stop suggesting we pick up a center, its not a need.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

teams dont win championships without legit centers or pf's that can move to the center spot.

2011 - Dallas - Chandler
2010 - Lakers - Bynum Gasol
2009 - Lakers - Bynum Gasol
2008 - Celtics - Perkins
2007 - Spurs - Duncan
2006 - miami - Shaq
2005 - Spurs - Duncan
2004 - Pistons - Wallace
2003 - Spurs - Duncan
2002 - Lakers - Shaq
2001 - Lakers - Shaq
2000 - Lakers Shaq

You get the idea.

we have KG.

KG is a PF playing Center. As effective as he was, itll be a huge risk if we log him a ton of minutes going against guys who are more of the times stronger than him. Sure he creates mismatches for them offensively, but it'll take a toll on an already old KG, we should have at least a legit one even as a backup.

Still, not exactly a need. Worst case scenario we get our PF to play center and go smallball.

It IS a need. Small ball to me is a play that relies on speed. We don't have that speed, and we'er giving away rebounds when we play small. We need a Center, don't matter if he starts or not. We need someone who'll be a force on the boards, clog the lanes and a big body to bang against the opponents'.

KG would not be able to do all those things. You're risking serious injuries or fatigue.

Not a starting caliber one. A backup big or a starting PF who can eat minutes would work. KG is way better at the C than at the PF.

Well, would you not prefer a starting caliber one if you can get one? KG is still a PF, and is old.  And like I said, put him and a ton of minutes on the C spot, against bigger stronger Centers could put him at risk for injuries or just flat out run out of gas. KG as well, don't like playing C.

He'll have a hard time if he has to worry about Howard, Hibbert, Lopez, Bynum, Bogut and the likes and still has to be our main rebounder. If we have someone who can at least bang bodies with those, KG can go back to be the help defender and be prepared for rebounds.

We NEED a Center, man. I respectfully disagree that we don't

[MBz]

If we don't need a center, then we need a PF.  We were one of the worst rebounding teams in the league.  Also, considering KG/Bass are free agents, I'm pretty sure no one wants to go into the year with Stiesma/Hollins as our starting 4/5 next year.  I'd say center/pf are not just needs, but the #1 priority.

[T-LoDaniels]

teams dont win championships without legit centers or pf's that can move to the center spot.

2011 - Dallas - Chandler
2010 - Lakers - Bynum Gasol
2009 - Lakers - Bynum Gasol
2008 - Celtics - Perkins
2007 - Spurs - Duncan
2006 - miami - Shaq
2005 - Spurs - Duncan
2004 - Pistons - Wallace
2003 - Spurs - Duncan
2002 - Lakers - Shaq
2001 - Lakers - Shaq
2000 - Lakers Shaq

You get the idea.

we have KG.

KG is a PF playing Center. As effective as he was, itll be a huge risk if we log him a ton of minutes going against guys who are more of the times stronger than him. Sure he creates mismatches for them offensively, but it'll take a toll on an already old KG, we should have at least a legit one even as a backup.

Still, not exactly a need. Worst case scenario we get our PF to play center and go smallball.

It IS a need. Small ball to me is a play that relies on speed. We don't have that speed, and we'er giving away rebounds when we play small. We need a Center, don't matter if he starts or not. We need someone who'll be a force on the boards, clog the lanes and a big body to bang against the opponents'.

KG would not be able to do all those things. You're risking serious injuries or fatigue.

Not a starting caliber one. A backup big or a starting PF who can eat minutes would work. KG is way better at the C than at the PF.

Well, would you not prefer a starting caliber one if you can get one? KG is still a PF, and is old.  And like I said, put him and a ton of minutes on the C spot, against bigger stronger Centers could put him at risk for injuries or just flat out run out of gas. KG as well, don't like playing C.

He'll have a hard time if he has to worry about Howard, Hibbert, Lopez, Bynum, Bogut and the likes and still has to be our main rebounder. If we have someone who can at least bang bodies with those, KG can go back to be the help defender and be prepared for rebounds.

