Is Stiemsma the real deal? Have we found a Perk replacement?

[Chris]

While Steimsma brings great energy, and is a talented shot blocker, he still has a ways to go.  I also think his shot blocking will take a hit as teams start to get more of a book on him.  He has gotten a lot of blocks on perimeter shots where guys will be pumpfaking in a couple weeks.  Also, he has not done a good job boxing guys out, and has not been great defending guys one on one, particularly in the high post (he has been beaten off the dribble a handful of times).

With that said, he has given them energy that they desperately needed, and at the very least should give this years C's what last years team got from Erden...and that is invaluable.

Ultimately, I would be shocked if he is playing significant minutes come playoff time though.

[SHAQATTACK]

Perk can barely walk and chew gum.  With his poor basketball abilitiy, if he was 3 inches shorter he couldn't have made a major college program ,and never seen the NBA.  Lucky he grew fast.

[Kiorrik]

While Steimsma brings great energy, and is a talented shot blocker, he still has a ways to go.  I also think his shot blocking will take a hit as teams start to get more of a book on him.  He has gotten a lot of blocks on perimeter shots where guys will be pumpfaking in a couple weeks.  Also, he has not done a good job boxing guys out, and has not been great defending guys one on one, particularly in the high post (he has been beaten off the dribble a handful of times).

With that said, he has given them energy that they desperately needed, and at the very least should give this years C's what last years team got from Erden...and that is invaluable.

Ultimately, I would be shocked if he is playing significant minutes come playoff time though.

Good post, and I'd like to add that most of the time he was up against bench players. Not all of the time like today but most of the other days he was.

[Jeff]

what Chris said

[cman88]

its crazy how weve never heard of him a month ago...but this kid can play, hes alot better than semih IMO.

He deserves to get minutes as a backup Center throughout the season if he can continue to play like this. you're almost guaranteed a couple blocks a night

[hpantazo]

While Steimsma brings great energy, and is a talented shot blocker, he still has a ways to go.  I also think his shot blocking will take a hit as teams start to get more of a book on him.  He has gotten a lot of blocks on perimeter shots where guys will be pumpfaking in a couple weeks.  Also, he has not done a good job boxing guys out, and has not been great defending guys one on one, particularly in the high post (he has been beaten off the dribble a handful of times).

With that said, he has given them energy that they desperately needed, and at the very least should give this years C's what last years team got from Erden...and that is invaluable.

Ultimately, I would be shocked if he is playing significant minutes come playoff time though.

really? you would be shocked? I would be more shocked if JO stays healthy come playoff time, and Stiemsma is our only other center.

[kozlodoev]

Let's see what Stiemsma does against wherever Dwight will be at that time.

He's probably not going to do very well. That doesn't mean he's not going to be very useful in the remaining 60 games or so.

[manl_lui]

if he stays, do you think he will bulk up? it won't hurt for him to gain more muscle mass

[hpantazo]

my guess is Danny will trade him for nothing at the deadline like he did to Erden

[kozlodoev]

my guess is Danny will trade him for nothing at the deadline like he did to Erden

Except Erden was constantly injured and, all in all, is an inferior player.

[jdz101]

He looked like a more accomplished ball player than perkins tonight. Not saying much though.

[Chris]

While Steimsma brings great energy, and is a talented shot blocker, he still has a ways to go.  I also think his shot blocking will take a hit as teams start to get more of a book on him.  He has gotten a lot of blocks on perimeter shots where guys will be pumpfaking in a couple weeks.  Also, he has not done a good job boxing guys out, and has not been great defending guys one on one, particularly in the high post (he has been beaten off the dribble a handful of times).

With that said, he has given them energy that they desperately needed, and at the very least should give this years C's what last years team got from Erden...and that is invaluable.

Ultimately, I would be shocked if he is playing significant minutes come playoff time though.

really? you would be shocked? I would be more shocked if JO stays healthy come playoff time

Yes, I would be almost as shocked if JO is playing, but I expect them to upgrade from JO at some point this season (or at least bring in another veteran like Przybilla), and I think Wilcox, Bass, and KG will get the lionshare of minutes from guys currently on the roster.

Unless Przybilla improves dramatically this year (which is not out of the question, but I am not expecting it), the holes in his game would be exploited way too much in the playoffs, and his strengths would be minimized, because everyone will have energy, and they will know how to get around his shot blocking.  

His value to this team is by being able to eat minutes right now, and perhaps light a fire under some of the other guys on the roster.  But if he is anything more than the 12th man come playoff time, we are in BIG trouble.

[nickagneta]

One thing about the Celtics, if they can get play both offensively and defensively, like they got out of Steimsma tonight and JO did against Detroit, they are a completely different team. They go for run of the mill playoff team to true contender when they get that type of contribution from the center position.

Now can Steimsma keep it up and will JO give the C's what they need? Tough question.

I'm not sure at this point what is more unlikely that JO will be healthy or that Steamer will be consistently productive if given minutes.

But Steamer seems to get his role. He blocks shots. He bangs for rebounds. He shoots the open outside shot. And he knows not to do more than that.

He also seems to be a fairly decent passer.

[snively]

Hopefully Stiemsma can play his way into some trade value.  JO by himself isn't very sweet in trade offers.

[cman88]

Let's see what Stiemsma does against wherever Dwight will be at that time.

He's probably not going to do very well. That doesn't mean he's not going to be very useful in the remaining 60 games or so.

ya, its a rediculous comparison too...because not many centers save perkins do well against dwight. and in the nba there arent many centers like dwight.

still, I dont see why he wont get playing time if he continues to play like this. The kid is good.

we need to continue to get production out of our center position if we want to be successful this year because it maakes us a totally different team