We Just Might Be OK

[Jon]

Yes, I am about to rationalize a bit.  Yes, I was someone who up until a few hours ago was up for bringing back James Posey rather than go into the season with what we have at the 2/3.  However, as the title says, we just might be OK.  

While I'd still love to get a big 3, what Danny has on the team right now could be enough firepower to keep Pierce and Allen from running out of gas.  Here are few things to consider.  

1) Daniels, Wafer, and Bradley could be pretty good.  Daniels is only two years removed from putting up 14 ppg and has been a contributor on a very good Dallas team.  He's also put up good defense on LeBron in the past.  Wafer, while having attitude problems, did shoot 39% from beyond the arc two years ago, and his attitude shouldn't be a problem with this group.  And finally, Bradley, while raw, has a reputation for being a top-notch defender.  Even if he has trouble finding his offense, he should be useful on defense.  

2) Shaq's likely presence on the 2nd team means that the bench won't have to score as much.  Too often Doc had to leave Ray or Paul on the court with the reserves last year to provide offense.  This year year, he should be able to rely on Nate and Shaq to put the ball in the basket.  

3) Speaking of Nate, I wouldn't be surprised to see some "2" minutes taken by a Rondo/Nate backcourt combo, further reducing the burden on Daniels/Wafer/Bradley.  Short, yes; however, it would be incredibly quick and dynamic.  

4) If Perk gets back, I wouldn't be shocked to see KG be used some at the 3.  It would open up minutes for everyone, and while yes, he's lost a step, many teams have combo 3/4 guys that KG ends up guarding anyway.  Thus, if Orlando is running Lewis at the 3, LA Odom at the 3, or Cleveland Jamison at the 3, why not put KG out there?  

5) There's plenty of time to resolve these issues if things don't pan out.  Doc just needs to commit to keep Piece and Allen between 32-34 mpg, no matter how crappy the play of Daniels/Wafer/Bradley.  Then, if they don't, buyouts and trades can happen.  

[Change]

Tp,

I know what Nate will bring, I know what Big Baby will bring, and I also know what ShaQ will bring. Celtics bench will be solid because of those 3 guys.

Marquis is one year removed not two from his 14ppg season. Marquis is also in his prime (age wise), and that I'm optimistic about it. All Celtics will asking from Von/Q/Avery is to commit defensively. If they manage to hold their own defensively, I'm more than confident that the Celtics bench will be the best bench in the league.  

[Chris]

No need to rationalize anything.  This team has significantly improved their bench IMO, after going to game 7 of the finals.  They are in a great position to contend again. 

The ideas of trading Sheeds contract sounded good, but ultimately, they were probably pipe dreams.  While we were thinking Battier and Prince, the reality was more likely something like Nocioni or Kapono.  And at that point, they were probably better off just taking the savings. 

But lets not get wrapped up in what could have been (or what we hoped could have been, even if it wasn't really likely or possible), because this team is still VERY good. 

We are going to need some luck, just like any other team, and we are going to also need some guys to step up.  But we have the guys who could make a difference and put this team over the top, and that keeps me excited about this team.

[j804]

Is it just me or does KG look like he is going to be in full beast mode next year? As if he doesn't already play that way its nice to see he's involved already so early on, at the Shaq presser he looked almost angry like that finals loss was still stinging and he cant wait to unleash.

[ducksawce]

Oh yeah, totally.  Our starting 5 will be pretty much magnificent as usual.  All we've needed is a solid bench...well guess what?  We've most certainly got one now.

Even I've forgotten why our starters got so tripped up last year.  Simple and obvious in retrospect...too many minutes, too much intensity, not enough bench.  We started off 23-5, attempting to rectify 2009's painful playoff exit (due to KG's injury), and attempting to replicate the 2007-2008/2008-2009 performance by rocketing to a league's best record by Christmas.  We all expected 2008-like acheivement during the regular season...but we all should've seen the writing on the wall....our starters were going balls-out.

The problem was, at precisely the time which the starters were at their most productive and intense (Fall) our bench failed to even materialize.  Sheed was shooting horrendous percentages from beyond the arc.  Eddie was in a slump.  Baby and TA weren't even in the bench lineup due to injury.  Shelden freaking Williams was our sole productive bench big, and Marquis injured himself out of the rotation starting in December.  By Christmas, the team was ripe and ready for payback in Orlando...but soon after, even the starters fell apart. 

This year, our bench is simply magnificent....regardless of whether we would have been able to get anything for Sheed's contract.  Nate is obviously a dynamite spark-plug...I won't be surprised if he averages in the low teens point-wise.  With the placement of Quisy and Von, we've got two athletic wings who are consistent scorers.  Plop in Baby and Shaq, and you've arguably got a starting-quality unit that would make the playoffs (in the East perhaps). 

This year, the writing is on the wall, and the starters will not over-exert themselves at all costs.  The bench will take care of things, and do it VERY well.  Couple this with our depth in bigs, and you've got a fantastic formula that bodes well for health and chemistry.

[Roy Hobbs]

I think we'll be fine, but we still do need another wing, at least for depth.  Why?

1)  Marquis Daniels *will* get injured.  In seven seasons, Daniels has missed 20+ games in six of them.  His career high in games played is 74.

2) If Daniels is out, our only options to defend small forwards are 6'5" Von Wafer (who is a poor defender, and is oft-injured himself), 6'3" rookie Avery Bradley, or second round rookie Luke Harangody, who is probably unathletic for a PF, let alone a SF.

