Let's Be Honest About The 15th Spot

[LilRip]

i haven't been that impressed with Gody, to be honest. I hope we d-league him and sign Lasme. I think his athleticism will allow him to defend 3's in a pinch. Plus, in all likelihood, Quis will go down with injury again this year for an extended period. I don't want to see RA extending his minutes playing the backup 3 and i don't want to put Delonte out there either.

also, Lasme is already 28. He's entering his prime. There's probably little "future potential" to be untapped from him, unlike a guy like Harangody who can still develop in the d-league.



- LilRip

[clover]

From what I've seen, Lasme is a great energy shot, has springy athleticism, and the NBA 3 spot length to be a potentially good defender. He also comes up with some contributions now and again.
  I know he's not as touted as Wafer or Gody, but from all the preseason ball I've seen, it's Lasme.  In practice it'll be good to have his length, youth and pops at the 3 keeping those vets spry and ready for younger teams.  With his natural attributes he could develop as a defender.
  It's still early preseason, but my eyes tell me 15th spot to Lasme, D League Gody, and frankly I just haven't seen much from Wafer, at least yet.

I bet after summer league they thought Gody would come in more ready to compete.  It's probably not just the weak play of Wafer and MWest, but the disappointing start of Gody that's combining to make a little more room for Lasme.

And to me that's a good thing. 

[2short]

With Marquis as a point forward I don't think we need to worry about DWest's suspension to start the season.  Nate won't be traded by then   and his ball handling is far better than eddies.  Also so I can't see keeping wafer for that reason, he has been one of the worst players of preseason.
Lasme I would like to get that last spot, he has the size we need for a posistion and plays hard.  Seems to have a good attitude which would be needed because he wouldn't be looking at much playing time unless daniels is injured.  And if that happened I would think danny would be making a deal.  Luke is on the team.  From what I've seen he is an nba player, a lot of his game does remind me of Gomes.  Nothing he does stands out but he can blend with the starters if needed.  I would say his big issue (as gomes) is how bad will other teams attack his weakness as a "tweener".  Against some pf both are fine, as far as sf it would have to be scal like minutes.   I don't think Luke is a starter ever and probably not a 1st big off the bench but as the title states we are looking at end of bench

[Birdbrain]

From what I've seen, Lasme is a great energy shot, has springy athleticism, and the NBA 3 spot length to be a potentially good defender. He also comes up with some contributions now and again.
  I know he's not as touted as Wafer or Gody, but from all the preseason ball I've seen, it's Lasme.  In practice it'll be good to have his length, youth and pops at the 3 keeping those vets spry and ready for younger teams.  With his natural attributes he could develop as a defender.
  It's still early preseason, but my eyes tell me 15th spot to Lasme, D League Gody, and frankly I just haven't seen much from Wafer, at least yet.

I bet after summer league they thought Gody would come in more ready to compete.  It's probably not just the weak play of Wafer and MWest, but the disappointing start of Gody that's combining to make a little more room for Lasme.

And to me that's a good thing. 

Or it's preseason and they debating on who to cut.  I don't think it would be a surprise to see Gody in D league for most of the 1st half of the season.  I'm also not sure what is he's done that is disappointing for rookie 2nd round pick. 

[Surferdad]

Here's how it works: players on the bottom of the rotation are either marginal, insurance players or projects. In any case, the team won't be cutting guaranteed-contract filler for marginally better filler. Therefore, there will be no player on a guaranteed contract on this team that will be waived, and the 14th spot is not even close to being up for grabs. It's that simple.

That's correct, strictly from a financial perspective.  However, it is conceivable that the C's eat some guaranteed money if Lasme keeps playing well.  I'm think whatever portion of Wafer's contract is guaranteed may be sacrificed.  Gody makes the team because I think his first year is fully guaranteed and he has some upside as well as trade value.  Wafer has been "consistently inconsistent" in his short NBA career.

Frankly, I'm disappointed that both Wafer and M.West haven't shown more, Wafer for his shooting and West for his defense.

[kozlodoev]

Here's how it works: players on the bottom of the rotation are either marginal, insurance players or projects. In any case, the team won't be cutting guaranteed-contract filler for marginally better filler. Therefore, there will be no player on a guaranteed contract on this team that will be waived, and the 14th spot is not even close to being up for grabs. It's that simple.

That's correct, strictly from a financial perspective.  However, it is conceivable that the C's eat some guaranteed money if Lasme keeps playing well.  I'm think whatever portion of Wafer's contract is guaranteed may be sacrificed.  Gody makes the team because I think his first year is fully guaranteed and he has some upside as well as trade value.  Wafer has been "consistently inconsistent" in his short NBA career.

Frankly, I'm disappointed that both Wafer and M.West haven't shown more, Wafer for his shooting and West for his defense.

I just meant that neither Harangody nor Erden will be cut regardless of how they finish camp. Wafer is only partially guaranteed and has never been a lock to make the roster, so if he keeps being irrelevant, and Lasme keeps bringing solid energy boost off the bench, expect Von to be gone before you can say "season opener"

[the_Bird]

Wafer's got to turn it up pretty [dang] quick.  A guy like Lasme, he's still a project, and if he does make the 15 man roster will likely spend most of the season in Maine trying to learn to play the small forward. 

