Dalembert and other Peter May ideas

[Jeff]

is it just me or is Dalembert out of our pricerange with the MLE?  I understand that he's overpaid with his current contract but someone's going to pay an athletic, defensive center more than the MLE, right?

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=may_peter&id=6556219

The Celtics are going to need a center regardless of what happens with the O'Neals and Krstic. Dalembert is coming off a 6-year, $64 million deal, but he has never been close to playing on a winner. He is athletic and a good shot-blocker and doesn't need to be involved in the offense. But as one of the best free-agent centers available, he is likely to have many suitors. He's also durable; he has missed two games in the last five years.

May also talks up Josh Howard, Al Thornton, and Carly Landry - which I think you could make arguments for

[Chris]

I really don't want Dalembert.  On the surface he brings exactly what we are looking for, but when you dig deeper you realize he is the opposite of everything this team was built on.  He does not play team defense, and has a reputation as a bad lockerroom guy.  He basically does his own thing, and has little interest in being part of the system.

I like Howard, Thornton, and Landry, although they are all "if the price is right" guys.  Much like last summer, they need to figure out what they are doing in the middle before worrying about filling other holes like those guys fill. 

[the_Bird]

Isn't Dalembert the guy most likely to get a 12:01 phone call from Pat Riley?  Warts and all, he's probably the best 5 who *might* be available on an MLE contract, and that's the position where Miami needs the most help.

[Who]

If Dalembert does accept the MLE, I expect him to go to Miami. He'd be an excellent addition for them. Have to believe they'll pursue him vigorously if he is available for the MLE. 

And I think Dalembert warrants considerably more than the MLE to begin with.

Consequently, I don't view him as a realistic target.

[Mr October]

Isn't Dalembert the guy most likely to get a 12:01 phone call from Pat Riley?  Warts and all, he's probably the best 5 who *might* be available on an MLE contract, and that's the position where Miami needs the most help.

Yeah I'd be shocked if he wasn't a member of the Heat next year.

[Chris]

Isn't Dalembert the guy most likely to get a 12:01 phone call from Pat Riley?  Warts and all, he's probably the best 5 who *might* be available on an MLE contract, and that's the position where Miami needs the most help.

Agreed.  And as bad as he would be for the C's, he might be just that good for the Heat.  The C's system is completely reliant on execution and every cog working together, while the Heat...well, their system is just throwing a bunch of athletes on the floor and letting their athleticism work for them.  Frankly, I am not even sure they really have a system.  So, they would be fine with just telling Sammy to go out there, and essentially play a one man zone, which is what he always does anyways.  

It will give them the "eraser" they were clearly missing last night.

[Roy H.]

There are worse players than Dalembert, but he'd drive us crazy.  He's got a low "basketball IQ", often gets caught out of position on both ends, and can be pretty lazy at times.

I do think he'll be available for the MLE (if there is an MLE), but I'm skeptical that Danny wants to commit five years to him.

Any yeah, I agree with the_Bird:  Miami is probably his most likely landing spot.

[perks-a-beast]

not really a fan of Dalembert but if the C's could ever pull off Carl Landry i'd be more than thrilled. Guys plays like Leon Powe on steroids.

[Roy H.]

I like Carl Landry, although he's not much of a post presence, which would be ideal.

As for Thornton and Howard, with Jeff Green I think we have bigger issues than small forward.

[mc34]

Carl Landry would be great; not so sure about the rest. Josh Howard is a decent player but he's not someone I'm willing to take a risk on. He's only played in 53 games in his past 3 seasons - 18 this year, 4 (!) last year, and 31 the season before that. I'd much rather spend our money on a rebounding + defending big man and/or an athletic swingman type (JR Smith?).

[jambr380]

If I am Miami, I am happier with Anthony and his development than anything Dalembert brings. I understand Dalembert no longer carries that albatross of a contract, so maybe I am underrating him, but I just don't see what all the fuss is about.

[Change]

C's fan don't sell yourselves short. Why wouldn't he come here? The locker room camaraderie brotherhood Ubuntu. Play for a Doc Rivers. Be part of historic franchise. Its a privilege to wear Green every night. A city that loves its sports. An opportunity to play along side arguably the greatest PF in the NBA ever. A point-guard loves to share the ball. Dalembert will get him 4-5 good looks every game. and so on.......

[the_Bird]

Well, them signing Dalembert doesn't mean they'd never play Anthony (just like if we kept Perk doesn't mean JO never would have seen the court ).  It means they'd have an improved starter, they'd have Anthony as his backup, and guys like Magliore and Dampier and Big Z and Juwan Howard could retire/finally get buried, whatever.

As to Landry, seems like a good use of the MLE if they spend it. I'm more concerned with getting a good backup PF than anything else (other than improving the 5 spot, which is tougher).  KG's the one of the big 3 that seems most in need of getting his minutes cut back.  Landry's good, and he's still pretty young.  

[mc34]

If I am Miami, I am happier with Anthony and his development than anything Dalembert brings. I understand Dalembert no longer carries that albatross of a contract, so maybe I am underrating him, but I just don't see what all the fuss is about.

I am unconvinced that Joel Anthony has actually developed. He's just getting a ton of attention because its the playoffs, he plays for the team with the most media coverage, and he's played against some pretty weak frontcourts (us, and Philly). He is their energy guy and nothing more, not their center of the future.

[Chris]

I like Carl Landry, although he's not much of a post presence, which would be ideal.

I go back and forth on Landry.  He was great in Houston, mediocre in Sacramento, and then very good in NOH.  I think he is very similar to Davis, except he brings more consistent offense, and less bulk defensively.  He won't improve them much on the boards, but he also won't be as much of a headache as Davis is.

He certainly is someone I would like, but much like with Davis, I wouldn't pay a ton for him on this team.