Smell The Coffee, Celtic Nation

[footey]

Yes, the refs were terrible last night. Yes, KG was not at full strength, and should not have been fouled out. But, let's face facts: The Lakers beat us on our home court without their starting center, a guy who creates major match up problems for us. Gasol has demonstrated two straight games vs. Celtics that he is not afraid to step up and score at will on our backups. Kobe can have an off night, and they still beat us in our building. 

We are outmatched in the size department, and it was most glaring last night, when Gasol scored without inpunity over the two dwarfs: Powe and Baby. Yes, Powe played well overall last night, but on defense when matched against a 7 footer, he was completely helpless. Baby shows great effort, and has a role, but if he is off, take him out. He is not Ray Allen, who can shoot himself out of a slump. He does not have that mentality, that confidence.

So, either we make a deal for a talented big without giving away a major chip (practically impossible), or develop POB faster and use him in these situations. I know we are trying to get home court advantage, and recognize how this season, more than any other, it is very important.  But I would rather have a more developed, bigger rotation without HCA than the same rotation with it.  And let's accept the fact that at some point you have to win on the road to go all the way.

How about this for an experiment: Start POB in place of Perk for a game or two. See what happens.  If we win, and he does not hurt us, do it again. If we lose, and he is the clear reason why, don't. 

Doc is way too conservative and distruEdited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.l of his younger, talented players.  It is time to think boldly, Doc. The top of the league (Lakers, Cavs and Magic) is so much better than last year. And this year's Celtics are a little worse without Posey and PJ.

I realize that I am going to get slammed by many, especially POB critics. Bring it on.  But in your criticism, come up with a better idea.  Don't make fantasy trade proposal that won't work for the other team, or pretend that PJ is going to unretire. And heavens don't tell me every thing will be fine with the status quo. It will not.  We cannot win this year without making a fundamental change in our rotation.  POB is my proposal.  Give it a serious shot, Doc.  And if he costs us a few games, move on. 

[Chris]

How about this for an experiment: Start POB in place of Perk for a game or two. See what happens.  If we win, and he does not hurt us, do it again. If we lose, and he is the clear reason why, don't. 

How about no?

The solution for your two backups, who have been pretty decent all season (relatively speaking), but who had trouble with the height of one team is never to throw a D-League player out there just because he is taller. 

[footey]

How about this for an experiment: Start POB in place of Perk for a game or two. See what happens.  If we win, and he does not hurt us, do it again. If we lose, and he is the clear reason why, don't. 

How about no?

The solution for your two backups, who have been pretty decent all season (relatively speaking), but who had trouble with the height of one team is never to throw a D-League player out there just because he is taller. 

Great proposal, Chris.  Not surprised.

[Change]

And how about a backup PG when Rondo has those crazy nights (last night 7-16) jacking up shot & layup. Ultimately Ainge has to start phoning people & stop dreaming about Marbury (won't get released). We basically have 3 scorer starting & 1 bench scorer. You win games by outscoring your opponents and clearly we lack in that department. Its going to be difficult for Ainge to get a decent player for what we have. Plus most teams hate us anyway & they will be inclined to help us out. This could be a laker year.

[Roy Hobbs]

The team should have signed Dikembe when he was practically begging them to.

That being said, this team won a ton of games last season before picking up P.J. Brown, and they've won a ton of games this season.  Another big man would be useful, but it's not like this team is doomed without another one.  I mean, if the officials don't blow a couple calls down the stretch, we win that game.

[Chris]

The team should have signed Dikembe when he was practically begging them to.

That being said, this team won a ton of games last season before picking up P.J. Brown, and they've won a ton of games this season.  Another big man would be useful, but it's not like this team is doomed without another one.  I mean, if the officials don't blow a couple calls down the stretch, we win that game.

I'm not ready to say that they should have signed Mutombo, since I still think this team has a lot bigger need for another two way player than they have for a 7 foot specialist (which is all Dikembe would be).

[Roy Hobbs]

The team should have signed Dikembe when he was practically begging them to.

That being said, this team won a ton of games last season before picking up P.J. Brown, and they've won a ton of games this season.  Another big man would be useful, but it's not like this team is doomed without another one.  I mean, if the officials don't blow a couple calls down the stretch, we win that game.

I'm not ready to say that they should have signed Mutombo, since I still think this team has a lot bigger need for another two way player than they have for a 7 foot specialist (which is all Dikembe would be).

Eh...  a bird in the hand, you know?  If Joe Smith or Nick Collison don't get bought out, what's Plan B?  Dikembe is an excellent defender and rebounder, and that would go a long way.

[ssspence]

The team should have signed Dikembe when he was practically begging them to.

