ESPN says Yao Ming, Assessing the 5 Situation

[clawlin]

So on the front page of ESPN, there is a rumor speculating that Boston might want Yao Ming in the offseason.  I am thinking what all the rest of you are thinking: great, another injury prone center.

The Celtics need a center.  Badly.  Shaq might be done, Perk and Semih are gone, and Krstic would need to be resigned, but his tenure was not memorable.  Jermaine stands as the only center we have, and he may undergo surgery in the offseason, and could be injured yet again.  Are our options at the 5 really that thin? 

A list of free agent 5s, along with thoughts:
Hilton Armstrong (largely ineffective, would be a cheap insurance pickup)
Jason Collins (Vet minimum, but cannot play solid extended minutes)
Shaquille O'Neal (how is that calf and achilles coming?)
Nenad Krstic (Not very effective and rarely used come playoff time)
Kwame Brown (....nothing to say)
Nazr Mohammed (Always liked Nazr, plays great minutes and an effective backup, could start)
Joel Przybilla (Injury prone and largely ineffective)
Kurt Thomas (Vet with great IQ, minimum deal would be great, was gunning for him this year)
Tyson Chandler (Seems like he loves Dallas, and out of our price range)
Nene (Probably staying with Denver, out of our price range)
Chuck Hayes (Scrappy defender, possible MLE.  However, some team might overspend on him)
Yao Ming (I mean, if hes healthy and cheap...)
Jeff Foster (Maybe an LLE pickup)
Solomon Jones (not much interest)
Theo Ratliff (Didnt play in LA, old and injury prone)
DeAndre Jordan (Out of our price range)
Marc Gasol (Way out of our price range)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (If he doesnt resign with the Heat, hes retiring)
Erick Dampier (Stick a fork in him)
Jamaal Magloire (Doesnt play on Heat, wont play for Celtics)
Dan Gadzuric (Might be a good LLE pickup if he bounces back, good size and nose for ball)
Aaron Gray (Proved toughness in first round series, might come at a price but good backup)
DJ Mbenga (Did anyone say Tacos?  I sure didnt.)
Spencer Hawes (out of our price range)
Tony Battie (Stick a fork in him)
Greg Oden (Will he ever play or be effective?  Foul and injury machine. Kahn will probably take him, because, well, he is Kahn)
Samuel Dalembert (Would be a GREAT MLE pickup.  My favorite among viable options)
Kyrylo Fesenko (Good backup, might be a bit out of price range)
Hamady Ndiaye (Young and raw, not sure we have the time for him)

Now, im basing everything off of what stands now and ignoring what the CBA may bring, but I am assuming that it will have something similar to the MLE and LLE.  Because we used the LLE two years ago on Marquis, that could be used for a Veteran center who still has something left in the tank, along the lines of Jeff Foster or Dan Gadzuric.  The MLE will be very handy in this case, because Samuel Dalembert, Chuck Hayes, and centers of similar skill might be happy to play for a contender.  If the MLE is not used on a center, I would like to see it used on Tayshaun Prince (if we do not re sign Jeff Green).

Thoughts on the 5 situation?

[manl_lui]

in my honest opinion, Boston is one of the best cities for doctors, and if our doctors here say Yao is worth a shot, i guess ill give it a try

however personally base on my knowledge of Yao Ming, hes good. I love the dude and as a Chinese, I love cheering for my guys but playing in the NBA and the CBA killed his foot. If he wants to do well in the NBA, he should ditch playing for China, same thing for Yi.

It sucks watching players like them who could grab 20-10 easily but ends up getting injuries. I remember cheering for Yi when he was in Milwaukee and he has a few good games before his injury. Then the Nets, same thing, went down with an injury.

But I'm a bigger Celtics fan and I DO NOT want them to risk the chance of grabbing another injury prone Center 

[PosImpos]

Sounds like Shaq all over again to me; starts off the season great, team looks rejuvenated and dominant, then a major injury strikes and we're playing the guessing game over when and if he'll come back.

[Tai]

Just so you know, Shaq's not a free agent. He's signed with us until next year.

I can't find the supposed rumor of Celtics wanting Yao, but if he stays healthy (Yea, I know, do we really wanna watch that movie all over again next year?), he's one of the better offensive centers out there. I'd give him a shot.

[clawlin]

Shaq has got a player option, and I listed him just as a possibility to our Center situation.  He might retire based on his health.

Health was a huge problem this year and it led to the loss of our starting center.  I hope DA makes some moves for youth and health as opposed to gambling with injury prone players.

Yao has not proved he can be healthy.

[eugen]

Yao Ming is almost broke in last 2 seasons. I would prefer 100 times better Kenyon Martin before Yao

[JBcat]

Doesn't look like a strong rumor.  From ESPN:


Despite Yao Ming's injury problems this year -- and throughout his career -- his past level of play is likely to warrant him at least some interest in free agency this offseason.

And might the Celtics or Knicks be interested?

The Knicks are said to be in the mix for a center of starting caliber this offseason and the Celtics could look to re-tool at the position post Shaquille O'Neal if he ends up retiring. So at this juncture, it's not out of the question -- even though Yao could be a risky signing.

There's also been the suggestion the Warriors could look to acquire Yao because of the Bay Area's sizable Asian community.

[birdwatcher]

I've been thinking about Dalembert as well. He'd be a great fit--long, athletic and defensive minded. Wouldn't look to him for scoring, but would settle into a role that would take the pressure off KG defensively in the paint. May not have the girth of Perk or Shaq but is a formidable shot blocker. I think the MLE is a low ball offer though. He's essentially in the same mold as Chandler.

As for Yao--jeez. Haven't we learned from Shaq? And from what I've read it seems like Shaq AND JO may be retiring, which I'm fine with. I really wouldn't mind keeping Nenad as a bench guy, he gives us a different look/match up that could benefit us with certain teams or situations. I am also intrigued by DeAndre Jordan, but I'm not sure he could produce like he does playing alongside Blake Griffin.

I am also not interested in drafting a C or PF. If we are going forward with the core 4, then we should use our 1st round picks as some seal sweetners to bring in some role players who have proved they belong in the league. In hindsight, the Bradley pick was garbage since we're not really in a position to hold on to any projects.

[hpantazo]

well, at least we would have an automatic all-star starter every year, even if he doesn't play

[SHAQATTACK]

NO NO NO

and

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GrandTheftRondo]

Yao Ming? Seriously? SMH...

I guess the whole Shaq fiasco this season just wasn't enough disappointment.

[GrandTheftRondo]

NO NO NO

and

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS!

[Kuberski1]

Dalembert would be a great MLE pick-up.  One thing - I assume we are competing with Miami, and their MLE on centers, so we have a tough sell job ahead.

[Celticsfan336]

If we could ever get Deandre Jordan, marc gasol, Chandler, or Nene while keeping the big 4, jeff green, and delonte, von wafer. we are set for another run. (need depth too)

Keep in mind J'O is probably going to come back.
But, I'd say getting Yao for cheap OR Oden for MLE (if we dont get any of the aboved mention) that would be a good investment.

Both are injury prone, but a healthy Oden is a better version of Perk. But, thats a big IF.

Hayes is undersized.

Get BBD out.

[j804]

No way.