Thursday, August 02, 2007
Boston: Desirable Destination for NBA Veterans
Following the Garnett trade, agents of quality players were calling the Boston Celtics, looking to get their clients a workout.
Yesterday the Celtics signed veteran Eddie House to possibly back up Rajon Rondo at the point, but also play shooting guard with Allen on the bench. You may see him late in a game when you need an additional shooter off the bench to get a defender off of a star playe.
Last season House was a quality bench player in New Jersey and had previously backed up superstar point guards Steve Nash and Mike Bibby. Now it's Rondo's turn.
The Celtics addressed two needs by signing House:
1. They got a veteran guard to come off the bench.
2. They added a player who boasted a 42.9 3-point percentage a year ago and a player who can share the scoring load in the second unit if needed.
The Celtics also signed Jackie Manuel who played in the NBDL last season. Manuel is nothing more than a backup wingman who can come in and eat some minutes to keep Pierce fresh.
I really don't understand this move simply because this is D-league player and there are other guys waiting to be signed.
The Celtics now have 13 players on their roster, giving them 2 more roster spots. The C's are looking to sign either 41 year-old center Dikembe Mutombo or possibly P.J. Brown. The Celtics hope that one of these players will sign for the bi-annual exception, which is slightly less than $2 million.
The Celtics are in luxury tax land so it is great to see that ownership is still willing to spend the big bucks and put a contender in Boston.
6 Comments:
House can't lead any scoring when the Big 3 are on the bench. He's purely a spot-up 3-point shooter. He'll be great to have on the floor WITH the Big 3, who can get him open looks from downtown, but he's not going to be a useful player when he's on the floor with Tony Allen, Brian Scalabrine, Glen Davis, and Kendrick Perkins.
It's not a bad signing, as at least one of the Big 3 will be on the floor at all times when it matters. If they aren't, they'll be in more trouble than House can help them out of. I still would've gone with Charlie Bell, who's a more well-rounded player, but if this frees up the cash to sign P.J. Brown, then it's a good move.
I think the Celtics are expecting Tony Allen to return to his level from last year. And I don't expect the entire big three to be sitting too often.
All good, except Eddie House can't handle the basketball if his life depended on it. Marcus Williams backed up Kidd last year, not House.
I agree with Brian...Charlie Bell would have been a much, much better fit. If they can convince House to turn exclusively into a spot-up shooter, it might work, but even that duplicates Ray Allen's skill set. If they had a wing who can handle the ball, it would make sense, but Allen isn't that guy, and Pierce may not be either.
I would like the Mutumbo/Brown signing, but Ainge proved with the Eddie House signing that he can't make any good transactions unless it is with an even dumber GM (see Kevin Mchale). Seriously, no offense Ravi but House is not a point guard. He is a chucker in a point guard's body. With Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett, this team doesn't need a scoring point guard but rather one that can run an offense and make passes that put teammates in easier positions to score. Eddie House isn't the man for that job. Eddie House could be a scorer (although not a good one) off the bench. I get that, but no way should he be the starting or backup point guard on this team.
Bell may be better, but you have no idea what goes on in player negotiations or even the salary cap restricions or the demands of the players. Boston media seems to like the deal for House, I think he can be a solid backup to Rondo, or even in the rare situation the C's play KG at the 5, Pierce at the 4, Allen at the 3 and then have House and Rondo on the floor.
Also, he's really the 3rd option at point, I think he's more likely going to play the 4 with Allen on the bench. Though, that would leave Pruitt, a rookie, as the second option at the point, depending on how he plays, we may see House play more point.
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