THE BIG THREE | nbadimensions.net
Additions:
F/G Bill Walker
G J.R. Giddens
C Semih Erden (will play overseas for final year of contract)
C Patrick O’Bryant
Possible: F Darius Miles
Subtractions:
F/G James Posey
F/C P.J. Brown
Possible: C/F Scott Pollard, G Sam Cassell
Re-signings:
G Eddie House
G Tony Allen
The Celtics were able to start the offseason pretty well. They got two players with a lot of potential in swingman Bill Walker of Kansas State and New Mexico guard J.R. Giddens, as well as a young big man to stash overseas in Semih Erden. The Celtics’ mindset going into the draft was that whomever they picked likely wouldn’t make a big impact right away, so they focused on getting some low-risk high-reward type of players in Walker and Giddens. Giddens, who was selected with the final pick of the first round, has the tools to become a steal. He has a great combination of size, athleticism, scoring ability (averaged 16.3 PPG and shot 52% from the floor), and rebounding (averaged 8.8 boards per game last season with New Mexico). At the beginning of his college career, Giddens had attitude problems at Kansas, and ended up transferring to New Mexico. He was able to change his attitude, and his career got back on the right track, as he was able to win Mountain West Co-Player of the Year honors as a senior.
Boston saw potential in Kansas State’s Bill Walker, which made them decide to send cash considerations to the Wizards in exchange for the Walker, who was the 47th overall selection. Walker was able to average 16.1 PPG (good for 5th in the Big 12) and 6.3 RPG. He has an improving jump shot, and is an elite athlete. If Boston is patient in developing him, he could be a huge steal. Erden, an athletic big man from Turkey, will play out the final year of his contract overseas, and will then battle for a roster spot with the Celtics in the ‘09-’10 season. According to nbadraft.net, Erden has the ability to run the floor well and has loads of potential. He should be able to develop a solid jump shot, and will likely be a capable shot blocker. Once again, the Celtics made a solid pick that could help them in the future, and they might be able to look back on this draft as a major success, given what picks they had to work with.
Once the draft was over, however, the defending NBA champions had much less to cheer about. P.J. Brown is likely to retire once again, after winning his only NBA championship at the age of 38, and the Celtics could miss his energy off the bench in the post, which was put on at full display in the NBA Finals. Also, the Celtics didn’t make re-signing backup forward James Posey a priority, as they went in the other direction chasing Clippers free agent swingman Corey Maggette. Maggette, who was highly coveted by many successful teams this offseason, was unsatisfied with receiving the MLE, and instead bolted for Golden State to earn more money. The Celtics then shifted attention back to James Posey, but he decided to forego returning to the Celtics to defend their title for another season, and instead signed a four-year deal worth $25 million with the New Orleans Hornets. I believe they’ll come to regret this move, as Posey was a key piece off the bench for the Celtics, averaging 6.7 PPG and 3.6 RPG along with providing stellar defense. He is replaceable, however, as fifth-year guard Tony Allen could make up for his production off the bench.
The Celtics were, however, able to bring back reserve guards Tony Allen as mentioned above, and Eddie House. House, 30, was able to provide a spark off the bench in the playoffs with his solid three-point shooting, and though he’s not your traditional point guard, he was able to fit in, hitting treys as Pierce and Allen handled the ball themselves. House provides a nice alternative to the young Rajon Rondo, whose shooting range does not extend to the three-point line, and his finishing around the basket needs improvement. Allen, a 26-years old Oklahoma State guard, provides defense and bench scoring. He’s battled injury issues these past few years, but if he can stay healthy he will be a capable replacement to the departed James Posey. In 75 games last season, he was able to average 6.6 PPG and 2.2 RPG in 18.3 minutes per game.
Former Golden State Warriors first round draft pick Patrick O’Bryant, a 7’0” 249 lbs. center from Bradley, was signed to the Celtics to provide depth in the paint, replacing the likely to-be retired P.J. Brown. O’Bryant, who has only played 40 NBA games in two seasons, was only able to average 1.7 PPG and 1.3 RPG. However, with the Jam of the NBDL, O’Bryant averaged an impressive 16.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game. The potential’s still there, and if O’Bryant can work hard on developing his game, he could end up a steal for the Celtics. For now, it appears he is headed for the bust route.
