Why has it been so difficult to find a back up for Pierce?

[GreenEnvy]

Ta's rebounding shouldn't be much of an issue..he WAS out covering the fastest, most athletic and talented guys in the LEAGUE....so what about his shooting, his rebounding....It was his real first year BACK, and he was great. (2nd year, but the first year is recovery) Too bad we won't see the rest of his development, like i said b4...he could practice running the point, can get better at ball handling...but no one really learns to be a defender like that...remember his block on gasol.....? Wasn't he covering kobe at the same time..you won't get D and O out of pp or ray anymore..not on the better guys. That is why TA in with one of them and rondo was a great play..we would have had PERFECT D...with TA....a lot of good size and shot blockers inside, and TA for the outside, along with nate and rondo ( at diff times, maybe both sometimes) I still cannot believe we let him go for a 1 year diff of opinion..now we are stuck with MD...who showed NOTHING, consistantly....!  MD never turned the ball over....because he never went after it...never drove...he showed me nothing, I would have dropped him and signed TA asap...especially with Wade and Lebron now coming at you..don't forget Chicago too.......Missing TA will be our short coming this year. Unless one of these guys can step up....!  A backup for pp...is usually a starter for other teams..we had too many holes to fill this year....

I still can't see how any reasonable Celtics fan can be upset over losing TA. You really think Doc or Danny would let him go if he was so vital to the success of the team like you claim? They didn't feel he was worth the money or the years, which neither was a lot. That says something.

He was a good defender. That's it. He brought nothing to the offense. Maybe some C's fans remember the rookie TA who crashed boards and was everywhere on the court. Or the TA who could put up 20 points a game on a team that was in the midst of an 18-game losing streak.

The only team I could see missing him for is the Heat, because of how strong their wings are (assuming they play Wade and LeBron at the wings, and not at PG). I'm not worried about Kobe, because the only reason we lost was because of their frontcourt (and Perk's injury, of course). There is no guarantee we face the Heat or the Lakers, so there is no point in overpaying a player who really won't help us much.

Bottom line, when healthy, Daniels is a significantly better all-around NBA player than TA. What happened last season is anyone's guess. He showed flashes early on, but for whatever reason, either mental or physical, he couldn't do it down the stretch or in the playoffs.

I would be a little surprised if that happened again.

[Mike-Dub]

Matt Barnes signed for two consecutive years at the Vet min in Phoenix and in Orlando. maybe he likes the weather, sure. But if you'd stpped up with $2.5 to $3 mil a year for 3 years, he'd be wearing green.

That's just it, though.  We don't have 2.5-3 million a year to give to Matt Barnes.  We used our MLE on Jermaine.

We're talking about vet. minimum deals or a trade.  Danny has exhausted all trade options, and apparently none of them were palatable.

As I've already explained, no guy who fits your description (a Matt Barnes type) would be available for the vet. minimum.

Coulda got Barnes for the Bi-Annual last year instead of Marquis.  Barnes is an idiot though.  Hear bout him slapping an opposing teams assistant coach in a summer league today?

[LooseCannon]

Danny is pretty afraid of creating a bad contract, which is his flaw (of few--he's great at picking in the draft and minimum contracts, and gathered a top-notch combo of superstars, but securing the in-between parts long-term has been his weaker area).  He's done great with what he's had, but hasn't had the luck of stumbling into a long-term solution through the draft or some lucky LLE or minimum guys that get sucked in for two years.

I would say his refusal to take on a bad contract that isn't a trade asset is one of Ainge's strengths.  He's not going to overpay marginal talent in a panic move.

[Mike-Dub]

By season:

2009:  I think Danny waited too long on Posey, and by the time he got back into the market, there were no really viable options left.  Danny misjudged the market, and how much veteran players would want to play for a title team.

I remember Danny was looking at Corey Maggette that year.  Which thinking back about it I'm surprised because Maggette has never been known as a defender.

[LooseCannon]

I just don't understand why we have not been able to get one decent guy behind Pierce and sign him for a 3-4 year contract like we did Baby for KG.