We NEED a Center, man. I respectfully disagree that we don't

The thing is, won't he suffer more from defending PF's? There are so many quick PF's these days who play predominantly on the perimeter, and I don't KG doesn't have the legs to keep up with them for long stretches. I think a starting caliber 4 is probably the best option. (There's also the issue that a center will probably be paid about 4mil more than a PF who is just as good) 

[pearljammer10]

teams dont win championships without legit centers or pf's that can move to the center spot.

2011 - Dallas - Chandler
2010 - Lakers - Bynum Gasol
2009 - Lakers - Bynum Gasol
2008 - Celtics - Perkins
2007 - Spurs - Duncan
2006 - miami - Shaq
2005 - Spurs - Duncan
2004 - Pistons - Wallace
2003 - Spurs - Duncan
2002 - Lakers - Shaq
2001 - Lakers - Shaq
2000 - Lakers Shaq

You get the idea.

we have KG.

KG is a PF playing Center. As effective as he was, itll be a huge risk if we log him a ton of minutes going against guys who are more of the times stronger than him. Sure he creates mismatches for them offensively, but it'll take a toll on an already old KG, we should have at least a legit one even as a backup.

Still, not exactly a need. Worst case scenario we get our PF to play center and go smallball.

It is a need and has been since Perk left,  you can't rely on small ball it's something that works in stretches but you don't want to always go there

Yeah because small ball has worked so amazing for us over the years   completely agree J8, since Perk left is has been a GLARING need that we are missing a big body to clog up the middle on defense. Yes garnett played the center role well but Miami drove it right down our throats when they were attacking. We cant rely on an older Garnett to take over the middle, we need an intimidating shot changing sidekick.

[Boris Badenov]

We need a big guy who can occasionally post up, is an excellent rebounder (esp.  offensive) and is a pretty good defender. Two out of those three things could be fine.

This assumes we bring KG back. We really don't want two jump-shooting finesse guys.

Scanning the list of free agents, I see:

Hibbert
Ilyasova
Humphries
Camby

Mahinmi
Speights
Robin Lopez
Lavoy Allen

Aaron Gray
Fesenko
Jordan Hill

In that first group, only Camby seems realistic and wise if we're making another run, because he'd take a short deal and the other guys will be overpaid or locked up by their existing teams. Of course, he's 38 and could turn into Shaq 2.0 (or 3.0, if you count JO).

I think anyone in the second group would be a nice addition, at the right price. We'd probably still need another big body in that scenario.

The third group are OK as last options, I guess.

And then there's the scrap heap - for example, Tony Battie is available. But I'm not even going there.

[jc3celticsphan]

teams dont win championships without legit centers or pf's that can move to the center spot.

2011 - Dallas - Chandler
2010 - Lakers - Bynum Gasol
2009 - Lakers - Bynum Gasol
2008 - Celtics - Perkins
2007 - Spurs - Duncan
2006 - miami - Shaq
2005 - Spurs - Duncan
2004 - Pistons - Wallace
2003 - Spurs - Duncan
2002 - Lakers - Shaq
2001 - Lakers - Shaq
2000 - Lakers Shaq

You get the idea.

we have KG.

KG is a PF playing Center. As effective as he was, itll be a huge risk if we log him a ton of minutes going against guys who are more of the times stronger than him. Sure he creates mismatches for them offensively, but it'll take a toll on an already old KG, we should have at least a legit one even as a backup.

Still, not exactly a need. Worst case scenario we get our PF to play center and go smallball.

It is a need and has been since Perk left,  you can't rely on small ball it's something that works in stretches but you don't want to always go there

Yeah because small ball has worked so amazing for us over the years   completely agree J8, since Perk left is has been a GLARING need that we are missing a big body to clog up the middle on defense. Yes garnett played the center role well but Miami drove it right down our throats when they were attacking. We cant rely on an older Garnett to take over the middle, we need an intimidating shot changing sidekick.

if u watched the game they had LBJ at the 4, a big body down low is not going to stop that they will spread the floor and let wade and james attack easiest offense you can set up with them 2.. this is a reason why we really needed jeff green and avery.. but we got the bad luck

[Celtics4ever]

Doc has stated that real C's are almost nonexistent.  Doesn't he use the term "bigs".   There are a lot of PF who are playing C these days.  KG played well at C but we need an interior big who can board badly.

[indeedproceed]

Doc has stated that real C's are almost nonexistent.