Darius Miles, former first round draft pick of the Los Angeles Clippers, has been recovering from a once-thought career ending knee injury, and is now trying out with various NBA teams, including the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. Miles’ career has been filled with mediocrity, disappointment, and poor choices, but he has a chance to make up for his mistakes and contribute with the Celtics. At 27 years old, Miles is young enough that if he can get his career back on track, he could change his life and career for the better. What would be a better place to do that than the defending champion Boston Celtics? The Celtics have a hole at backup small forward, and they could settle for signing Miles and having him compete with rookie Bill Walker for playing time on the wing. Don’t expect much from him if the Celtics do sign him, as even before his injury, Miles was considered a bust and was underproductive given his talent level.
Overall, the Celtics may have taken a step back this offseason, as the Big Three are a year older, and they lost two key role players off the bench to free agency and retirement. That number could soon become three, as 3rd-string point guard Sam Cassell could decide to retire or sign with another team this offseason; he is an unrestricted free agent and can sign anywhere he wants. If he decides to leave, expect 2nd year point guard out of USC Gabe Pruitt to replace his role with the team. Though the Celtics have lost some important reserves, they have capable replacements in Pruitt, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, and possibly Miles and O’Bryant. Repeating will be a tough thing to do, as they face tough obstacles in the improved Eastern Conference -- They had struggles against the Hawks and Cavaliers last year; imagine how they’ll struggle against Toronto, Philly, or one of the other improved Eastern Conference squads. I personally feel the Celtics will retain the #1 seed in the East, and they’re my favorite to represent their conference in the NBA Finals, but they’ll face tough competition if they get there, as the Lakers would likely have a healthy Andrew Bynum on their team the second time around, and the Rockets, Spurs, Hornets, or whomever the Western Conference champion might be would give the Celtics a tough battle, one that I feel they would likely end up losing.
OVERALL OFFSEASON GRADE: B-
Celtics Depth Chart 2008-2009:
PG: Rondo|House|Cassell?|Pruitt
SG: R. Allen|T. Allen|Giddens
SF: Pierce|Miles?|Walker
PF: Garnett|Powe|Davis|Scalabrine
C: Perkins|O’Bryant|Pollard?
F/G Bill Walker
G J.R. Giddens
C Semih Erden (will play overseas for final year of contract)
C Patrick O’Bryant
Possible: F Darius Miles
Subtractions:
F/G James Posey
F/C P.J. Brown
Possible: C/F Scott Pollard, G Sam Cassell
Re-signings:
G Eddie House
G Tony Allen
The Celtics were able to start the offseason pretty well. They got two players with a lot of potential in swingman Bill Walker of Kansas State and New Mexico guard J.R. Giddens, as well as a young big man to stash overseas in Semih Erden. The Celtics’ mindset going into the draft was that whomever they picked likely wouldn’t make a big impact right away, so they focused on getting some low-risk high-reward type of players in Walker and Giddens. Giddens, who was selected with the final pick of the first round, has the tools to become a steal. He has a great combination of size, athleticism, scoring ability (averaged 16.3 PPG and shot 52% from the floor), and rebounding (averaged 8.8 boards per game last season with New Mexico). At the beginning of his college career, Giddens had attitude problems at Kansas, and ended up transferring to New Mexico. He was able to change his attitude, and his career got back on the right track, as he was able to win Mountain West Co-Player of the Year honors as a senior.
Boston saw potential in Kansas State’s Bill Walker, which made them decide to send cash considerations to the Wizards in exchange for the Walker, who was the 47th overall selection. Walker was able to average 16.1 PPG (good for 5th in the Big 12) and 6.3 RPG. He has an improving jump shot, and is an elite athlete. If Boston is patient in developing him, he could be a huge steal. Erden, an athletic big man from Turkey, will play out the final year of his contract overseas, and will then battle for a roster spot with the Celtics in the ‘09-’10 season. According to nbadraft.net, Erden has the ability to run the floor well and has loads of potential. He should be able to develop a solid jump shot, and will likely be a capable shot blocker. Once again, the Celtics made a solid pick that could help them in the future, and they might be able to look back on this draft as a major success, given what picks they had to work with.
