Can Brandon Bass be a part of the C's future?

[GreenFaith1819]

I sure hope so.

He reminds me so much of Paul Milsap - stats-wise and physically.

He's been huge for us thus far.

[KGs Knee]

I gotta agree with some of the other posters who don't think Bass is that great as a starter.  As a 6th man, he's fantastic.

Bass has a player option ($4mil) for next season.  If his solid play continues, he will likely decline that option and recieve a hefty pay increase from someone.

I just don't see Ainge paying big money for a back-up PF.  Could he start?  Maybe on the right team.  I really don't want him starting on a rebuilding team though.  C's would very likely see diminishing returns if Bass is forced into a larger role.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Some people on here say he's not starter material but give no reason for that position, and I'm curious to hear it. He's playing starter minutes now (about 28 per), averaging 14 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 55.1%, which would all be career highs. I realize it's only 7 games and things could change, but if those numbers hold throughout the season, and he continues to have the positive effect he's had so far, he definitely should be considered a big piece of this team's future, possibly even as a starter. He can run, rebound, hit the open J consistently and take his man off the dribble, so I'm not sure why some people think him an ill fit as a starter. I'm also not sure where the "overpaying" line should be drawn with him, but Danny should definitely be giving strong consideration to locking this guy up long term. Bass, Green and Rondo would be three solid starters next year or the year after, and Boston should have enough money to fill in the center and shooting guard positions with quality talent -- who knows? Maybe even Stiemsma and Moore? Or Dwight Howard and Deron Williams. Whichever combination you prefer. =)

[wdleehi]

Some people on here say he's not starter material but give no reason for that position, and I'm curious to hear it. He's playing starter minutes now (about 28 per), averaging 14 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 55.1%, which would all be career highs. I realize it's only 7 games and things could change, but if those numbers hold throughout the season, and he continues to have the positive effect he's had so far, he definitely should be considered a big piece of this team's future, possibly even as a starter. He can run, rebound, hit the open J consistently and take his man off the dribble, so I'm not sure why some people think him an ill fit as a starter. I'm also not sure where the "overpaying" line should be drawn with him, but Danny should definitely be giving strong consideration to locking this guy up long term. Bass, Green and Rondo would be three solid starters next year or the year after, and Boston should have enough money to fill in the center and shooting guard positions with quality talent -- who knows? Maybe even Stiemsma and Moore? Or Dwight Howard and Deron Williams. Whichever combination you prefer. =)

That screams out "Lotto"

[Fafnir]

Some people on here say he's not starter material but give no reason for that position, and I'm curious to hear it.

He's an efficient but limited offensive player. He doesn't get assists or create shots for his team. He's a bit small for a starting PF and that limits his ability to go to the post against starters.

Meanwhile his defense isn't good as he's not a rim protector and isn't a great help defender. Though he seems solid enough in man to man defense, help defense is the most important asset for big men.

Finally his rebounding has been below average for a starting PF his entire career and was even below average this year until he had a great game last night and got 12 boards against the Nets.

Limited but efficient offense, below average overall defense, and below average rebounding translates into an iffy option as a starting PF. If he had a more well rounded offensive game and improved his help defense there is no reason he couldn't be a very effective starter.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Some people on here say he's not starter material but give no reason for that position, and I'm curious to hear it.

He's an efficient but limited offensive player. He doesn't get assists or create shots for his team. He's a bit small for a starting PF and that limits his ability to go to the post against starters.

Meanwhile his defense isn't good as he's not a rim protector and isn't a great help defender. Though he seems solid enough in man to man defense, help defense is the most important asset for big men.

Finally his rebounding has been below average for a starting PF his entire career and was even below average this year until he had a great game last night and got 12 boards against the Nets.

Limited but efficient offense, below average overall defense, and below average rebounding translates into an iffy option as a starting PF. If he had a more well rounded offensive game and improved his help defense there is no reason he couldn't be a very effective starter.

Thank you for citing some specific reasons. They make sense, and I see now what people mean. And I certainly share your hope that he can continue to improve on offense and defense to become "solid starter" material. TP for the help.

[Fafnir]

Some people on here say he's not starter material but give no reason for that position, and I'm curious to hear it.

He's an efficient but limited offensive player. He doesn't get assists or create shots for his team. He's a bit small for a starting PF and that limits his ability to go to the post against starters.

Meanwhile his defense isn't good as he's not a rim protector and isn't a great help defender. Though he seems solid enough in man to man defense, help defense is the most important asset for big men.

Finally his rebounding has been below average for a starting PF his entire career and was even below average this year until he had a great game last night and got 12 boards against the Nets.

Limited but efficient offense, below average overall defense, and below average rebounding translates into an iffy option as a starting PF. If he had a more well rounded offensive game and improved his help defense there is no reason he couldn't be a very effective starter.

Thank you for citing some specific reasons. They make sense, and I see now what people mean. And I certainly share your hope that he can continue to improve on offense and defense to become "solid starter" material. TP for the help.

