Doc: "We could really use" Delfino

[Prof. Clutch]

"We've looked, and I wish we had the money to add him," said Rivers. "We could really use him." Rivers praised Delfino's ability to strip the ball defensively (1.5 steals per game defensively this past season) and move it offensively (2.3 assists per night in 2011-12). "They've turned him into a shooter," added the Celtics coach, "but he can give you more."

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21219091/rivers-we-could-really-use-delfino

[Tai]

I can only assume the BAE isn't enough, then?

I'd hate to think that the Bucks would possibly take Pietrus (read the article) and AND Delfino still goes elsewhere. But, I guess the rumors of the C's being interested WERE legit...

[Chris]

I am guessing this was just Doc helping out Delfino's agent by pumping him up a bit.  I am a Delfino fan, but remember the key part of that quote "I wish we had the money". 

I can only assume the BAE isn't enough, then?

I'd hate to think that the Bucks would possibly take Pietrus (read the article) and AND Delfino still goes elsewhere. But, I guess the rumors of the C's being interested WERE legit...

Well, I think it could be a case where the C's don't have enough room under the apron to use the BAE.  That's what I have assumed, based on the way Doc and Danny have been talking.  I think they frontloaded some contracts, to try to keep some flexibility down the road (when the luxury tax is more punitive), and it leaves them with basically just vet minimum money left.

[More Banners]

Delfino is a solid player.  He plays hard and has good skills, can do most things well.  He's a tough competitor that would fit in nicely, but is still too useful to ride the pine, IMO, which is what he'd likely do here.

Not sure why anyone would want to come here now; our rotation is pretty well set.

[moylana25]

We're way too stacked on every position besides Center to use any means on a player that's not a big. Delfino's great, I've enjoyed watching him in the Olympics but a rebounding big is much more important than another scorer IMO.

[AB_Celtic]

Why???

BIRDMAN, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT: Wait, [dang], is this a sign that Green isn't 100%?

[kozlodoev]

Why???

BIRDMAN, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT: Wait, [dang], is this a sign that Green isn't 100%?

Because, contrary to the beliefs of people here, we need another guard, not another big man. Even with Green on board.

[slamtheking]

sure Delfino would be a swell acquisition.  he's proven himself moreso than Joseph or Christmas will in camp or the season however we're pretty loaded in the 1-4 spots.  If we're going to sign someone else, I really would prefer a decent center for the bench.  I like Wilcox off the bench and can tolerate Collins (and Melo is out of the picture for probably 2 years) but the C's could use someone that has a more complete game than those 2.  Preferably someone that's a better rebounder.

[AB_Celtic]

Why???

BIRDMAN, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT: Wait, [dang], is this a sign that Green isn't 100%?

Because, contrary to the beliefs of people here, we need another guard, not another big man. Even with Green on board.

I can't quite tell if you're serious. I mean that in the least offensive way possible; you just can't tell tone on a computer.

We have five good guards in Rondo, Lee, Terry, Bradley, and Dooling. It's probably our strongest area. I don't see why we need another guard.

[kozlodoev]

We're way too stacked on every position besides Center to use any means on a player that's not a big.

We're way too stacked at center to waste a roster spot there.

You've got Garnett, Collins, and Melo who are centers. You have Wilcox and possibly Sullinger that can see spot minutes at the 5.

There is zero chance, I repeat: zero chance, that we will spend the a roster spot on a big and enter the season with four healthy guards (or two SFs, for that matter). Just not going to happen. Why are people refusing to acknowledge this?

[kozlodoev]

Why???

BIRDMAN, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT: Wait, [dang], is this a sign that Green isn't 100%?

Because, contrary to the beliefs of people here, we need another guard, not another big man. Even with Green on board.

I can't quite tell if you're serious. I mean that in the least offensive way possible; you just can't tell tone on a computer.

We have five good guards in Rondo, Lee, Terry, Bradley, and Dooling. It's probably our strongest area. I don't see why we need another guard.

