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

[raynman]

We have found the Semih/Krstic hybrid!

[bfrombleacher]

Agh I missed the game... Has Steams got enough to be/ to grow into a rotation guy within this season?

[ballin]

Stiemsma is finally an addition I can get excited about. I feel like all I've been doing lately is hating on Avery Bradley and the former Celtic, Glen Davis.

[Kiorrik]

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

How is it ridiculous? We just might have to go through Orlando to get the banner, so it'd be nice to see him play at least decently against DH.

[2short]

After last nights performance I would have to say he deserves to be the starting center.  In the minutes he has played this year he has looked better than wilcox or oneal.

[Celtics4ever]

This kid is better than Erden, I think.

I think he and Perk are apples and oranges.  Perk was a bulky positional defender who could block a shot here or there.  Greg is a thinner swatter who frankly gives up too much position down low.  Where one relied on strength to deny the opponent the "sweet spot"   the other gives up position and relies on his incredible timing.  He is a better help defender I think than Perk because of this timing but a worse low post defender.

Stiesmsa has the timing.  It is not something you can teach.   Not all guys have it but when they do it is something special to watch.  Perk didn't have that but still could block a shot here or there.

I think Stiesmsa has a better jumper.   But his post moves are not as good as Perk's.   He seems to rely on the dunk too much and if challenged can't power it through.  I would give the rebounding edge to Perk slightly.  Both are better than average passers.

Now these are comparing a rookie in Stiesmsa to a veteran Perk.  This kid is going to get better with experience.   He needs to work on his strength, post defense and low post moves.   Those are the areas I see as his weak points.   

That being said he is a pleasant surprise and I am really rooting for this kid.   I don't think he will be an all star this year though.

[ChapelHillCeltic]

If you believe Tommy Heinsohn then he's comparable to Bill Russell!

Tommy Heinsohn = Mean Gene Okerlund!!

[hwangjini_1]

This kid is better than Erden, I think.

I think he and Perk are apples and oranges.  Perk was a bulky positional defender who could block a shot here or there.  Greg is a thinner swatter who frankly gives up too much position down low.  Where one relied on strength to deny the opponent the "sweet spot"   the other gives up position and relies on his incredible timing.  He is a better help defender I think than Perk because of this timing but a worse low post defender.

Stiesmsa has the timing.  It is not something you can teach.   Not all guys have it but when they do it is something special to watch.  Perk didn't have that but still could block a shot here or there.

I think Stiesmsa has a better jumper.   But his post moves are not as good as Perk's.   He seems to rely on the dunk too much and if challenged can't power it through.  I would give the rebounding edge to Perk slightly.  Both are better than average passers.

Now these are comparing a rookie in Stiesmsa to a veteran Perk.  This kid is going to get better with experience.   He needs to work on his strength, post defense and low post moves.   Those are the areas I see as his weak points.   

That being said he is a pleasant surprise and I am really rooting for this kid.   I don't think he will be an all star this year though.

good post and a new year tp for you. i agree with your points above and would add that the steamer also seems to be a smart player - perhaps that fits with your point on timing.

if he smart, then that means he can learn to refine his moves under that basket. heck, if perk could learn to not bring the ball down between his legs before shooting, then steamer could....well, never mind on that.

perk improved each year on offense and defense. hopefully steamer can do that as well.

anyway, steamer's offensive game can be improved with good coaching, and the celtics have good coaches.

now, whether he will want to battle under the basket ala perk is another question.

different styles to be sure. and it is a pleasure to root for someone who shows up like this shows up out of the blue.

[TripleOT]

I liked what Steamer was bringing this team before he started banging jumpers.  With some outside game, he really has boosted his value.  

The Wiz and Pistons are lousy offensive teams, but the Cs with Steamer getting rotation minute have held the past three opponents to FG% in the low 40s, after giving up hoops int he high 40s the first three games/losses.  After the paint being a friendly area for Cs opponents the first three games, Steamer has stepped in and challenged shots, and his teammates are doing so now too.  

So far, so good.  

[European NBA fan]

What impresses me most about Stiemsma is how smoothly he integrated with the first unit (much better than Erden, who in the beginning was hampered by his bad grip of English). He seems to have a very good basketball-IQ - just look at his shot selection. He made a few (rookie) mistakes, but was able to adapt quite quickly: McGee rolled on him at the baseline twice for easy dunks, but later had to settle for hook shots, which with his reach are nearly impossible to defend against.

In short: I really like this guy. Easily one of the best undrafted players in a long while.

[the_Bird]

Pleasantly surprised to see that outside jumper, given that he was such a non-scorer in college (3.5/game as a senior).  Looked pretty smooth.  No lift on his jumper, but I guess you don't need much when you're 6'11".

I don't think it's a fair comparison to Perk, though.  Perk's a phenomenal interior defender, Steimsma...  well, so far he's not.  Perk has great lower body strength, Steimsma has been having trouble establishing position.  That's what he needs to really work on, being able to establish and maintain position; that's what seems to be hurting him on the defensive side and keeping him from getting more rebounds.

Still, yeah, very pleasant surprise.  Better player than Semih, who I kind of liked last year.  More production so far than we ever got from Troy Murphy.  I still think we need one more legit big man, we can't count on JO; I'd still love to see someone like Pryzbilla or Dampier at the end of the bench, just as some injury insurance and an extra six fouls for when the games start turning more physical.

[Greenbean]

The guy seems to have alot of confidence out there.

Im really happy for him.

Also happy to see him having some success after battling depression in college that almost derailed his career before it started. It's a nice story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYYuy-rMwuA

[clover]

The guy seems to have alot of confidence out there.

Im really happy for him.

Also happy to see him having some success after battling depression in college that almost derailed his career before it started. It's a nice story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYYuy-rMwuA

Nice clip.  What's really striking to me is how strongly the Big Three are really speaking out for and pulling for him. 

Rondo said at the beginning of the year that the Big Three were still the hardest working guys on the team, and that was a level he aspired to reach this year.  To hear KG speak so highly of how Greg's professionalism--and how he has been quietly working his butt off since he got here--says volumes.

Not only do they seem to genuinely like and respect the guy, but they see someone who can be a major contributor in what may be their last legitimate title chase.

[Snakehead]

The guy seems to have alot of confidence out there.

Im really happy for him.

Also happy to see him having some success after battling depression in college that almost derailed his career before it started. It's a nice story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYYuy-rMwuA

Now I like him even more.

Really hope he continues to develop and love what all the other guys on the team are saying about him.  Hopefully he improves his interior defense, he is already pretty great in help especially challenging and blocking shots.  But regardless I love him as our backup C.

[birdbrady]

I'm not sold on this kid at all.

He doesn't seem to have much intensity, and he can't rebound worth a lick.  He's not that aggressive on the boards.  He grabbed 7 rebounds last night, but they were moreso accidental.  He really struggles to box his man out and just go up and get it.  Dwight Howard would absolutely shat on this kid.