Ainge Pleased With Workouts
by Jeff Clark on Sep 16, 2010 5:57 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics News & Links
Email
PrintHopefuls stage a talent show for Ainge - The Boston Globe
"McCants looked really good,’’ Ainge said. "He shot the ball well, he competed at a high level. I’m really surprised that he’s not in the NBA right now. "Same with Adam Morrison, making shots, making passes. The guys looked hungry, they looked fit. And that’s with Hassell and Mobley, too. Mobley, for being out of basketball the last couple years, the guy really knows how to play.’’
The name that interests me the most is Rashad McCants just because he's got such talent and even some history as Garnett's teammate. He hasn't been able to make the best use of that talent but that's why he's available this late in the offseason. It also fits the profile of guys that Danny brings in for camp invites. Remember Darius Miles?
Oh yeah, and going along with the carnival like theme of the offseason, McCants used to date Khloe Kardashian (now the wife of Lamar Odom). So there's that.
52 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
mccants
wonder if Mccants could beat out Wafer for the 15th spot. I don’t see Gody or Erden on the hot seat for the last spot but Wafer. I think West is even safer than Wafer. ha, just rhymed on that. The new Celtic catch phrase for the free agents in camp “Safer than Wafer”.
I'm wondering the same thing
They have similar games, to an extent. Known for their shooting and scoring, etc. Maybe Wafer isn’t on the hot seat, but it looks like he’ll have some extra competition, if nothing else, if McCants is invited to camp.
Delonte can play the 1 and 2
McCants seems like strictly a 2 to me. I also consider Wafer a 2, but at 6’5, maybe Danny thinks he can play some 3 in a pinch. McCants was a good shooter in college, has good form. I don’t recall him being a good defender, though I don’t recall him being a bad one either. To be honest McCants used to remind me of a smaller, poor man’s Jerry Stackhouse when in college. I really haven’t followed him in the NBA.
I like keeping Delonte on because of his ability to play some PG too. To me, if McCants gets an invite, it’s he and Wafer that are vying for the same spot. Then again, if Semih stinks it up in camp and/or pre-season, could be him that’s gone.
I really would prefer a 3 with some size though.instead of more 6’3, 6’4 guys.
doubleplusungoodthinker
McCants might make Gaffney making team more possible.
I think Delonte is safer than Wafer because Delonte can play some PG too.
I’m not comfortable with the tag team of Luke/Wafer as 3rd string SF. If Danny thinks McCants is a better 2 than Wafer, maybe he keeps McCants as a 2, keeps West as a utility 1/2, waives Wafer, and brings in/keeps a bigger backup 3 (possible opportunity for Gaffney).
doubleplusungoodthinker
Not enough spots.
Their at 15 now, meaning if McCants stays on, another player has to get waived as well as Wafer. Erden is really the only other possible cut, and that seems highly unlikely. Unless West blows a gasket again during training camp, it’ll be between Gaffney, Lafayette, Wafer, and any other camp invites that are possible (McCants, Morrison, etc…)
You're probably right. Numerically challenged am I.
I’m like a dog with a bone wanting to get a bigger backup 3 in here, which is why I wish that Danny were bringing in a couple of those instead of more 6’3, 6’4 guys.
I don’t really think Erden merits a spot on the team, but the fact that we have only ancient Shaq, and injury prone JO as true centers (and he’s under contract, albeit a minimum one) probably make his chances of making the team great. I honestly was not impressed with him at all, and think other team’s final cut bigs may well be better than him, but we do need a third center, whether it’s him or somebody else.
doubleplusungoodthinker
Erden shows promise.
But yes, insurance at Center, but for now, and in the future, tends to get valued much higher. He showed some solid stuff in the World Championships, so I think there’s potential there. But he obviously has a long way to go to be a viable big man in the NBA.
I don't think he looks promising.
But he might make the team anyway.
