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

[celticinorlando]

already exceeded my expectations...thought he was no more than a warm body

[Eddie20]

Not sure if it was already mentioned, but Doc in his post-game press conference said that he is actually a very good passer. He also said that he wanted him to take that open jumper, so the other day in practice he made him stand in front of the team and say "My name is Greg Stiemsma and I am a shooter" over and over.


I think he should start. He brings the starters energy and will be more likely to find open looks playing alongside the big 4. JO would provide the 2nd unit with a better offense threat and gives them a low post option. Remember he will be going against 2nd teamers, so this could provide some opportunities. Wilcox should be on the outside looking in.

[Greenbean]

His timing on shot blocking is so exceptional, I dont see how that shouldnt also translate to timing on getting rebounds, even if he cannot box out very well.

KG has never been able to box out well, but his timing is so good, even with diminished athleticism he has been able to be an average to above-average rebounder at his position.

One thing I noticed last night is that he was setting picks better. He was making solid contact where he was whiffing on ill timed picks earlier in the year.

Maybe he just needs to get a feel for NBA game speed and he will become a better rebounder.

If his skill set looks like this by the end of the year, we have a solid rotation player.

Elite weakside shot blocking defender
Reliable open jump shooter
Average Rebounder

Right now he has 1.5 of these 3 skill sets (need to see mroe shooting).

Positioning is the other ingredient in rebounding. KG's is very good. Stiemsma's is bad - perhaps because his focus on shot-blocking leaves him out of position. I wouldn't be surprised to see Doc rein him in a bit, in terms of pursuing guys out to 10-15 feet for a block.

Fair point about positioning. He probably needs to focus on being in an area where he can grab the caroms.

[Greenbean]

Where is this myth that Stiemsma is a poor rebounder coming from? 

One person tosses that out there without support and then people start hedging their opinions as if it is a truism!

Stiemsma' rebound rates so far for us have been fine.  He's grabbed 20% of all defensive rebound chances, which is fine.  His rebound rates overall map to about 9 total rebs per 36 minutes, which is also fine.

Someone mumbled that they didn't think he had good rebound numbers in the D-League.  That's bogus.  In his 4 games this season before getting called up by the Celtics he was averaging 10.8 rebounds per game (on 36.1 minutes per game).  In 2009-2010 in 45 games he averaged 9.2 rebounds per 36 minutes (7.4 defensive) and posted a DRB% of 25.1, which is awesome.

So please, let's stop propagating this myth before there is any evidence to support it.

We may find that, indeed, in the NBA, he has shortcomings as a rebounder.  But there is absolutely ZERO evidence of that so far. 

It's a small sample size eye test. So you are right, we are not going on past stats rather what we have seen of him in limited NBA action. He has boarded okay but we have also seen him get bodied off of the boards rather easily because of poor box outs and as someone else pointed out, bad positioning. I for one admit that he might just need to adjust alittle more to NBA speed so he can be in better position to board.

He clearly does not have a strong ability to box out but his timing and feel for the game seem really good so it might be a small adjustment he needs to make.

[Finkelskyhook]

Okay so let's say as a "precaution" O'Neal is out again on Wednesday and Steimsma has another solid starting performance, when O'Neal returns Friday what happens to Steimsma?

Does he continue to start?

Does he go to the bench and get the nod as the backup and does Doc make Wilcox earn the minutes over Steimsma?

Or is he relegated to third string once again even though he may have shown to be more in tune with what the C's need and playing more consistently productive basketball than the two veterans in front of him?

Unless they pick up another big....Steimsma will get plenty of opportunities.....As we'll go back to standard procedure on O'Neal....Where Rivers plays O'Neal as a precaution.....Whenever O'Neal feels like playing.

[Tai]

Not sure if it was already mentioned, but Doc in his post-game press conference said that he is actually a very good passer. He also said that he wanted him to take that open jumper, so the other day in practice he made him stand in front of the team and say "My name is Greg Stiemsma and I am a shooter" over and over.


