Celtics Sign C Jason Collins (merged threads)

[Roy H.]

We only acquired Jason Collins for one reason: Interior defense. That is something Chris Andersen, Andray Blatche, Darko Milicic, and Greg Stiemsma do not provide as well as he does.

As noted above, Andersen was a more effective post defender than Collins.

[Roy H.]

In terms of Jason Collins the D12 Stopper, I'm not sure that's accurate:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=howardw01&p2=collija04

Howard has put up huge numbers against Atlanta, especially in the playoffs.

[ManUp]

He's a big body to put on someone and can play defense. Other than that, he's injury protection type player, IMO. Hopefully he'll be riding the pine all year (that would mean no injured bigs).

[action781]

Excellent news. A physically strong post defender who can give the team some minutes against bigger front-lines. Did a very nice job on Dwight Howard in the past.

Not as strong a rebounder as a Magloire or Dampier but has better feet ... more mobility defensively. So lose some rebounding to gain some more defensive range.

I also love this signing for the vet min.  People who are against this signing have not seen the troubles he has given Dwight.  I don't see him being used outside of emergency except when we play against Dwight.

[Snakehead]

We only acquired Jason Collins for one reason: Interior defense. That is something Chris Andersen, Andray Blatche, Darko Milicic, and Greg Stiemsma do not provide as well as he does.

As noted above, Andersen was a more effective post defender than Collins.

I really hope we didn't have a shot at Andersen.  I think he would have been perfect.

[action781]

In terms of Jason Collins the D12 Stopper, I'm not sure that's accurate:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=howardw01&p2=collija04

Howard has put up huge numbers against Atlanta, especially in the playoffs.

I actually looked at those numbers before I saw this post and was particularly surprised to see how that Howard did put up good numbers against him in the playoffs.  I recall watching those games and Collins playing excellent defense on him.  The commentators really focused on that matchup and Collins' defense a lot through the series as well.  I think the numbers are misleading and it should be noted that Collins played less than 20 minutes in all of those games, so it's not clear who Dwight put up those numbers against.

In those regular season numbers, particularly in the last 3 matchups, Atlanta won all 3 games and Dwight only scored 17, 19, and 14 points.

[jarufu]

Jesus leaves and Danny gets J.C.

You couldn't make this stuff up!

[Professor of Rondology]

Statistics can tell us a lot, but I think we can all (or at least most of us) tell when an opposing player- who we've watched play countless times-is a good defender.  Jason Collins is, most assuredly, a good defender.  Maybe not an elite defender, but certainly solid.  He gives this team what it was looking for in a depth option C- a no-nonsense locker room presence and a good defender who can bang with the biggest, baddest centers in the league.  He is a pretty crappy rebounder, but otherwise he wouldn't be a vet min guy, so I'll take the bad with the good.  Anderson looks like a better option on paper but getting a high-drama player to be your 14th man is slightly questionable. When you factor in the fact that Birdman is injury prone- we're looking for a *reliable* depth option- I think Collins was the better (safer) bet.

[Eja117]

I don't think he's as good as Steams or Hollins and maybe just barely better than Fab for the moment. Doesn't make lots of sense to me and represents a step backward, but I hope I'm wrong in a big way

[Smitty77]

Why is everyone assuming that since we signed JC that we are out of the Birdman sweepstakes?

They offer different things.  JC is a huge physical presence and Birdman is a finesse defender that can jump out of the gym and is really the size of a power forward.

We still have a shot at the Birdman with the BAE, right??

Smitty77

[BudweiserCeltic]

In terms of Jason Collins the D12 Stopper, I'm not sure that's accurate:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=howardw01&p2=collija04

Howard has put up huge numbers against Atlanta, especially in the playoffs.

I actually looked at those numbers before I saw this post and was particularly surprised to see how that Howard did put up good numbers against him in the playoffs.  I recall watching those games and Collins playing excellent defense on him.  The commentators really focused on that matchup and Collins' defense a lot through the series as well.  I think the numbers are misleading and it should be noted that Collins played less than 20 minutes in all of those games, so it's not clear who Dwight put up those numbers against.

In those regular season numbers, particularly in the last 3 matchups, Atlanta won all 3 games and Dwight only scored 17, 19, and 14 points.

The problem with basing opinions based on those stats shown above alone is that it doesn't say anything about penetration for example. Was Dwight getting points because Collins had to step up and help guard someone else?

Did Dwight take easy shots? Was he simply making difficult shots? And as you mention, against what player did he do the most damage.

All I know, that from what I've seen and recall, is that when they went to Dwight to the post, Collins was good enough to guard him by himself, and Dwight had a tough time making good shots.

Hell, Dwight had some good games against Perk, and we know how effective Perk was against Dwight.

[jdpapa3]

I actually looked at those numbers before I saw this post and was particularly surprised to see how that Howard did put up good numbers against him in the playoffs.  I recall watching those games and Collins playing excellent defense on him.  The commentators really focused on that matchup and Collins' defense a lot through the series as well.  I think the numbers are misleading and it should be noted that Collins played less than 20 minutes in all of those games, so it's not clear who Dwight put up those numbers against.

You are correct, sir.

http://www.nba.com/advancedstats/player-vs-player.html#Dwight-Howard-vs-Jason-Collins%7C2730,2215;year=201011;season=p

Will be much more effective than Stiemer this season.

[action781]

I actually looked at those numbers before I saw this post and was particularly surprised to see how that Howard did put up good numbers against him in the playoffs.  I recall watching those games and Collins playing excellent defense on him.  The commentators really focused on that matchup and Collins' defense a lot through the series as well.  I think the numbers are misleading and it should be noted that Collins played less than 20 minutes in all of those games, so it's not clear who Dwight put up those numbers against.

You are correct, sir.

http://www.nba.com/advancedstats/player-vs-player.html#Dwight-Howard-vs-Jason-Collins%7C2730,2215;year=201011;season=p

Will be much more effective than Stiemer this season.

Wow, TP for the great find!  Budweiser, these statistics shows the points we both agree on.

[nostar]

This is even funnier:

http://www.nba.com/advancedstats/player-vs-player.html#Dwight-Howard-vs-Kevin-Garnett|2730,708;year=201011;season=r

Garnett is great against Howard but the hilarity ensues when you see that Garnett does better on the floor when the three-time defensive player of the year is out there against him.

I love KG