Moot point that it is, since he signed with Phoenix already, but I think that an end of bencher journeyman type, like Dwayne Jones that we had a couple of years back would be a better 3rd center than Semih. Euroleague might be a little better than the D-League, but Jones averaged 17.6 points and 16 rebs per game in the D-League. I seriously doubt Semih could have done anything remotely close to that.
I suspect that there’ll be a number of final cut guys from other teams, or even D-Leaguers for that matter, that would show as much or more promise than Semih. Just not impressed with him, but I do hope your more optimistic view of him turns out to be the more accurate, and we do need a third center.
doubleplusungoodthinker
mccants
the reason he’s gone team to team to cant find a team is becuase he plays zero defense, takes bad shots and has been deemed uncoachable. i dont want him on the team
"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
im gonna be all up on you like a spider monkey!
i can just see delonte west winning a game of poker against lebron, throwing down the cards he yells, "who's your daddy!"...."oh, sorry man"
by remembering9ergods on Sep 16, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
at least that was the knock on him in minny anyways
"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
im gonna be all up on you like a spider monkey!
i can just see delonte west winning a game of poker against lebron, throwing down the cards he yells, "who's your daddy!"...."oh, sorry man"
by remembering9ergods on Sep 16, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
0 defense?
I’ve actually heard almost the exact opposite about him. KG raved about him in Minnesota that he was an extremely tough defensive player and gritty guy.
He’s definitely caught a bad rap out there, not entirely sure why.
We’ll see what happens, it’s unlikely any of these guys make the team anyway.
It's wishful thinking, but I'd like somebody who's great in at least one area. Preferably defense.
McCants strikes me as one of those guys that’re fairly good at everything, but haven’t any one great talent. On the other hand, Morrison, coming out of college, made you wonder if he might be that rare great outside shooter (like Ray Allen). But it appears he can’t do it in this league.
Morrison DID shoot well in college
Hard to believe he could even shoot 38% in the NBA.
by nba is the worst on Sep 16, 2010 8:59 AM EDT reply actions
sry Jeff, doesn't happen again ^_°
I guess and hope there is no need for Adam Morrison…. I could not accept a bust like him on my favorite team – I would rather take Harangody to our roster than Morrison… In the Case of McCants: we have enough good guys in the back court.
maybe size doesn't matter...
I thought Morrison would have the edge as he is 6’8" and can better back up Pierce. McCants is another 6’3" guy. But McCants plays tougher defense, similar to Tony Allen. If he is capable of defending 3’s like Tony, he should get the spot. Morrison is a poor defender, but maybe he can survive if he can play in our rotational defense. He was a great, gutsy shooter in college, not so much in the pros.
I keep hearing McCants plays defense similar to TA
I’ve never seen that happen. I don’t think he does.
TA really is an elite on ball defender. NBAtv has been playing last year’s playoff games on tv, and TA just did a remarkable job on Wade and James. McCants is not close to being that kind of defender. He may turn out to be a better option than Wafer, and that’s great, may the better man win, but he’s no TA on defense.
doubleplusungoodthinker
The similarity is this...
They’re both 6’4" with the strength to guard 3s and the quickness to guard 1s. TA has done a much much better job actually putting that potential to use on the basketball floor, probably because he quit playing for a lottery team and started playing on a defensive minded team with loads of veterans.
McCants has similar potential but attitude problems and playing on a bad team really haven’t brought out those latent talents.
I’ve been watching those replays on NBA-TV and TA’s defense was a thing of beauty. I’m still not sure how we’re going to replace that this season, but taking a chance on McCants probably represents the best chance of doing so. He’s motivated to show he’s matured and a team player, and we have a burning need for a defensive stopper at the 1, 2, and 3. Seems like a good gamble, IMO.
by SalmonAndMashedPotatoes on Sep 16, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Here's a trial balloon
I’ve been watching those replays on NBA-TV and TA’s defense was a thing of beauty. I’m still not sure how we’re going to replace that this season, but taking a chance on McCants probably represents the best chance of doing so. He’s motivated to show he’s matured and a team player, and we have a burning need for a defensive stopper at the 1, 2, and 3. Seems like a good gamble, IMO.
