Doc expounds on future, Celtics needs

[Chris]

Kris Humphries is a FA this off season, right? If yes, how about him as a back up PF. I haven't watched him play other than in the games against us...but he looked decent. He is young and his defense could improve playing here...not a bad rebounder....can finish around the rim as well.

I really like Humphries, but I have 2 problems.

First, he has the classic signs of a contract year warrior.  It may have just been normal development for a late bloomer, but that is so hard to predict.  Given that so much of his game is based on outworking the opponent, if he loses that motivation once he gets paid, then he could drop WAY off.

Second, he had a great year, and might be looking to get paid.  He was a 10 and 10 guy (and averaged 14 and 15 in March, when his minutes increased), and is still only 26 years old.  Someone is going to give him a lot of money IMO.

[kozlodoev]

I think so, too. Plus, I think we need someone who can start at C more than a backup PF. JO can easily slide in the backup PF slot if he doesn't retire -- he will play limited minutes either way.

[eugen]

Folks. We need good shooters from distance or half-distance to backup RA and PP, in particular if RY or PP are not efficent like before. Is evident now, after game series Vs Miami that we do not have other great shooters beside RA or PP. There is a big reason why Miami was able to score important points using not only Wade and Lebrone, but and Bosh, Jones, Chalmers etc. Seems like this C's team is bulit for more difennsive skills in balance to scoring and shooting skills.

[PosImpos]

Somebody mentioned Kelenna Azubuike.  I'd love to give him a shot.  He missed most of last season with an injury, but before last season he had everything we need -- decent size for the wing, great shooting ability, quickness and athleticism.  He's also a pretty decent defender.  He and Jeff Green would be a great SG / SF combination off the bench.

[kozlodoev]

Somebody mentioned Kelenna Azubuike.  I'd love to give him a shot.  He missed most of last season with an injury, but before last season he had everything we need -- decent size for the wing, great shooting ability, quickness and athleticism.  He's also a pretty decent defender.  He and Jeff Green would be a great SG / SF combination off the bench.

I wonder whether the option to start a lineup of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Green-Garnett will be considered. It will be easier to outfit the bench with young, athletic wings/forwards, than to find a starter caliber big man.

[PosImpos]

Somebody mentioned Kelenna Azubuike.  I'd love to give him a shot.  He missed most of last season with an injury, but before last season he had everything we need -- decent size for the wing, great shooting ability, quickness and athleticism.  He's also a pretty decent defender.  He and Jeff Green would be a great SG / SF combination off the bench.

I wonder whether the option to start a lineup of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Green-Garnett will be considered. It will be easier to outfit the bench with young, athletic wings/forwards, than to find a starter caliber big man.

That sounds like a nice solution, but Green can't rebound very well, and though Garnett can, he can't score in the post consistently anymore, so we'd completely lack any kind of inside presence on offense.

[Who]

Somebody mentioned Kelenna Azubuike.  I'd love to give him a shot.  He missed most of last season with an injury, but before last season he had everything we need -- decent size for the wing, great shooting ability, quickness and athleticism.  He's also a pretty decent defender.  He and Jeff Green would be a great SG / SF combination off the bench.

I wonder whether the option to start a lineup of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Green-Garnett will be considered. It will be easier to outfit the bench with young, athletic wings/forwards, than to find a starter caliber big man.

I don't think Doc would be comfortable with a run and gun starting lineup like that.

[birdwatcher]

Somebody mentioned Kelenna Azubuike.  I'd love to give him a shot.  He missed most of last season with an injury, but before last season he had everything we need -- decent size for the wing, great shooting ability, quickness and athleticism.  He's also a pretty decent defender.  He and Jeff Green would be a great SG / SF combination off the bench.

I wonder whether the option to start a lineup of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Green-Garnett will be considered. It will be easier to outfit the bench with young, athletic wings/forwards, than to find a starter caliber big man.

I don't think Doc would be comfortable with a run and gun starting lineup like that.

