C's used mini-MLE on Wilcox

[GreenEnvy]

Why did Wilcox only play 57 games last season for Detroit and 34 the year before?

Defense -- he doesn't play any

So other players were preferred by the coaching staff over him.

But we heard that about Pierce and Ray before KG.

Defense can be taught if the desire is there. Playing on 50-loss teams every year hardly makes you want to dig on on D.

Playing with a contender and next to defensive-minded vets might change his attitude.

[Lucky17]

Why did Wilcox only play 57 games last season for Detroit and 34 the year before?

Because John Kuester had no idea how to manage that roster?

[Who]

Why did Wilcox only play 57 games last season for Detroit and 34 the year before?

Defense -- he doesn't play any

So other players were preferred by the coaching staff over him.

So he doesn't play defense yet he is supposed to be a solid backup 4 or 5? I am really getting confused. I want to like this guy, I really do!

This is how I am looking at it:

Defensively, Wilcox will give us pretty much what Erden did last year.

Offensively, Wilcox will give us more than Shaq did. His superior mobility/athleticism and the range of plays he can finish in the paint will give the C's a great fourth/fifth option to have on the floor.

Rebounding wise, Wilcox is an above average rebounding PF and will us good work there too.

[vinnie]

Why did Wilcox only play 57 games last season for Detroit and 34 the year before?

Defense -- he doesn't play any

So other players were preferred by the coaching staff over him.

So he doesn't play defense yet he is supposed to be a solid backup 4 or 5? I am really getting confused. I want to like this guy, I really do!

This is how I am looking at it:

Defensively, Wilcox will give us pretty much what Erden did last year.

Offensively, Wilcox will give us more than Shaq did. His superior mobility/athleticism and the range of plays he can finish in the paint will give the C's a great fourth/fifth option to have on the floor.

Rebounding wise, Wilcox is an above average rebounding PF and will us good work there too.

Good explanation. Thanks!

[hwangjini_1]

good point directly above.  and, he's available for the MLE.

one reason is that he is not an all star, or the MLE would not be enough. indeed, in the eyes of many people he's an underachiever given his status as a first rounder,

but, if the context of him as a backup/part-time starter, he is pretty good.

keep in mind also that on a per minute basis he had one of his best years ever last year.

his turnovers were down, rebounding was good/improved, and he had the second best FG% of his career. really, only the free throw shooting dropped off, but was still acceptable for a center.

honestly, for a center on a one year deal, wilcox is a bargain....in nba terms.

if cb posters had not had to endure the paul/west roller coasters, we would be rather pleased with ainge's efforts in the brief off season.

the celtics are better than last year!!!!! whether the team is good enough to win 18 is now the question.

[jc3celticsphan]

Why did Wilcox only play 57 games last season for Detroit and 34 the year before?

Defense -- he doesn't play any

So other players were preferred by the coaching staff over him.

But we heard that about Pierce and Ray before KG.

Defense can be taught if the desire is there. Playing on 50-loss teams every year hardly makes you want to dig on on D.

Playing with a contender and next to defensive-minded vets might change his attitude.

exactly anybody ho thinks they can come here and not play defense will get an earfull from kg

[action781]

My hope for the season, as the off-season has gone forward:

So, you're having a very normal offesason, Roy?  (couldn't resist)

[Cman]

When healthy, Przybilla is a monster rebounder and shot-blocker. Anchored some really good Portland teams. 

I like Wilcox, but he offers very little defensively at a position where defense reigns supreme.  Still a great fit with this team though (we need bigs who can run the floor like gazelles and finish around the rim: Wilcox is great at this).

"When healthy" is the key phrase in that first sentence.
As a side note, boy, Portland has dealt with lots of really unfortunate injuries over the last several years.

[Roy H.]

Offensively, Wilcox will give us more than Shaq did. His superior mobility/athleticism and the range of plays he can finish in the paint will give the C's a great fourth/fifth option to have on the floor.