I think he should start. He brings the starters energy and will be more likely to find open looks playing alongside the big 4. JO would provide the 2nd unit with a better offense threat and gives them a low post option. Remember he will be going against 2nd teamers, so this could provide some opportunities. Wilcox should be on the outside looking in.

Lol, little rookie hazing there, don't you think?

I'm encouraged by the idea that Doc wants Stiemsma to think of himself as a shooter. I've seen Stiemsma put up that shot, and I would love to see the Howards and Bynums of the NBA have to guard out there.

If Stiemsma continues this, to answer nickagenta's question, I would still think JO should start, but Stiemsma be the 2nd string. It's one thing to tell me that JO may not stay healthy, but as long as he's able to play, I think he's still better. He does have the mid-ranger too, and he's 3rd on our team in blocks per game, so I sure hope people didn't forget he can still block. All the same, I do agree that Stiemsma deserves more time, and Wilcox isn't even listed at a center at 235 pounds. Yea, I wouldn't lose sleep over Wilcox not being in the usual rotation.

[Tai]

Okay so let's say as a "precaution" O'Neal is out again on Wednesday and Steimsma has another solid starting performance, when O'Neal returns Friday what happens to Steimsma?

Does he continue to start?

Does he go to the bench and get the nod as the backup and does Doc make Wilcox earn the minutes over Steimsma?

Or is he relegated to third string once again even though he may have shown to be more in tune with what the C's need and playing more consistently productive basketball than the two veterans in front of him?

Unless they pick up another big....Steimsma will get plenty of opportunities.....As we'll go back to standard procedure on O'Neal....Where Rivers plays O'Neal as a precaution.....Whenever O'Neal feels like playing.

So, our head trainer telling JO he shouldn't play means that JO only plays when he feels like?

[Kane3387]

We've definitely found a Semih replacement.

I think he can also be a Krstic replacement if he keeps hitting that outside shot like last night.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

He's the real deal alright.

He's got size, heart, hustle, a jumper, and excellent blocking intuition. Tommy clearly went overboard, but he compared him to the one and only Bill Russel (obviously a reach). He's also apparently an incredible passer.

Couple his raw skills with the fact that he's surrounded by veteran current and former all-star bigs and I think he'll have a successful NBA career. He might never crack a starting lineup full-time, but he can clearly impact a game right away.

Great signing Danny!

[Greenbean]

Okay so let's say as a "precaution" O'Neal is out again on Wednesday and Steimsma has another solid starting performance, when O'Neal returns Friday what happens to Steimsma?

Does he continue to start?

Does he go to the bench and get the nod as the backup and does Doc make Wilcox earn the minutes over Steimsma?

Or is he relegated to third string once again even though he may have shown to be more in tune with what the C's need and playing more consistently productive basketball than the two veterans in front of him?

Unless they pick up another big....Steimsma will get plenty of opportunities.....As we'll go back to standard procedure on O'Neal....Where Rivers plays O'Neal as a precaution.....Whenever O'Neal feels like playing.

So, our head trainer telling JO he shouldn't play means that JO only plays when he feels like?

Smells like Spin.

JO took himslf out of the game Sunday night.

He's the kind of guy who cant play with nagging injuries. There are alot of guys like that. The problem is he always has nagging injuries.

On a team with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo, he must not get too much respect in that locker room.

[the_Bird]

I don't think there's any reason to believe that JO wasn't legitimately hurting.

But, that's the thing.  Counting on him to be our main guy at the 5 spot is a ridiculously stupid bet.  Counting on him (and Shaq) last year to be healthy for the playoffs was just as ridiculously stupid.

JO's just a guy whose body has worn out.  We'll take what we can get, but they better think long and hard about bringing in another seven footer.  Stiemsma's been a pleasant surprise, but he's looking like a solid backup, not a starter.  KG and Bass are both looking great, but you don't really want to be playing either at the 5 for any long stretches if you can help it.  Wilcox...  meh. 

