Our last 3 MLE players, and the MLE in general

[CelticG1]

Isn't it kind of hilarious that Rasheed Wallace was by far the best MLE player we've had on this team in recent years.

I thought Sheed was pretty productive for our team. He never missed games was always pretty solid defensively and performed well in the playoffs.

Just funny thinking about how bad JO and Terry have been. JO is on another level with his horrificness but Jet has obviously been just about as bad as anyone could have ever nightmared.

I can't think of any real "good" MLE signings. Is it mainly a crap shoot? It seems like it should be a good asset to have but what should one really expect out of MLE? Who or what are the ideal MLE type players?

[gpap]

Isn't it kind of hilarious that Rasheed Wallace was by far the best MLE player we've had on this team in recent years.

I thought Sheed was pretty productive for our team. He never missed games was always pretty solid defensively and performed well in the playoffs.

Just funny thinking about how bad JO and Terry have been. JO is on another level with his horrificness but Jet has obviously been just about as bad as anyone could have ever nightmared.

I can't think of any real "good" MLE signings. Is it mainly a crap shoot? It seems like it should be a good asset to have but what should one really expect out of MLE? Who or what are the ideal MLE type players?

The MLE is definitely kinda of a crap shoot in the sense that you think you're getting a real contributor and it's really nothing more than an overachieving/overrated player (see Jason Terry.)

The MLE could be helpful, but have to be very wise in the player you pick. Clearly, that hasn't been the case with Danny Ainge.

I actually thought Jermaine was a decent MLE pickup. Had he stayed healthy, he could've been a huge boost, especially when it comes to rebounding and blocking shots. But, considering his injury history, everyone should've known better.

[LooseCannon]

I think the two types of ideal MLE signings are young players signed more for potential than past performance who end up playing well enough to justify the contract and guys worth more than the minimum who get a contract worth more than the minimum but not the full MLE.

[CelticG1]

I think the two types of ideal MLE signings are young players signed more for potential than past performance who end up playing well enough to justify the contract and guys worth more than the minimum who get a contract worth more than the minimum but not the full MLE.

I like the idea of the first part, a young player signed for potential but what type of candidate is that? Does it really happen? And what type of young with potential like a  Jordan Crawford?

[CelticsFan9]

I think the two types of ideal MLE signings are young players signed more for potential than past performance who end up playing well enough to justify the contract and guys worth more than the minimum who get a contract worth more than the minimum but not the full MLE.

I like the idea of the first part, a young player signed for potential but what type of candidate is that? Does it really happen? And what type of young with potential like a  Jordan Crawford?

If Danny used the MLE on Jordan Crawford I would throw up.

[CelticG1]

Isn't it kind of hilarious that Rasheed Wallace was by far the best MLE player we've had on this team in recent years.

I thought Sheed was pretty productive for our team. He never missed games was always pretty solid defensively and performed well in the playoffs.

Just funny thinking about how bad JO and Terry have been. JO is on another level with his horrificness but Jet has obviously been just about as bad as anyone could have ever nightmared.

I can't think of any real "good" MLE signings. Is it mainly a crap shoot? It seems like it should be a good asset to have but what should one really expect out of MLE? Who or what are the ideal MLE type players?

I actually thought Jermaine was a decent MLE pickup. Had he stayed healthy, he could've been a huge boost, especially when it comes to rebounding and blocking shots. But, considering his injury history, everyone should've known better.

I was for the Sheed and Jet signings but not the JO one. Aside from his injury history (which was very lengthy) he hadn't been that great a contributor on that Heat team and was absolutely abysmal against us in the playoffs.

I did talk myself into him but obviously nothing ever came of that.

[CelticG1]

I think the two types of ideal MLE signings are young players signed more for potential than past performance who end up playing well enough to justify the contract and guys worth more than the minimum who get a contract worth more than the minimum but not the full MLE.

I like the idea of the first part, a young player signed for potential but what type of candidate is that? Does it really happen? And what type of young with potential like a  Jordan Crawford?

If Danny used the MLE on Jordan Crawford I would throw up.

Wasn't suggesting it.

Just trying to throw some names out there. Most likely you can't sign an all star to the MLE. Do you have any thoughts on this or who the ideal/realistic candidate for MLE is?

[CelticsFan9]

I think the two types of ideal MLE signings are young players signed more for potential than past performance who end up playing well enough to justify the contract and guys worth more than the minimum who get a contract worth more than the minimum but not the full MLE.

I like the idea of the first part, a young player signed for potential but what type of candidate is that? Does it really happen? And what type of young with potential like a  Jordan Crawford?

If Danny used the MLE on Jordan Crawford I would throw up.

Wasn't suggesting it.

Just trying to throw some names out there. Most likely you can't sign an all star to the MLE. Do you have any thoughts on this or who the ideal/realistic candidate for MLE is?

Didn't say you were.

Personally, I think the MLE is pretty stupid.  Teams end up worrying about who they should use it on, which usually leads to questionable signings.

Just sign people to what you think his value is.  Same goes for max contracts.  What's a max contract?  I've heard that many players are on "max contracts," yet their earning different amounts of money.

[LooseCannon]

I think the two types of ideal MLE signings are young players signed more for potential than past performance who end up playing well enough to justify the contract and guys worth more than the minimum who get a contract worth more than the minimum but not the full MLE.

I like the idea of the first part, a young player signed for potential but what type of candidate is that? Does it really happen? And what type of young with potential like a  Jordan Crawford?