I think that offering more offensively than Shaq last year is going to be a tall order, especially when talking about early-season Shaq.  Doing better than 9 points on 67% shooting in 20 minutes per game in probably setting the bar a little high for Wilcox, in my mind.

He has more athleticism than Shaq, but he doesn't have the sheer size or the moves touch around the basket, in my opinion.  He'll be successful offensively, but not Shaq-like.

[Chris]

When healthy, Przybilla is a monster rebounder and shot-blocker. Anchored some really good Portland teams. 

I like Wilcox, but he offers very little defensively at a position where defense reigns supreme.  Still a great fit with this team though (we need bigs who can run the floor like gazelles and finish around the rim: Wilcox is great at this).

"When healthy" is the key phrase in that first sentence.
As a side note, boy, Portland has dealt with lots of really unfortunate injuries over the last several years.

They brought it upon themselves.  They have made a habit of taking risks on guys with injury histories, hoping they will get lucky.  It hasn't paid off.

As for Przybilla, I hope Danny is going hard after him with the vet minimum.  

[billysan]

When healthy, Przybilla is a monster rebounder and shot-blocker. Anchored some really good Portland teams. 

I like Wilcox, but he offers very little defensively at a position where defense reigns supreme.  Still a great fit with this team though (we need bigs who can run the floor like gazelles and finish around the rim: Wilcox is great at this).

"When healthy" is the key phrase in that first sentence.
As a side note, boy, Portland has dealt with lots of really unfortunate injuries over the last several years.

They brought it upon themselves.  They have made a habit of taking risks on guys with injury histories, hoping they will get lucky.  It hasn't paid off.

As for Przybilla, I hope Danny is going hard after him with the vet minimum. 

Not sure what the injury situation will be for the long term, but if Przybilla is signed and allowed to rehab till say mid March while watching and walking through practice? Danny will possibly look like a genius when we have him available for the playoffs. Could be just in time to replace a hobbled (again) JO.

[bruinsandceltics]

When healthy, Przybilla is a monster rebounder and shot-blocker. Anchored some really good Portland teams. 

I like Wilcox, but he offers very little defensively at a position where defense reigns supreme.  Still a great fit with this team though (we need bigs who can run the floor like gazelles and finish around the rim: Wilcox is great at this).

"When healthy" is the key phrase in that first sentence.
As a side note, boy, Portland has dealt with lots of really unfortunate injuries over the last several years.

They brought it upon themselves.  They have made a habit of taking risks on guys with injury histories, hoping they will get lucky.  It hasn't paid off.

As for Przybilla, I hope Danny is going hard after him with the vet minimum.  

That I could live with. There is no doubt Pryzbilla is a hulking man. His body and defense could help come the playoffs. If able, I'd love to see him signed for the min.

[Jon]

I am not a big fan of Danny spending  all 3 million on Wilcox.

But...

I do think Wilcox could be a surprise. Call it the Shaq effect.

For a number of years Shaq had been in decline, but he came here and when he played with the starters looked like a new man. And it wasn't like Shaq was posting people up most of the time. Instead he was getting alleyoops and easy baskets off of others' penetration.  

And I don't see why Wilcox can't do much of the same. He won't have Shaq's strength; however, he'll have better speed which can be a good thing if he's on the floor with second unit gazelle's like Green, Bradley, and Johnson.

Again, I wish it was the minimum, but I think Wilcox could be a good fit for this team.

[LooseCannon]

Yet another Ainge project for an underachieving big man with great physical tools but lacking in the head or heart departments, except this time a player who has been able to get time in the NBA.  Will the Celtics culture rub off on Wilcox or will we see the guy who the Pistons fined for joining Rip Hamilton in an unexcused absence from a shootaround?

He has more upside than Kwame Brown, but also more downside (meaning, if he turns out to be a failure, it could be much more of an epic failure).