We need someone else who can get some rebounds and provide some interior D.  We just can't let the season depend on JO's health.

[Tai]

Okay so let's say as a "precaution" O'Neal is out again on Wednesday and Steimsma has another solid starting performance, when O'Neal returns Friday what happens to Steimsma?

Does he continue to start?

Does he go to the bench and get the nod as the backup and does Doc make Wilcox earn the minutes over Steimsma?

Or is he relegated to third string once again even though he may have shown to be more in tune with what the C's need and playing more consistently productive basketball than the two veterans in front of him?

Unless they pick up another big....Steimsma will get plenty of opportunities.....As we'll go back to standard procedure on O'Neal....Where Rivers plays O'Neal as a precaution.....Whenever O'Neal feels like playing.

So, our head trainer telling JO he shouldn't play means that JO only plays when he feels like?

Smells like Spin.

JO took himslf out of the game Sunday night.

He's the kind of guy who cant play with nagging injuries. There are alot of guys like that. The problem is he always has nagging injuries.

On a team with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo, he must not get too much respect in that locker room.

Can I assume he took himself out cause of the hamstring?

Also, who exactly do you think is spinning this? JO? Doc?

[BballTim]

Okay so let's say as a "precaution" O'Neal is out again on Wednesday and Steimsma has another solid starting performance, when O'Neal returns Friday what happens to Steimsma?

Does he continue to start?

Does he go to the bench and get the nod as the backup and does Doc make Wilcox earn the minutes over Steimsma?

Or is he relegated to third string once again even though he may have shown to be more in tune with what the C's need and playing more consistently productive basketball than the two veterans in front of him?

Unless they pick up another big....Steimsma will get plenty of opportunities.....As we'll go back to standard procedure on O'Neal....Where Rivers plays O'Neal as a precaution.....Whenever O'Neal feels like playing.

So, our head trainer telling JO he shouldn't play means that JO only plays when he feels like?

Smells like Spin.

JO took himslf out of the game Sunday night.

He's the kind of guy who cant play with nagging injuries. There are alot of guys like that. The problem is he always has nagging injuries.

  I don't know that it's a given that JO took himself out of the game on Sunday. I've heard Doc say many times that when a player's coming back from injury he doesn't talk to the player about whether they're ready or not, he talks to the trainers.

[Greenbean]

Okay so let's say as a "precaution" O'Neal is out again on Wednesday and Steimsma has another solid starting performance, when O'Neal returns Friday what happens to Steimsma?

Does he continue to start?

Does he go to the bench and get the nod as the backup and does Doc make Wilcox earn the minutes over Steimsma?

Or is he relegated to third string once again even though he may have shown to be more in tune with what the C's need and playing more consistently productive basketball than the two veterans in front of him?

Unless they pick up another big....Steimsma will get plenty of opportunities.....As we'll go back to standard procedure on O'Neal....Where Rivers plays O'Neal as a precaution.....Whenever O'Neal feels like playing.

So, our head trainer telling JO he shouldn't play means that JO only plays when he feels like?

Smells like Spin.

JO took himslf out of the game Sunday night.

He's the kind of guy who cant play with nagging injuries. There are alot of guys like that. The problem is he always has nagging injuries.

On a team with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo, he must not get too much respect in that locker room.

Can I assume he took himself out cause of the hamstring?

Also, who exactly do you think is spinning this? JO? Doc?

Doc...going out of his way to indicate it was not JO's decision.

There is a track record with this guy. Im sorry for speculating...what I am saying is not fact, just my opinion I might be worng!

He doesnt play through anything at all. Look at his games played numbers for his career. Then realize that he has never had a major leg injury. No torn ligaments, no microfracture...
 

[xmuscularghandix]

I think Stiemsma will continue to start over O'Neal until he blows it. The kids best chance to succeed is alongside 3 HOF'rs and a top 5 PG. Doc has said it himself...