Yeah, I watched game 4 of the Cleveland series, and TA’s defense was insanely good. James could not beat him off the dribble at all (he went by KG like he was a fence post).
I still think TA is a rare exception at his size to be able to guard 3’s, and even the best 3s in the game. I just don’t see it in McCants. But, McCants might be a better 2 than either Delonte or Wafer. I was thinking that maybe we keep West as utility 1/2, keep McCants as a better 2 than Wafer, cut Wafer and keep a bigger defensive minded 3 (Gaffney or somebody else).
Danny sure has an interesting job.
doubleplusungoodthinker
The thing is...
Nobody thought TA could guard 3s. I mean nobody (myself excluded). But the physical skills were always there, latent and waiting for the right moment.
McCants also has latent defensive ability. He never really showed it playing on bad Wolves teams where he was more interested in getting his points than he was in shutting down guys. TA was the same way, and had circumstances been different, TA could have developed into an offensive player with defensive potential had he languished like McCants on a young, bad, directionless team. But he didn’t—he developed on a team that needed him to become a defensive stopper—and therefore he did.
Picking up players is like picking stocks—you want to find the low ones who are primed for a resurgence, while staying away from the ones that just had a career year or plateaued because they’re only going to go down. McCants, like TA this time last season, is primed for resurgence and the Celtics are the exact right situation for that to occur.
I wouldn’t worry about a strict backup 3—because Danny and Doc aren’t. We really don’t have the roster space anyway; we have 13 guaranteed contracts and two partials—Wafer and West. If McCants comes aboard, then Wafer or West won’t…and we’ll be right at 15 with no wiggle room. We may clear some roster space with a trade, but since most of the team came abroad as free agents or draft picks, we won’t be able to make a trade until Dec. 15. So I’m pretty sure we’re going to start the season with no legitimate backup 3; that is, unless Gaffney shocks the world.
So, like last year, we’ll enter the season with hope that Daniels or Wafer or McCants can show enough to be an occasional small forward on the 2nd unit. Each has the talent to do it, and I know I’d rather have talented, yet slightly short people playing somewhat out of position than have right sized low talent players in their place. McCants or Wafer or Daniels—one of those guys will have a good year and once again our backup 3 position will not be a worry. And if they don’t? We have ample opportunity to trade for one because this year we actually have tradeable assets on our bench (Nate, Avery, West, Baby, Erden, Harangody, etc…).
by SalmonAndMashedPotatoes on Sep 16, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
So, like last year, we’ll enter the season with hope that Daniels or Wafer or McCants can show enough to be an occasional small forward on the 2nd unit. Each has the talent to do it, and I know I’d rather have talented, yet slightly short people playing somewhat out of position than have right sized low talent players in their place. McCants or Wafer or Daniels—one of those guys will have a good year and once again our backup 3 position will not be a worry. And if they don’t? We have ample opportunity to trade for one because this year we actually have tradeable assets on our bench (Nate, Avery, West, Baby, Erden, Harangody, etc…).
Of Daniels, Wafer, and McCants, Daniels has sufficient length to play the 3, although he’s really slight of build. I don’t think McCants is comparable to TA. McCants had a sweet stroke even while in college. TA has always had a brutal J. TA, at 6’4, is almost unique in the NBA at being able to defend 3s at an elite level. Even when we stunk, TA could and did D up well. I wouldn’t mind bringing in McCants at all. He always reminded me of a smaller, slightly less talented Stackhouse when in college, and he did have a solid year on a crappy Minnesota team a couple of years ago, so I do think he’d be excellent value at minimum, as a two guard with decent offense and a nice jumper, and decent defense too. Very nice value.
