A fitting contrast to my biggest summer Celtics’ disappointment (Stiemsma non-signing), is a player who accepted less than he made last year to continue his career with the Green. As opposed to Greg’s one year of NBA experience, this candidate boasts a 10 year career and is only 3 years older. He will play this season for $1.35M after making $3M per year for the past three years. Admittedly he has already raked in $37.5M in his decade of play vs. the paltry $0.76M Stiemsma garnered in his only NBA season, but still our returning Celtic is taking a cut of over a million and a half dollars. (And I am still anguished that Greg wasn’t signed for a million dollar raise–ggrrrrrrr.)
Dateline: August 6, 2012––55 days until the start of training camp!
But money is far from the only reason I favor this signing as the most underrated. I occasionally cast eyes on Chris Wilcox long before he joined Boston. His obvious athleticism and size caught your attention, then just as rapidly you found yourself shaking your head over his bonehead plays, lapses in focus, undisciplined shot selection, and childish behavior. I admit I had reservations when Danny brought him aboard last year. But Wilcox did what so many of Danny’s gambles failed to do, he sat up straight, played hard and played smart. Chris found his maturity, and his role in green, at just the right time. Then, just when he began to fit in and develop some chemistry with his point guard—uh, better take a seat, it appears that you might die at any moment.
Fast forward six months and aorta repaired, Chris has been cleared to resume basketball activity. When he accepted a vet min contract to resume his tenure in green, I was almost beside myself (couldn’t have been though, cause I looked and I wasn’t there). The Celtics’ depth is most shallow, and the potential rotation combinations most murky, along the front line. Going in to the season, Wilcox is no lower than third among the Boston big men, and some would place him above Bass. He’s probably the primary backup at both center and power forward. Since he can only play one at a time, I think we will all be riveted by the competition for that fourth rotation slot. That will likely be the best camp battle and Doc Rivers’ jigsaw puzzle challenge, and also the one most likely to change over the course of the season. But without Chris Wilcox, we would be anxiously dreading how two newcomers (from a trio including one limited veteran and two rookies) could emerge to adequately fill those minutes.
I agree that Wilcox may be the most underrated signing this off season. Just before his surgery he and Rondo were establishing a great connection and he was playing very well. I’d love to see him pick up where he left off.
It may just be me, but I’d like to see another big on the roster. We already have 16 and either Christmas or Smith needs to be waived to get to 15 but I’m not so sure we shouldn’t fill that final spot with a big. Blatche is still out there and could benefit from some time with KG.
I have that same urge to add a big. Problem is with Bradley’s surgeries Christmas might actually be needed. Dislike Smith, volume shooting seems to be his only talent. Blatche would be a real risk IMHO–too flaky, world-class bonehead. Maybe on a non-guaranteed contract?
Glas
August 21, 2012, 9:08 pm
I think if Wilcox works out then another big will not be needed, if everyone stays healthy of course. While the obvious size/potential of Blatche may be tempting, his character is such that I never want to see him in green, unless he should make an extremely dramatic improvement. The team concept the C’s are built around does not need to add size for the sake of size.
I agree that Wilcox may be the most underrated signing this off season. Just before his surgery he and Rondo were establishing a great connection and he was playing very well. I’d love to see him pick up where he left off.
I’m really curious to see how the roles play out at the 4/5.
It may just be me, but I’d like to see another big on the roster. We already have 16 and either Christmas or Smith needs to be waived to get to 15 but I’m not so sure we shouldn’t fill that final spot with a big. Blatche is still out there and could benefit from some time with KG.
I have that same urge to add a big. Problem is with Bradley’s surgeries Christmas might actually be needed. Dislike Smith, volume shooting seems to be his only talent. Blatche would be a real risk IMHO–too flaky, world-class bonehead. Maybe on a non-guaranteed contract?
I think if Wilcox works out then another big will not be needed, if everyone stays healthy of course. While the obvious size/potential of Blatche may be tempting, his character is such that I never want to see him in green, unless he should make an extremely dramatic improvement. The team concept the C’s are built around does not need to add size for the sake of size.