TA thoughts

[mark at 10thumbs.org]

> > (the other) Mark
> >
> > About Walker as a possibility to overseas, from an article grading
> > the draft from draftexpress. I do not agree
> > with draftexpress about walker if he is healthy. He is
> > a stud. and will be a rotation player sooner not later.
>
>thanks RHowe -- and i agree, no reason to send him overseas,

Actually three reasons to do it, although I shouldn't think it likely.
a) it's the only way to free up his roster spot to use on a more
immediate need (e.g. backup center) while retaining his rights. I
know we're likely to have other spots open up, but for example, this
would be a way to justify keeping Tony for another year while still
leaving Pollard's and PJ's sports for big man help, etc and some sort
of replacement for Posey and / or House with their spots if either depart.
b) luxury tax games - lets you keep his rights while avoiding paying
him a salary that counts against the tax
c) get him more PT than he'll get in Boston. Of course you can do
that one at the NBA DL, but he'd still occupy a roster spot and count
against the cap, and that wouldn't happen if you convince him to go overseas
-------------------

I feel like i should probably insert one of those complex IF A, THEN B NOT
C equations here...but i'm not smart enough.

I know the theorhetical advantages for "sending" Walker overseas and in a
perfect world I guess it would be advantageous.  But left out of the
equation is that Walker has to agree -- which is what i see as the
greatest obstacle after it being unnecessary.

You've made Point (a), roster spot needed, in the Pit i think Kim.  But I
think (b) trumps that -- but i think you've got it reversed.  Paying
Walker even $500K out of the MLE is cheaper than any other player you can
add, so luxury tax concerns IMO actually work in his favor.

We've got 10 guys under contract for next season (or soon to be in
Giddens' case):

Rondo/Pruitt
R. Allen/Giddens
Pierce/Scal
Garnett/Powe/BBD
Perkins

Backup Center
Backup PG
Backup Wing
Backup Wing
#15 player

Walker could be a backup Wing if we can't sign Posey and/or Allen, could
be the #15 guy, etc.  The roster is tight, but Walker sounds to be much
more talented than his salary slot would be ($500k), so that may give him
the edge over T. Allen -- for the lux tax reasons you stated.

------------------
Not disagreeing with you here --- but this is exactly why i'm
>mystified about people's concerns with Eddie House as backup PG.
>True he has trouble with some of the league's better backcourt
>defenders, but he *does* get the ball across half court quickly and
>initiates the offense.

Er, no. He did earlier in the season, and very well. He got away from
that much of the second half. That's part of why the benching for
Sam, at least at first, vs their splitting minutes more - Sam didn't
look great, but Eddie shad been showing most of the same faults
(offense ground to a total halt while he was in there) and at least
getting Sam max PT then might pay playoff dividends. It didn't really
and I don't know why the benching went on so long, but people were
wistfully remembering the House of early season, not late season when
they were begging for him. As Grande said on JB's show, it's the
nobody is more popular than the backup QB sitting on the bench syndrome.
------------

I'll put myself in the category of not remembering the offense grinding to
a halt when Eddie came in during the 2nd half of the season... so i'll
take your word for it.

I'll also suggest that the constant harping on the need for a 2nd PG --
which started in the preseason --- became, IMO a self-fulfilling prophecy,
with folks throwing the baby (eddie's shooting) out with the bathwater
(lack of true PG skills).

-------------------
>I think Doc showed that one way to go is to play House with Ray Allen
>or Pierce and let them handle the ball for the 15-20 mins he's on the
>court *if* he's being overpressured.

Please, Ray yes, and Pierce has improved his handle but he's still
not your top ball handling option.

----------

Oh god no, of course not.  We're debating 3rd PG, emergency mins.  I'd
rank folks this way:

Rondo
House
R. Allen
Pierce
...
Perkins
T.Allen

:)

-----------


>  His outside shooting is so
>undervalued on this team.... i really hope teh C's resign him

Actually I do too. And don't forget to mention that he played much
more respectable defense than anyone thought he could.
Kim

-----------

right.  most will remember Ray Allen hitting that terrific game winner in
Charlotte -- but lost on it will be (a) Pierce passing up a tough shot to
a more open R.Allen and (b) more importantly Eddie House not giving up on
the play and getting the deflection that led to Pierce's pass.

(the other) mark