TA is kind of a freak at his size to be able to play that kind of defense against much bigger opponents. I just haven’t seen anything to suggest that McCants could come remotely close to being able to d up big 3s like TA can. I think he’ll be strictly a 2, and that’s fine, because he may be a better two than either Delonte or Wafer. I think Wafer has a better chance at getting some minutes at the 3 than McCants would if he makes the team, because Wafer is slightly taller and heavier than McCants, and just as athletic.
Daniels is very injury prone, and we’ve been pretty fortunate that PP has remained by and large injury free for the last 3 years. Will that luck continue? Who knows, but I’d sure feel better if we had another 3 with legitimate size who can play. We’ll probably go with the tag team of Luke/Wafer, depending on matchups, as our 3rd string SF for the time being.
I agree with your list of trade chips with the exception of including Baby. He’s our only legit backup PF (he’s certainly our only young and energetic one), and Garnett probably won’t play more than 28-29 mins per game, so I don’t think Baby will be going anywhere, even if we do need to trade for an SF. The only other caveat about trade chips would be that if Nate or Robinson were included in a deal to get an SF, I’d also want a PG back. Just don’t like having only two PGs on the team.
doubleplusungoodthinker
Meant Nate or Delonte
doubleplusungoodthinker
Morrison to me is just....a bust
BUT!!!! it does not hurt to have tryouts though….competition is alwats good
I am way behind as I had no idea Mccants was even in camp…..
Is it Soup Yet?
I'm still hoping to read your interview with Delonte!
by nba is the worst on Sep 16, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Morrison can't defend an NBA position
McCants is a goofball.
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
Remember
We still have the option of picking up Gaffney. Could do a decent job if/when Quis gets injured.
by BlackWhiteGreen on Sep 16, 2010 10:12 AM EDT reply actions
You wont find a harder worker.
Gaffney is a clear intangibles player, he’ll leave his heart on the court and sweat blood for you every minute he plays. You gotta root for the guy, and I would love to see him on this team.
The guys the epitome of Celtics basketball, hard work, grit, determination. I fully believe, right now, he is bar none the best SF defender of any of the “bubble” players we’re talking about.
I do have to say
That Gaffney’s been on the team since before the playoffs started, along with Lafayette. Even if neither gets on the roster, it’s clear Danny saw SOMETHING in these guys. Gaffney can fill a role right now for the team if he shows he deserves it over all the other bench players.
McCants is an NBA talent
McCants has always had the talent to be a star, he’s just never had the attitude. He was essentially blackballed from the league last year because of it.
This would be his last shot, and he knows it. I would happily risk a non-guaranteed contract to find out.
Invite them to camp, mobley, mcants, hassel, though morrison can go eat a big one, which must be why MJ is callin him.
I just dont feel like West is on a hot seat, but in reality the best 15 players are gonna make this team, that could mean everyone including All 3 rookies, quisy, wafer and west better play real good especially defensively in camp. I could easily see McCants replace Wafer and i would have no problem with it, have always liked Mobley too, and he is probably motivated by the Portland/d.Milesesque way of getting forced off a team wanting salary cap space. At the very least it will make for a very exciting camp, pushing everyone to play their best.
by Warrior Spirit on Sep 16, 2010 10:21 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Agreed.
It should make the preseason pretty interesting. No chance all 4 of those guys gets invites though. At best 2 do, and my money is on Morrison and McCants (we need wing players, no other way around it.)
I don’t think either makes the team though, smart money is on Wafer winning out, and all of the non-guaranteed deals and camp invites getting cut. Although I’ll be pulling for Gaffney, it’s definitely an outside shot.
but in reality the best 15 players are gonna make this team
No, they won’t. The players with large guaranteed contracts + the best of the remaining lot will make the team.
If any of these guys show up and are clearly better than Erden, Wafer, or West, contract or not.
Then those guys would get cut, I don’t doubt it. So yes, the best 15 will make the team.
