Who's going to step it up after all-star break?

[CelticG1]

I know it's still a little early but was wondering if you guys have any picks for a guy who is going to step up on this team and earn some playing time, looking into the post season as well.

Last season it was definitely Tony Allen and Big Baby. TA was getting no PT when Quis was healthy. Then we got Finley which put TA further down on the depth chart. He kept playing pretty consistently though and really earned PT from Doc which was pretty hard to do against Quis who was great earlier in the year and Finley a classy vet who knew Doc personally.

As for Big Baby he slowly started to get more PT than Sheed. After an entire season of Sheed starting in place of KG when he was injured Big Baby got his named called in the first round of the playoffs when KG got suspended, not Sheed.

As for this year I think the best bet is Wafer. I've enjoyed him in limited action throughout the year and think that with Quis going down and increased playing time that he is just going to earn a role on this team. He adds an athletic dimension to this team, much like Tony Allen that can really change the game. He's not as good on defense but I think he can improve and I don't think he is a liability or anything. Plus he's got pretty good range.

Who else is with me? Any other picks? Does anyone think Nate is going to figure it out? Is Harangody going to be the '08 Powe? What about Bradley or Semih?

[PosImpos]

Wafer and Delonte are my guesses.  I think Shaq will come back from the break fairly rejuvenated and by the end of the season he'll look more like the guy we had at the start.

[CelticG1]

Wafer and Delonte are my guesses.  I think Shaq will come back from the break fairly rejuvenated and by the end of the season he'll look more like the guy we had at the start.

Yeah for some reason I can't see Delonte NOT playing well. Same with Shaq and even JO if he ever comes back. We just have so much depth this year that theres not a lot of room for a guy to really step up. Wafer has a chance though and Nate. They will both get some good burn in the next couple months. They are going to have to play pretty well or else I expect to see them both on the bench during the playoffs.....But who knows in 08 Eddie House lost all his playing time to Cassell until the 2nd round of playoffs and last year Nate didn't do anything until Game 6 against Orlando

[Celtics4ever]

Rondo is my bet.   He has young legs, I doubt it will be a veteran.  They are too old to step it up and too cagy to waste effort on post all star break they will wait until the playoffs.

[Dr H]

I gotta go with Von Wafer. He's finally starting to get some consistent playing time and he's doing a good job when he's out there. I absolutely LOVE that, not only can he shoot from the outside, but I LOVE that most of the time he is aggressive and puts the ball on the floor and takes it to the cup for a lay in/kick out..aka something that Nate Robinson was brought here for to replace Eddie House.

[JSD]

I gotta go with Von Wafer.

Me too. Now that he's playing better defense I'm really starting to love his game. One thing I've noticed though, he needs to stop being so hard on himself. He seems to react negatively after every shot, even if it goes in.

[CelticG1]

I gotta go with Von Wafer.

Me too. Now that he's playing better defense I'm really starting to love his game. One thing I've noticed though, he needs to stop being so hard on himself. He seems to react negatively after every shot, even if it goes in.

I've definitely noticed that too. Also when he makes a shot or something he always seems so fired up like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. I honestly think it's just him dying to play and since he hasn't got too much PT every miss, defensive lapse, defensive stop, shot made, good pass etc is a huge deal. If he only plays 5 minutes and takes 2 shots, it is a huge difference if he makes those 2 or misses those 2.

I'm thinking that as he gets more time though he will be a little more comfortable, he already seems more comfortable and Doc was saying how he has bought into the system and how players (I bet a lot of that is Rondo) have bought into him.

[incoherent]

We are all rooting for Wafer to step it up (he already has).

Just keep it going and keep getting better Wafer, you can be one of our X-factors off the bench in the playoffs.

[Bahku]

David Stern and the NBA Legal Staff.

But seriously, I think Von is going to shine ... I believe he has the abilities to really make a mark in the NBA, and he'll probably never have a better chance of making himself known than right now. Other than that, with Delonte it will depend on his wrist, and I think he's not quite as ready as they would have us believe.

[CelticG1]

I've been loving Wafer and not sure if I would like to but does anyone think his trade value has shot up a bit? He's been in the NBA before and has been decent and now he has been playing pretty well for one of the best teams in the league. He's shown that he is a team player and can play some defense. He's also still pretty young. Could he end up being a trade chip at all?

I know this is off topic sorry

[throwedoff]

I've been loving Wafer and not sure if I would like to but does anyone think his trade value has shot up a bit? He's been in the NBA before and has been decent and now he has been playing pretty well for one of the best teams in the league. He's shown that he is a team player and can play some defense. He's also still pretty young. Could he end up being a trade chip at all?

I know this is off topic sorry

NOPE not the way he's been playing recently if it's anyone that DA is willing to trade it's Nate, and remember back in january they extended Wafer for the rest of the season he wont get traded

[clover]

I expect Danny would have his price for Wafer, as with any of his tradeable players, but he hasn't I suspect yet demonstrated in games the value that Danny has tagged on him.

And I too am looking for Wafer to step up.  I think he'll be our second-half Semih--showing a surprising serviceability as well as genuine longer-term promise.

Also, DWest's continuing fragility, Nate's erratic play and Daniels' injury have all combined to make Wafer's stepping up the more important.  Who doesn't like a good redemption story?

[CelticG1]

I've been loving Wafer and not sure if I would like to but does anyone think his trade value has shot up a bit? He's been in the NBA before and has been decent and now he has been playing pretty well for one of the best teams in the league. He's shown that he is a team player and can play some defense. He's also still pretty young. Could he end up being a trade chip at all?

I know this is off topic sorry

NOPE not the way he's been playing recently if it's anyone that DA is willing to trade it's Nate, and remember back in january they extended Wafer for the rest of the season he wont get traded

Well the idea is that Wafer has built some trade value where Nate has none whatsoever. Obviously right now Wafer is playing better than Nate. Thats the whole point. Wafer might be more of an attractive piece than Nate.

[CelticG1]

I expect Danny would have his price for Wafer, as with any of his tradeable players, but he hasn't I suspect yet demonstrated in games the value that Danny has tagged on him.

And I too am looking for Wafer to step up.  I think he'll be our second-half Semih--showing a surprising serviceability as well as genuine longer-term promise.

Also, DWest's continuing fragility, Nate's erratic play and Daniels' injury have all combined to make Wafer's stepping up the more important.  Who doesn't like a good redemption story?

Definitely agree with this. But if Wafer is packaged for a swingman like Rip or Prince (I know that doesn't match up) or something like that than it's worth exploring. I'd only want to trade Wafer if is is  clear upgrade over him or to our bench

[Boris Badenov]

Never mind "step it up," at this point I would be fairly happy with any player who could "step on the court."