Glen Davis never received a 3-4 year contract.  He had a two-year rookie deal, then signed a two-year deal as a restricted free agent, partly because no one else seemed interested in him.  BBD was able to get playing time as a rookie.  Bill Walker, a first-round talent who dropped because of injury concerns, was supposed to be the equivalent at SF, but he couldn't play defense well enough to crack Doc's rotation.  (Von Wafer should pay attention to that lesson.)  Marquis Daniels might have gotten a three-year deal if Larry Bird had been willing to do a sign-and-trade for Tony Allen.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Ta's rebounding shouldn't be much of an issue..he WAS out covering the fastest, most athletic and talented guys in the LEAGUE....so what about his shooting, his rebounding....It was his real first year BACK, and he was great. (2nd year, but the first year is recovery) Too bad we won't see the rest of his development, like i said b4...he could practice running the point, can get better at ball handling...but no one really learns to be a defender like that...remember his block on gasol.....? Wasn't he covering kobe at the same time..you won't get D and O out of pp or ray anymore..not on the better guys. That is why TA in with one of them and rondo was a great play..we would have had PERFECT D...with TA....a lot of good size and shot blockers inside, and TA for the outside, along with nate and rondo ( at diff times, maybe both sometimes) I still cannot believe we let him go for a 1 year diff of opinion..now we are stuck with MD...who showed NOTHING, consistantly....!  MD never turned the ball over....because he never went after it...never drove...he showed me nothing, I would have dropped him and signed TA asap...especially with Wade and Lebron now coming at you..don't forget Chicago too.......Missing TA will be our short coming this year. Unless one of these guys can step up....!  A backup for pp...is usually a starter for other teams..we had too many holes to fill this year....

I still can't see how any reasonable Celtics fan can be upset over losing TA. You really think Doc or Danny would let him go if he was so vital to the success of the team like you claim? They didn't feel he was worth the money or the years, which neither was a lot. That says something.

He was a good defender. That's it. He brought nothing to the offense. Maybe some C's fans remember the rookie TA who crashed boards and was everywhere on the court. Or the TA who could put up 20 points a game on a team that was in the midst of an 18-game losing streak.

The only team I could see missing him for is the Heat, because of how strong their wings are (assuming they play Wade and LeBron at the wings, and not at PG). I'm not worried about Kobe, because the only reason we lost was because of their frontcourt (and Perk's injury, of course). There is no guarantee we face the Heat or the Lakers, so there is no point in overpaying a player who really won't help us much.

Bottom line, when healthy, Daniels is a significantly better all-around NBA player than TA. What happened last season is anyone's guess. He showed flashes early on, but for whatever reason, either mental or physical, he couldn't do it down the stretch or in the playoffs.

I would be a little surprised if that happened again.

All he was asked to do was defend mostly, and his offense wasn't that bad. His defense was how we got to the finals. Is that not enough..? You aren't worried about Wade and lebron.....  You won't get out of the East with out seeing them. Daniels..are you kidding, a whole year of nothing. You examine TA's offense, and kill him over it. Yet you give daniels a fee pass on everything, yet he did nothing.. Danials hurt his hand....so that means what, you can't run, practice, work on the good hand for layups..?  Well, you are a player, you know that is what you would do...what did he do, sit around eating dove bars? Study how scal got a concussion so he could do it too....? How about MD's concussion.....running into gortats stomach..Gortat didn't even feel it....What kind of man is this...? MD belongs in the WNBA after all that. TA did more than BBD to get us into the finals...and you think that is easily dismissed....? If the man can stop Wade and lebron, he can do a lot more. I'd expect him to be 10-20 ppg this year, more athletic, harder D, better slashing, dunking and ball handling....MD brought nothing last year...hmmmm, i guess he would have an easy time improving that this year..! Another example of asking nothing for the $$$. Over paying TA, 3 mill is over paying..? The guy who defends the best players in the league, and has a lot more potential.....and he is only 28.....you really think that is too much for him..?

[BballTim]

Ta's rebounding shouldn't be much of an issue..he WAS out covering the fastest, most athletic and talented guys in the LEAGUE....so what about his shooting, his rebounding....It was his real first year BACK, and he was great. (2nd year, but the first year is recovery) Too bad we won't see the rest of his development, like i said b4...he could practice running the point, can get better at ball handling...but no one really learns to be a defender like that...remember his block on gasol.....? Wasn't he covering kobe at the same time..you won't get D and O out of pp or ray anymore..not on the better guys. That is why TA in with one of them and rondo was a great play..we would have had PERFECT D...with TA....a lot of good size and shot blockers inside, and TA for the outside, along with nate and rondo ( at diff times, maybe both sometimes) I still cannot believe we let him go for a 1 year diff of opinion..now we are stuck with MD...who showed NOTHING, consistantly....!  MD never turned the ball over....because he never went after it...never drove...he showed me nothing, I would have dropped him and signed TA asap...especially with Wade and Lebron now coming at you..don't forget Chicago too.......Missing TA will be our short coming this year. Unless one of these guys can step up....!  A backup for pp...is usually a starter for other teams..we had too many holes to fill this year....

I still can't see how any reasonable Celtics fan can be upset over losing TA. You really think Doc or Danny would let him go if he was so vital to the success of the team like you claim? They didn't feel he was worth the money or the years, which neither was a lot. That says something.

