SHOPPING THE DISCOUNT RACK - FOR MISSING PIECES

Celtics still missing vital pieces

LOS ANGELES — The Celtics [team stats] are still in a shopping mode even as they welcome Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic to the club.

The two will get their first on-court Celtics session at this morning’s shootaround on the campus of UCLA. Both will be needed tonight against the Clippers.

But they could have more company before the Celts play next at home on Wednesday against Phoenix.


The basketball operations staff is keeping a close eye on the waiver wire and seeing which players are bought out by March 1 (the deadline for players to be free from their old clubs so they can be eligible for the playoffs with a new team).

According to sources, the Celtics are hoping the talk of Troy Murphy being available comes true. They are said to have interest also in Dan Gadzuric, Sasha Pavlovic and Jason Kapono.

The C’s, meanwhile, are trying to get their house in order after some reconstruction.

“Our team is still not whole,” said general manager Danny Ainge. “We started out great. We played great basketball with Shaq (O’Neal) in the middle. I think it’ll be easier for Shaq to return in a starting position, which I think he has earned with his play this year.”

Ainge reported that Jermaine O’Neal is getting closer to a return from left knee surgery.

“He’s feeling better and he’s more optimistic than he’s been all year,” Ainge said. “I just saw him working out and shooting jump shots. He looked good.”

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Danny sounds like a used car salesman selling lemons when describing JON.........................................................

HARDLY HAS ANY MILES ON IT.............WAS DRIVEN ONLY BY AN ELDERLY GRANDMOTHER TO AND FROM CHURCH EACH SUNDAY...........HMMMMMMMM

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Hi,
I have hard time believing that DA did the "Perk trade" without a preset plan or, at least very high probability of whoever he targeted coming to Boston to fill the empty roster spots.

AK

DOES ANYONE HAVE MIKKI MOORE'S NUMBER TO GIVE TO DANNY?

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I really like the idea of getting Gadzuric. He's been playing only about 10 minutes a game, which is exactly how I could see him fitting in here. He's described as a very athletic 7-footer who "makes his living off defense" and can run with almost anyone his size. Good footwork and a fine jumper with a huge wingspan who averages 4 offensive rebounds, 7 defensive rebounds, and 2 blocks per 36 minutes on the floor. Not an offensive threat, but I wouldn't see that as a problem here. He could be a Shaq insurance policy and a nice situational rotation player, using his 240 pounds and six fouls to bang against opposing bigs and help soften them up for Davis in the 4th quarter. And it would be 10 fewer minutes expected of Shaq and Kristic.

Maybe someone who has seen him play more regularly than I have can weigh in on this, and there is probably some weakness (aside from ordinary hands at best and lack of ability to create his own shot) that would be a deterrent to add him.

This may be where we're seeing the craftiness of Danny at work. By freeing up those three slots in addition to assembling a formidable team even without the three slots, he can use those slots for special purpose role players who are not individually individual impact players but can collectively contribute and help minimize the impact of vulnerabilities. I'd be perfectly happy with Gadzuric, Murphy and Leon in those positions.

Just not Sasha. Please not Sasha. I hear he wanders around at night, asking passersby, "Have you seen Ray Allen? I'm trying to find Ray Allen. Can you please help me?"

Sam

sam wrote:

I really like the idea of getting Gadzuric. He's been playing only about 10 minutes a game, which is exactly how I could see him fitting in here. He's described as a very athletic 7-footer who "makes his living off defense" and can run with almost anyone his size. Good footwork and a fine jumper with a huge wingspan who averages 4 offensive rebounds, 7 defensive rebounds, and 2 blocks per 36 minutes on the floor. Not an offensive threat, but I wouldn't see that as a problem here. He could be a Shaq insurance policy and a nice situational rotation player, using his 240 pounds and six fouls to bang against opposing bigs and help soften them up for Davis in the 4th quarter. And it would be 10 fewer minutes expected of Shaq and Kristic.

Maybe someone who has seen him play more regularly than I have can weigh in on this, and there is probably some weakness (aside from ordinary hands at best and lack of ability to create his own shot) that would be a deterrent to add him.

This may be where we're seeing the craftiness of Danny at work. By freeing up those three slots in addition to assembling a formidable team even without the three slots, he can use those slots for special purpose role players who are not individually individual impact players but can collectively contribute and help minimize the impact of vulnerabilities. I'd be perfectly happy with Gadzuric, Murphy and Leon in those positions.

Just not Sasha. Please not Sasha. I hear he wanders around at night, asking passersby, "Have you seen Ray Allen? I'm trying to find Ray Allen. Can you please help me?"

