Worth A Shot

by Jeff Clark on Jul 11, 2008 8:56 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Articles

My first impressions of the Patrick O'Bryant signing were less than enthusiastic. But since this is the summer of love, and since I can talk myself into anything (Kedrick, you let me down!) here's some reasons why Patrick O'Bryant just might work out.

Clifford Ray makes silk from a sow's ear. Al Jefferson always knew how to score, but he couldn't get on the court until he could at least look less-than-lost on defense. Kendrick Perkins was the definition of raw when he was drafted. He made exponential progress under Ray. Leon Powe and Glen Davis are undersized power forwards that thrived (at times) on a Championship squad. Whatever talents O'Bryant has will be honed. Whatever weaknesses he has, will be worked on. Don't worry about his conditioning. Ray will have him running wind sprints from now till opening day if that is what it takes.
Like with Perkins, we don't need him to score. We need him to rebound and play defense. I don't know if he can do either of those things, but he's reportedly a good shot blocker, so that's something. Plus he's athletic enough to blitz the pick and roll and sprint back to his spot on the baseline (which Perkins has mastered by the way). He's tall and long and should be able to at least put his hand on a few shots in the paint.
Low risk, high potential reward. Hey, we weren't the ones to waste a draft pick on the guy. I'm sure he's not eating up much cap room. If all goes right, we could have a real bargain. If all goes wrong, cut bait and move on.
The biggest knock on the guy is his lack of work ethic and intensity. Enter Kevin Garnett's crazy eyes and insane work ethic. You think KG is going to let this guy waltz through practice? Either he'll run like he's never run before, or Garnett will stuff him into a locker and we'll never hear from him again.
O'Bryant replaces Scot Pollard. So if he plays more than 22 games (or 173 minutes, whatever comes first), then he's already an upgrade! Clearly he doesn't replace PJ Brown, but maybe we can get PJ to repeat his un-retirement trick again next year.

So there you have it. We can't go wrong!

If nothing else, I'm happy to have something else to talk about instead of a daily Posey-watch.

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by Champzilla on Jul 11, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

Lol. Love the positivity Jeff. I’m much too much of a “realist” on these things.

For whatever it’s worth, O’Bryant has yet to come close to 173 minutes in a season. Let’s not mark him down as a Pollard upgrade just yet. ;)

by Roy_Hobbs on Jul 11, 2008 9:12 PM EDT reply actions

Comcast just said maybe Marbury if he gets bought out.

by Champzilla on Jul 11, 2008 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

Thing is, we have him for the absolute lowest salary we can give him, and it’s only really a one-year commitment (since the second year is entirely a team option). In the realm of the salaries we’ve got thus far, we can swallow the $300K-$400K he’d cost us if he doesn’t pan out.

Frankly, I expect him to be nothing more than a guy who can give some minutes to the cause if we’re playing against some big centers. I’m probably one of the few who thinks Powe is just fine as a backup to Perk in most situations.

by BUTerrier on Jul 11, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions

Someone is going to have to inject this guy with a BIG dose of “want to,” because he’s never shown it – not even in college.

by CoachBo on Jul 11, 2008 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

Well said, Jeff !

by DAS on Jul 11, 2008 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

I figure Glen Davis and Leon Powe are going to be given considerable minutes this year at both the 4 and 5 spots. Then Ainge will resign them both, and trade one of them off as part of a bigger deal, or for a draft pick. And by then, Ainge will know if young Mr. O’Bryant can handle major minutes as a backup center or not. Seems like a good way to go.

by no kidding on Jul 11, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

That is correct, he is replacing Scot Pollard, and not PJ Brown. We should look to Kurt Thomas to fill that role.

But we’re talking 14th man here…

…though hear me out. He could still upgrade to PJ Brown’s role if he gets his act together. But that possibility still somehow doesn’t seem certain, even with KG overseeing and making sure he doesn’t give anything short of his 100%.

Sadly enough, 100% effort may still = scrub.

by TradeProposalDude on Jul 11, 2008 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

Kedrick “you let me down” Brown

by bleedingreen on Jul 11, 2008 11:52 PM EDT reply actions

I like the Pollard replacement spin. That’s the one that sold me. You go, Jeff!

by dobbs on Jul 12, 2008 12:04 AM EDT reply actions

Why can’t this also be viewed as what Danny did prior to last summer? He gathered as many chips as possible and then made trades. You can’t teach height, and if O’Bryant makes even minimal contributions, he’ll be of some value in a trade.

