It will be interesting to see who the Celtics end up getting to fill that defensive 2/3 guy off the bench. Until they find one, they will be behind the eight ball. (what a clever segue, eh?)
There are still plenty of decent options out there and a few really good ones to boot.
Celticsblog does a great job of spotlighting the ‘rumor du jour’ and there have been many.
I wanted to chime in with my own favorite players of those mentioned. And in honor of the situation, I’ll add magic eight ball answers for each.
Let me first address Rasheed Wallace – retiring versus coming back. It was assumed that his retirement talk was real…and still could be. Recently signed Jermaine O’Neal has publicly stated he would like Sheed to reconsider. No doubt a tandem of O’Neal and Wallace would be something to watch…if it were 2-3 years ago.
For the record, I have been a Rasheed Wallace fan. Less so after this past year of lackadaisical and out of shape play. Watching him up close for an entire year also drove home what a free spirit (uncontrollable or just too much freedom from Doc?) he is, and how much some refs love giving that first foul or technical on him.
He came through as best he could in the playoffs, but even then he was nursing back issues. He had back issues intermittently all season as well. If he is willing to commit to a solid off season regimen of exercise to get back into the best shape he can, I’d be happy to give him another try. He still has quick hands on defense and is as clever as they come. But I don’t see a big off season push to be in better shape in the cards by the big guy. In that case, it is clearly time to move on.
So…as planned, his contract could be used to bring in a solid swing defender.
Of all the players mentioned Shane Battier gets top nod. Though there have been no reports of Celtic efforts to get Battier, A. Sherrod Blakely makes a good case. And I love Shane Battier as a role player.
We know why this works for Boston. Battier (32 years old in September) is on the last year of his contract and has the perfect skill set for what the Celtics need.
Blakely…
Why this works for Houston: With the Rockets inching close to the luxury tax threshold following a brisk offseason, trading Battier for Wallace would save them at least $1 million in salary; Houston has Kevin Martin, Trevor Ariza and Chase Budinger in the fold, creating what appears to be a logjam of sorts at the small forward position when you throw Battier in the mix.
Eight ball answer: Yes- definitely.
He also mentions a player I was going to mention at some point this summer that many in Boston feel is not a good pick-up – James Posey.
While I hear that he has lost a step (probably has) I’ve felt that he was not given enough credit by some for what he added to Celtics’ championship season. He was more than a hustle player, defender, three point shooter. He was big in the clubhouse and helped keep the team focused and on an even keel off the court. Posey laid it all on the line every game.
He does have 2 years left paying a sizable $6.5 mil and 6.9 mill and I don’t really know how much he has lost. But I will say that some players are just right for some teams. There was negative talk about Posey before Ainge signed him. I think Boston brought out the best in him and the players responded well to his type of motivating. He was the right player at the right time. Can the clock be turned back?
Eight ball answer: Better not tell you now.
With new rumors that Chris Paul is working to get traded now, New Orleans could begin to clear the deck for a rebuilding year.
Josh Howard – This seems to be dead…and no one is sure how far back Josh is from his injuries. But I would have definitely been happy to find out for a reasonable amount ($4-5 million).
Eight ball: Ask again later.
Matt Barnes – is now said to be considering going for a title instead of for the money. He would be an excellent pick up at veteran’s minimum or slightly more. I remember when he was always just barely making teams (Clippers, Kings, Knicks, Sixers). Defends, hits the open three, and rebounds fairly well.
Eight Ball: You may rely on it…i.e. him
Antoine Wright – hasn’t wowed anyone with his play, but can hit the three and seems to be a good locker room guy. I took notice when he called Bosh out last season for not being more of a leader in the clubhouse when it seemed that some players were a bit too lackadaisical. Bosh (and LeBron) confirmed that opinion in the off season.
Eight Ball: I want to say…My reply is no. But I will say… Cannot predict now.
Ime Udoka – 33 years old in August, 6’ 6” overachieving defender. Can hit the open three when given minutes. Good last minute addition for vet minimum if nothing else turns up.
Eight Ball: Reply hazy, try again.
Rasual Butler – 31 years old. Not a good rebounder or passer, but he can shoot the three. Haven’t really followed him so I don’t know much else about his game.
Eight Ball: My reply is no…but really… cannot predict now.
Marquis Daniels – would a ‘re-do’ be a good thing for both Daniels and the Celtics? He never really played up to expectations. How much was it about his injury? As laid back as they come off the court, perhaps just a bit too unaggressive on it as well. He just never impacted games as much one would have thought.
Eight Ball: Signs point to yes.
Larry Hughes – another problem child. 6’ 5” and 31 years old, Larry was an active defender early in his career, though many believe he was just a ‘steals’ guy who gambled off his own man too much. Hasn’t found a home but has been vocal in his displeasure in a number of stops. Would he accept a low shot count and the disciplined system of the Celtics? Probably not.
Eight Ball: Outlook not so good.
Jarvis Hayes – 6′ 8″ three point shooter, doesn’t rebound much. Seems to be an active player. Another low cost option.
I also like Mickael Pietrus, but I doubt Orlando would be feeling generous.
Another pet player I like is Dominic McGuire. At 6′ 9″ he is athletic, a good passer and ball handler. rebounds well enough, and could learn to play tough defense. Not a shooter. He is on the Bobcats and would be a perfect project player for Larry Brown..or Doc Rivers.
6′ 4″ Willie Green of the 76ers was another player that Danny asked about last season. Definitely shooting guard only. From that same team Jason Kapono is available and hits the three but can’t defend. 31 year old Andres Nocioni‘s name has come up in the past, too. 2 years left on his contract at $6.8 and 6.6 mil.
You could add in Tracy McGrady as well as a potential ‘out there’ player. But he doesn’t come to the Celtics for the veterans minimum.
As you can see, the eight ball doesn’t have a lot of ‘definitely positive’ answers. The predictions are vague. That’s because most of these players aren’t of P.J. Brown’s caliber or James Posey at an earlier age. Fitting in during the year also does not mean impacting in the playoffs either.
That is not to say that this piece is unimportant. To the contrary, it is a very important piece to the puzzle for the Celtics to attempt to take another title. Role players can and do play big roles in every playoff series.
With Tony Allen gone and seeing how much playing serious defense against Dwyane Wade, LeBron, Kobe and even Ron Artest took out of Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in the 2009-10 playoffs, the Celtics need a good pick-up for this role.
Or they will find themselves behind the eight ball.