Sadly if he does all of that this year he'll opt out and get overpaid somewhere else. If Glen Davis can get 26 million based on his season last year if Bass keeps this up he could get even more.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Some people on here say he's not starter material but give no reason for that position, and I'm curious to hear it. He's playing starter minutes now (about 28 per), averaging 14 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 55.1%, which would all be career highs. I realize it's only 7 games and things could change, but if those numbers hold throughout the season, and he continues to have the positive effect he's had so far, he definitely should be considered a big piece of this team's future, possibly even as a starter. He can run, rebound, hit the open J consistently and take his man off the dribble, so I'm not sure why some people think him an ill fit as a starter. I'm also not sure where the "overpaying" line should be drawn with him, but Danny should definitely be giving strong consideration to locking this guy up long term. Bass, Green and Rondo would be three solid starters next year or the year after, and Boston should have enough money to fill in the center and shooting guard positions with quality talent -- who knows? Maybe even Stiemsma and Moore? Or Dwight Howard and Deron Williams. Whichever combination you prefer. =)

That screams out "Lotto"

Well, my original comment was at least partly tongue-in-cheek, and perhaps that would be a lottery team, but you never know.

[action781]

It depends on what the free agency landscape is looking like going into the offseason.

CP is off the table.  We don't need Deron with Rondo in place.  Rose, Gordon, Love, and Westbrook aren't going anywhere (current teams will match anything).  Dwight is really the only piece available.  If he gets traded with an agreement to extend, then what other choice do we have but to try to re-up for one more year.  We still will have 2 all-stars under contract, so it would be an absurd idea to "blow it up" and rebuild because those 2 alone will prevent us from a good lottery pick.  So we offer Ray and KG favorable (preferably 1 year, maybe 2 for Ray) deals and I say we definitely bring back Bass if he keeps up his play and will sign for a reasonable deal.  I think contracts like 2yr/$15M or 4yr/$24M would be good deals for the Celtics.  Yeah, it ties up cap space.  But you still need to have productive players on the roster.  I think 4yr/$32M is around threshold where you have to consider saying no.  And it's very possible that he might get that elsewhere, so you let the other team take on that bad contract.

Now if Dwight is looking like a realistic possibility, then we have to say bye to Bass.  It's unlikely that we will be able to afford Dwight after giving Bass what he'll command.

[snively]

Bass is a very nice value at the full MLE.  High-level offensive role-player, useful for his speed defensively, a few too many weaknesses to be a high-quality starter.  Good 6th man.

Not a great fit for our team next year.  With $20-25 mil in cap space we'll be looking for high-quality starters to replace JO and maybe KG and Ray.  Using the cap space on Bass would be similar to what Dumars did in 2009, signing Gordon and Charlie V. 

It especially hurts Bass' case that Jeff Green is lurking in the wings and seems to be a favorite of management.  With Pierce on board and Jeff likely seeing some back-up minutes at the 4, Bass probably won't have as much of a place here.   

[Interceptor]

Finally his rebounding has been below average for a starting PF his entire career and was even below average this year until he had a great game last night and got 12 boards against the Nets.

I think when we're talking about his rebounding rate for his "entire career", it's worth noting that 1) he's 26 years old, 2) he spent the last two seasons on a team with Howard and Gortat, and 3) only one guy can get the ball.

[xmuscularghandix]

Finally his rebounding has been below average for a starting PF his entire career and was even below average this year until he had a great game last night and got 12 boards against the Nets.

I think when we're talking about his rebounding rate for his "entire career", it's worth noting that 1) he's 26 years old, 2) he spent the last two seasons on a team with Howard and Gortat, and 3) only one guy can get the ball.

AND it was 13 not 12.

[RajonRondOWNED]

People keep talking about how he never passes...but I swear I only saw him defended on like two or three jump shots this season.

[Fafnir]

Finally his rebounding has been below average for a starting PF his entire career and was even below average this year until he had a great game last night and got 12 boards against the Nets.

I think when we're talking about his rebounding rate for his "entire career", it's worth noting that 1) he's 26 years old, 2) he spent the last two seasons on a team with Howard and Gortat, and 3) only one guy can get the ball.

He posted basically the same numbers his two years in Dallas as well. One of those years Jason Kidd out rebounded him....

He's played minutes for top defensive rebounding teams his four years of being a rotation player, so he certainly could see a bump playing for the C's but the diminshing returns on defensive rebounding isn't big enough for him to suddenly become a strong rebounder.

[TheTruthFot18]

Some people on here say he's not starter material but give no reason for that position, and I'm curious to hear it. He's playing starter minutes now (about 28 per), averaging 14 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 55.1%, which would all be career highs. I realize it's only 7 games and things could change, but if those numbers hold throughout the season, and he continues to have the positive effect he's had so far, he definitely should be considered a big piece of this team's future, possibly even as a starter. He can run, rebound, hit the open J consistently and take his man off the dribble, so I'm not sure why some people think him an ill fit as a starter. I'm also not sure where the "overpaying" line should be drawn with him, but Danny should definitely be giving strong consideration to locking this guy up long term. Bass, Green and Rondo would be three solid starters next year or the year after, and Boston should have enough money to fill in the center and shooting guard positions with quality talent -- who knows? Maybe even Stiemsma and Moore? Or Dwight Howard and Deron Williams. Whichever combination you prefer. =)

That screams out "Lotto"

Ya unless those openings are Dwade, Iggy or Howard, that does look like lotto material.

No way I'd want them as core starters. Rondo, (shooter), Green, SMOOVE Please!!!, and a solid center. Bass the beast 6th man