Wafer Can and Will Play Some Small Forward

[Kane3387]

Von Wafer is listed at 6'5" and 209 lbs.
Marquise Daniels is listed at 6'6" and 200 lbs.

I guarantee that you will see line-ups sometimes that include Nate, West, and Wafer all playing at the same time. Wafer played some SF at times in Houston when he was on the court at the same time as Brooks and Lowry. You will also see West, Wafer, and Marquise playing at the same time sometimes. The best thing in my opinion that we have done this off season with our acquisitions is pick guys who can play multiple positions because the starters really cant. Perk is only a center. Rondo is only a PG. Ray is really only a SG for the most part though at times he can play some 1 or 3. Paul at this point is really only a 3 and KG for the most part is a 4.

Yet off the bench West, Nate, and Bradley can all play the 1 or the 2 because they are all combo guards. Nate can only play the 2 on offense and not defense in my opinion. Baby can play the four and a little five. Jermaine can play the four or the five. Shaq however is a definite five. Both quise and Von can play the 2 or the 3.

If Quise is going into the playoffs healthy then I think our roster as is, is incredibly deep and potent. We have defenders, playmakers, shooters, slashers, BIGS, post up players, face up players, and still one of the better go to guys in Pierce. I really don't see any wholes on our team if Marquise stays healthy. Could we improve the roster more? Sure but any team can say that. Yet, as is, on paper, we have a juggernaut on our hands.

[Chris]

Sure.  West will also play some SF, as will Allen.  We may even see Harangody in there.

There really are a limited amount of bench 3's that would really exploit that mismatch, particularly in the regular season.  Particularly with the C's being so big along the front line, it should allow them to get away with having quicker and smaller defenders on the perimeter for stretches.

Now, if Daniels does not step up, and they do not pick someone else up before the playoffs to cover bigger 3's, then it it could be an issue.  But for the time being, I think the slight size matchup against second string 3's won't be a big problem.

[D Dub]

Has he ever had to guard NBA small forwards before?

I'm guessing that Doc will go with Ray Allen playing 40mpg instead.

[Kane3387]

Chris,

Me neither. We are truly only talking about LeBron and Deng. After what I saw last season we can throw out the regualr season. It is what it is. I dont really agree with it but the playoffs are all that matter.

As for the playoffs there are only half of the eastern conference to consider if you count as one of the eight teams. Out of the teams likely to make the playoffs and present a challenge for us (Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, and maybe Milwaukee) only Miami and Chicago present SF with the ability to give us issues. Maggette doesn't scare me nor does Marvin Williams or anyone Orlando throws at us. Deng doesn't really scare me either but he has always been a challenge for Pierce in my opinion when they match up.

So it really comes down to LeBron. The only reason we would need an upgrade at SF is if Quise is hurt and cant help out on LeBron.

That's my logic on it anyways.

[Kane3387]

Has he ever had to guard NBA small forwards before?

I'm guessing that Doc will go with Ray Allen playing 40mpg instead.

Im guessing not. Not if we want a more consistent Ray Allen in the end.

[Chris]

Chris,

Me neither. We are truly only talking about LeBron and Deng. After what I saw last season we can throw out the regualr season. It is what it is. I dont really agree with it but the playoffs are all that matter.

As for the playoffs there are only half of the eastern conference to consider if you count as one of the eight teams. Out of the teams likely to make the playoffs and present a challenge for us (Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, and maybe Milwaukee) only Miami and Chicago present SF with the ability to give us issues. Maggette doesn't scare me nor does Marvin Williams or anyone Orlando throws at us. Deng doesn't really scare me either but he has always been a challenge for Pierce in my opinion when they match up.

So it really comes down to LeBron. The only reason we would need an upgrade at SF is if Quise is hurt and cant help out on LeBron.

That's my logic on it anyways.

Right, and Pierce will cover Lebron for what?  35 minutes per game?  Then Daniels can cover him for 5 minutes, or they can just take the ball out of his hands with the team defense.

[SCBirdman]

This move just cemented Avery Bradley a spot in the D-League.

[the_Bird]

Didn't realize that Wafer actually played about a third of his minutes in Houston at the SF spot.  Played 11% of Houston's SF minutes that year, and 19% of their SG minutes.  Still not ideal, but only really worried about this against LeBron.

http://www.82games.com/0809/08HOU6.HTM

Thinking that a lot of people, including me, are sleeping on Quis.  Quis played real strong ball for a good chunk of last season.  Thinking he could surprise up on the good side, just like TA did for us last year.  Won't have to worry about being a quasi-PG at all, not with both Nate and West in town. 