3) Our starting wings (Pierce and Ray) are old and getting older.  Last season in the playoffs, they struggled on offense when asked to play too many minutes, especially when defending elite guys like Lebron and Kobe.

I hope that Marquis is healthy and contributing in the playoffs.  However, I think it is silly to count on it, since history says he won't be.

[manl_lui]

another good thread, TP

i would say one reason why our starters were injured over and over again is due to the fact that

1. BBD was injured early before the season started
2. Sheed was good defensively, but offensively was just shooting 3s for no reason
3. Daniels was out with thumb injury
4. Eddie House was on and off, one month he can be hot from 3, another month will be cold
5. TA didnt really play until the 2nd half of the season (which he proved he can still play)


with Shaq and others coming off the bench we do not have to worry about

1. Shaq will not shoot 3s...good defender for bigs off the bench and good offensive player compare to Perk
2. Nate will come back this time through training camp, can create his own shots
3. BBD will be a year older and better than last year, even if he havent improved, ill still take last years BBD, hes an energizer bunny.
4. Marquis's defense is ok in my opinion, he can defend lebron james well...can handle the ball, shoot the ball better than TA, and an ok scorer

Im comfortable with these 4 coming off the bench together.

in my opinion, this team could use one last piece to make them even better, but we shouldn't rush

[Greenbean]

I think we'll be fine, but we still do need another wing, at least for depth.  Why?

1)  Marquis Daniels *will* get injured.  In seven seasons, Daniels has missed 20+ games in six of them.  His career high in games played is 74.

2) If Daniels is out, our only options to defend small forwards are 6'5" Von Wafer (who is a poor defender, and is oft-injured himself), 6'3" rookie Avery Bradley, or second round rookie Luke Harangody, who is probably unathletic for a PF, let alone a SF.

3) Our starting wings (Pierce and Ray) are old and getting older.  Last season in the playoffs, they struggled on offense when asked to play too many minutes, especially when defending elite guys like Lebron and Kobe.

I hope that Marquis is healthy and contributing in the playoffs.  However, I think it is silly to count on it, since history says he won't be.

Relying on Marquis to stay healthy is scary. Last year we fell back on Tony Allen. This year we literally have zero proven players to fall back on.

Beside this though, we are rock solid and without a doubt a contender.

[Assassin70]

Very good stuff in here, I am continue to be impressed by intelligence of my fellow Celtic fans.

All the other teams I follow cannot hold a candle to you guys.
 

 

[Quinn]

No need to rationalize anything.  This team has significantly improved their bench IMO, after going to game 7 of the finals.  They are in a great position to contend again. 

The ideas of trading Sheeds contract sounded good, but ultimately, they were probably pipe dreams.  While we were thinking Battier and Prince, the reality was more likely something like Nocioni or Kapono.  And at that point, they were probably better off just taking the savings. 

But lets not get wrapped up in what could have been (or what we hoped could have been, even if it wasn't really likely or possible), because this team is still VERY good. 

We are going to need some luck, just like any other team, and we are going to also need some guys to step up.  But we have the guys who could make a difference and put this team over the top, and that keeps me excited about this team.

You and I think exactly alike. Von Wafer, in the right system could POTENTIALLY be a 20+ ppg player. (I'm not saying he'll be near that in Boston, but he could be that player) Or it could be Shaq, or Jermaine, or Nate. If one of those players steps up their game a step more than we expect of them, we'll be a very scary team.

[GreenFaith1819]

Sure we will, good post, Jon. (TP)

This is the deepest, longest, and biggest we've been frontcourt-wise in a few years.

And - believe it or not - we got younger somehow. Our overall age, according to ESPN, is 28.4.

LA's? 30.4. But of course you can't tell them that, the Clowns

[GreenFaith1819]

I think we'll be fine, but we still do need another wing, at least for depth.  Why?

1)  Marquis Daniels *will* get injured.  In seven seasons, Daniels has missed 20+ games in six of them.  His career high in games played is 74.

2) If Daniels is out, our only options to defend small forwards are 6'5" Von Wafer (who is a poor defender, and is oft-injured himself), 6'3" rookie Avery Bradley, or second round rookie Luke Harangody, who is probably unathletic for a PF, let alone a SF.

3) Our starting wings (Pierce and Ray) are old and getting older.  Last season in the playoffs, they struggled on offense when asked to play too many minutes, especially when defending elite guys like Lebron and Kobe.

I hope that Marquis is healthy and contributing in the playoffs.  However, I think it is silly to count on it, since history says he won't be.

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy.

Not sure if I'd give up a 1st round pick for him as the main blog page suggests, but I think he'd be a sound addition. I'm not sure about his defense, but I'm sure he could thrive in our system.

Delonte has the overall better game, IMO, but he's only 6'3". Rudy is 6'6".

[manl_lui]

Sure we will, good post, Jon. (TP)

This is the deepest, longest, and biggest we've been frontcourt-wise in a few years.

And - believe it or not - we got younger somehow. Our overall age, according to ESPN, is 28.4.

LA's? 30.4. But of course you can't tell them that, the Clowns

can't wait for the season to start, i want another jab at the lakers for cheating!

[Brendan]

At this point getting a SF that can be of rotation caliber, will require a trade. That means Dec 15. Of rotation guys Nate/BBD/Perk/Daniels could all possibly get shipped out to help bring back that wing. If they can get Rudy or West cheaply - they should, it will facilitate that trade.