Once the draft was over, however, the defending NBA champions had much less to cheer about. P.J. Brown is likely to retire once again, after winning his only NBA championship at the age of 38, and the Celtics could miss his energy off the bench in the post, which was put on at full display in the NBA Finals. Also, the Celtics didn’t make re-signing backup forward James Posey a priority, as they went in the other direction chasing Clippers free agent swingman Corey Maggette. Maggette, who was highly coveted by many successful teams this offseason, was unsatisfied with receiving the MLE, and instead bolted for Golden State to earn more money. The Celtics then shifted attention back to James Posey, but he decided to forego returning to the Celtics to defend their title for another season, and instead signed a four-year deal worth $25 million with the New Orleans Hornets. I believe they’ll come to regret this move, as Posey was a key piece off the bench for the Celtics, averaging 6.7 PPG and 3.6 RPG along with providing stellar defense. He is replaceable, however, as fifth-year guard Tony Allen could make up for his production off the bench.
The Celtics were, however, able to bring back reserve guards Tony Allen as mentioned above, and Eddie House. House, 30, was able to provide a spark off the bench in the playoffs with his solid three-point shooting, and though he’s not your traditional point guard, he was able to fit in, hitting treys as Pierce and Allen handled the ball themselves. House provides a nice alternative to the young Rajon Rondo, whose shooting range does not extend to the three-point line, and his finishing around the basket needs improvement. Allen, a 26-years old Oklahoma State guard, provides defense and bench scoring. He’s battled injury issues these past few years, but if he can stay healthy he will be a capable replacement to the departed James Posey. In 75 games last season, he was able to average 6.6 PPG and 2.2 RPG in 18.3 minutes per game.
Former Golden State Warriors first round draft pick Patrick O’Bryant, a 7’0” 249 lbs. center from Bradley, was signed to the Celtics to provide depth in the paint, replacing the likely to-be retired P.J. Brown. O’Bryant, who has only played 40 NBA games in two seasons, was only able to average 1.7 PPG and 1.3 RPG. However, with the Jam of the NBDL, O’Bryant averaged an impressive 16.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game. The potential’s still there, and if O’Bryant can work hard on developing his game, he could end up a steal for the Celtics. For now, it appears he is headed for the bust route.
Darius Miles, former first round draft pick of the Los Angeles Clippers, has been recovering from a once-thought career ending knee injury, and is now trying out with various NBA teams, including the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. Miles’ career has been filled with mediocrity, disappointment, and poor choices, but he has a chance to make up for his mistakes and contribute with the Celtics. At 27 years old, Miles is young enough that if he can get his career back on track, he could change his life and career for the better. What would be a better place to do that than the defending champion Boston Celtics? The Celtics have a hole at backup small forward, and they could settle for signing Miles and having him compete with rookie Bill Walker for playing time on the wing. Don’t expect much from him if the Celtics do sign him, as even before his injury, Miles was considered a bust and was underproductive given his talent level.
Overall, the Celtics may have taken a step back this offseason, as the Big Three are a year older, and they lost two key role players off the bench to free agency and retirement. That number could soon become three, as 3rd-string point guard Sam Cassell could decide to retire or sign with another team this offseason; he is an unrestricted free agent and can sign anywhere he wants. If he decides to leave, expect 2nd year point guard out of USC Gabe Pruitt to replace his role with the team. Though the Celtics have lost some important reserves, they have capable replacements in Pruitt, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, and possibly Miles and O’Bryant. Repeating will be a tough thing to do, as they face tough obstacles in the improved Eastern Conference -- They had struggles against the Hawks and Cavaliers last year; imagine how they’ll struggle against Toronto, Philly, or one of the other improved Eastern Conference squads. I personally feel the Celtics will retain the #1 seed in the East, and they’re my favorite to represent their conference in the NBA Finals, but they’ll face tough competition if they get there, as the Lakers would likely have a healthy Andrew Bynum on their team the second time around, and the Rockets, Spurs, Hornets, or whomever the Western Conference champion might be would give the Celtics a tough battle, one that I feel they would likely end up losing.
OVERALL OFFSEASON GRADE: B-
Celtics Depth Chart 2008-2009:
PG: Rondo|House|Cassell?|Pruitt
SG: R. Allen|T. Allen|Giddens
SF: Pierce|Miles?|Walker
PF: Garnett|Powe|Davis|Scalabrine
C: Perkins|O’Bryant|Pollard?
The Big Three is a writer for the basketball discussion website NBA Dimensions. Join nbadimensions.net to discuss basketball with The Big Three and other NBA fanatics.
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2 months ago
I don't think the Celtics can defend their title, they're just not deep enough. I doubt Miles will return to the league.
I do think Bill Walker was a huge steal at the 47th pick. He should have gone in the 1st round!
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