I also think having KG play C would tire him out very quickly, and not a very good option. Also, we'd be moving Green out of position again--why not let Pierce and/or Allen come off the bench? If we would start Green, I think we need a tall, athletic C to play alongside him--guys would have to really body up a C that plays above the rim which could help Green be in better position to rebound. Not only that, but our transition defense is good because we don't send everyone to the offensive boards--would we need a change in philosophy to be a better overall rebounding team?

[Spicoli]

Kris Humphries is a FA this off season, right? If yes, how about him as a back up PF. I haven't watched him play other than in the games against us...but he looked decent. He is young and his defense could improve playing here...not a bad rebounder....can finish around the rim as well.

I would LOVE Humphries next to the ticket, but i think NJ is going to resign him.

[BballTim]

Somebody mentioned Kelenna Azubuike.  I'd love to give him a shot.  He missed most of last season with an injury, but before last season he had everything we need -- decent size for the wing, great shooting ability, quickness and athleticism.  He's also a pretty decent defender.  He and Jeff Green would be a great SG / SF combination off the bench.

I wonder whether the option to start a lineup of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Green-Garnett will be considered. It will be easier to outfit the bench with young, athletic wings/forwards, than to find a starter caliber big man.

I don't think Doc would be comfortable with a run and gun starting lineup like that.

  I think if Rondo ran the ball up court every possession and the C's took half their shots in transition Doc would be the happiest coach in the league.

[chambers]

Somebody mentioned Kelenna Azubuike.  I'd love to give him a shot.  He missed most of last season with an injury, but before last season he had everything we need -- decent size for the wing, great shooting ability, quickness and athleticism.  He's also a pretty decent defender.  He and Jeff Green would be a great SG / SF combination off the bench.

I wonder whether the option to start a lineup of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Green-Garnett will be considered. It will be easier to outfit the bench with young, athletic wings/forwards, than to find a starter caliber big man.

I don't think Doc would be comfortable with a run and gun starting lineup like that.

  I think if Rondo ran the ball up court every possession and the C's took half their shots in transition Doc would be the happiest coach in the league.

not with that line up though. By January we'd have more injuries than the last 3 years combined.

We need a solid bench of 4 guys (including delonte and JO).
So go after a strong backup wing guard and a big lengthy forward. Then someone get our hands on a young strong an athletic center who can run the floor for patches with Rondo, Green and Ray.

[hpantazo]

Somebody mentioned Kelenna Azubuike.  I'd love to give him a shot.  He missed most of last season with an injury, but before last season he had everything we need -- decent size for the wing, great shooting ability, quickness and athleticism.  He's also a pretty decent defender.  He and Jeff Green would be a great SG / SF combination off the bench.

I wonder whether the option to start a lineup of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Green-Garnett will be considered. It will be easier to outfit the bench with young, athletic wings/forwards, than to find a starter caliber big man.

I don't think Doc would be comfortable with a run and gun starting lineup like that.

  I think if Rondo ran the ball up court every possession and the C's took half their shots in transition Doc would be the happiest coach in the league.

and Tommy would be the happiest guy in the world

[kozlodoev]

Somebody mentioned Kelenna Azubuike.  I'd love to give him a shot.  He missed most of last season with an injury, but before last season he had everything we need -- decent size for the wing, great shooting ability, quickness and athleticism.  He's also a pretty decent defender.  He and Jeff Green would be a great SG / SF combination off the bench.

I wonder whether the option to start a lineup of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Green-Garnett will be considered. It will be easier to outfit the bench with young, athletic wings/forwards, than to find a starter caliber big man.

That sounds like a nice solution, but Green can't rebound very well, and though Garnett can, he can't score in the post consistently anymore, so we'd completely lack any kind of inside presence on offense.

Perkins (or JO for that matter) had no inside presence either, but we did just fine, even with Garnett living on 18-foot jump-shots.

[Yugocelt]

What are the chances of landing Oden?

[kozlodoev]

What are the chances of landing Oden?

What, the O'Neal show wasn't enough this season?