In retrospect, how would you have liked the MLE to have been split between retaining Stiemsma and signing Martell Webster?

You could say it was a bit risky for Portland to sign Wesley Matthews to a five-year full MLE contract after only one season.  The Raptors used Bird rights, but they essentially signed Amir Johnson to a full-MLE contract in 2010 (when the Celtics used their MLE on Jermaine O'Neal).  My guess is that the other teams trying to sign Johnson were offering similar-sized contracts.

The Spurs are good at using their MLE.  They dipped into the MLE to give Gary Neal a bit more than the minimum contract after he had a sensational summer league.  They also used the MLE to pay their Euro-stash draft pick Tiago Splitter more than the rookie scale contract.

Maybe that should have been a category.  Capped out teams using the MLE to give extra money to players with little/no NBA experience who can make more than the minimum playing in Europe.  Mirza Teletovic of the Nets is another Euro who has the potential to out-perform the contract he was signed to using the mini-MLE for taxpayers.

[LooseCannon]

Just sign people to what you think his value is.  Same goes for max contracts.  What's a max contract?  I've heard that many players are on "max contracts," yet their earning different amounts of money.

There is a cap on the maximum amount you can pay a player.  This is tied to years of service, so there are different maximums for different players.  Additionally, some players who signed contracts before the current CBA can be making more than the current maximum.

[CelticsFan9]

Just sign people to what you think his value is.  Same goes for max contracts.  What's a max contract?  I've heard that many players are on "max contracts," yet their earning different amounts of money.

There is a cap on the maximum amount you can pay a player.  This is tied to years of service, so there are different maximums for different players.  Additionally, some players who signed contracts before the current CBA can be making more than the current maximum.

Huh, I didn't know that.  TP for the explanation.  I guess it makes some sense.

[CelticConcourse]

I think the two types of ideal MLE signings are young players signed more for potential than past performance who end up playing well enough to justify the contract and guys worth more than the minimum who get a contract worth more than the minimum but not the full MLE.

I like the idea of the first part, a young player signed for potential but what type of candidate is that? Does it really happen? And what type of young with potential like a  Jordan Crawford?

In retrospect, how would you have liked the MLE to have been split between retaining Stiemsma and signing Martell Webster?

You could say it was a bit risky for Portland to sign Wesley Matthews to a five-year full MLE contract after only one season.  The Raptors used Bird rights, but they essentially signed Amir Johnson to a full-MLE contract in 2010 (when the Celtics used their MLE on Jermaine O'Neal).  My guess is that the other teams trying to sign Johnson were offering similar-sized contracts.

The Spurs are good at using their MLE.  They dipped into the MLE to give Gary Neal a bit more than the minimum contract after he had a sensational summer league.  They also used the MLE to pay their Euro-stash draft pick Tiago Splitter more than the rookie scale contract.

Maybe that should have been a category.  Capped out teams using the MLE to give extra money to players with little/no NBA experience who can make more than the minimum playing in Europe.  Mirza Teletovic of the Nets is another Euro who has the potential to out-perform the contract he was signed to using the mini-MLE for taxpayers.

Just sign people to what you think his value is.  Same goes for max contracts.  What's a max contract?  I've heard that many players are on "max contracts," yet their earning different amounts of money.

There is a cap on the maximum amount you can pay a player.  This is tied to years of service, so there are different maximums for different players.  Additionally, some players who signed contracts before the current CBA can be making more than the current maximum.

Smart, correct quotes, I agree with LooseCannon. I would like Jordan Crawford for the MLE, or someone on his level. 13/3 is decent value, and with upside there's always potential for a steal (or bust). Terry has been a pretty good signing thus far, imo. He's been doing all we signed him for, nothing wrong. The best deals are vet mins like Barbosa.

[moiso]

Actually, I think Terry has been the best of the bunch so far.  Terry has been below average, JO was bad and always injured and Rasheed was pitiful and didn't try.  And no, I don't think Sheed's handful of good defensive games in the Magic series was worth the MLE.

[connor]

but Jet has obviously been just about as bad as anyone could have ever nightmared.

Thats a bit harsh now isn't it? He has always been streaky and at 35 moved to an entirely different offensive system than the pick and roll he ran with Dirk in Dallas. Yes he has underperformed, but I'd say nowhere near as bad as JO and Sheed only seems like he was decent because of the unbelievably low expectations we all had for him, so when he produced anything at all it seemed like a solid contribution.

As for the MLE I agree with the others that you want either a young guy who has potential but never lived up to the hype and you hope he starts putting it together, a guy who you want to lock into decent money before he explodes and would be worthy of a much larger contract or lastly a solid vet willing to take the MLE to go to a winning squad.

Its a crapshoot, but I think its reasonable to question some of the decisions given that its much easier than the draft to evaluate the talent out there since they all have nba experience.

[pearljammer10]

I thought all three signings were actually pretty good and fair. Wallace was a nice vet move. Oneal was a nice vet pick up to play the middle for us, just so happened that he was injured all the time. When he played he played well for us.

Im not so sure why JET gets so much crap. He is a 35 year old averaging 10 points a game on 43.5% shooting when his career average is 44.7% and his 3 point percentage is only .7% away from his norm. He's played less minutes, and has had less of a role this year with the ball in his hands less, and more spot up shooting. Its obviously gotta be a tough transition. Since Rondo went down his assists are up a full assist per game. He hasnt been the Terry of old but he really hasnt been the nightmare everyone is making him out to be either.