BIG trouble

[Kestutis Kveraga Adv04]

> Anyone still want to debate the we need another Center way more 
> then another combo guard or "power 3" thing?
> 
> First, let me get out of the way the obligatory "it was only a 
> preseason game" thing.  In the grand scheme of things this was 
> probably a net "positive" outcome because it highlighted some 
> very beneficial aspects that need to be addressed.
> 
> Kevin Garnett is not a center. Having to contend with a big 
> beefy center his quickness was negated and his help defense 
> hampered by having to consistently fight the position battle 
> underneath.  Maybe, if he had a similar tall, quick rebounder 
> type alongside him it could work, but with Scalabrine and or Powe 
> beside him he was being asked to do way too much.
> 
> Brian Scalabrine is not a 3 pt shooter.  Does anyone else 
> remember how he made his lunch money in NJ? It was on hustle 
> plays, being ahead on the break, and 12 - 15 foot jumpers.  Now 
> he's parked out on the arc like he's Michael Redd.  If he HAS to 
> play some starting center (and if he does - we're doomed), then 
> he should do exactly those same things - cut to the hoop, get to 
> open space A LOT closer - make the passing of Garnett and Allen 
> that much better.
> 
> There are a couple very fundamental things Perk brings that 
> maximize the starting lineup: 
> 
> 1. Size. I'm sorry to keep repeating it, but Powe, Davis, 
> Scalabrine are NOT centers. They're at best backup PFs period.  
> You can't teach height and Charles Barkley was a once a 
> generation player.  2. Passing. Perk is a very good passer. He 
> keep the ball moving, much the same way Wally Z. did, especially 
> this year when low post plays are rarely called for him. 
> 3. Picks. The offense flowed much better the first few games 
> because we could execute the pick and roll/pick and pop easily 
> causing switches, mismatches and defensive delays to the shot 
> moving the ball off the pick. 
> 4. Rebounds. When Perk rebounds Garnett is off like a shot. Last 
> night it was almost always Pierce and Allen ahead versus the 
> first few games where Garnett was ahead. By having Garnett ahead 
> it creates numerous mismatches to go along with the fast break 
> opportunity.  5. Defense. I'm going back to the Powe, Scal, Davis 
> thing. When any of those three are on a real center or PF it's 2 
> points or two foul shots the majority of the time. They either 
> get bullied, make someone leave their man for a double team,  or 
> get shot over every single time. 
> 
> Yes, I'm a Heightist. Brand me with the scarlet letter now.  We 
> need one more big (6'10 or bigger) body. Either via free agency 
> or trade. That's our Achilles heel. I'm sorry if that moves list 
> darlings Davis and Powe lower on the depth chart, but if those 
> two have significant roles (especially at C, less so at PF) we're 
> a much weaker team.  They'll get their chance to in a couple 
> years.  Hopefully Pollard is that big, but even with him 
> overtures to get another vet big however necessary would be a 
> very good thing.
> 

I agree with this, except the part of Veal not being a 3-point shooter. He's not any kind of shooter. He wouldn't be able to hit Harry Whitington with a street sweeper if he was standing a foot away. My kids have better shooting form. 

What Veal is is a dorky, porky chump who happened to be passing through the gym while the varsity team was practicing and were a man short for a 5-on-5, so he unwittingly got drafted as a stand-in. If he weren't 6-9, he literally would be that guy, and in the NBA, he basically is that guy. I know he's treasured for the 'little things', but I need an electron microscope to see those things because they're so freakin' tiny. And I just don't know why they keep passing him the ball for jumpers. I've watched him warm up before games and counted his makes, and he couldn't hit  more than a quarter of his jumpers in a shootaround!

Anyway, not that I am ranting or anything...

Last night (and the previous game), we missed Perk a lot. As you say, Powe is willing, but not able due to his 6-7 frame and limited athleticism. Since the only viable backup to Perk is more or less permanently injured, I agree that another big man is priority #1. So, in a way, I'm glad that Ray Allen couldn't throw the ball into the Hudson if he was knee-deep in it last night, and others weren't much better. It exposed our shortcomings and I hope Ainge was watching. Even though the other Allen is a total space cadet, as clueless as ever, we have enough swingmen already. The PG is going to be another major issue unless Ainge parts with some of his treasured collection of Power 3s, Turbocharged 2s and Undersized 4s and does something to address these glaring needs at 1 and 5. 
(NB to the Management Worship Types: yes, I know it's part of the Grand Master Plan which we, niggling little worker bees, can't possibly see or appreciate, and it will all be revealed to us in due time. However, I would like to see even a tiny bit of evidence that the Supreme Leadership recognizes these structural flaws in the team.)
Kestas