Which free agent should we target this year to start at the center (5) position?

by **gyso** Thu Jun 30, 2016 9:21 am

If appealing to Durant is taken off the table (say if he had already signed with OKC) which free agent at the center position should we target?

by **kdp59** Thu Jun 30, 2016 10:00 am

as they USED to say on the innerwebs...FIRST!

I wonder who I picked.......LOL.

by **bobheckler** Thu Jun 30, 2016 11:09 am

I said "Other". I want Whiteside. He's a MUCH better shot blocker, a MUCH better rebounder and a comparable scorer. He is also a few years younger. The only areas where Horford is clearly superior is in his assist-to-turnover ratio (which is significant. Whiteside's is very negative while Horford's is 2:1, which is excellent for a center, on a par with some back up point guards), his willingness (and effectiveness) to leave the paint and pick up shooters at the arc (like modern centers are expected to do. Whiteside is uncomfortable going out there) and in his appeal to other top level free agents (no names necessary).

I'd love Durant (oops, I said the name) but I wouldn't hang our future on successfully signing him. That's a whole lotta hope riding on a single player and that's not the Celtic Way.

bob

.

by **steve3344** Thu Jun 30, 2016 11:28 am

Noah to sign with the Knicks:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/signs-point-center-joakim-noah-signing-knicks-article-1.2693569

by **gyso** Thu Jun 30, 2016 12:41 pm

bobheckler wrote:I said "Other". I want Whiteside. He's a MUCH better shot blocker, a MUCH better rebounder and a comparable scorer. He is also a few years younger. The only areas where Horford is clearly superior is in his assist-to-turnover ratio (which is significant. Whiteside's is very negative while Horford's is 2:1, which is excellent for a center, on a par with some back up point guards), his willingness (and effectiveness) to leave the paint and pick up shooters at the arc (like modern centers are expected to do. Whiteside is uncomfortable going out there) and in his appeal to other top level free agents (no names necessary).

I'd love Durant (oops, I said the name) but I wouldn't hang our future on successfully signing him. That's a whole lotta hope riding on a single player and that's not the Celtic Way.

bob

.

bob,

I should have included Whiteside as a choice above. He is a logical choice to fill our need of rim protection.

gyso

by **RosalieTCeltics** Thu Jun 30, 2016 12:56 pm

I said a while ago that I thought they should go after Whiteside and was told he was not a good fit for the Celtics... Sorry, I still would pick him, he is young, athletic and still has alot to learn about the pro game that Stevens could help him with. With Miami is a flex condition right now, bartering with Wade, Bosh position up in the air, he may want to jump ship. The right deal and I bet he can be had

by **sinus007** Thu Jun 30, 2016 2:27 pm

Hi,
I voted Horford. But now I think Whiteside is a better option. He's younger. After a year under Stevens he, I believe, will be a better incentive to get KD (more and more it looks like KD will be available in '17 not in '16).

AK

by **NYCelt** Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:38 pm

I went the "other" route, although I have no specific target.

I don't think I'd want to spend max money on Howard at this point in his career and am on the fence about giving Horford max money on a team that could still take several years to develop. I'm not wild about Johnson or Jerebko manning that spot at all and wouldn't touch Gasol or Noah at this point in their careers either.

I think I'd just as soon pursue keeping Zeller (at a reasonable price) and seeing if we can get Zizic here sooner than originally anticipated. The search for shooters and centers is going to take a while.

by **Ram** Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:04 pm

bobheckler wrote:I said "Other". I want Whiteside. He's a MUCH better shot blocker, a MUCH better rebounder and a comparable scorer. He is also a few years younger. The only areas where Horford is clearly superior is in his assist-to-turnover ratio (which is significant. Whiteside's is very negative while Horford's is 2:1, which is excellent for a center, on a par with some back up point guards), his willingness (and effectiveness) to leave the paint and pick up shooters at the arc (like modern centers are expected to do. Whiteside is uncomfortable going out there) and in his appeal to other top level free agents (no names necessary).

I'd love Durant (oops, I said the name) but I wouldn't hang our future on successfully signing him. That's a whole lotta hope riding on a single player and that's not the Celtic Way.

bob

.

Whiteside is a gambler who goes for the highlight reel block over what is often the smarter play (holding a strong position, weakside help, taking a charge, etc.) and the Heat actually play better team defense with him on the bench. Just food for thought.

by **steve3344** Thu Jun 30, 2016 10:28 pm

Knicks, Noah looking at around three years, $48 million:

http://nypost.com/2016/06/30/phil-jackson-joakim-noah-meet-with-possible-48m-deal-on-table/

Would the Celtics do that based on his recent injury history and age? Seriously doubt it.

by **NYCelt** Fri Jul 01, 2016 8:35 am

Whiteside staying in Miami as expected.

by **bobheckler** Fri Jul 01, 2016 9:34 am

NYCelt wrote:Whiteside staying in Miami as expected.

I just changed my vote to Horford.

bob

.

by **gyso** Fri Jul 01, 2016 10:44 am

Two scenarios regarding Horford and Howard from a Celtic fan's point of view:

1. We sign Horford. As a result, Atlanta signs Howard. Atlanta may prefer this one, perhaps in their minds the world has moved on. Time for a change, maybe a homecoming will distract the fans for a bit.

2. We sign Howard. As a result, Horford resigns with Atlanta (not necessarily in that order)

Anyway, if it MUST be one of the Two Stooges (TM), I prefer scenario #1.

gyso

by **NYCelt** Fri Jul 01, 2016 12:14 pm

gyso wrote:Two scenarios regarding Horford and Howard from a Celtic fan's point of view:

1. We sign Horford. As a result, Atlanta signs Howard. Atlanta may prefer this one, perhaps in their minds the world has moved on. Time for a change, maybe a homecoming will distract the fans for a bit.

2. We sign Howard. As a result, Horford resigns with Atlanta (not necessarily in that order)

Anyway, if it MUST be one of the Two Stooges (TM), I prefer scenario #1.

gyso

gyso,

Although I voted none of the above, if it came down to having to have one of the two, I agree with your take on it.

We'll have to note you own the Two Stooges trademark. Maybe it can be as valuable as 3-peat was to Phil Jackson.

Regards

by **cowens/oldschool** Fri Jul 01, 2016 12:44 pm

Damn knew Pat Riley would figure out something, wonder if Wade will go to Cleveland on the cheap to stick it to Riley?

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Which free agent should we target this year to start at the center (5) position?

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