I am dead serious. Bradley is currently injured. He won't be available at the start of season, and there's no telling what he'll give you once he's back -- he's a 21 year old kid with 20 decent NBA games under his belt.

Signing another big man likely means that you're entering the season with 4 healthy guards, one of which is Keyon Dooling (forgive me if I am not thrilled). It also means you have exactly 1 (one) guard over 6'3 on the entire roster (healthy or otherwise).

People can harp all they want about Anderson, but we have 6 healthy big men (three seven-footers) plus Jeff Green. It's just not happening.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

sure Delfino would be a swell acquisition.  he's proven himself moreso than Joseph or Christmas will in camp or the season however we're pretty loaded in the 1-4 spots.  If we're going to sign someone else, I really would prefer a decent center for the bench.  I like Wilcox off the bench and can tolerate Collins (and Melo is out of the picture for probably 2 years) but the C's could use someone that has a more complete game than those 2.  Preferably someone that's a better rebounder.

I know people keep counting Melo out for 1-2 seasons but I am not of that mindset. For what we have asked our centers to do, I am sure he can take the 10-15 mins a night (which we may never need) and be as mediocre as Hollins/Smith and be fine. I see Collins playing way more that people say as well... for as bad as ppl say he is offensively, he plays the one thing Doc loves, pretty good (will probably be better as you see most guys being after coming here), Doc is going to love him because he does what he is asked! I truly believe we don't need another C and that's why we haven't heard us being interested in guys who could fill that role. No matter Blatche's attitude, if we needed a C as bad as some suggest, there is no way we would not have tried to get him (16 and 8! we have taken crazy character guys MANY times... RR, BBD, DWest to name a few)... we could pay him more than Mia could so I bet he would take the 2mil instead of the 1mil.

[kp4000]

Another wing? No thanks, Doc. The Celtics need rebounders. The Bucks would be stupid not to re-sign Delfino, but sign Pietrus? 

[AB_Celtic]

I am dead serious. Bradley is currently injured. He won't be available at the start of season, and there's no telling what he'll give you once he's back -- he's a 21 year old kid with 20 decent NBA games under his belt.

Signing another big man likely means that you're entering the season with 4 healthy guards, one of which is Keyon Dooling (forgive me if I am not thrilled). It also means you have exactly 1 (one) guard over 6'3 on the entire roster (healthy or otherwise).

People can harp all they want about Anderson, but we have 6 healthy big men (three seven-footers) plus Jeff Green. It's just not happening.

I'm less comfortable with two of those seven-footers than you are with Dooling. Dooling is a proven veteran who can handle the ball, play good D, and make shots. Melo will get no minutes, and Collins can't do anything but defend. Plus, when Bradley comes back, we'll have a logjam with six guards that should all be getting minutes (the five I listed before plus Delfino) and only a four-man big rotation (KG, Bass, Wilcox, and either Sullinger or Collins). Also Green doesn't defend like a big.

[kozlodoev]

I'm less comfortable with two of those seven-footers than you are with Dooling. Dooling is a proven veteran who can handle the ball, play good D, and make shots.

In my mind, Dooling is pretty much the guard equivalent of Jason Collins. I cringe when we have to depend on him to make shots. The difference is, if Jason Collins fails to perform, then he'll be competing for mop-up minutes  in the big rotation with Jeff Green and Fab Melo. 

Plus, when Bradley comes back, we'll have a logjam with six guards that should all be getting minutes (the five I listed before plus Delfino) and only a four-man big rotation (KG, Bass, Wilcox, and either Sullinger or Collins). Also Green doesn't defend like a big.

It's a logjam only if you actually have good players. I don't think Dooling will (or should) ever get off the bench on any team that vies to contend for anythign unless there's an emergency (and known months-long outage of your start SG isn't one). Also, the alleged logjam will be alleviated by running lineups withere Delfino or Lee slide into the SF spot with Green at the 4.

Also, Sullinger figures to be a major piece of the rotation, not someone who will compete with Collins for mop-up duty. And regardless of whether or not Green defends like a big, Green will see minutes at the 4.