That being said, this team won a ton of games last season before picking up P.J. Brown, and they've won a ton of games this season.  Another big man would be useful, but it's not like this team is doomed without another one.  I mean, if the officials don't blow a couple calls down the stretch, we win that game.

I'm not ready to say that they should have signed Mutombo, since I still think this team has a lot bigger need for another two way player than they have for a 7 foot specialist (which is all Dikembe would be).

Eh...  a bird in the hand, you know?  If Joe Smith or Nick Collison don't get bought out, what's Plan B?  Dikembe is an excellent defender and rebounder, and that would go a long way.

Have to agree. Canning POB and picking up Deke was a no-brainer. It's very hard to believe that he wanted to play for the Cs so badly and they simply wouldn't sign him. Doc kept saying he thought he would go back to Houston. We all went over this and over this before, so I won't raise it again.

But if he in fact wanted to sign with the Cs for the minimum -- with the make-up of this team? -- absolute no-brainer. Even if for just for insurance it's a dunk.

[LarBrd33]

I told you guys this yesterday.

Last year KG got injured.  When he finally returned we were 41-9.  We then dropped the next 3 games in a row.  

We're on pace to do the same thing... 1 down... 2 more to go.    No worries... things turned out ok last year.

[Chris]

The team should have signed Dikembe when he was practically begging them to.

That being said, this team won a ton of games last season before picking up P.J. Brown, and they've won a ton of games this season.  Another big man would be useful, but it's not like this team is doomed without another one.  I mean, if the officials don't blow a couple calls down the stretch, we win that game.

I'm not ready to say that they should have signed Mutombo, since I still think this team has a lot bigger need for another two way player than they have for a 7 foot specialist (which is all Dikembe would be).

Eh...  a bird in the hand, you know?  If Joe Smith or Nick Collison don't get bought out, what's Plan B?  Dikembe is an excellent defender and rebounder, and that would go a long way.

I suppose.  Its certainly risky.  I just don't think Dikembe helps this team too much.  While he is an upgrade in height, I am not convinced he is actually an upgrade overall over either Powe or Davis.  He would help against certain matchups...but the only team I foresee these bad matchups happening with is the Lakers...and even then, they are minimized if Perkins isn't playing like he is half in the bag, and Garnett doesn't foul out.

Davis has shown that he can be effective against taller, but slower guys like Ilgauskas and Ming, by establishing position.  Powe can also thrive against those guys.

Really, there are two teams that have given the C's backup big men a lot of trouble this year...Portland and LA.  And against LA, the C's are screwed if they have to throw someone else out there who is not an offensive threat.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

I dont want to hear a word about Bynum, it actually played in there favor that they didnt have him last night... Gasol has taken his game to another level beause of it..it happens all the time in the NBA...we lost to the blazers without Brandon roy..enough with glass knee bynum aka kareem

[MBz]

I was one who wasn't sure what we actually needed, but after last night I think it's known we need a legit big.  Pau Gasol had seven offensive rebounds last night.  That's way too much to be giving up to one guy.  Baby and Powe are good offensive rebounders but they just can't get it done on the defensive end.  I'm not sure what's going to happen, but we need another center, not a tweener center, a legit center.

[Chris]

I was one who wasn't sure what we actually needed, but after last night I think it's known we need a legit big.  Pau Gasol had seven offensive rebounds last night.  That's way too much to be giving up to one guy.  Baby and Powe are good offensive rebounders but they just can't get it done on the defensive end.  I'm not sure what's going to happen, but we need another center, not a tweener center, a legit center.

You realize he got a LOT of those against Perk and Garnett right?

[BballTim]

Yes, the refs were terrible last night. Yes, KG was not at full strength, and should not have been fouled out. But, let's face facts: The Lakers beat us on our home court without their starting center, a guy who creates major match up problems for us. Gasol has demonstrated two straight games vs. Celtics that he is not afraid to step up and score at will on our backups. Kobe can have an off night, and they still beat us in our building. 

  The Lakers have played much better with Odom than Bynum all season.

[BballTim]

And how about a backup PG when Rondo has those crazy nights (last night 7-16) jacking up shot & layup. Ultimately Ainge has to start phoning people & stop dreaming about Marbury (won't get released). We basically have 3 scorer starting & 1 bench scorer. You win games by outscoring your opponents and clearly we lack in that department. Its going to be difficult for Ainge to get a decent player for what we have. Plus most teams hate us anyway & they will be inclined to help us out. This could be a laker year.

  Remember Rondo also had 8 rebounds and 12 assists on that "crazy" night.

  We won the title last year with defense and if we win it this year it will be for the same reason.