Help with the Backup 3 - Big Baby?

[CavemanDoctor]

Crazy thought, I know.  It seems the only weakness the team now has is a backup wing to spell Pierce.  We've briefly mentioned Ray and Wafer taking up the role for stretches, especially if and when Quis gets injured.

Given our newfound frontcourt depth, would it be a death blow to the team if Glen Davis helped out with the 3 spot as well?  According to 82games.com (http://www.82games.com/0910/09BOS15.HTM), Davis did play the 3 spot for very small stretches.  In fact, his PER was highest while playing as a small forward.  Admittedly a very small sample size, but it is what it is.

Our added frontcourt depth may have the ancillary benefit of bleeding over into some help for Pierce.

I personally wouldn't mind seeing a unit like this from time to time:

Robinson/West/Davis/O'Neal/O'Neal

or

West/Wafer/Davis/O'Neal/O'Neal

Is our backup wing problem as dire as we're making it out to be?  Am I taking crazy pills?

[2short]

At first I though backup 3 translated to center posistion 
Rather see Luke gets those remaining minutes
I don't think our sf issue is huge but if Daniels gets hurt than its a weak spot on our team, he's healthy it isn't a problem.  No one player defends Lebron, our team has proven we can make him look like a spoiled baby and not an mvp with team defense.

[Jon]

I think it's possible, but probably more likely as an experiment later in the season if/when Daniels/Wafer don't work out and if/when Perk comes back and crowds the 4/5 rotation. 

But that's a lot of "ifs" especially given that it's contingent not only on Perk coming back at full speed, but also KG and both O'Neals still being healthy by then. 

I also don't see Baby playing out there with Shaq and Jermaine; however, I could see a KG/Baby/JO front court.  In those cases, KG could guard some 3s, which really isn't that preposterous given that there are many 3/4 guys like Antawn Jamison, Lamar Odom, and Rashard Lewis that KG commonly guards at the 4 spot, who also play the 3.  And if Daniels/Wafer don't work out, I don't see why we WOULDN'T play KG at the 3 in matchup situations like that. 

[TBreezy]

davis also stayed in front of those fools pretty well down the stretch too

[xmuscularghandix]

Glen looks like he’s in amazing shape, and he’s gonna be out to prove himself after how last year started off for him  .

I’m excited about Shaq Jr.

[pearljammer10]

Baby playing the three?? Um ya, No thanks... Plus if Baby moves to the three then we just loose our back up 4.

[xmuscularghandix]

Baby playing the three?? Um ya, No thanks... Plus if Baby moves to the three then we just loose our back up 4.

Big Baby is the point guard in this lineup 

Davis, Harangody, Garnett, J.O., Shaq

we just have to zone up, and make sure to score on every possession... otherwise we might be a little easy to run on.

[snively]

I don't think it's feasible.   Too many physical limitations to overcome.  We saw last year that Baby was more of a 5 (defensively) than a 4 and struggled defensively when pitted against the big men who were too quick for Sheed.

The only way Baby can help us with the back-up 3 is as a trade asset. 

[gar]

Harangody will give BBD competition at 4 and will school him big time at the 3.

ONeal, ONeal and BBD is too much beef clogging up the middle. If you have ONeal and Oneal you need shooters on the perimeter. Harrangody is much better from 3 than BBD.

Think we should start:
JO + KG + PP + RA + Rondo then
Shaq + KG + PP + RA + Rondo then
Shaq + BBD + Luke + DWest + then
JO + BBD + MD or PP + Rondo

[Fan from VT]

I don't think it's feasible.   Too many physical limitations to overcome.  We saw last year that Baby was more of a 5 (defensively) than a 4 and struggled defensively when pitted against the big men who were too quick for Sheed.

The only way Baby can help us with the back-up 3 is as a trade asset. 

I agree with the last part of this post. Here is how Davis can best help our SF situation (and team) this year:

-To Phoenix for Clark and Dudley
(PHO needs some beef; has lots of SF’s)

-Plus 2 future firsts to Sac for Casspi and Jason Thompson
(They’re still building, they may want picks)

-Plus a first to Chicago for Taj Gibson and James Johnson
(doubt CHI does it)

-Plus Gaffney and a first to Detroit for Wilcox and Daye or Jerebko

-Plus a first:
Boston #1 and Davis to Portland
Rudy and Pendergraph to NY
Cunningham and Chandler to Boston

-Plus Gaffney and a first to Golden state for Brandon Wright and Reggie Williams

-Plus a First to Memphis for Xavier Henry’s rights, Hadidi, and Darrell Arthur
(STILL haven’t signed him, not budging, this is a way out for them to save face. We’d cut Hadidi and they can re-sign him; we’d send some extra cash for them to do so. As an alternative, they could sign him with the understanding they’d trade him and Arthur for Davis and a First after 30 days)

-Plus a first (if necessary) to Oklahoma City for Sefalosha and DJ White
(they could use a bruiser who can soak up minutes and have several wings)

[shookones99]

I really don't think this matters.  Right now Pierce and Quisy will take all of the minutes at the 3. 

The only way it comes into play is if Pierce goes down.  Then you have Quis starting and your backup 3 becomes either Delonte, Wafer, or Baby (although I think Ray would see most of the minutes at the 3 anyway).

If Pierce is hurt, and then Quis goes down, that's when we have to start looking for a new backup or start trying crazy ideas like Baby at the 3.  But right now I don't think its a serious issue.

[mgent]

He might get blocked less.

[FatjohnReturns]

We lost the Finals because of rebounds. So yes i think Baby backing up Pierce at the three is a good idea if
(1)  Perk comes back early you have plenty of depth at PF   
     and C with just Perk,Garnett,Shaq,Jermaine.
(2) If Marquis gets injured or struggles badly.
    Then you should give Baby some run at the 3.

Exploit our size advantage.

[Jon]

Yeah.  Everyone loves to say the idea of KG or Baby playing the 3 is ridiculous; however, people forget that some teams (particularly teams like Orlando and LA who we're likely going to face) often swing their 4s like Lewis and Odom to the 3.  If that's the case, there's no reason not to play Baby or KG 5-10 mpg at the 3 in certain situations, especially if a logjam eventually develops at the 4/5 when Perk comes back. 

Plus, even in regular situations, we wouldn't be talking about KG/Baby covering the team's starting 3, but likely they're backup 3.  And in many cases, a team's backup 3 isn't going to destroy anyone.  And let's not also forget that some 6-6 200 lb guy is going to either have to contend with KG's height or Baby's girth on the other end too. 

[ajgoodman]

I don't want BBD on the wing offensively or defensively.  He should just focus on improving on his natural position than somewhat adjusting his game to a new one.