Finley An Option?

I have always respected Michael Finley as a player. He is for the most part a class act. I am not sure he has anything left, but if he can come in and hit the open J, play team D for 15 mpg, help Eddie House and the large 3 keep the young fellas in line and be a good bench leader? I add him to the roster until at least the All Star break.

I still think we need a big for depth worse than a wing. 8)

I’d rather give Tony Allen the opportunity. Tony’s a better player who could contribute a lot more than Finley.

If Finely would agree to come here to play second fiddle to Tony and provide some insurance for TA I’d be happy with that.

Would rather keep the 15th spot open until we see what our needs are. I think a veteran backup big to play under the basket is a more pressing need come playoff time than Finley.

An interesting idea, since we don’t have the spot-up shooting from a bigger player than Posey gave us. I totally disagree that a) he’s done and b) Tony Allen is a better player. He’d be fine for 15 minutes to spread the floor and he’s not going to leak turnovers like TTA.

However, signing O’Blount makes another big the pressing need and handicaps us from bringing in someone like Finley.

Finley would be a great addition…He’d be left wide open with GPA on the court-and he’s all net when he’s wide open.

Posey gave us about 8 points a game. I think TA can score 8 points a game. But, the thing with Posey (scoring only) is that he was able to hit big shots at important times. He could also make his free throws at the end of games. I don’t think Finley gives us all the intangibles Posey did. As to TA, I don’t think he’s a “turnover machine”. He needs to play the 2 or 3 and play on instinct. His troubles came when he played the point and when he didn’t have long periods of playing time. With regular playing time, which he should be able to get, I think we’ll see what we really have in TA.

I’m with Who and True Green. COMMIT to Tony and he can keep his head problems at bay and he’s skilled enough. Not much of a 3 pt threat but a better defender than Finley, I think. Keep the 15th spot open unless O’Bryant is a complete bust. I hope not but we will need a backup big if he doesn’t pan out.

NO to Finley. He is definitely done. Besides, I don’t want any of Tony’s minutes going to Finley.

They could use another 3 point shooter Finley or Devan George. Finley would want to much money and George being 6 ft 8" 235 lbs 30 years old and a all around player and reasonable money. I still think their is a trade coming from the Celtics bench to get the FA they need.

Let’s stand pat with what we have right now. I too want to see if Tony can be productive if he feels he has a significant and established role. By the same reasoning, I also want a backup role for O’Bryant when the Celtics are facing centers too tall for Powe or Davis. Then, if needed, Ainge can see about bringing in someone late in the season.

finley was way good and now 35 year old good. tony’s knees aint that bad. we need a 5 or a 4. we got the rest. what’s up wit danny not signing the rooks?

Sorry, I’m not in love with pathologically lazy, disinterested players like O’Blount. This guy was whipped regularly in college, and he’s going to contribute to a championship team? Danny’s flat out wrong on this guy. You can’t fix lazy, and if he ends up as anything but cut, Clifford Ray should go directly to the “contributor” wing of the Basketball HOF.

If Clifford Ray can turn O Bryant into a player he deserves at least equal pay with Doc and I’d happily give it to him. It would be a phenomenal achievement. O Bryant belongs in a rec-league.

Patrick O’Bryant,

I would love to know what Aran Smith thinks about O’Bryant today.

NBA Comparison: Brad Daugherty
Strengths: Classic late bloomer … Bigman with excellent upside … Huge frame with extremely long arms (likely close to 7-6 wingspan) … Very good agility for a 7 footer, light on his feet … Not afraid of contact, good strength and improving rapidly … Runs the court and moves very well, also quick getting into transition … Should be able to carry another 20-30 pounds … Great shot blocker, doesn’t get overzealous. Can block a lot of shots without jumping … Excellent rebounder … Has good touch on his shot, solid free throw shooter … Works hard to establish position under the basket … Has developed some solid post moves … Displays good footwork … Has a very good turnaround jump hook … Soft hands on rebounds …
Weaknesses: Needs to get bigger, stronger, tougher … Still growing into his body, gets banged around due to lack of body strength, but he’s working hard in the weight room to improve upon it and showing great progress … Bigmen take the longest to develop … He’s still getting used to his body and learning what he’s capable of … Body balance is weak, will improve in time with added strength … Not a tremendous leaper, but above average for a 7 footer … Must get nastier on the court, develop a killer instinct …

Notes: Was not heavily recruited coming out of high school … Suspended by the NCAA for the first 8 games of his sophomore season due to getting paid for work he didn’t do while on his summer job.

Aran Smith – 1/3/2006