He was a good defender. That's it. He brought nothing to the offense. Maybe some C's fans remember the rookie TA who crashed boards and was everywhere on the court. Or the TA who could put up 20 points a game on a team that was in the midst of an 18-game losing streak.

The only team I could see missing him for is the Heat, because of how strong their wings are (assuming they play Wade and LeBron at the wings, and not at PG). I'm not worried about Kobe, because the only reason we lost was because of their frontcourt (and Perk's injury, of course). There is no guarantee we face the Heat or the Lakers, so there is no point in overpaying a player who really won't help us much.

Bottom line, when healthy, Daniels is a significantly better all-around NBA player than TA. What happened last season is anyone's guess. He showed flashes early on, but for whatever reason, either mental or physical, he couldn't do it down the stretch or in the playoffs.

I would be a little surprised if that happened again.

  It sure sounded like Danny, Doc and the players were fairly upset over losing TA. He left for what he felt was a better opportunity, not because Doc and Danny didn't want him back.

[moiso]

I was thrilled when we origionally signed Daniels.  After a season of injury and apparent indifference, I'm not so thrilled anymore.  Whatever his reasons, Daniels didn't compete very hard, and I'm not just talking about the sleepy look on his face.
As of now, I'd say we probably will miss Tony and his competitiveness.

[moiso]

One guy I just thought of that could have been interesting is Dermarr Johnson.  He was out of the league last year but he is a 6'8" or so guy who can guard 2's and 3's, and he can also hit three pointers.  He seems a little Matt Barnesish, but I guess Ainge preferred Wafer.  Johson's length and athleticism are nice, and I'm surprised he isn't in the league.

[jdub1660]

I was all excited about Posey going to a non contender, but his agent is saying he won't seek a buyout. STILL, I guess that doesn't guarantee that Indy won't waive him any ways since an over paid aged Role player has no purpose on that team. I know he's well way past his prime, but so was Sheed and he still made a difference come playoff time(as will Shaq). Lets hope we get our hands on Posey and we can definitely dominate with a healthy squad for 2 years

[GreenEnvy]

Ta's rebounding shouldn't be much of an issue..he WAS out covering the fastest, most athletic and talented guys in the LEAGUE....so what about his shooting, his rebounding....It was his real first year BACK, and he was great. (2nd year, but the first year is recovery) Too bad we won't see the rest of his development, like i said b4...he could practice running the point, can get better at ball handling...but no one really learns to be a defender like that...remember his block on gasol.....? Wasn't he covering kobe at the same time..you won't get D and O out of pp or ray anymore..not on the better guys. That is why TA in with one of them and rondo was a great play..we would have had PERFECT D...with TA....a lot of good size and shot blockers inside, and TA for the outside, along with nate and rondo ( at diff times, maybe both sometimes) I still cannot believe we let him go for a 1 year diff of opinion..now we are stuck with MD...who showed NOTHING, consistantly....!  MD never turned the ball over....because he never went after it...never drove...he showed me nothing, I would have dropped him and signed TA asap...especially with Wade and Lebron now coming at you..don't forget Chicago too.......Missing TA will be our short coming this year. Unless one of these guys can step up....!  A backup for pp...is usually a starter for other teams..we had too many holes to fill this year....

I still can't see how any reasonable Celtics fan can be upset over losing TA. You really think Doc or Danny would let him go if he was so vital to the success of the team like you claim? They didn't feel he was worth the money or the years, which neither was a lot. That says something.

He was a good defender. That's it. He brought nothing to the offense. Maybe some C's fans remember the rookie TA who crashed boards and was everywhere on the court. Or the TA who could put up 20 points a game on a team that was in the midst of an 18-game losing streak.

The only team I could see missing him for is the Heat, because of how strong their wings are (assuming they play Wade and LeBron at the wings, and not at PG). I'm not worried about Kobe, because the only reason we lost was because of their frontcourt (and Perk's injury, of course). There is no guarantee we face the Heat or the Lakers, so there is no point in overpaying a player who really won't help us much.

Bottom line, when healthy, Daniels is a significantly better all-around NBA player than TA. What happened last season is anyone's guess. He showed flashes early on, but for whatever reason, either mental or physical, he couldn't do it down the stretch or in the playoffs.

I would be a little surprised if that happened again.

  It sure sounded like Danny, Doc and the players were fairly upset over losing TA. He left for what he felt was a better opportunity, not because Doc and Danny didn't want him back.

So should Doc, Danny, and the players cried over the loss of TA? They took the politically correct route and said they would have liked to keep him and will miss him, but the truth is, they had a number in mind (as they did with Posey) and would NOT go over it. He chose to leave, which is fine, but Ainge could have upped the offer to make the decision harder, he chose not to.

