Do the Celtics need to turn their attention towards getting a true center?

[ballerbt]

Can't see Stiemsma, Hollins, Williams sticking and Garnett has made it clear he doesn't want to play the position.

Sullinger is a great pick up but he's primarily a PF.

Fab Melo is okay i guess but i don't see him coming on for another 3-4 years. I see the Maine Red Claws in his near future.

I've heard the idea of going after Marcus Camby in free agency but the guy is a fossil. Love his game but you gotta wonder if his body can hold up another season.

Who would you guys want to go after and do you think the Celtics even need a legit center?

potential roster:

PG: Rajon Rondo, Keyon Dooling, E'Twaun Moore
SG: O.J. Mayo, Avery Bradley, Mickael Pietrus
SF: Paul Pierce, Jeff Green, Kris Joseph
PF: Kevin Garnett, Jared Sullinger, JaJuan Johnson
C- (FA), Chris Wilcox, Fab Melo

That team is DEEP.

ur idea is great but doc took melo for a future starting c for the c's

[Tradetime]

I'm sure, as a previous poster suggested, that this was part of KG's decision to re-sign with us.

Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby make the most sense for us. I prefer Kaman because of his offensive game - really well-polished.

[cman88]

how do you not see Steimsma sticking?? he already showed he can be a good backup center last year and played well with KG on the court

C's just gave him the qualifying offer...I think he stays no doubt

[AshyLarry]

I'm sure, as a previous poster suggested, that this was part of KG's decision to re-sign with us.

Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby make the most sense for us. I prefer Kaman because of his offensive game - really well-polished.

Outside of his post game and ok rebounding, Kaman's useless to us. He's slow as Dampier, and plays 0 defence, outside of the occasional blocked shot.

[AshyLarry]

how do you not see Steimsma sticking?? he already showed he can be a good backup center last year and played well with KG on the court

C's just gave him the qualifying offer...I think he stays no doubt

Unless some team, probably the bobcats or magic, offer him a horribly large contract relative to his talents. Which isn't too farfetched, considering the available talent at the 5.

[saltlover]

I don't know how this is the 5th page of this thread, and no one has even mentioned Roy Hibbert!  I know he's restricted, but it doesn't mean that he can't be signed.  Indiana has to pay him and George Hill, and they're also rumored to be in on Eric Gordon.  Hibbert has the same agent as Jeff Green (who DA theoretically has a good relationship with), and went to school with both Green and Jeremiah Rivers.  I'd bet that Boston would be high on Hibbert's list if he does leave Indiana.

Forget Glass Jaw Kaman.  Give me Roy Hibbert!

[gar]

Hibbert, Asik, Lopez, all restricted free agents

[kozlodoev]

I'm sure, as a previous poster suggested, that this was part of KG's decision to re-sign with us.

Yes, because I'm sure Garnett missed the fact that he stunk and the team stunk while he was playing PF. No starting center will be signed this offseason, mark my words.

[AshyLarry]

I'm sure, as a previous poster suggested, that this was part of KG's decision to re-sign with us.

Yes, because I'm sure Garnett missed the fact that he stunk and the team stunk while he was playing PF. No starting center will be signed this offseason, mark my words.

It wasn't Garnett, or his position's fault that the team stunk, you can't just make that assumption. The team was a mess in general, and him moving to the 5 was one of several moves that lead us to that historic defensive run; ie. Avery Bradley, others stepping up.

Obviously it was the most important, but we're not screwed if he doesn't play C. He didn't play center on our championship team. (stretch example, but still)

[kozlodoev]

Obviously it was the most important, but we're not screwed if he doesn't play C. He didn't play center on our championship team. (stretch example, but still)

Yeah, he also played SF in his rookie year and that is every bit as irrelevant The cold hard facts are that Garnett is most efficient at C at his stage of his career. Sure, the sky is probably not going to fall if he plays PF, but to sign and start an inferior player just to move your key guy to a position where he's less effective (and was quite obviously hurting the team last season)? Only a fool would do that, and Doc and Danny are no fools.

[AshyLarry]

Obviously it was the most important, but we're not screwed if he doesn't play C. He didn't play center on our championship team. (stretch example, but still)

Yeah, he also played SF in his rookie year and that is every bit as irrelevant The cold hard facts are that Garnett is most efficient at C at his stage of his career. Sure, the sky is probably not going to fall if he plays PF, but to sign and start an inferior player just to move your key guy to a position where he's less effective (and was quite obviously hurting the team last season)? Only a fool would do that, and Doc and Danny are no fools.

I agree, and I just wanna restate I'm all in for KG playing center. I just think we're going to do what he wants, and if it fails, to the center spot he goes.

[Cman]

how do you not see Steimsma sticking?? he already showed he can be a good backup center last year and played well with KG on the court

C's just gave him the qualifying offer...I think he stays no doubt

Yeah, Steemers is sticking unless some other team has fallen in love with him.

Cs QO to him is mid $1ms IIRC. Some other team could offer him more, but the Cs would likely match, would be my guess (which would prevent other teams from offering in the first place... which works to the Cs advantage).

[kozlodoev]

Obviously it was the most important, but we're not screwed if he doesn't play C. He didn't play center on our championship team. (stretch example, but still)

Yeah, he also played SF in his rookie year and that is every bit as irrelevant The cold hard facts are that Garnett is most efficient at C at his stage of his career. Sure, the sky is probably not going to fall if he plays PF, but to sign and start an inferior player just to move your key guy to a position where he's less effective (and was quite obviously hurting the team last season)? Only a fool would do that, and Doc and Danny are no fools.

I agree, and I just wanna restate I'm all in for KG playing center. I just think we're going to do what he wants, and if it fails, to the center spot he goes.

I understand that, I'm just surprised that people are basing so much off of the fact that Garnett doesn't like this or that. I am of the strong opinion we'll keep Garnett at center, mostly because Doc cares more about what players can do, rather than what they like.

I guess it's possible that I'm wrong if we somehow lay our hands on a stud center -- but given the team has multiple needs and limited resources, I don't see us trying to address something that's an afterthought at best.

[TheFlex]

No need for a center. It's that simple, the league is going in a direction that as long as you have a few spare long arms (Steamer), some athleticism (Wilcox), some skill (KG) and a wide body (Sully), the combination of the four makes up for the lack of true skilled center. Look at the Heat; I know their talent level is off the charts, but they just won an NBA championship with Battier, LBJ and Bosh as really their only frontcourt. Battier/LBJ are 3s and Bosh is a 4. A tall four but so is KG... What does that tell you about the direction the league is headed?

A true center would be nice but no more than a luxury, certainly not a need. We have KG, Sully and Melo, made an offer to Stiemsma; make an offer to Wilcox and we'll be good.

[Surferdad]

No need for a center. It's that simple, the league is going in a direction that as long as you have a few spare long arms (Steamer), some athleticism (Wilcox), some skill (KG) and a wide body (Sully), the combination of the four makes up for the lack of true skilled center. Look at the Heat; I know their talent level is off the charts, but they just won an NBA championship with Battier, LBJ and Bosh as really their only frontcourt. Battier/LBJ are 3s and Bosh is a 4. A tall four but so is KG... What does that tell you about the direction the league is headed?

A true center would be nice but no more than a luxury, certainly not a need. We have KG, Sully and Melo, made an offer to Stiemsma; make an offer to Wilcox and we'll be good.

That's what I would do too.  Wilcox is about as good as anyone out there for the price and he knows the system.