Sam

sam,

It's Sasha Pavlovic, not Sasha Eurobitch. Same nickname (Sasha is the nickname in Russian for Alex/Alexander).

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/aleksandar_pavlovic/
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pavloal01.html

bob

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sam wrote:

I really like the idea of getting Gadzuric. He's been playing only about 10 minutes a game, which is exactly how I could see him fitting in here. He's described as a very athletic 7-footer who "makes his living off defense" and can run with almost anyone his size. Good footwork and a fine jumper with a huge wingspan who averages 4 offensive rebounds, 7 defensive rebounds, and 2 blocks per 36 minutes on the floor. Not an offensive threat, but I wouldn't see that as a problem here. He could be a Shaq insurance policy and a nice situational rotation player, using his 240 pounds and six fouls to bang against opposing bigs and help soften them up for Davis in the 4th quarter. And it would be 10 fewer minutes expected of Shaq and Kristic.

Maybe someone who has seen him play more regularly than I have can weigh in on this, and there is probably some weakness (aside from ordinary hands at best and lack of ability to create his own shot) that would be a deterrent to add him.

This may be where we're seeing the craftiness of Danny at work. By freeing up those three slots in addition to assembling a formidable team even without the three slots, he can use those slots for special purpose role players who are not individually individual impact players but can collectively contribute and help minimize the impact of vulnerabilities. I'd be perfectly happy with Gadzuric, Murphy and Leon in those positions.

Just not Sasha. Please not Sasha. I hear he wanders around at night, asking passersby, "Have you seen Ray Allen? I'm trying to find Ray Allen. Can you please help me?"

Sam

Sam-

Gadzuric is a hustler, energy guy who works hard and doesn't have much skill on offense or good hands. Think smaller Kwame Brown.

He's a downgrade from Perk, obviously, but better than, say, Mikki Moore. And given Troy Murphy's historical aversion to defense and durability issues, combined with Shaq's health issues, he would be a good signing in addition to Murphy (who it sounds like might not get bought out after all).

Pryzbilla would have been my # 1 buyout target if I were Ainge but sounds like Charlotte not wiling to buy him out, which makes sense, as they just traded Nazr to OKC. Dalembert was a pipe dream from the moment it was mentioned, so I think in terms of realistic targets, Gaduric would be a good get.

Especially to get through the reg season, as they could lean less heavily no Shaq that way. But come playoff time, I would expect the 5 rotation to be Shaq, Kritic and Baby, with someone like Gadzuric pressed into service only if Shaq gets hurt.

Sam-


PS- the idea of the other Sasha in a Celtics uniform is truly hilarious. Too bad that's not happening.

BSH,

Thanks for the skinny on Gadzuric. I really haven't seen him play much, so I read a couple of scouting reports on him, which seem to be supported by your take on him.

Your vision of the playoff center rotation seems right on target from my point of view, with Shaq and Kristic in the trenches for much of the game (with the use dependent on matchups) and Davis being the finisher against opponents who will have tired while sparring with Shaq and Kristic. I would think of Gadzuric primarily as an insurance policy against the possible absence of Shaq. Obviously, he's not a Shaq clone, but having an advantage of three legitimate rotation centers to one for the other side makes me pretty comfortable regardless of who the one for the other side might be. And I like the idea of presenting different looks to an opposing center.

Yeah, just reading about the possibility of using a roster slot for Sasha made me lose the three remaining hairs on my head. (I haven't checked elsewhere.)

Sorry we missed each other by phone. I look forward to talking with you soon.

Sam

sam wrote:BSH,

Thanks for the skinny on Gadzuric. I really haven't seen him play much, so I read a couple of scouting reports on him, which seem to be supported by your take on him.

Your vision of the playoff center rotation seems right on target from my point of view, with Shaq and Kristic in the trenches for much of the game (with the use dependent on matchups) and Davis being the finisher against opponents who will have tired while sparring with Shaq and Kristic. I would think of Gadzuric primarily as an insurance policy against the possible absence of Shaq. Obviously, he's not a Shaq clone, but having an advantage of three legitimate rotation centers to one for the other side makes me pretty comfortable regardless of who the one for the other side might be. And I like the idea of presenting different looks to an opposing center.

Yeah, just reading about the possibility of using a roster slot for Sasha made me lose the three remaining hairs on my head. (I haven't checked elsewhere.)

Sorry we missed each other by phone. I look forward to talking with you soon.

Sam

PLease don't check for any other hair loss.


NO worries on the missed connection. I've got a lot of noise at the house today, but will give you a shout sometime in the next couple of days.

good luck tonight.

BSH,

Looks like the Lakers are gathering some momentum, winning handily last night. Do the Kings play at the Staples Center? The scheduling machinations must be horrendous.

