Stephane Lasme

[the_Bird]

One reason I love this guy is that being the 15th player he still seems like he could come into games in very limited minutes and still have an impact. He seems like a guy you could just throw out there for a couple minutes and would end up with a couple baskets and a block.

He kind of reminds me of Leon Powe in that aspect. When Powe wasn't getting much playing time for us when the big 3 first came in, he still seemed to have a positive impact in his limited minutes. We would put Powe in if we were in foul trouble and it seemed more often than not he would get a couple offensive rebounds and a couple buckets.

I feel like Wafer does not really fit into this category. He seems like he needs playing time to get into a flow. I feel like you could just throw Lasme out there in any situation and he will add some positives. He doesn't need to be in an ideal situation he can just play.

As the 15th man on the roster this seems like a good guy to have on the team

That means he'd have to be in Boston (not Maine) and on the 12-man active roster, but yeah.  Seems like he'd get INTO most games, even if he only plays a minute or two, because they'd put him in for defensive purposes at the end of quarters.  Kind of like, well...  Mario West in Atlanta.

[Mencius]

Lasme's making the team.  At this point, I'd really be shocked if he doesn't.  He'll spend most of the year in Maine developing his perimeter game, but we're seeing that his athleticism is translating into an ability to play NBA-level defense on bigger SFs.  

At the very least, he can probably step in to the role that guys like Mario West carve out - a deep-bench guy to play a couple of minutes of D.  And, he's still got some upside to at least pick up a few garbage points here and there.  

Incidentally, Mario West has no chance of making this team now; Lasme seems like an equally-good defender, but better able to match up with larger 3s.

Quis *will* get hurt again, we know that.  When that happens, Pierce will play more minutes, and Doc will probably go to a three-guard lineup when he's taking a breather (with either Delonte or Ray playing "SF").  We can get by with that against most teams in the league, but matched up against LeBron or Carmelo, be nice to be able to call on Lasme to at least make their lives difficult for four or five minutes.  

Put Lasme out there with guys who can shoot, and he'll be OK.  Let him go after offensive rebounds, get some putbacks, but mostly keep the ball moving on offense.  He seems like a smart player.  

Very good post.  I agree with all of the above.  Lasme's an interesting case, in terms of potential.  He's 27, but grew up in Africa, and didn't even start playing basketball til he was 16, so at first, he's been getting by on supreme athleticism, defense, and shotblocking.  The more refined skills of ball handling and shooting were not picked up.  He'll likely never be a good shooter, but I think he can still improve his ball handling and shooting, even at this age, and his comment about his coaches helping him in those areas, and that he has improved, indicate that he *might* really do so.

Anyway, his D and off-ball D and shotblocking, and general energy have been not of the headless chicken variety.  He's actually been productive, and we have no other long 3s to guard big 3s on the roster, so I'm really hoping he makes the team.  That was impressive D he played on Iggy last night.  Hoping to see more of him tonight.

[LooseCannon]

I can't believe people are arguing so much over this.

Now that the consensus seems to be that Erden is not your traditional 7-foot stiff and may have a real shot at being a productive NBA player, Lasme vs Wafer vs West for the 15th spot is the only thing we have to argue about until the season starts.

Perk's out, so it's the 14th man for much of the season.  If Shaq sits out the second game of a back-to-back and Avery Bradley is in the D-League learning how to play point guard, then whoever gets that last spot is going to be the 12th man dressing for some games.

So, whoever gets that last spot is about as important to the Celtics as being able to replace Scal or Shelden with a slightly better player would have been to the team last season.

Also, it's the internet.  I'm shocked there isn't a pointless 20-page thread on ex-Celtics who can be signed to the D-League.

[LilRip]

Now that the consensus seems to be that Erden is not your traditional 7-foot stiff and may have a real shot at being a productive NBA player, Lasme vs Wafer vs West for the 15th spot is the only thing we have to argue about until the season starts.

Erden is your traditional 7-foot stiff!!! He has no shot at being a productive NBA player!!

Discuss and argue away. lol



- LilRip

[Meadowlark_Scal]

I'd say Erdin has a good chance, he caqn play...and from what i have seen for centers over the years...some with great talent but no heart, he has heart, desire and skills, he'll make it. BBD it was reported , has a hurt knee, shaqs hips, jo hamstring.....Mwest is out, so i would say keep lasme, for this and a ton of other reasons..!

[Liam W]

Yes take him over Von Wafer, I hope Lass makes the Final 15, Good Defender from what Ive Seen, Defenders are good to have.

(Think about Tony Allen last season against Kobe in the Finals)

[j804]

Yes take him over Von Wafer, I hope Lass makes the Final 15, Good Defender from what Ive Seen, Defenders are good to have.

(Think about Tony Allen last season against Kobe in the Finals)

Are you trying to say he'd replace and do what Tony did for us in the playoffs? I highly doubt that

[greenhead85]

Yes take him over Von Wafer, I hope Lass makes the Final 15, Good Defender from what Ive Seen, Defenders are good to have.

