Post by DERRENMATTS on Aug 2, 2007 4:07:04 GMT -5
Signing Jackie Manuel and Brandon Wallace means Ainge and Co. are serous about upgrading our defense. For years, we have been a poor defensive team, not only on the perimeter, but in the inside as well. Getting KG helps our interior defense, but trading for Ray Allen does not help us at all defensively on the perimeter. So Ainge decides to strengthen our weakness by bringing in 2 guys who are long, athletic and quick--attributes that will help curb our woeful perimeter defense.
Neither guy is ready to step in and contribute right away--both guys are rather raw and will need time to get stronger and develop confidence in themselves. But seeing Ainge attempting to shore up our perimeter defense brings a smile to my face. He sees the importance of putting together a stronger defensive team, and once we do improve our defense, it'll bring us that much closer to a championship.
Having guys like Wallace and Manuel, guys who are long and athletic, and quick enough to guard 2s and 3s, gives us some fresh bodies to throw at opposing teams' wing players. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce don't play much defense, so the value of having instant defensive players off the bench will be seen when we need to get defensive stops. Wallace and Manuel don't need to block a lot of shots, and they don't have to suffocate players the way Bruce Bowen does. As long as they make it a bit tougher to get good looks, that's all they'll need to do.
Neither guy is ready to step in and contribute right away--both guys are rather raw and will need time to get stronger and develop confidence in themselves. But seeing Ainge attempting to shore up our perimeter defense brings a smile to my face. He sees the importance of putting together a stronger defensive team, and once we do improve our defense, it'll bring us that much closer to a championship.
Having guys like Wallace and Manuel, guys who are long and athletic, and quick enough to guard 2s and 3s, gives us some fresh bodies to throw at opposing teams' wing players. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce don't play much defense, so the value of having instant defensive players off the bench will be seen when we need to get defensive stops. Wallace and Manuel don't need to block a lot of shots, and they don't have to suffocate players the way Bruce Bowen does. As long as they make it a bit tougher to get good looks, that's all they'll need to do.
