Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 27, 2006 5:11:41 GMT -5
No, this isn't a hot rumor that's currently floating around the wire, but something I thought might be interesting to think about. I'm trying to see which big man we might have an outside shot at bringing in.
It looks like Bird is revamping his lineup and discarding his old and slower players for quicker, taller and more athletic ones. Case in point, saying goodbye to Peja Stojakovic, Anthony Johnson and Austin Croshere, and saying hello to Marquis Daniels, Shawne Williams (draft), Rawle Marshall, James White, and Darrel Armstrong (and don't forget he drafted Danny Granger last season). All these guys are either quicker, taller or more athletic than their counterparts, or all of the above.
Maybe Bird is also moving into the new era of "small basketball". He could make Granger his PF (Danny played some PF in college), with Shawne Williams his SF, Stephen Jackson his SG and Marquis Daniels his PG. That gives him a lot of height, quickness, and versatility. He can easily play David Harrison in the middle; Harrison has been earning praises since his rookie season as a strong bull who rebounds and plays rough.
If Bird wants to add more young and athletic players to his roster, we are the right team to call.
Jermaine O'Neal has been injury prone the past few years. His shoulders are giving him problems and he seemed to be wearing down a bit. This could make J.O. a lot cheaper than he is actually worth. Might be a good time to buy low and watch his stock rise.
He's only 28 years old, so he's still got mileage left in his tank. He just needs to strengthen his shoulders and take care of his body better. He can still be a 20-10 guy and block 2+ shots per game when healthy. I see him being able to play Center if Ainge and Rivers want to play him with Jefferson. Or if they want Jefferson to come off the bench for a couple of seasons, they can have O'Neal play PF alongside Perkins.
I think we can make this work without giving up Jefferson or Gerald. Wally and/or Ratliff to start off with, and then adding in guys like Tony Allen to the mix. They may want Gomes or Delonte, seeing how Bird likes smart players. Of course, multiple teams may be included to make this work.
Just a thought to kill time during these slow summer days.
It looks like Bird is revamping his lineup and discarding his old and slower players for quicker, taller and more athletic ones. Case in point, saying goodbye to Peja Stojakovic, Anthony Johnson and Austin Croshere, and saying hello to Marquis Daniels, Shawne Williams (draft), Rawle Marshall, James White, and Darrel Armstrong (and don't forget he drafted Danny Granger last season). All these guys are either quicker, taller or more athletic than their counterparts, or all of the above.
Maybe Bird is also moving into the new era of "small basketball". He could make Granger his PF (Danny played some PF in college), with Shawne Williams his SF, Stephen Jackson his SG and Marquis Daniels his PG. That gives him a lot of height, quickness, and versatility. He can easily play David Harrison in the middle; Harrison has been earning praises since his rookie season as a strong bull who rebounds and plays rough.
If Bird wants to add more young and athletic players to his roster, we are the right team to call.
Jermaine O'Neal has been injury prone the past few years. His shoulders are giving him problems and he seemed to be wearing down a bit. This could make J.O. a lot cheaper than he is actually worth. Might be a good time to buy low and watch his stock rise.
He's only 28 years old, so he's still got mileage left in his tank. He just needs to strengthen his shoulders and take care of his body better. He can still be a 20-10 guy and block 2+ shots per game when healthy. I see him being able to play Center if Ainge and Rivers want to play him with Jefferson. Or if they want Jefferson to come off the bench for a couple of seasons, they can have O'Neal play PF alongside Perkins.
I think we can make this work without giving up Jefferson or Gerald. Wally and/or Ratliff to start off with, and then adding in guys like Tony Allen to the mix. They may want Gomes or Delonte, seeing how Bird likes smart players. Of course, multiple teams may be included to make this work.
Just a thought to kill time during these slow summer days.