(Think about Tony Allen last season against Kobe in the Finals)

True. Lasme blocks shots on both the strong and weak side of an opposing player. His ability to do just that could alter the offensive pattern of a player he will be defending on. TA was more like a sneaky shotblocker (blocks on the weak side or in helping mode).

LeBronze, K Durant, Kobe and their likes are to be defended with tall, quick and athletic defenders like him. PP might used up all his energy if he's assigned to cover these guys and will definitely compromise his scoring ability once he gets exhausted defending.

[Chris]

I am coming around a bit on Lasme's chances to make the team.  I still think he is being overrated defensively (he had some really weak trips last game), and I don't think he can really play the SF position in the NBA, but as an energy 4 against certain matchups, he could be an interesting emergency option. 

More than anything though, the other guys fighting for the position have been forgettable at best, plus Bradley's defense from the second he stepped on the floor could give Doc the safety net on the wing he needs to give Lasme a chance.

Of course I don't think he will be on the team beyond December, since they will likely cut him to keep a roster spot open for a buyout later in the season, but he could actually make this team out of camp.

[billysan]

I think Lasme has an excellent chance to make the team. Not only does he have excellent physical skills, he has a nose for the ball and has a great attitude. He, Baby and even Harangody have the same technique of 'going to get the ball' when rebounding. They have never had the height to outjump or outreach others like JO or KG so they have had to learn better positioning skills.

I disagree Chris, that he cannot cover SF's in this league. I think he can stay with most any small forward out there now from an athletic standpoint, but has a PF mentality. He definitely could use some improvement on perimeter defense, but the ability is there.

I certainly wouldnt hesitate to put him on Shane Battier, Ron Artest, Mike Dunleavy, Peja, Marvin Williams, Marion, Galinari, Josh Howard, Kirilenko and many others. I am not sure he is ready for Lebron or Melo yet, but who is?

Once Lasme completely gets the defensive sets down for this team and learns his teammates, he will potentially become an end of the rotation (8-9) energy guy. I wouldnt be surprised to see him signed in Boston for multiple seasons if he lasts through this one.

[Chris]

I disagree Chris, that he cannot cover SF's in this league. I think he can stay with most any small forward out there now from an athletic standpoint, but has a PF mentality. He definitely could use some improvement on perimeter defense, but the ability is there.

I certainly wouldnt hesitate to put him on Shane Battier, Ron Artest, Mike Dunleavy, Peja, Marvin Williams, Marion, Galinari, Josh Howard, Kirilenko and many others. I am not sure he is ready for Lebron or Melo yet, but who is?

Let me clarify, I didn't say he can't cover SF's, I said he can't play SF in the NBA.  That is because he does not have the perimeter skills offensively to do this.  He is not a shooter, is not a good ball handler, and has not shown an ability to pass or swing the ball within the offense. 

I think he can cover SF's (although he does not seem to be the exceptional defender some people make him out as), but the C's ask a lot of their SF's offensively, and once the games mean something, they will not feel comfortable with putting Lasme out there in that position.

Now, with certain lineups, they may be able to hide him for short periods of time, and adjust things so he can guard the SF on defense, but play PF on offense.  But in general, he is not going to be able to be an NBA SF until he develops his perimeter skills a great deal.

[the_Bird]

I disagree Chris, that he cannot cover SF's in this league. I think he can stay with most any small forward out there now from an athletic standpoint, but has a PF mentality. He definitely could use some improvement on perimeter defense, but the ability is there.

I certainly wouldnt hesitate to put him on Shane Battier, Ron Artest, Mike Dunleavy, Peja, Marvin Williams, Marion, Galinari, Josh Howard, Kirilenko and many others. I am not sure he is ready for Lebron or Melo yet, but who is?

Let me clarify, I didn't say he can't cover SF's, I said he can't play SF in the NBA.  That is because he does not have the perimeter skills offensively to do this.  He is not a shooter, is not a good ball handler, and has not shown an ability to pass or swing the ball within the offense.  

I think he can cover SF's (although he does not seem to be the exceptional defender some people make him out as), but the C's ask a lot of their SF's offensively, and once the games mean something, they will not feel comfortable with putting Lasme out there in that position.

Now, with certain lineups, they may be able to hide him for short periods of time, and adjust things so he can guard the SF on defense, but play PF on offense.  But in general, he is not going to be able to be an NBA SF until he develops his perimeter skills a great deal.

What's to say, though, that you couldn't put Lasme out on the floor with a few shooters?  A lineup like:

Nate
Delonte or Ray Allen
Lasme
BBD (or KG)
JO

You've have four guys on the floor who could hit an outside shot - two three point shooters and a couple of guys who can hit from 15-18 feet - and Lasme, to play D on the other end and track down some offensive rebounds.  

