Stephane Lasme

[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.

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.

He has a wife and kid living in Marlborough, and from what i've read he wants to stick around the area.

The trouble with Lasme's situation is that the team knows he's bound to the region due to the immigration issues. He admitted Sunday that he'd be open to potentially latching on with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League, especially given recent changes to allocation rules that could allow Boston to sneak him to its minor league affiliate as a final camp cut.

"It's an option that I've thought about with the new rule [about allocation]," Lasme admitted. "Maine is not that far away from home. I'd rather be closer to my family than being away."

Lasme knows that signing with Maine would also get his foot in the door of the Celtics organization, but he'd prefer to simply kick in that door at this point, especially as Wafer and Mario West do little to distinguish themselves in the battle for the final spot. The Celtics have also pledged to keep the best 15 players coming out of camp, and, right now, Lasme is one of the 15 best.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=forsberg_chris&id=5673527

Since Wafer's $ is partially gauranteed, I think the team may want to see if he can find his shot before cutting all ties. Also, it sounds like they actually can "send him to Maine" because of the new rules (which I know nothing about).

[RIPRED]

With that said, I hope they just do the right thing and keep the man. He has certainly earned it.

[clover]

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.

To China--Wafer's going to be a fortune cookie!

[guava_wrench]

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.

He has a wife and kid living in Marlborough, and from what i've read he wants to stick around the area.

The trouble with Lasme's situation is that the team knows he's bound to the region due to the immigration issues. He admitted Sunday that he'd be open to potentially latching on with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League, especially given recent changes to allocation rules that could allow Boston to sneak him to its minor league affiliate as a final camp cut.

"It's an option that I've thought about with the new rule [about allocation]," Lasme admitted. "Maine is not that far away from home. I'd rather be closer to my family than being away."

Lasme knows that signing with Maine would also get his foot in the door of the Celtics organization, but he'd prefer to simply kick in that door at this point, especially as Wafer and Mario West do little to distinguish themselves in the battle for the final spot. The Celtics have also pledged to keep the best 15 players coming out of camp, and, right now, Lasme is one of the 15 best.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=forsberg_chris&id=5673527

Since Wafer's $ is partially gauranteed, I think the team may want to see if he can find his shot before cutting all ties. Also, it sounds like they actually can "send him to Maine" because of the new rules (which I know nothing about).

I'm pretty sure that even with the new rules, Lasme can try to find a better contract if we don't sign him to our 15 man roster.

[Change]

Where were you tonight Stephane? 2nd unit had no defense.

[Dolomite133]

Will he take care of his visa problem before the season starts (if he makes the team)?

[Jon]

While I like Lasme, let's also keep in mind that there's a 95%+ chance the whole "can he play the 3?" argument is moot.  While it's fun in the preseason to imagine him as our "big defensive 3," the simple fact of the matter is that as long as Pierce and Daniels are healthy, he's not going to sniff the court (in fact, he likely won't sniff the active roster). 

And while he might be nice as for a few game stretch when Pierce or Daniels undoubtedly misses a few games, I think if Daniels goes out long term, Ainge would likely look elsewhere for help at the 3. 

[gar]

You forget the value of having someone on the team that can play solid D in practice and fill in if there is an injury (in two positions). In this case, he could play D against opposing perimeter PF's and larger wings as well as give PP and MD practice defending larger players and playing against them as well. He is older; but has not been playing the game that long, so is not as fluid as most players.

[Jon]

You forget the value of having someone on the team that can play solid D in practice and fill in if there is an injury (in two positions). In this case, he could play D against opposing perimeter PF's and larger wings as well as give PP and MD practice defending larger players and playing against them as well. He is older; but has not been playing the game that long, so is not as fluid as most players.

Maybe.  But I also question a) how hard Pierce is going to practice in the regular season (if they half-ass it during regular season games, I can't imagine what practice is like) b) the chances of him playing even if someone gets hurt.  If any of our big men sit out a game, I think Erden gets the minutes.  And I think if anyone in our core goes out for the year, Danny will likely look for help elsewhere. 