[D Dub]

Didn't realize that Wafer actually played about a third of his minutes in Houston at the SF spot.  Played 11% of Houston's SF minutes that year, and 19% of their SG minutes.  Still not ideal, but only really worried about this against LeBron.

http://www.82games.com/0809/08HOU6.HTM

Thinking that a lot of people, including me, are sleeping on Quis.  Quis played real strong ball for a good chunk of last season.  Thinking he could surprise up on the good side, just like TA did for us last year.  Won't have to worry about being a quasi-PG at all, not with both Nate and West in town.  

TP for the research.  Hope your right about Quis!  

[Kane3387]

Didn't realize that Wafer actually played about a third of his minutes in Houston at the SF spot.  Played 11% of Houston's SF minutes that year, and 19% of their SG minutes.  Still not ideal, but only really worried about this against LeBron.

http://www.82games.com/0809/08HOU6.HTM

Thinking that a lot of people, including me, are sleeping on Quis.  Quis played real strong ball for a good chunk of last season.  Thinking he could surprise up on the good side, just like TA did for us last year.  Won't have to worry about being a quasi-PG at all, not with both Nate and West in town. 

That is some great stats. I didn't know he played that much at the SF either. I knew he played some but not that much.

I think as long as Carmelo stays in the West or at least doesn't go somewhere like Chicago or Atlanta then we will be about as good as we can be. Let's be honest there really isn't anyone in the league who can guard James and the guys that have given him some issues aren't available right now and might not be. Let's cross our fingers and hope that a trio of Pierce, Quise, and Wafer will be able to slow him down. Also Ray will chip in too.

I am really not that worried about back up SF.

[SCBirdman]

agree. Good find. I am really looking forward to this season. I think our front court will be much improved, despite the loss of Perk.

No. 1, KG is going to be much better this season, and hopefully closer to 2008 KG. Secondly, with a healthy KG, BBD, Shaq and JO, we will be much improved in rebounding and interior defense. Still a concern w/ pick and roll D when Shaq is in.

Looking forward to see Nate with a training camp under his belt, and now the competition on the second unit rotations with Delonte, Wafer, and Quisy. 

I'm also interested to see how Doc uses Shaq and the different front court combinations as well.

I like this team's chances for Banner 18.

[Kane3387]

agree. Good find. I am really looking forward to this season. I think our front court will be much improved, despite the loss of Perk.

No. 1, KG is going to be much better this season, and hopefully closer to 2008 KG. Secondly, with a healthy KG, BBD, Shaq and JO, we will be much improved in rebounding and interior defense. Still a concern w/ pick and roll D when Shaq is in.

Looking forward to see Nate with a training camp under his belt, and now the competition on the second unit rotations with Delonte, Wafer, and Quisy. 

I'm also interested to see how Doc uses Shaq and the different front court combinations as well.

I like this team's chances for Banner 18.

As do I! Back with a vengeance right?

I know alot of people are counting him out but I want to see if Bradley can push Nate and Delonte for some minutes. If I am Bradley I am picking up full court on Nate a ton in practice (assuming I am the defender people are saying I am).

Also come playoff time when it counts we will have Perk to add even more depth to the team and the front court in particular. No matter what kind of shape he is in when he gets back Perk will be at least the best fifth big in the NBA.

[Roy H.]

Thinking that a lot of people, including me, are sleeping on Quis.  Quis played real strong ball for a good chunk of last season.  Thinking he could surprise up on the good side, just like TA did for us last year.  Won't have to worry about being a quasi-PG at all, not with both Nate and West in town. 

Marquis is a pretty good player when healthy.  Unfortunately, he's been injured pretty much every season of his career.  I think people are worried about his track record.

[Neurotic Guy]

Thinking that a lot of people, including me, are sleeping on Quis.  Quis played real strong ball for a good chunk of last season.  Thinking he could surprise up on the good side, just like TA did for us last year.  Won't have to worry about being a quasi-PG at all, not with both Nate and West in town. 

Marquis is a pretty good player when healthy.  Unfortunately, he's been injured pretty much every season of his career.  I think people are worried about his track record.

I remember liking his ability to slash and to successfully squeak up some unlikley shots in the lane. However, I don't recall his defensive ability to be as good as initially advertised. 
Your thoughts on the possibility of Quis fulfilling the 3-stopper role?  I just don't see him being able to fill that role in a way that comfortably gives Pierce enough rest in big games.

[footey]

Players don't stop Lebron; team defense is your best shot against him. I am satisfied with our bench as constructed. Well done, Danny, given the financial limitations. Still would not be surprised to see Sheed come back in February, either!!