I guess I see Lasme as athletic enough where if they cheat off him too much, he's long and quick enough where he's going to get a lot of offensive rebounds.  That may just be blind faith at this point, but he sure looks like the kind of player that'll crash the offensive boards hard.  

EDIT: I should say, that's the kind of lineup I think you'd get by with for maybe five or ten minutes a night.  I don't see Lasme being a true, 20-MPG rotation player short of some significant improvements - but I see him a guy that can help out in a fairly specific role.  He'd be a guy that would be on the 12-man active roster quite a bit.

[Chris]

I disagree Chris, that he cannot cover SF's in this league. I think he can stay with most any small forward out there now from an athletic standpoint, but has a PF mentality. He definitely could use some improvement on perimeter defense, but the ability is there.

I certainly wouldnt hesitate to put him on Shane Battier, Ron Artest, Mike Dunleavy, Peja, Marvin Williams, Marion, Galinari, Josh Howard, Kirilenko and many others. I am not sure he is ready for Lebron or Melo yet, but who is?

Let me clarify, I didn't say he can't cover SF's, I said he can't play SF in the NBA.  That is because he does not have the perimeter skills offensively to do this.  He is not a shooter, is not a good ball handler, and has not shown an ability to pass or swing the ball within the offense.  

I think he can cover SF's (although he does not seem to be the exceptional defender some people make him out as), but the C's ask a lot of their SF's offensively, and once the games mean something, they will not feel comfortable with putting Lasme out there in that position.

Now, with certain lineups, they may be able to hide him for short periods of time, and adjust things so he can guard the SF on defense, but play PF on offense.  But in general, he is not going to be able to be an NBA SF until he develops his perimeter skills a great deal.

What's to say, though, that you couldn't put Lasme out on the floor with a few shooters?  A lineup like:

Nate
Delonte or Ray Allen
Lasme
BBD (or KG)
JO

You've have four guys on the floor who could hit an outside shot - two three point shooters and a couple of guys who can hit from 15-18 feet - and Lasme, to play D on the other end and track down some offensive rebounds.  

I guess I see Lasme as athletic enough where if they cheat off him too much, he's long and quick enough where he's going to get a lot of offensive rebounds.  That may just be blind faith at this point, but he sure looks like the kind of player that'll crash the offensive boards hard.  

EDIT: I should say, that's the kind of lineup I think you'd get by with for maybe five or ten minutes a night.  I don't see Lasme being a true, 20-MPG rotation player short of some significant improvements - but I see him a guy that can help out in a fairly specific role.  He'd be a guy that would be on the 12-man active roster quite a bit.

I think they could get away with that for very short stints against certain teams.  But you could also get away with playing Luke or Baby there for short stints against certain teams.  That doesn't make them NBA SF's. 

This is not just about shooting.  SF's are expected to be able to handle the ball, swing the ball, make entry passes, and provide spacing.  They refused to play Bill Walker at SF as a rookie because he couldn't do all of these things (when he did play, he was a PF), and it will be the same thing with Lasme. 

Doc is an offensive coach, who demands that while not everyone be an elite offensive player, they can't muck up the offense.  This is why you often saw Scal playing over more explosive players.  It wasn't that Doc couldn't see that other guys were better, it was that Scal knew how to do the little things that were crucial to the offensive system working, such as maintaining spacing, making the proper pass, and setting up his passes with the dribble.  Until Lasme can do that, he is not going to be able to play SF for this team.

[RIPRED]

The problem with Lasme is that he is pretty much bound to the area because of citizneship issues. Because of this the Celtics will probably send him to Maine and hold onto Wafer at least until D West returns.

[the_Bird]

The problem with Lasme is that he is pretty much bound to the area because of citizneship issues. Because of this the Celtics will probably send him to Maine and hold onto Wafer at least until D West returns.

Have they seen enough from Wafer where they'd even WANT him on the court?  He isn't playing well enough to really even justify being on the active roster.  I think they'd rather just go shorthanded, give more PT to Nate and Quis and maybe a couple of spot minutes to Bradley (or have 'Gody/BBD play a little at the 3 and let Quis focus more on SG).  

And, they can't "send him to Maine" unless they waive him, or he's going to count towards the 15-man roster limit.

Part of me agrees, they could cut Lasme with a wink-wink, we'll-resign-you-in-ten-games agreement, but that's kind of sleezy.  He'd be getting paid a fraction of an NBA contract if he's just a regular D-Leaguer.  Maybe Wafer plays better and they don't want to cut him.  Wafer's more likely to act as a knucklehead if he thinks the team is planning to dump him.  Any other team that's intrigued by Lasme's potential could offer him an NBA contract (even if they then shipped him to their own D-League affiliate, they'd at least control his rights).

I don't think they futz around.  If Lasme wins the competition, they give Wafer his $150k and a plane ticket back to Europe.