Ben Wallace free agent, no Detroit return.

[thebat]

I still laugh whenever Jason Collins is mentioned here. I just couldn't believe we signed him, probably due to the lack of bigs available during the opening of the free season. But here now we are presented with Ben Wallace. If healthy and fit and willing to give his all out game, I'd take him as a Celtics.

[gpap]

I still laugh whenever Jason Collins is mentioned here. I just couldn't believe we signed him, probably due to the lack of bigs available during the opening of the free season. But here now we are presented with Ben Wallace. If healthy and fit and willing to give his all out game, I'd take him as a Celtics.

Me too. I swear sometimes all of our sports GMs' in Boston sit around a table and ask "who is the least talented player we can possibly sign just to temper people's expectations?"

[CelticG1]

Getting Ben Wallace would give us an elite rebounder and shotblocker with good strength and a big frame body who isn't afraid to take a beating inside.  He's game and demeaner are pure Celtic through and through.

Just making sure: you realize you're getting the 2012 version of Ben Wallace, not the 2006 one, right?

+1 also pass on adding another fossil to our front court

Another?

[wdleehi]

I am all for adding him.  As a 10 to 15 minute player, he is a plus on a Celtics weakness, rebounding.


He adds one more vet big man that knows how to play defense in this league.  One more guy to help teach Melo how to play in the middle in the NBA.


If it cost the Celtics their 4th PG, so be it.

[kozlodoev]

If it cost the Celtics their 4th PG, so be it.

Except we don't have 4 PGs.

[wdleehi]

If it cost the Celtics their 4th PG, so be it.

Except we don't have 4 PGs.

Sorry, 4th SG.

[mgent]

Sub him for Bass and let KG play some PF.  Teams would be scared out of the paint on intimidation alone.  I'd say that's just as good of an option as Perk.  Can't really create his own shot like Perk when needed but a big advantage in rebounding and just as importantly, an actual shot blocker (that's going to be an issue again with Stiemsma gone).

Rather have Birdman, but I feel like Ben could definitely play a role here.  He's been a very solid backup center the past 5 years despite losing some of that vertical and falling off the cliff from his previous performance level.

[kozlodoev]

If it cost the Celtics their 4th PG, so be it.

Except we don't have 4 PGs.

Sorry, 4th SG.

Don't have that either. Unless, of course, you're trying to say that we're entering the season with 2 PGs only.

[Chris]

If it cost the Celtics their 4th PG, so be it.

Except we don't have 4 PGs.

Sorry, 4th SG.

Don't have that either. Unless, of course, you're trying to say that we're entering the season with 2 PGs only.

How about this.  We go 4 deep at both SG and PG (not counting rookies), because we have 3 versatile players that can play both positions in a pinch.

...although I even think Pierce can play SG in a pinch, so we go 5 deep at SG.

[kozlodoev]

If it cost the Celtics their 4th PG, so be it.

Except we don't have 4 PGs.

Sorry, 4th SG.

Don't have that either. Unless, of course, you're trying to say that we're entering the season with 2 PGs only.

How about this.  We go 4 deep at both SG and PG (not counting rookies), because we have 3 versatile players that can play both positions in a pinch.

...although I even think Pierce can play SG in a pinch, so we go 5 deep at SG.

Sure, but that doesn't mean that you can just do away with 2 guards, because being "4 deep at each position" is not the same as having eight players. It's apparently something people tend to ignore.

[mgent]

If it cost the Celtics their 4th PG, so be it.

Except we don't have 4 PGs.

Sorry, 4th SG.

Don't have that either. Unless, of course, you're trying to say that we're entering the season with 2 PGs only.

How about this.  We go 4 deep at both SG and PG (not counting rookies), because we have 3 versatile players that can play both positions in a pinch.

...although I even think Pierce can play SG in a pinch, so we go 5 deep at SG.

If you're counting Pierce how can you not count Green as a capable 2 guard?

[Chris]

If it cost the Celtics their 4th PG, so be it.

Except we don't have 4 PGs.

Sorry, 4th SG.

Don't have that either. Unless, of course, you're trying to say that we're entering the season with 2 PGs only.

How about this.  We go 4 deep at both SG and PG (not counting rookies), because we have 3 versatile players that can play both positions in a pinch.

...although I even think Pierce can play SG in a pinch, so we go 5 deep at SG.

Sure, but that doesn't mean that you can just do away with 2 guards, because being "4 deep at each position" is not the same as having eight players. It's apparently something people tend to ignore.

Very true.  Although at the moment, I am not sure who is being counted where.

So let me break it down (the positions are debatable, but these are the guys I think are locks to make the team):

Guards: Rondo, Bradley, Terry, Lee, Dooling
Forwards: Pierce, Green, Bass, Sullinger
Centers: KG, Wilcox, Collins, Melo

Joseph is very likely to make the team, but Christmas will be battling for that last roster spot.

With the guys listed, I think you have plenty of depth at most positions, so the last spot can really be anyone. 

So, if they felt like Wallace was a good fit, moreso than Christmas (or Joseph), then fine.

[wdleehi]

If it cost the Celtics their 4th PG, so be it.

Except we don't have 4 PGs.

Sorry, 4th SG.

Don't have that either. Unless, of course, you're trying to say that we're entering the season with 2 PGs only.

How about this.  We go 4 deep at both SG and PG (not counting rookies), because we have 3 versatile players that can play both positions in a pinch.

...although I even think Pierce can play SG in a pinch, so we go 5 deep at SG.

Sure, but that doesn't mean that you can just do away with 2 guards, because being "4 deep at each position" is not the same as having eight players. It's apparently something people tend to ignore.

Rondo, Dooling, Terry
AB, Lee, Terry, Pierce


I have no issue dropping the guard after that if it can help the Celtics with a existing weakness from the season before.  (and yes, I listed Terry twice because he will and can play both positions)

[kozlodoev]

Rondo, Dooling, Terry
AB, Lee, Terry, Pierce


I have no issue dropping the guard after that if it can help the Celtics with a existing weakness from the season before.  (and yes, I listed Terry twice because he will and can play both positions)

Garnett, Bass, Wilcox, Collins, Green, Sullinger, Melo (applying your method of counting, if I wanted to be _really_ liberal I could also list Pierce for his ability to take spot PF miniutes).

I absolutely have an issue with cutting what I consider the third-string SG to go five deep at center. Even more so when it involves signing someone who can barely play anymore.

[Chris]

Rondo, Dooling, Terry
AB, Lee, Terry, Pierce


I have no issue dropping the guard after that if it can help the Celtics with a existing weakness from the season before.  (and yes, I listed Terry twice because he will and can play both positions)

Garnett, Bass, Wilcox, Collins, Green, Sullinger, Melo (applying your method of counting, if I wanted to be _really_ liberal I could also list Pierce for his ability to take spot PF miniutes).

I absolutely have an issue with cutting what I consider the third-string SG to go five deep at center. Even more so when it involves signing someone who can barely play anymore.

I am not sure anyone on the team actually considers Christmas the third string PG though.

What it comes down to is who you think could help the team more this year.  And I have a feeling Wallace could help the team more.  Not because he is a center, but because he is a proven NBA player. 

And its not like they would be cutting Christmas right away.  He would have a chance to wow everyone in training camp and make the team over someone like Joseph (or, if they both blow everyone away, other moves can be made).

I just don't think a borderline roster player should ever prevent you from picking up someone who could potentially help your team.

Although, I have a feeling Wallace might get more enticing offers from teams without as much depth.