Rumor: Celtics targeting Chuck Hayes

[Alowesio]

I don't understand how Chuck Hayes can defend at all at 6'6".  At least if we get him, I'll learn something.

[cman88]

id like to see the celtics target grant hill. he still played good last year as a starting SG/SF for the suns

You could have him come off the bench behind Ray Allen

[Jon]

He'd be OK, but it'd be nice to get a legit center.  We can play Green at the 4 at times, to help make-up for the lack of bodies we have at the 4/5 spots overall, but we can't do that with Hayes playing the 5. 

[nickagneta]

Also, regarding play at center, Hayes spent over 80% of his minutes there last year.  Again, I understand the concern, but at least he's played the position at a moderately high level.

I strongly disagree with this.

Chuck Hayes inability to play the center position effectively hurt Houston throughout the season. His inability to provide a deterrent at the basket allowed the opposition to create high percentage shots at the rim all season long.

Houston being forced to play Hayes out of position, where he is far less effective, was one of the main reasons they fielded a below average defense last season.

That said, Kevin Garnett can play the five at an extremely high level. He has the length and defensive instincts to be that rim deterrent.

And Garnett has the overall defensive range, as a center, to free Chuck Hayes up to play the four where Hayes is a very impressive defensive player.

A Kevin Garnett (C) and Chuck Hayes (PF) defensive combination would be very effective and much more effective than a Kevin Garnett (PF) and Chuck Hayes (C) combo because playing the five allows Garnett to spend more time closer to the basket where he can alter shot attempts.

They can switch matchups on occasion, where appropriate, but Garnett would need to play the lion's share of the minutes at the five when on the floor with Hayes.

I think you are over thinking this to the extreme saying Hayes at PF and KG at center is better than Hayes at center and KG at PF.

Simply put, when they are in the front court together, on offense, KG will play his usual perimeter game and go to the basket game and Hayes will be the under the basket guy. On defense, they will simply guard whoever they are best matched with regardless of position.

[slamtheking]

I hope they sign him if for no other reason than to hear Maxwell ask him in an interview: "What's Up-Chuck"   

[hpantazo]

I love Chuck Hayes, we could use a tough rebounder like him who stays in the paint.

[chambers]

hmmm dunno, he's one of the least athletic big men in the NBA but he could be good if we stick him at PF on defense and C on offense.

The guy we need is going to have to guard Bosh and/or Boozer and Stoudemire.

I'd be happy if we could get him on the cheap.
All aboard the chuck wagon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCMo5ZJ2p3U

[fairweatherfan]

Hayes would be a pretty decent pickup if it's cheap enough. 

I wonder why more people aren't talking about Aaron Gray.  He's a bit of a stiff and injury-prone but he's a good rebounder and was effective in stretches against the Laker bigs in the playoffs.  He's no starter but if we could get him at the min or LLE (is there still an LLE?) he could be a solid 4th or 5th big off the bench for 12-18 min a game.  Basically a younger and (somewhat) healthier Pryzbilla.

[Cman]

I like the idea of targeting the "quality contributor" type guys, assuming the Cs are going to keep the core together (yes, the core includes Rondo). I think these guys have one more year - this shortened/compressed season - before the window shuts, so it makes sense to keep 'em together and see what they can do.

Now, if we're going to blow it up, then really blow it up. Not just trading Rondo, but KG, Ray Ray as well (got to keep Pierce).

[Roy H.]

(is there still an LLE?)

Only for non-taxpayers.

[jdpapa3]

I don't understand how Chuck Hayes can defend at all at 6'6".  At least if we get him, I'll learn something.

He's really, really strong. KG has had issues with him in recent years because he can't move him a single inch when he tries to back him down. So he's kind of like BBD in that aspect, but he can actually pull down defensive rebounds.

[Fafnir]

I don't understand how Chuck Hayes can defend at all at 6'6".  At least if we get him, I'll learn something.

He's really, really strong. KG has had issues with him in recent years because he can't move him a single inch when he tries to back him down. So he's kind of like BBD in that aspect, but he can actually pull down defensive rebounds.

Yeah his size makes him a liability in help defense, but man to man he's great.

[PosImpos]

That other "Chuck," if I'm not mistaken, was also one of the most athletic players in the league in his prime.

I wasn't inducting Hayes into the HoF, I was just making the point that while height matters, it ain't everything.

I understand, but the point I was making is that players who are very athletic can often make up for their lack of size, but players who lack size and athleticism tend to have big holes in their game.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

We already have a Chuck Hayes in Glen. If BBD is focused and fired up enough he displays the same amount of energy that Chuck Hayes have, and is a better mid range shooter.

I like how Hayes plays. But I'd rather go for a legit big.

[LooseCannon]

Yeah his size makes him a liability in help defense, but man to man he's great.

In this Celtics defensive system, what is more important, help or man-to-man defense?  To put another way, who would be a better fit, all other things being equal, a big who is above average on help defense and average on man-to-man or one who is above average on man-to-man and average on help defense?