And there’s not a single player with a fully guaranteed large contract (like Harangody and Bradley, who clearly have to be considered in that 15, contract or not) who is not among the “best 15.”
So yes, the best 15 players will make the team.
wow....
Here we are debating the 15th spot on the roster…….We have come a long way my friends……….and by ‘a long way’, I mean better than 5 years ago when we were arguing Ricky Davis for Wally world……yikes….i don’t miss those days…….
Has Anyone Seen Wafer Play??
The way most of the posters talk about Wafer it appears to me that they have never watched this guy play more than two games.
I recall watching him two years ago with the Rockets and he was a force. He is very athletic, decent range and has terrific acceleration.
Take a look at any of his You Tube videos and you can see his potential.
McCann’s is streaky and couldn’t hold onto a starting job with a terrible Timberwolves team.
Mario West is a no better and the average tenth to twelfth player.
By the way Gaffney has ZERO offensive ability. He will languish in the D-league.
You make some good observations, but who the heck is Mario West?
If you mean Delonte, then I have to disagree. Delonte is good enough to start on about half the teams in the league, if his head is in the game and not on his guns or his teammate’s moms.
I agree that Delonte is good enough to start at 2 on about half the teams - the bad half.
He’s perfectly average overall at either the 1 or the 2. Stellar and neither. His only real plus as a bball player is that he can swing between those two spots.
But we are already deep at PG with two pure PGs who are definitely better (Rondo & Nate) and a combo guard (Bradley) who has far, far more potential. So I just don’t see much value in Delonte’s ability to play the 1.
And at the 2, I’m sorry, but Wafer looks like a better option. He’s taller, has a nicer jump shot and can potentially swing to the 3, which is where we need depth. The only edge I’d give West over Wafer at the SG spot is experience. But in terms of raw physicals, Wafer looks more interesting to me. If Wafer plays like he did in 2009 for the Rockets, then he looks FAR more interesting to me. And then we also have that young combo guard I mentioned above who, again, has far more upside than all these guys. I just don’t see a lot of room for West at the 2 either.
I feel for Delonte’ and don’t wish him bad. But I don’t feel the same love to have him on this team that a few others on this blog have. He’s not bad. I just don’t think he’s a great fit for the roster.
Now, both Wafer and West both come with a history of issues and either of them could flake out. Wafer is going to have a small auditioning window while West is suspended. He’ll have that period to take ahold of this job or lose it. If he’s a flake, I expect Doc will let him go and insert West coming off the suspension. If Wafer’s back in his Rocket’s form, then I would not at all be surprised to see West cut loose.
In other words, the final resolution of this question is ultimately going to come down to just how well Wafer plays during West’s suspension.
I hear you and I agree. My only contention was that Delonte is better than a "tenth or twelfth" player. BUT
my point was pointless anyway, because now I know that Mario West is a real person, and that’s who BigT was talking about, not Delonte. I just had never heard of Mario West before. My bad.
gaffney go himself a j this summer
so he says
from realgmThe Celtics have invited former UMass star Stephane Lasme, Southern Indiana’s Jamar Smith and LSU’s Chris Johnson to training camp, according to sources.
Boston already has 15 players under contract for the 2010-11 season, making it unlikely that any camp invitees will make the regular-season roster.
The Celtics worked out Adam Morrison, Rashad McCants, Cuttino Mobley, and Trenton Hassell this week.
HARDLYYARDLEY
yeah, most camp invitees are simply there to provide bodies for scrimmages
once in a blue moon, somebody impresses enough to beat out a contracted player. But that is rare.
The invitees get a nice paycheck and good experience.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on CelticsBlog
Related FanShots on CelticsBlog
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics
- The 10-man rotation, starring the Flaming Lips singin’ about the Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Philadelphia 76ers? Gone till November
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics
- Metta World Peace wishes everyone a happy Labor Day on Memorial Day