Also, given that we don’t have a first round pick next year, we end up getting two seniors and a sophomore this summer (Giddens, O’Bryant, and Walker – based on their ages). If one of those three work out, then it’s a good draft.

It’s a no risk, potential high reward move.

by amenhotep04 on Jul 12, 2008 12:11 AM EDT reply actions

Kirk Snyder and Tyronn Lue are next. Just watch.

by DJ to Bird on Jul 12, 2008 6:15 AM EDT reply actions

I really dislike the use of the term “undersized” when referring to basketball players. I mean, Spud Webb, Mugsey Bogues, Charles Barkley, and even Bill Russell were all shorter the the norm for those positions, but, I’d have to say they played them pretty well.

If a guy knows how to play ball, then he will, no matter how tall or what position.

by boscel33 on Jul 12, 2008 6:41 AM EDT reply actions

the last wasted lottery pick,lazy big stiff that we picked up from Golden State worked out OK…or another Joe Barry???…let’s hope closer to Parish…lol…never know…no risker as they say

by Motown on Jul 12, 2008 7:52 AM EDT reply actions

If he survives the first week of camp with KG,Perk and Clifford I’ll be surprised…if he makes it to week two we should plan a parade… ;D

by Fastbreak on Jul 12, 2008 8:20 AM EDT reply actions

I think people are underestimating his potential, but that’ll keep the expectations down—and probably be helpful in his development here.

by clover on Jul 12, 2008 8:38 AM EDT reply actions

Certainly has been a stiff so far. But in today’s Globe he man upped about not working hard and my guess is Danny saw maturity appearing in a 7 ft body, a low, low stock price, and a good physical training, teaching (C. Ray) and mentoring (KG etc) system to plug him into. You want your Execs thinking that way because salary management is such a huge part of the job. Nice work Danny.

by Wildblu1 on Jul 12, 2008 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

I really like Danny’s moves, POB included. He doesn’t go after the guys in the draft, or FA that have “X” amount of talent—that may help some, but have no potential to get considerably better!
JR, BW, and POB all were either lottery picks, or supposed to be lottery picks at one time, but slid due to baggage! JR, off court, BW injuries, and now POB physical and intensity issues—none of which have to do with BB ability.
Now the stars don’t frequently all align, but if one or two of these guys suprise, Danny will again be looking like a genius!
As far as POB, from what I’ve seen in college, and his limited time at GS,(as well as some stuff on youtube),and reports from coaches he’s got great footwork, decent back to the basket moves, soft hands, a good touch(FT’s as well), and is a decent leaper and shot blocker! Come on guys, what do we expect?
CRay again will have a “pet project” which I think will get him stoked! Getting POB stoked will be up to KG and company! As skills and intensity come together, I think we’re gonna end up with a nice backup center—-and be a better team for it!

by OhioGreen on Jul 12, 2008 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

Randy Breuer was Nelson’s most accomplished center. Doesn’t say much.

Can’t be any worst than Pollard.

by Finkelskyhook on Jul 12, 2008 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

I’m excited because of what Clifford Ray has done with Perkins. When drafted, Perkins was poorly conditioned and unathletic, the Celtics even had to work on his running mechanics.

POB has had the benefit of two years of college and two pro years along with athleticism, something that Perkins lacked as he entered the Celtics organization.

I feel confident that Clifford Ray will make this deal a memorable one.

by DAS on Jul 12, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

This is a high reward, low risk deal.

As Brick said, the league was not high on Robert Parish either and that became a high reward deal.

by CfanMissippi on Jul 12, 2008 4:24 PM EDT reply actions

danny has his kg and ray trades and his pj pickups and good draft picks— but he has his dickaus and raefs and telfairs. my first impression is it’s a scal deal, but danny has been on a roll…

by nazzbo on Jul 12, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

I was hoping for Randolf Morris,a Kentucky guy who played with Rondo.
But our management must not think he is on a verge of a breakout and
and must think Obryant is better. Or could we have both to replace Pollard and P.J.

by perk on Jul 13, 2008 10:29 AM EDT reply actions