Again, I'm not saying Lasme couldn't do the things you're saying, I'm simply point out that all of the vehement debate about him on the board is likely for naught.  When you factor in the chances of him a) making the team, b) actually being able to contribute in the regular season, and c) actually being given the chance to do so (either through injuries or Danny not looking elsewhere to replace injured players), the % chance he actually plays a role here this year is very, very small. 

[no kidding]

... the simple fact of the matter is that as long as Pierce and Daniels are healthy, [Lasme's] not going to sniff the court (in fact, he likely won't sniff the active roster). 

And while he might be nice as for a few game stretch when Pierce or Daniels undoubtedly misses a few games, I think if Daniels goes out long term, Ainge would likely look elsewhere for help at the 3...

Daniels is brittle and Pierce isn't getting any younger. Yet some think that in a pinch, there's always somebody hanging around that Ainge can easily get that would fill in just fine. (Just as Michael Finley did so wonderfully last year.)

The whole thing leaves me scratching my head.

[LooseCannon]

If Lasme makes the team, he will be the second D-League defensive player of the year to play for the Celtics.

[Roy H.]

How many minutes do people think Lasme could handle in an NBA game?

If it's around 5, then yes, I could see it.

If people are expecting Lasme to play 10 to 20 minutes as a rotation player in the case of an injury, though, I think it's wildly unrealistic. 

Right now, he is a good to very good defender.  However, he also is extremely foul prone, commits too many turnovers, and has shown no game outside of the lane.  He's not much of a passer or a ball-handler, and he's a mediocre rebounder.

A player like that can't survive in a contending team's rotation.  I'm not even sure I'd want him on specialty duty, because I think Pierce and Daniels are every bit as good on defense as he is.

I love his hustle and heart, and maybe that's what we need in the locker room.  However, I think a guy like Von Wafer would be much more likely to see actual minutes than Lasme would.

[Roy H.]

If Lasme makes the team, he will be the second D-League defensive player of the year to play for the Celtics.

Ouch.  Don't invoke the memory of Mikki.

[no kidding]

I don't know if Lasme would be competent as a back-up 3. And if he isn't, then he's not needed.

I'd like to see more of him matched up with a reasonably quick swing man out on the perimeter while on defense. When he was matched up with Andre Iguodala, that was informative, but it didn't last long enough. Unfortunately, Lasme has been mostly matched up with 4's down by the block.

All the same, even if he can move his feet well enough, Lasme wouldn't be a rotation player if Pierce and Daniels are whole and healthy. But if one of them isn't, then sure, he could play fifteen minutes a game as a back-up. I don't see him as having an incorrectable foul problem. In the last game he picked up two moving picks. That sort of thing is correctable. And I think he's better than medicore as a rebounder. (Wafer would be sub-mediocre.)

As for a specialy spot defender, I've never thought he was better than Pierce, or necessarily, even than Daniels. But fouls, tweaked ankles, and numb shoulders do happen. And when they happen, I might prefer to turn to Lasme than to Wafer. But again, I haven't seen enough yet. And it's bugging me, but I expect tonight he'll be given his chance to sink or swim, and I won't be able to watch it.

[Jon]

... the simple fact of the matter is that as long as Pierce and Daniels are healthy, [Lasme's] not going to sniff the court (in fact, he likely won't sniff the active roster). 

And while he might be nice as for a few game stretch when Pierce or Daniels undoubtedly misses a few games, I think if Daniels goes out long term, Ainge would likely look elsewhere for help at the 3...

Daniels is brittle and Pierce isn't getting any younger. Yet some think that in a pinch, there's always somebody hanging around that Ainge can easily get that would fill in just fine. (Just as Michael Finley did so wonderfully last year.)

The whole thing leaves me scratching my head.

Well, first of all, the regular season doesn't matter that much.  We'll win 55 games with Von Wafer backing up Pierce. 

Second, there may indeed be gems getting bought out in February.  And given my first point, we can wait until then. 

Finally, when Perk comes back, we can possibly afford to trade Baby.  And he might be able to net us a very nice backup 3.