Do We Need a Rim Protector?

[Jonny CC]

Personally, I think the whole "rim protector" obsession is overrated.  For example, I know a lot of folks here would rather have a guy like Biyombo over Kanter but I think that's silly.   

[outflip50]

Not sure if you need a "rim protector" as much as you need somebody that other teams at least need to show some respect to in the middle. Capable of at least altering the shot selection  and clogging passing lanes of other teams

[dreamgreen]

TP.

Finally someone that gets it.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

we need Mark Eaton to win.....can't win without him on next years team.

I was waiting for a wiseguy to pounce on, thanks!

On the other Russell won 11 rings,
Chief won three,
Hakeem 2,
Jabbar won 6
Malone 2, 
Cowens 2.
Duncan five
Shaq 5
KG 1

All great centers who could protect the rim.  Some of these guys were more of put you on your back rim protector but they patrolled the paint.  If you can't see it helps I truly feel sorry for you, perhaps you should take up braille.

The argument against it is Jordan with 6 and Lebron with 2

I don't think you get my point. My point isn't that you shouldn't pursue some of the GOAT big men. If we could get them, that would be great, but I don't think anyone is available, and I am not convinced that there are any GOAT big men in this year's draft. My point is that it may be a better team philosophy to focus on strengths such as offensive efficiency and make due with our interior defense than to get a player that is not good offensively but is a good interior defender. Whereas most of us see the glaring need and want to fix it with bandaids like Biyombo, maybe a better solution would be to to maximize what we have.

There are also salary cap reasons for this. I think this is one reason why teams like the Spurs and the Hawks can get guys for cheaper, because, although they do not get complete players, the players they do get fit the system well, and they get them for cheap.

[Who]

Personally, I think the whole "rim protector" obsession is overrated.  For example, I know a lot of folks here would rather have a guy like Biyombo over Kanter but I think that's silly.   

I'd like to get both of them. Get rid of Zeller.

It was interesting to see Charlotte play so well while Al Jefferson was out injured. Biyombo played a good role in that. He is making some progress.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yes ...long his name isn't Sanders

[Rosco917]

You don't need a league leading shot blocking/rim protecter, but you need someone that can detour teams from attacking the paint/rim. I would say every team that prepares for the Celtics are begged to take it to the basket. How many times have opposing bigs/centers had career games against the C's this year?

Talking just defense: Lets face it, Zeller has flashes, but is basically soft and not getting the minutes he should, he's more of an offensive guy anyway. Sully's to short, and can't leap at all and really not a center, in fact I'm not sure Sully can defend even forwards. Kelly Olynyk is 7' with short arms and is "small forward minded" he's happy on the perimeter, "bless him" he tries, but he is not a defender at all.

Yes, the Celtics need a tall, long, athletic Larry Sanders type ( not saying it's LS) to defend the paint, not necessarily score much. Then see which remaining PF can defend the other teams PF's and be of value of offense.

 

[Celtics4ever]

My point isn't that you shouldn't pursue some of the GOAT big men. If we could get them, that would be great, but I don't think anyone is available, and I am not convinced that there are any GOAT big men in this year's draft. My point is that it may be a better team philosophy to focus on strengths such as offensive efficiency and make due with our interior defense than to get a player that is not good offensively but is a good interior defender.

Then how do we justify playing Sully?

I agree, we should get a guy who can do some of both.   Just having some athletic bigs that can play would help us especially if they are mobile and can move on D.

[SHAQATTACK]

We need somebody .......what we got an't cut n it .

[PhoSita]

Yes.

Ideally a guy who can also stretch the floor a bit on offense and allow the Celtics to use a 5-out system like the Hawks.

[OhioGreen]

Would like to see C's get Miles Plumlee from Phoenix---maybe along with IT for say BB, PP and a late first.  He blocks 2 per 36.  He and Zeller would be a good pair a center, and with BB gone KO and Sully would share PF.  MP and IT are both only 26.  IT would give C's scoring off the bench to replace Thornton(if moved) and BB offense.

[Rosco917]

My point isn't that you shouldn't pursue some of the GOAT big men. If we could get them, that would be great, but I don't think anyone is available, and I am not convinced that there are any GOAT big men in this year's draft. My point is that it may be a better team philosophy to focus on strengths such as offensive efficiency and make due with our interior defense than to get a player that is not good offensively but is a good interior defender.

Then how do we justify playing Sully?

I agree, we should get a guy who can do some of both.   Just having some athletic bigs that can play would help us especially if they are mobile and can move on D.

That's another way of doing it, your rim protection comes from your power forward, and some from your center.
Getting a center like Kenter that is not a rim protecter, and matching him with a rim protecting power forward is also an option. Unfortunately the Celtics don't have such a power forward.

[obnoxiousmime]

We need a rim protector because we lack the talent to play defense effectively without one. If we had three athletic two-way options like Wade, Bosh, and James flying around then yes, a rim protector probably isn't necessary. How many teams can play that way though, and for how long? The Heat couldn't sustain it and now LeBron is taking half the season off in Cleveland because he's too old to maintain that intensity for 82 regular season and 20+ playoff games.

I do agree that we need multidimensional talent in any form it comes right now and not just simply a "rim protector" who most likely is horrible on offense. However, I think that if the goal is to win a championship, most lineups do require some kind of rim protection.