Despite Wafer's mistakes last night, we need him. We need that speed and energy.

[Senninsage]

He's a guy with speed, and who can score, and brings a lot of energy.

He made some silly mistakes last night, but that still doesn't change how valuable he can be, and was. A lot of times, especially with our starters in, we don't have the kind of speed dribbling with the ball that a lot of teams do, with the exception of rondo, but Rondo can't score the ball in as many ways as Wafer can.

When we have guys who can move with the ball as quickly as Wafer can, those are things that help our offense, and it messes with a defense, and keeps the defenders tired, and Wafer has also been fantastic defensively this season. He has been getting progressively better, if we've all paid attention.

Look at last night's game against the Wizards. Look at the way Wafer went to the basket for that dunk (Yes, he missed, but it was still a GREAT move, and something we will need desperately in the playoffs.)

Look at last night's game when he made that lay up on the fast break late to stretch our lead. That might seem like nothing, but we have been missing a lot of those opportunities lately, a lot coming from Ray or Rondo not being able to finish. It'd be nice to convert on such plays more often than we have been lately, and if giving Wafer just a tiny bit of minutes means we get a few more of those kinds of baskets, then he is central to our quest for a championship.

Look at last night in the first quarter, how he gave us an 8-2 lead with that quick move of his. I pray the Celtics realize we do need Von Wafer playing for us in the playoffs. I hope we aren't without west, but Doc should seriously consider giving Wafer minutes in the playoffs. I think a series with the Knicks is far harder without Wafer's kind of speed and energy.

With Wafer on the court, a defender has to always respect his explosiveness. The way he scored at 9:56 in the first quarter last night, is why Von Wafer is important to this team. Von Wafer is also a magnet for drawing fouls, with the way he plays.

[Chris]

Von Wafer is an offensive version of Tony Allen. 

[wdleehi]

The better question is how many game will he be dressed for?  



He is deep bench.  6th swing man.  I wouldn't expect to see him much.  

[StartOrien]

It doesn't appear to be the case, but IF Delonte is injured I'd prefer Wafer taking some of his minutes over Arroyo (and having either Pierce or Allen bring up the ball) elsewise I don't think/want him to get anything but spot minutes.

[BballTim]

Von Wafer is an offensive version of Tony Allen. 

 An offensive version of an injured TA maybe. I don't think his offensive game will ever be called elite.

[Senninsage]

Sometimes big games come down to the little things, and Wafer is someone that does the little things. He's scrappy as hell out there.

When I see the steal he made last night on the inbound, when the Celtics were up 12-2, I look at and really appreciate plays like that. That he's even on the lookout for that. Take him out, and there's a very good chance that specific steal there doesn't happen at all. He's that kind of player.

In the grand scheme of things, that play might mean nothing, or it could very well be what ends up giving us that crucial edge later on in the game, especially if we also score immediately after that steal. That was our game to win last night, and we lost it, but I don't see many articles paying attention to those important things that Wafer did. They were so small to most of the sports media, that they weren't even mentioned, but his huge mistake was.

What Wafer did last night, the good stuff, are the little things that lead to wins and losses, and if we go into a Knicks series, or even the playoffs in general, planning on not giving him very many minutes, then we better be prepared for the possible worst case scenario outcome.

[throwedoff]

Point blank dude is a great slasher and that can be utilized in certain series IMO the 3 inactive players will be Bradely, Sasha, and Murphy from the eye test those 3 have shown me nothing as far as giving us something in the playoffs. Im confident Wafer will be on the playoff roster

[footey]

totally agree with the OP. He has value in the second unit, and with Delonte's shaky ankle, I will take it.

[housecall]

Von's got game when he's has enough playing time to get in rhythm.

[Chris]

Von Wafer is an offensive version of Tony Allen. 

 An offensive version of an injured TA maybe. I don't think his offensive game will ever be called elite.

True.  I just meant that he matches most great plays with equally boneheaded plays.  Put him on a team where he can just "play", and he can be decently effective, but on a team where he needs to be a roleplayer, and any mistake can really cost them, and he is too much of a headache.

[Assassin70]

I think he will get a chance.

But I think he will be on that Finley leash...one mistake and he will be pulling splinters out his backside the rest of the playoffs.

[GreenFaith1819]

So interesting that he is compared to TA (an offensive version).

Good comparison.

I say this because Von's play was instrumental in us getting out of Portland with a win...I will never forget his speed and energy that he brought to that game.

IMO - I think Von's play in that night was almost as important as KG shutting down LaMarcus.

And against LA in Boston? Yes - we lost, but again I loved Wafer's energy and effort.

And just like TA - when he came back from his injuries, he was rusty. I just hope he can get his game back to how it was before he hurt himself. He was developing into a rotation guy before then - with minimal mistakes.

And he was getting better defensively, too.

[Chris]

The other comparison I think he has with TA is that I think he is a very valuable 5th 6th wing.  Even though he is always a threat to blow the game, he does bring some unique skillsets to the table, that could be valuable if used correctly.

I never liked Tony as the 3rd wing, because you just couldn't count on him to play 20 minutes a night, where you knew what you were going to get.  However, when he is not part of the regular rotation, you can throw him out there when you need his particular skill, knowing that if he loses focus, you can just pull him, but if he can keep his focus, he can really help the team. 

Wafer could provide the same thing for this team, particularly if West is out.  Green can be the primary wing off the bench, but if they need some energy/scoring/athleticism, they can also put Wafer out there for a few minutes, and just keep him on a short leash.

[rtifishul]

Yeah, the "offensive version of TA" is an apt description of him. This guy looks like he wants to win, so I'd be ok with him in the rotation.

[vinnie]

Here is hoping that the Celts do not have to depend on anything from Von Wafer.