When did he say that? I mean, there are a lot of power forwards who play a lot of center, and at a pretty high level (Aldridge, Noah, Horford...), but there are a pretty good number of legitimate centers out there. Bogut, Bynum, Gasol, Gortat, Howard, Nene, Duncan, Perkins, McGee, Pekovic, Monroe, Cousins, Chandler...

Lotta good centers out there. Also, just because a center can play the 4, doesn't mean they're a 4 playing the 5, anymore than when a 4 plays the 5, it doesn't mean they're a true 5 playing the 4.

[vjcsmoke]

Would love to get Hibbert, Pekovic, or Deandre Jordan.  But I have a feeling those guy won't be available.  Do we settle for Javale McGee even though some reports indicate he's a knucklehead?

Looking at the draft, Drummond is definitely out of reach for a big.  But there are some tall kids/bigs available.  Who do we target?  

Myers Leonards, Tyler Zeller would require a move up.  Next are Moultrie and Henson.  Finally in our range are projected Perry Jones, Nicholson, Fab Melo.  Do any of these entice?  And how much better of an option are they over JJJ?

edit: let me add that I believe Festus Ezeli is a sleeper.  he might be able to add defensive presence to our team but we would need to be patient. he is a little raw and a late bloomer. but he is a true big and has athleticism.  also he's from Nigeria, and they tend to be very hard workers so I think he'd work very hard at improving his game.

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/03/detroit-pistons-draftdreams-festus-ezeli/

[lightspeed5]

Doc has stated that real C's are almost nonexistent.

When did he say that? I mean, there are a lot of power forwards who play a lot of center, and at a pretty high level (Aldridge, Noah, Horford...), but there are a pretty good number of legitimate centers out there. Bogut, Bynum, Gasol, Gortat, Howard, Nene, Duncan, Perkins, McGee, Pekovic, Monroe, Cousins, Chandler...

Lotta good centers out there. Also, just because a center can play the 4, doesn't mean they're a 4 playing the 5, anymore than when a 4 plays the 5, it doesn't mean they're a true 5 playing the 4.

more than half those centers are on teams that arent contenders

[indeedproceed]

Doc has stated that real C's are almost nonexistent.

When did he say that? I mean, there are a lot of power forwards who play a lot of center, and at a pretty high level (Aldridge, Noah, Horford...), but there are a pretty good number of legitimate centers out there. Bogut, Bynum, Gasol, Gortat, Howard, Nene, Duncan, Perkins, McGee, Pekovic, Monroe, Cousins, Chandler...

Lotta good centers out there. Also, just because a center can play the 4, doesn't mean they're a 4 playing the 5, anymore than when a 4 plays the 5, it doesn't mean they're a true 5 playing the 4.

more than half those centers are on teams that arent contenders

Water is two-parts hydrogen, one-part oxygen. Now its your turn.

[KGs Knee]

I'm sticking to my original thought on this.

We need a BIG.  If that big is a C or PF isn't that important.  We simply need to get someone who is an improvement over Bass.  Someone who can play 35+ min/game, and play defense nd rebound the ball.  We need to have someone who can maintain our defense when KG is on the bench.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Doc has stated that real C's are almost nonexistent.  Doesn't he use the term "bigs".   There are a lot of PF who are playing C these days.  KG played well at C but we need an interior big who can board badly.

Doc also said that we don't need to rebound...just get back on defense..think about it....just come over 1/2 court...someone shoots, and you just turn around and get back on D....LOL..He DID actaully say that..and you could see that the C's did it...not as bad as i said...but they still did.....so i ask you...WHAT is going to change here..we still have doc as a coach...is he going to fall in love with the mantra "rebounds = championships" the mantra that pat riley said and lives by......HIS team is still cooking there...with HEAT..! We did do pretty well against his team.....with less than we wish we had.....but you cannot live by that no rebounds thing....bball has to be all places all the time sport.....

[Tai]

I can accept that capable centers may not be out there, but that doesn't make the premise that we don't NEED a center anymore valid, not even close. Not with the offensive rebounds we allowed over the course of these playoffs.

[lightspeed5]

even OKC is benching perk for large durations in the finals. centers are not needed, and are actually a hinderance in transition and quick style basketball.