Athleticism at the 2 & 4 spots - the key

[ScoobyDoo]

I'm not overly concerned with our center rotation this coming year because I think there are a number of viable options to get us "what we need" out of the position next year.

I think our much, much larger concerns lie with adequate and "athletic" back ups at the off guard and PF positions. We don't just need decent back ups at these positions, we need guys who can actually carry a big load when necessary.

Assuming there isn't a lock out for the entire 2012 season, here is all I see us needing to give this team a legit shot at a ring next season.

The Center position:
1. Yes, sign Pryzbilla. I think Dalembert will be too expensive.

2. Keep Krstic

3. Trade Jermaine's contract for another role player at another position.

3. Yes, re-sign Shaq. Keep him in the cooler until playoff time. Very low minutes. Pryzbilla and Krstic do the heavy lifting throughout the regular season.

4. Resign Erden or "sign" Hilton Armstrong if you want more insurance at center while getting a guy who can also play some PF a little.

** We don't need a legend at the center position. Joel Pryzbilla, for all his deficiencies, will at least "label" someone when they come down the lane. He has a mean streak, something we desperately need on this team right now, especially in the middle. He's long and he can block shots and rebound. That's all we need.

 
The Power forward position:
1. KG - 25-30 minutes a night, period.
2. No more Big Baby. We need length and athleticism behind KG.
3. Hilton Armstrong, if signed as a 4th center for insurance behind Pryzbilla, Krstic and Shaq, can play some PF as a 3rd option, and he could get up and down the floor with Rondo.

4. I'd also consider Josh McRoberts as a signing target.

5. Use our mid level to sign Kris Humphries. He can also get up and down the floor. Our carrot is a starting position ina a year with Rondo and Jeff Green.

Off guard:
1. Can we sign and Trade Big Baby for Rudy Fernandez, Sonny Weeems or CDR - both teams getting something for guys they will lose anyway?
* I like Sonny Weeems, Crawford and CDR as reasonable targets.   

Your team:

Pryzbilla / Krstic / Shaq / Armstrong
KG / Humphries / McRoberts / Armstrong
Pierce / Jeff Green
Ray / Rudy,Weems,CDR / Wafer
Rondo / Delonte / Bradley

=

2012 NBA champions

I think Pryzbilla, Armstrong, McRoberts and Weeems or CDR can be had for relatively easy money.

The key would be locking Humphries into the mid level.

Your second team is:

Krstic or Shaq
Humphries
Green
Weeems or CDR
Delonte West

All these players would be great pieces who can motor up and down the court when Ainge starts adding the big pieces as Ray and KG come off the books.

[Celtic#9]

If we were to get Humphries I would start him at PF. Slide KG to % or have him come off the bench. Humphries has been a beast this last season. He averaged 10 a game playing 28 minutes. This is probably around 12 per game since Favors was traded.

[Who]

Not concerned about the two spot. I think that is well covered with Delonte and Green (assuming they return).

I agree with the need for more athleticism / quickness with the big men. It doesn't look like they are going to be able to get that at the center position ... so replacing BBD with a superior athlete and preferably a defender / rebounder looks the best bet.

Not a lot of options out there though. Unfortunately. It's a weak free agent class.

[pearljammer10]

I dont like Humphries. Hes a white big baby; undersized, good hustle guy, rebounds well on a terrible team with no rebounders... Except he is much worse on offense than Baby is and he really isnt super athletic.

I wish we could find a Haslem type clone to come off the bench for us at the PF.

[Celtics18]

I dont like Humphries. Hes a white big baby; undersized, good hustle guy, rebounds well on a terrible team with no rebounders... Except he is much worse on offense than Baby is and he really isnt super athletic.

I wish we could find a Haslem type clone to come off the bench for us at the PF.

You don't have to like him, but Big Baby is an absolutely horrible comparison.  The two are nothing alike.  

I hate to be the grammar police here but when you don't capitalize the "Bs" in Big Baby it sounds like you're just calling him a "white big baby."

[letsgoblue86]

Hilton Armstrong sucks, plain and simple.

[PortCelt]

Armstrong is not a Doc Rivers type player

[Who]

Hilton Armstrong sucks, plain and simple.

Agreed -- zero interest in him wearing a Celtics jersey

[Humble G]

instead of humphries what about Jonas Jerebko? He is a restricted free agent that is coming off an achilles injury but he looked pretty good before that

[KCattheStripe]

instead of humphries what about Jonas Jerebko? He is a restricted free agent that is coming off an achilles injury but he looked pretty good before that

How long is the recovery from an Achilles?

[Humble G]

instead of humphries what about Jonas Jerebko? He is a restricted free agent that is coming off an achilles injury but he looked pretty good before that

How long is the recovery from an Achilles?

He missed all of this season but he is ready to go for next season and has put on 20 pounds of muscle. he sounds like a workaholic, which is great! But it sounds like he may want to stay in detroit, but that could change with some celtic green 

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2011/05/pistons_jonas_jerebko_i_feel_l.html

[greenpride32]

We don't know the rules of the new CBA, but it's highly doubtful the C's can sign all those players (they certainly wouldn't be able to under the current rules).

I think Wafer would be sufficient at the 2.  The problem is Doc doesn't trust any player unless you're an all-star.  Any non-AS feels the pressure of getting benched if they make a mistake or two; but Ray, Rondo, or Paul can make the worst of turnovers and there's no issue with Doc.  This is why the BOS bench can never have success; because Doc benches you for not being an AS.

[erisred]

If we were to get Humphries I would start him at PF. Slide KG to % or have him come off the bench. Humphries has been a beast this last season. He averaged 10 a game playing 28 minutes. This is probably around 12 per game since Favors was traded.

Is that "slide KG to Center"?  If it is that's a viable idea.

[mostofusrsad]

If we were to get Humphries I would start him at PF. Slide KG to % or have him come off the bench. Humphries has been a beast this last season. He averaged 10 a game playing 28 minutes. This is probably around 12 per game since Favors was traded.

Is that "slide KG to Center"?  If it is that's a viable idea.

in my mind sliding kg to center is a recipe for disaster...he can't play that position against championship caliber centers...

[csfansince60s]

I agree with the topic of this post, athleticism at the 2 and 4 are key.

In the  "If you had to trade one of the Big 3" thread I proposed this trade which would give us more athletiism at both the 2 and 4, but at the expense of Ray whom we would have to replace with the full MLE:

"Ray Allen and our 1st round pick this year and throw in the Clips pick next year if we have to the Bulls

Taj Gibson, Corey Brewer and Omar Asik to us.

Bulls get the gunner they need at the 2 and we get depth up front, D at the wing and youth (all 3)and athleticism at the wing and the 4.

With our MLE (if there is one with the new CBA) we get the best sharpshooter out there to try to replace Ray."

Whaddya think?