But, Wafer's shot has been absent all camp, and I don't know what the hell's happening to him on the floor - he's playing more like an overmatched rookie than a guy that's been in the League a few years.  $150k isn't going to determine whether they keep him or not.  Wafer doesn't have the upside, and isn't doing anything to shed his "knucklehead" reputation. 

I think they brought in Wafer thinking he'd be a key player off the bench, but after camp and three games into preseason he's one of the very last guys off the bench.  That tells you a lot.

[Tai]

Wafer's got to turn it up pretty [dang] quick.  A guy like Lasme, he's still a project, and if he does make the 15 man roster will likely spend most of the season in Maine trying to learn to play the small forward. 

But, Wafer's shot has been absent all camp, and I don't know what the hell's happening to him on the floor - he's playing more like an overmatched rookie than a guy that's been in the League a few years.  $150k isn't going to determine whether they keep him or not.  Wafer doesn't have the upside, and isn't doing anything to shed his "knucklehead" reputation. 

I think they brought in Wafer thinking he'd be a key player off the bench, but after camp and three games into preseason he's one of the very last guys off the bench.  That tells you a lot.

This is true, on Wafer. Problem is, I feel like Lasme isn't getting off the bench any earlier. Gody, on the other hand, had has many minutes as both Wafer and Lasme combined against Toronto, and I do think he got in earlier before either of them, even if not by much.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

The 15th and possibly 14th spot on the roster are still very much up for grabs.

We have solid coverage of the first 13 spots with:

Paul Pierce
Ray Allen
Kevin Garnett
Rajon Rondo
Shaquille O Neal

Jermaine O Neal
Glen Davis
Delonte West
Marquis Daniels
Nate Robinson

Kendrick Perkins
Semih Erden
Avery Bradley

We have Luke Harangody signed to a 2 year deal if I am correct, and we have Von Wafer signed to a likely 'make good' contract. We have Stephan Lasme and Mario West on camp invite contracts.

The first 10 players I listed are all playing well in the pre season as is Erden. Perk and Avery are hurt and unlikely to be going anywhere. We couldnt trade them if we wanted to, not unless we take pennies on the dollar. I think we can safely assume these 13 will be on the opening day roster.

Here is my point and the reason for the thread. Do we really need anyone else who is currently in camp? I dont think we should keep any of the Lasme, Harangody, M. West or Wafer group just to fill a roster spot. None of them has performed particularly well in preseason or summer league. Sure, some brief moments of enthusiasm from Gody and Lasme but that isnt getting it done is it?

I predict we keep maybe one of this group and leave an empty roster slot going into the season with just 14 players, then look at camp castoffs for a 15th guy.

Did you say don't keep Lasme...are you kidding......Erdin and LASME have game..a good big man is sooooooooooo hard to find these days...don't let erdin go.....and lasme....we all cried over losing leon....you gonna let him go again.....noooooo wayyyyyyy....no.

[Dolomite133]

Or it's preseason and they debating on who to cut.  I don't think it would be a surprise to see Gody in D league for most of the 1st half of the season.  I'm also not sure what is he's done that is disappointing for rookie 2nd round pick. 

I think the disappointment stems from the fact he was given a two year deal.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

For some reason Boston management is going to like harangody.....he has.......well not shown me much.....i mean actually nothing, he can't really jump, so there goes rebounds and dunks and layups.....he can however up the other teams per game blocks...like bbd..!gody already got blocked a bunch of times..maybe he and bbd can brag about who got spaulding tattooed on their head better...!

[kozlodoev]

A guy like Lasme, he's still a project, and if he does make the 15 man roster will likely spend most of the season in Maine trying to learn to play the small forward.

Lasme is _anything_ but a project. The guy will be 28 before the season ends.

[orangeceltic]

I think the Celtics' alternatives are to either keep Lasme or leave the spot open and pick up another free agent.  Perhaps someone like Jerry Stackhouse, who I believe is still available.  Although he's older, remember how he played in Milwaukee last year, and he fits the Celtics needs for depth at small forward.  Definitely an upgrade over either Von Wafer or Mario West.  It's a toss up versus Stephane Lasme.

[wdleehi]

A guy like Lasme, he's still a project, and if he does make the 15 man roster will likely spend most of the season in Maine trying to learn to play the small forward.

Lasme is _anything_ but a project. The guy will be 28 before the season ends.

One of the two big reasons I doubt he earns a roster spot.


1) Age for being a project
2) Depth at the position.






I am still thinking Wafer or West for the 1st ten games, and if they fail to impress, they could be gone to create a roster space to wait for some other recycling project.

[bigjohnson34st]

We are going to keep Lasme for a number of good reasons...

1. We do not have a "tweener" at the forward position. This will fit Lasma perfectly.

2. He is an athletic "tweener". When Paul goes to the bench there will be noone on this roster to guard forwards such as Lebron, Rashard Lewis, etc.. Marquis is too small to guard either.

3. Defense

4. Activity around the paint for boards.

5. Defense. With D. West, Marquis, Nate, Rondo, Ray; we are guard loaded. All of whom have talent. Plus Nate, Ray & D. West can all stretch the field.

6. Luke is years away from manking a contribution on this level. As long as Lasme stays in his role (defense & acitivity on the glass) he is ready to play in the NBA now.