I'll look forward to a chat.

Sam

Bob's assessment of Gadzuric is accurate, but I'd just like to emphasize that he has no skill on offense. You're nervous when he has a wide open layup, which is pretty much all he shoots, because he only makes half of them (he's shooting 50% from the field). He also shoots 50% from the free-throw line for his career (this is his ninth season), although he's shooting 36% on free throws this season (5 of 14).

So why does this guy have a job in the NBA? He's 6-11, reasonably athletic, and hustles. He's no Dwight Howard, but he can rebound and defend. His career numbers per 36 minutes are 10.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 11.5 points, and 5.8 fouls. (Of course, he never plays 36 minutes in a game, but that gives you an idea of what he does.) He seems like a good enough guy. He's been in Milwaukee the prior eight seasons before joining Golden State this year in the Corey Maggette deal.

If he's bought out by the Nets, I'd say he'd be a good pickup. (Just don't say I didn't warn you about his cringe-worthy offense and free throws.) If the Celts get both him and Murphy, it seems like the biggest beneficiary of the Nets-Warriors deal would be Boston.

Outside

Outside wrote:Bob's assessment of Gadzuric is accurate, but I'd just like to emphasize that he has no skill on offense. You're nervous when he has a wide open layup, which is pretty much all he shoots, because he only makes half of them (he's shooting 50% from the field). He also shoots 50% from the free-throw line for his career (this is his ninth season), although he's shooting 36% on free throws this season (5 of 14).

So why does this guy have a job in the NBA? He's 6-11, reasonably athletic, and hustles. He's no Dwight Howard, but he can rebound and defend. His career numbers per 36 minutes are 10.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 11.5 points, and 5.8 fouls. (Of course, he never plays 36 minutes in a game, but that gives you an idea of what he does.) He seems like a good enough guy. He's been in Milwaukee the prior eight seasons before joining Golden State this year in the Corey Maggette deal.

If he's bought out by the Nets, I'd say he'd be a good pickup. (Just don't say I didn't warn you about his cringe-worthy offense and free throws.) If the Celts get both him and Murphy, it seems like the biggest beneficiary of the Nets-Warriors deal would be Boston.

Outside

Perk's career numbers/36 are these: 56%fg%, 10.4ppg, 60%ft, 9.8rebs, 1.6asts, 2.7TOs, .5stls, 2.3blks.
Gad's career numbers/36 are these: 50%fg%, 11.5ppg, 50%ft, 10.7rebs, .9asts, 1.6TOs, 1.1stls, 2.1blks.

If we're just looking at stats it looks like we have another Perk; maybe a a little better on steals/rebs/scoring, maybe a little worse on fg%, ft%.

Gadzuric's wingspan is 7'5". That's awful nice, coming on a 6'11" body. Perk's by comparison, is 7'6.5", but that was on a 6'10" frame.

The scouting reports I've seen on Gadz is that he has no offense that doesn't come from pure hustle. He absolutely cannot create his own shot. However, he's extremely athletic, runs the floor like a guard and is a great shotblocker. There's no way he can be in at crunchtime, though, not with a 50% ft%. That means we'd still be looking at Krstic.

bob

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Found this picture of Troy Murphy and thought I'd post it, just for fun.

Here's something interesting. Bob Ryan and others are pointing out that the Celtics came away with the best player in a 4-player trade, right? Well, check out Jeff Green's 'clutch' stats per 82games.com.

Here he is, 21st in the league sorted by fg%: http://www.82games.com/1011/CSORT6.HTM

The only Celtic ahead of him, Davis, is at 19. After that, you have to go to 29/30 for Rondo/Garnett. So, we got a clutch shooter.

FT%, he's shooting 88% in the clutch, just 1% behind KG and Pierce. Also nice. We don't have to be afraid of hack-a-jeff if he's on the floor in crunch time.

3ptfg%? He's 50% in the clutch, which is good for #13. Ray Allen is 7th. After that, you have to go #49th before you reach Pierce.

TOs. He's 16th with the fewest clutch-time TOs. TOs in clutch-time are rally killers (or rally-fuelers, if you're the other team).

Blks. He's in the middle-of-the-pack, but he's ahead of any other Celtic (slightly ahead of Bosh. Hah!). Surprisingly, Pierce is the first Celtic and is ahead of KG.

70% of his clutch points are assisted. Some might look at that and say "he can't create his shot". I say "he's a player who plays within a system and takes his shots out of the flow". Between Rondo, Pierce and Allen he'll be getting fed plenty.

bob

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Bob,
Just one word: Fascinating.

Sam