Examining C's Big Man Options

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4702645/examining-cs-big-man-options


Examining C's big-man options
February, 23, 2013
FEB 23
1:30
PM ET
By Greg Payne | ESPNBoston.com


The Boston Celtics managed to a fill a need for an offensive scoring punch off the bench when they traded for Wizards guard Jordan Crawford on Thursday, but they had to send away veteran big man Jason Collins to do so, which left them very thin along the front line.

The Celtics didn't waste any time trying to fill the gap up front as forward D.J. White is set to ink a 10-day contract. Coach Doc Rivers said Friday night in Phoenix that the team will still target another big with another open roster spot available. It's very likely that -- with White on his way -- the team will proceed slowly and see what emerges from buyouts across the league. But if Boston finds itself in a sudden rush for a body, here's a handful of currently available options in the D-League and free-agent market:

D-LEAGUE

* Jerome Jordan: Currently playing for the Reno Bighorns, the 7-foot, 250-pound Jordan has a similar build to Collins, but is far more athletic and could contribute more impact plays. Last season he made 21 appearances for the New York Knicks, averaging 2 points and 1.3 rebounds in just over 5 minutes per game. For Reno this season, he's started in 18 of 22 games and has averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks over 30.5 minutes per game.

* Tim Ohlbrecht: Hailing from Germany, the 6-foot-11 Ohlbrecht has started in 27 of 30 games for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers this season, averaging 13.3 points on 59.9 percent shooting, to go along with 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game. Signing a center like Ohlbrecht could give Rivers a bit more freedom to utilize Chris Wilcox at the power forward spot and keep Green at the small forward position in traditional lineups. European hoops site Sportando reported that Ohlbrecht had turned down a 10-day offer from Boston.

* Garrett Stutz: Stutz actually has a very brief history with the Celtics, as he joined their summer league roster in Las Vegas last year after Fab Melo suffered a hand injury. Stutz didn't get much of an opportunity to make an impression on Boston's brass during his time in Vegas, but it's possible they've seen more of him lately, as he's now a member of the Maine Red Claws. Through his first seven games in Maine, Stutz has averaged 7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.

FREE AGENTS

* Lou Amundson: Amundson could be one of Boston's primary targets, given he's only 30 years old and has actually played in the NBA this season. Amundson was waived by the Timberwolves earlier this month, but has demonstrated in the past an ability to bring energy and rebound the ball. His defensive rebounding rate of 17.8 percent is respectable (Brandon Bass' career defensive rebounding rate is 16.8 by comparison) and at 6-foot-9, he could play both frontcourt positions.

* Erick Dampier: Dampier hasn't played since appearing in 15 games for the Atlanta Hawks last season, and at age 37, he might need to be filed away into the "long shot" category as well. But he's still a player with great size and a history of physical play -- something Collins didn't shy away from -- which would certainly appeal to Boston. Over the course of his 16-year career, Dampier averaged 7.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

* Brian Cardinal: Another big man not afraid to deliver a hard foul, Cardinal, at 6-foot-8, doesn't boast the size of some of the other guys on this list, but he is capable of stretching the defense with his shooting. A career 37.2 percent 3-point shooter, Cardinal played a legitimate role in the Dallas Mavericks' championship run in 2011, serving alongside current Celtic Jason Terry. Cardinal is also known to be a great locker room guy, which could add a slight layer of interest for Boston.


bob

Jerome Jordan is another Fab Melo, a late starter still learning his game. The difference is that Jordan actually has some NBA experience. The similarities are frightening.
http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/jerome_jordan/
http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/fab_melo/

Here's Olbrecht's profile. http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/tim_ohlbrecht/index.html

Now, Stutz: http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/garrett_stutz/index.html


3 7'ers, one 6'11" and they're in the D-League. That, right there, is a mouthful.

Amundsen is a 6'9" journeyman who can't shoot, has a 40% ft%, isn't a strong rebounder...I say "no thanks".

Dampier is old and plays old. Same draft year, 1996, as 'Toine (and Ray Allen, and Iverson, and Kobe, and Nash, and Waltah, just to name a few. What a draft that was). I say "no thanks". PJ Brown retired because he wanted to, not because he had no game left.

Brian Cardinal is 35 years old. He averaged a whopping 2.3rpg in 14mpg career. A 41% fg% career. Uh, no thanks again. 6'8" isn't tall enough, 2.3rpg isn't anywhere near enough, 4.6ppg...

When does the Euro leagues end?


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Slim Pickens...didn't he gone down with the A-bomb in Dr. Strangelove?

I would vote for:

None of the Above - Someone better will become available in time for him to be eligible for the playoffs.

But it was not available as a choice.

Well what the hell...I voted for Jerome Jordan because he has the better D-League rebounding and shot blocking numbers.

Whatever we do we are just trying to fill a spot. We still need to get a quality starting center to complete the rebuilding process.

dboss

Bob,

Didn't I read, a couple of days ago, that Olbrecht had already rejected a Celtics offer of a 10-day contract (according to his agent, Tony Glass)?

Sam

Tim Olbrecht just signed with Houston. He was offered a 10-day with the Celtics, but went with the security of a rest-of-the-season deal from Houston.


bob


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