He is as one-dimensional a player as it gets. Nothing but defense. Can't shoot, can't score on his own, can't pass, can't dribble, can't rebound well.

Adios TA, enjoy you PT on a lottery team. I MUCH rather take my chances on Wafer and Daniels, who actually have potential (on both ends).

[BballTim]

Ta's rebounding shouldn't be much of an issue..he WAS out covering the fastest, most athletic and talented guys in the LEAGUE....so what about his shooting, his rebounding....It was his real first year BACK, and he was great. (2nd year, but the first year is recovery) Too bad we won't see the rest of his development, like i said b4...he could practice running the point, can get better at ball handling...but no one really learns to be a defender like that...remember his block on gasol.....? Wasn't he covering kobe at the same time..you won't get D and O out of pp or ray anymore..not on the better guys. That is why TA in with one of them and rondo was a great play..we would have had PERFECT D...with TA....a lot of good size and shot blockers inside, and TA for the outside, along with nate and rondo ( at diff times, maybe both sometimes) I still cannot believe we let him go for a 1 year diff of opinion..now we are stuck with MD...who showed NOTHING, consistantly....!  MD never turned the ball over....because he never went after it...never drove...he showed me nothing, I would have dropped him and signed TA asap...especially with Wade and Lebron now coming at you..don't forget Chicago too.......Missing TA will be our short coming this year. Unless one of these guys can step up....!  A backup for pp...is usually a starter for other teams..we had too many holes to fill this year....

I still can't see how any reasonable Celtics fan can be upset over losing TA. You really think Doc or Danny would let him go if he was so vital to the success of the team like you claim? They didn't feel he was worth the money or the years, which neither was a lot. That says something.

He was a good defender. That's it. He brought nothing to the offense. Maybe some C's fans remember the rookie TA who crashed boards and was everywhere on the court. Or the TA who could put up 20 points a game on a team that was in the midst of an 18-game losing streak.

The only team I could see missing him for is the Heat, because of how strong their wings are (assuming they play Wade and LeBron at the wings, and not at PG). I'm not worried about Kobe, because the only reason we lost was because of their frontcourt (and Perk's injury, of course). There is no guarantee we face the Heat or the Lakers, so there is no point in overpaying a player who really won't help us much.

Bottom line, when healthy, Daniels is a significantly better all-around NBA player than TA. What happened last season is anyone's guess. He showed flashes early on, but for whatever reason, either mental or physical, he couldn't do it down the stretch or in the playoffs.

I would be a little surprised if that happened again.

  It sure sounded like Danny, Doc and the players were fairly upset over losing TA. He left for what he felt was a better opportunity, not because Doc and Danny didn't want him back.

So should Doc, Danny, and the players cried over the loss of TA? They took the politically correct route and said they would have liked to keep him and will miss him, but the truth is, they had a number in mind (as they did with Posey) and would NOT go over it. He chose to leave, which is fine, but Ainge could have upped the offer to make the decision harder, he chose not to.

He is as one-dimensional a player as it gets. Nothing but defense. Can't shoot, can't score on his own, can't pass, can't dribble, can't rebound well.

Adios TA, enjoy you PT on a lottery team. I MUCH rather take my chances on Wafer and Daniels, who actually have potential (on both ends).

  Ah. So when you talk about how Doc and Danny felt it's just something you made up and not based on what they said or anything. Got it. Plauers leave every year without Pierce complaining about it to reporters, but he was just being poliitically correct. Right. And it sounded like TA didn't give Danny a chance to match the offer, so it *wasn't* like Posey. Also, the Celts are trying to win a title. Talking about whether players in their mid-late 20s have potential is pretty silly.

[clover]

Danny is pretty afraid of creating a bad contract, which is his flaw (of few--he's great at picking in the draft and minimum contracts, and gathered a top-notch combo of superstars, but securing the in-between parts long-term has been his weaker area).  He's done great with what he's had, but hasn't had the luck of stumbling into a long-term solution through the draft or some lucky LLE or minimum guys that get sucked in for two years.

I would say his refusal to take on a bad contract that isn't a trade asset is one of Ainge's strengths.  He's not going to overpay marginal talent in a panic move.

+1

[2short]

quick thoughts on this:
danny isn't done
matt barnes  pierce makes him look like a chump so i don't think he's the answer to lebron/kobe
daniels until his injury was our best sub last year
if billy walker could have done better on defense or if the celtics could have given him the tony allen 4 year curve he would be the answer
battier!

[Bankshot]

What i find funny about TA's critics is that they pull out this microscope, and dissect him, but they only use that microscope on TA....if he was better at shooting, better at ball handling...well, he'd be a 10 mill player, easily...then what would we do....

Same goes for Big Baby.