do with his skill set? What about Wafer? He's listed at 6-5, 209 (an inch shorter than Quis but 9 pounds heavier). He's listed as a SG, and I admit that "6-5" doesn't make me think SF, but Quis, too, is listed as a SG. So what's the difference?

(FYI: Hughes, who's also being considered as a backup for Pierce, is listed at 6-5, 185)

[pearljammer10]

There really isnt a difference... Thats why we still need a long athletic SF to back him up...

The way the market played out, Marquis was a fairly good option to bring in for now. However, his injury history does scare me as people have pointed out. If healthy he could be very serviceable despite his "SG" listing and his "undersized" stature.

[Bankshot]

Although Rudy's not much smaller than Marquis, Rudy can't guard small forwards. I'm not sure he can guard anyone really.

[ballin]

I think Wafer is considered too short and Rudy is considered too weak.

I think the shortness of Wafer is an issue (imagine him trying to match up against a 6'10 SF like Turkglu) but I think the strength issue is overblown.

Let's face it, in today's NBA strength on the perimeter is almost a liability instead of a benefit. By the rules, you technically can't even touch the person you're guarding, so what good is strength? Small forwards and guards almost never post up anyway.

I'll admit strength is great on offense (finishing with through contact, bullying your way past people like Lebron does, using your strength to get to your spots like Pierce does, etc.) but IMO it's not fair to say Rudy couldn't guard SF's because of his strength. If we get him, I say stick him on some SF's and see how he does, and then decide.

[Roy Hobbs]

Marquis is right on the low end of what you'd want for size from a SF; anything smaller than that is pretty much SG territory.  Preferably, we'd have somebody who was 6'7"+ filling the role.

Keep in mind that size isn't the only thing that determines a player's position, though.  I think Rudy would be passable SF, but he's probably more of a SG in his mentality (i.e., doesn't rebound a lot, doesn't play very physical, he's a pure shooter, etc.)

[ballin]

Although Rudy's not much smaller than Marquis, Rudy can't guard small forwards. I'm not sure he can guard anyone really.

Just wondering, but how many games of his did you actually watch last year? He's a pretty good on-ball defender and great at getting steals. I really don't know where your comment came from

[Who]

Someone who is considered an above average first wing off the bench + preferably someone who can defend and rebound the small forward position at an above average level.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Thanks, everyone, for the input. The picture is clearer for me now.

[Change]

Although Rudy's not much smaller than Marquis, Rudy can't guard small forwards. I'm not sure he can guard anyone really.

Just wondering, but how many games of his did you actually watch last year? He's a pretty good on-ball defender and great at getting steals. I really don't know where your comment came from

No Defense=DNP's. Rudy will be riding the pine.

Corey Brewer or Shane Battier if they are available. You need a big time defender coming off the bench. Someone Doc can trust who can get stops on defense.

[Who]

Someone who is considered an above average first wing off the bench + preferably someone who can defend and rebound the small forward position at an above average level.

A list of first wings off the bench for comparison's sake

ATL - Mo Evans
BOS - Marquis Daniels
CHA - Derrick Brown?
CHI - Korver or Brewer
CLE - Joey Graham?
DAL - Dominique Jones?
DEN - JR Smith
DET - Austin Daye
GSW - Vladamir Radmanovic
HOU - Shane Battier
IND - Paul George or Mike Dunleavy
LAL - Matt Barnes or Devin Ebanks
LAC - Rasual Butler or Ryan Gomes
MEM - Xavier Henry or Tony Allen
MIN - Corey Brewer or Martell Webster
MIA - Mike Miller
MIL - Carlos Delfino
NOH - Posey, Peja or J.Wright
NJN - Anthony Morrow or Terrence Williams
NYK - Wilson Chandler or Kelenna Azubuike
OKC - James Harden
ORL - Mickael Pietrus or JJ Redick
PHI - Jason Kapono or Willie Green
PHO - Jared Dudley or Josh Childress
POR - Wes Matthews or Rudy Fernandez or Luke Babbitt
SAC - Francisco Garcia
SAS - James Anderson
TOR - Linas Kleiza
UTA - Gordon Hayward
WAS - Al Thornton, Nick Young or Trevor Booker

Where does Marquis Daniels rank amongst that list?

Overall and/or in terms of (1) defense (2) offense (3) rebounding?

[ballin]

Although Rudy's not much smaller than Marquis, Rudy can't guard small forwards. I'm not sure he can guard anyone really.

Just wondering, but how many games of his did you actually watch last year? He's a pretty good on-ball defender and great at getting steals. I really don't know where your comment came from

No Defense=DNP's. Rudy will be riding the pine.

Corey Brewer or Shane Battier if they are available. You need a big time defender coming off the bench.

Again, not sure where this comment is coming from. Although I think the number one way to evaluate somebody's defense is to watch them play (as I did plenty of, considering I have League Pass) if you were to have put in even a modicum of effort by looking up Rudy's defensive stats (basketball-reference, 82games, etc.) you'd see that statistically Rudy was a better defender than Brandon Roy and Jerryd Bayless, who mostly play the same position as him.

Frankly, and I loathe to pull this out, this conversation reminds me of when I was watching a Bulls game with a friend when I mentioned how Kirk Hinrich was a good defender. My friend, who knows a decent amount about basketball but not all that much, was adamant that he wasn't a very good defender at all. The conversation persisted until I went online and showed him Hinrich's all-defense selection.

Gee, I wonder what it was that gave him the impression Hinrich was a bad defender just by looking at him. This reminds me of that conversation.

[Jon]

We'd like someone who can play defense, hit the three, and is 6-7 or above.  Think James Posey in '08...which is why more and more I'm thinking a Sheed for Posey deal might not be a bad idea. 

Heck, given New Orlean's desire to dump salary, we may even be able to get a draft pick out of them. 

[snively]

Someone who can shoot better than TA and defend/rebound better than Michael Finley.