How does David West fit in our system?

[OmarSekou]

Personally I don't like the trade. I'd rather save $ and let our young guys (potentially) develop around legends. Just being around Ray and KG could do wonders for Bradley or JJJ.

The reason I don't like the trade is because I don't see where David West fits. He would be fine offensively because he learned to compliment a playmaking PG and create his own offense in NO.

But his defense, durability, and his toughness? I question all three. You can argue we get those with Bass, but I think our starting front court would be thin on defense and get beaten up on boards (kind of like LA when they had to go with Pau and Odom).

[jdz101]

You answered your own question. David west is extremely good offensively, especially on the post. He can create his own offense, which only really paul pierce can do right now on the Celtics. Big plus.

[Roy H.]

David West is a good defender, and I think he's plenty tough.

[bfrombleacher]

All of them can basically shift to the C unless they're playing against the Magic. David West can heal up if he needs to with KG, Bass, Jajuan Johnson, Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox.

[OmarSekou]

David West is a good defender, and I think he's plenty tough.

Is he good enough to cover larger guys or is KG going up against an opponent's best big every night?

[OmarSekou]

In a nut shell, if we take West I don't think we have enough quality size come playoff time. Even the JO we had last year could handle other bigs when healthy and take some of the pressure off KG. Can West do that?

I don't see Wilcox in the playoff rotation (but I might just not have seen him enough)

[kn 99]

In a nut shell, if we take West I don't think we have enough quality size come playoff time. Even the JO we had last year could handle other bigs when healthy and take some of the pressure off KG. Can West do that?

I don't see Wilcox in the playoff rotation (but I might just not have seen him enough)

I think we would be fine against most teams. But you are right that we could not handle some of the bigs in the playoffs. This is why I think we will use the MMLE on a defensive minded center. Then Doc would mix and match the front court based on the opposition. 

[toneskeet]

Yeah this isn't our final move that MMLE will come in handy in signing a C

[Jon]

I can't believe how short people's memories are.  

In 2008 we won a title with KG closing out games with a 6-8 220 lb SMALL forward playing the PF spot.  

Since then, we've routinely run out lineups with other undersized PFs like BBD, Powe, and Jeff Green out there with KG.  

This is nothing new.  We've been doing this the entire Big Three Era.  If anything, West is an upgrade over these guys as he probably has an inch or two on BBD and certainly has a lot more muscle than Posey or Green.

[SCBirdman]

The reason I don't like the trade is because I don't see where David West fits. He would be fine offensively because he learned to compliment a playmaking PG and create his own offense in NO.

But his defense, durability, and his toughness? I question all three. You can argue we get those with Bass, but I think our starting front court would be thin on defense and get beaten up on boards (kind of like LA when they had to go with Pau and Odom).

A lot of people said the same thing about Ray Allen. He was JUST an offensive player. Then, when he got to Boston, he became a very good defender.

WHY? KG, that's why. I have no doubt David West will immediately become a better defender, and by the end of the season, he will be a MUCH better defender than he was in NO because that is one of the main emphasis of the Celtics under Doc Rivers.

[pearljammer10]

Personally I don't like the trade. I'd rather save $ and let our young guys (potentially) develop around legends. Just being around Ray and KG could do wonders for Bradley or JJJ.

The reason I don't like the trade is because I don't see where David West fits. He would be fine offensively because he learned to compliment a playmaking PG and create his own offense in NO.

But his defense, durability, and his toughness? I question all three. You can argue we get those with Bass, but I think our starting front court would be thin on defense and get beaten up on boards (kind of like LA when they had to go with Pau and Odom).

Perfectly...That answers the question.

David West creates his own offense on the block, will have a great playmaking point guard to feed him the ball, and plays good tough defense. He's 6  9  240... thats not really undersized at all. We have a chance to aquire an all star who averaged more points than anyone on our team last year, and gives us more size downlow and you'd rather keep JO? Interesting train of thought.

[action781]

I can't believe how short people's memories are.  

In 2008 we won a title with KG closing out games with a 6-8 220 lb SMALL forward playing the PF spot.  

Since then, we've routinely run out lineups with other undersized PFs like BBD, Powe, and Jeff Green out there with KG.  

This is nothing new.  We've been doing this the entire Big Three Era.  If anything, West is an upgrade over these guys as he probably has an inch or two on BBD and certainly has a lot more muscle than Posey or Green.

Absolutely.  I really look forward to this lineup!

[Celtics4ever]

How does he not fit?

He is a legit big.   He will add pop off the bench if plays there.   He has been a two time all star so is a competent starter too.

As for durability, you always hope our guys don't get hurt but anything can happen during a season.

[BballTim]

In a nut shell, if we take West I don't think we have enough quality size come playoff time. Even the JO we had last year could handle other bigs when healthy and take some of the pressure off KG. Can West do that?

I don't see Wilcox in the playoff rotation (but I might just not have seen him enough)

  If you're getting good play from KG and West and decent(ish) play from Wilcox and decide you need a center, maybe you try and pick up one in a trade for Bass.

[Moreover]

Davis West isn't that good in the post. He's solid.

He is, however, the best pick'n'pop threat in the entire league.

West is a 20ppg threat. His defense is average. His rebounding is mediocre but not atrocious, a la Big Baby Davis or Scalabrine.

If West recovered well from the surgery, he's another All-Star level of player. Huge improvement.