Offer Made To Lue?

by Jeff Clark on Jul 15, 2008 8:59 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Rumors

The main competition for Lue remains Boston, which also is believed to be offering a one-year veteran minimum deal worth $1.26 million. Suns center Shaquille O'Neal has called Lue, his friend and former teammate, to make a recruiting pitch, but Lue also is longtime friends with Boston star Kevin Garnett. Lue stays at Garnett's Malibu home each summer for workouts.

The Suns made Lue their top free-agency target. They have a payroll limitation to offer only a minimum deal.

I'm not sure if a formal offer was made or if the Celtics just made it be known that they are interested in Lue at the league minimum, but there seems to be legit interest by the Celtics. Of course, Lue seems to have an odd way of going about this stuff. He's acting like he's being recruited by colleges and all he has to do is pick one.

In fact, he seemed to pick the Heat the other day, even scheduling a physical on Monday. The only problem: Miami wasn't ready to give him a contract. I can see why he would want to go to Miami where there's little competition in his way (see Banks, Marcus). But just last week he said "I think we're going to get it done in Phoenix." We'll see.

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Let’s see, Phoenix is pleasant in the winter, but Shaq’s looking pretty old. And I would like to win a championship. Wonder when Ainge is going to call me?

by no kidding on Jul 15, 2008 9:09 AM EDT reply actions

Honestly, I’d rather gamble on Shaun Livingston than offer Lue a contract.

by KungPoweChicken on Jul 15, 2008 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

I’ll take Eddie House, thank you.

by Bankshot on Jul 15, 2008 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

My guess is Eddie wants 2 or 3 years and Danny only wants to give him 1 and Posey only 2. >:( This is why he’s after Lue for a one year deal.

I’d rather have House for 2 years than Lue for even one.

by Bankshot on Jul 15, 2008 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

agree with Bankshot

by Brickowski on Jul 15, 2008 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

Lue looks like a mall rat…no thanks.

I’ve never been impressed with his game…too short also.

by mcpu40 on Jul 15, 2008 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

lue is serviceable, more of a point than eddie, but i like eddie’s toughness and hustle.

by nazzbo on Jul 15, 2008 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

Also agree with Bankshot. Don’t know how to make all the money work but Eddie deserves more than vet’s minimum. If Eddie could come in at 2yrs, $5.0 mil it seems like a decent value. Even 3 yrs, $6 mil. Posey at 3 years full MLE seems fair to me as well. they are both “glue” guys.
But we aren’t the only ones who know that the Scalabrine deal just didn’t work. Danny knows it too. Over-reacting to a player’s good year often backfires. Knicks are bloated expample of that.

by Wildblu1 on Jul 15, 2008 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

I haven’t seen enough of Lue play, but numbers-wise he’s an equal 3 point shooter to Eddie and I know he’s a better ball-handler. House supporters, what am I missing? Is Lue lacking in the hustle department compared to Eddie? Defense?

by libermaniac on Jul 15, 2008 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

House showed me a lot this season, especially late.
I’d bring him back in exactly one heartbeat.

Lue can go to Emerald Square.

by mcpu40 on Jul 15, 2008 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

I’m with the majority here: House for 2 years > Lue for one year

by Jeff Clark on Jul 15, 2008 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

In the words of Hyman Roth in Godfather Part 2, Ty Lue is “small potatoes.” He’s not what we need.

by The Real Large James on Jul 15, 2008 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

Lue is actually a better player than House. Faster, much, much better ball handler, equal shooter, better play-maker. I like Eddie but there is a reason he has been on a billion teams in his career. He’s just not that good at anything besides a spot-up shooter. Lie is a better all-around player…

by JHTruth on Jul 15, 2008 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

Why has everyone forgotten how huge Eddie was for us this year? His energy, defense, hustle and ICE COLD shooting can not be replaced.

If Danny fails to re-sign both Eddie and James, I will be extrememly disapointed.

by D Dub on Jul 15, 2008 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with JHTruth: Lue is a better all around player. Lue shoots the 3 well, and can run the offense, plus break the press.

Sentimental reasons I go with the House (“You can’t leave the House”), but Lue would help the team at point more.

So go with Lue.

…and, if possible, bring back Eddie for insurance.

by JAM on Jul 15, 2008 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

I think Lue may be a better ballhandler, but I think Eddie is a better fit with the Celtics. I think Eddie is a better defender (people have said Lue was a good defender, but I haven’t seen it). I also like Eddie’s hustle and his intangibles. Plus, Eddie is a bit younger.

We won with Eddie, I’d like to get him and Posey back and see if this team can bring home another title.

Tyron Lue? Booooooooooooooooooooooooo!

by Bankshot on Jul 15, 2008 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

Just play Pruitt as the back-up PG. Eddie or Lue can receive garbage minutes. Regardless, the key is Rondo’s health.

by DJ to Bird on Jul 15, 2008 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

For all those “I’ll take Eddie House, thank you” sayers: [url=http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2008_07_15_Eddie_House_builds_case:_Hopes_to_stay_Green/srvc=celt&position=2]House wants more money than last year and multiple years[/url], and I’m not quite sure if a 120% raise is adequate. Lue would come one third cheaper, and the options would be open for next year. Although I like Eddie House more than Lue, I just don’t see Ainge giving him the type of contract he wants, whereas Lue would come for the minimum.

by P_two on Jul 15, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t know why so many people here are so unenthusiastic about the possibility of Lue replacing House. Lue is a better ball handler (imagine that – a backup point guard we can trust with the ball), a better defender, and he can shoot the ball himself. I think losing Eddie and bringing in Lue would be an upgrade.

by CelticBalla32 on Jul 15, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

Kevin Garnett said; “He is part of this team,” I agree with Kevin’s assertion of Posey and also include House in that sentiment. No Lue. Certainly and ABSOLUTELY no Marbury!

by 1sport1team on Jul 15, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

im goin with the majority. HUGE eddie $$$ fan. hes a great fit on this team. i think the ballhandling issue is overblown and i think a bench backcourt rotation of he, giddens and pruitt off the bench would be solid this year. id want eddie back even moreso if we dont bring posey back for continuity as well as for how he set an example off the bench last year.

by bucknersrevenge on Jul 15, 2008 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

What it comes down to is what premium you pay (2 years?) to bring back the guy you know helped you win vs. what is probably the better overall PG (Lue). I’ll go with the majority here too and say the slightly longer commitment to House is worth it. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

by Surferdad on Jul 15, 2008 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

What were the comparibles in FG % and 3 pt %? I always felt Eddie was a great shooter but often didn’t see it when watching. Maybe I’m imagining. Maybe he shot better than I thought.

by celty86 on Jul 15, 2008 6:42 PM EDT reply actions