Stoudamire`s no sure thing: C`s eye Cassell

[BillessuR6]

The Celtics appear to be taking their time on Damon Stoudamire. At their current rate, the Celts may run out of time.

According to league sources, the Celts are checking out other possibilities and it

[hiphop1]

I agree waiting for Cassell would be the best bet. But qe run the risk of getting neither.

[darrendaye]

This isn't likely to be just a one year run and at the same time you want to take advantage of every chance you have at something special. I maintain that, unless Ainge somehow finds a subsequent House deal to his liking, Stoudamire doesn't make a great deal of sense. At best, Damon would be added to the PG mix and all three munchkins (RR/DS/EH) would split the 48 minutes at the position. I'm not saying that's terrible from an offensive standpoint, but then you're stuck with 2 turnstiles guarding the opposition's point guard for much of the night. Ray Allen is giving good effort on defense, but, he's not going to be a big help in constantly having to switch off.

Cassell is not only a better defender, but at 6'3, may allow you to go with a smaller, but not diminuative, backcourt at times.

Back to the timing aspect I started the post mentioning. If they hold out, miss on Damon, Cassell gets dealt elsewhere, and are left to go with what they've got, there's always the opportunity to sign Sam in the offseason. I have no issue with Ainge keeping the bar raised high and passing on Stoudamire, even if he gets burnt this season by Cassell staying in LA or dealt, rather than a buyout.

[theGreatRC]

Cassell would be HUGE for this team, especially on adding another vocal leader, + he is the only player besides Posey who would bring championship experience.

[Spin Move]

I think cassell would be better, but what if he doesnt get bought out? Or if he signs with phx? Unless danny is 90% sure he can get cassell i would get off my but and sign stoudamire cuz backup PG is a HUGE hole right now, rondo tweaked his ankle, mild sprain, but if he goes down in the playoffs we need someone who can finish a series quasi respectably at the PG spot we do not have that.

If we can get cassel, hold off on damon, but if we dont know sign damon

[EvadedHavoc]

Hey isnt Ainge all about risks anyways? My quarter says he's going to wait on Sam.

[Dogen]

Hey isnt Ainge all about risks anyways? My quarter says he's going to wait on Sam.

Mine too. And if we pass on an available Stoudemire for a chance at Cassell, doesn't that give Cassell a little extra incentive to go for the buyout and come here?

[celticfan42487]

This is all speculation. If DA is signing Stoud he'd say the exact same thing... wich is all of one sentence in two of these articles.

And that's I don't comment on free agents but understand the reason why I'm beign asked [aka aware of the team's weaknesses]


The ONLY reason Stoud is really important to this team imo is if we match up with DET in the ECF and he'd be our counter to Lindsey Hunter

[nasbahceltic]

Sam just fits this team too well. If we don't sign Stoudamire (which I don't think we will given Ainge's comments) I think thats an indication that Ainge is pretty sure Sam will be available to the team. Thats the only way I see him passing up this opportunity IMO.

[Collinto]

This is all speculation. If DA is signing Stoud he'd say the exact same thing... wich is all of one sentence in two of these articles.

And that's I don't comment on free agents but understand the reason why I'm beign asked [aka aware of the team's weaknesses]


The ONLY reason Stoud is really important to this team imo is if we match up with DET in the ECF and he'd be our counter to Lindsey Hunter

I disagree. The ONLY reason Stoud is really important to this team is if the next time someone steps on Rondo's ankle, it breaks. IMHO, he is Rondo injury insurance only. I doubt that he can take minutes from House or TA.

[hiphop1]

-= original quote snipped =-



I disagree. The ONLY reason Stoud is really important to this team is if the next time someone steps on Rondo's ankle, it breaks. IMHO, he is Rondo injury insurance only. I doubt that he can take minutes from House or TA.

He is having a solid year in Memphis in limited time. Better season than House or TA our having. Plus Lowry and Conley have said he has been a great mentor to them.

[Collinto]

-= original quote snipped =-



He is having a solid year in Memphis in limited time. Better season than House or TA our having. Plus Lowry and Conley have said he has been a great mentor to them.

Fair enough. But IMO we don't need a mentor. House and TA provide shooting and energy/defense off the bench, respectively. Stoud is not a better shooter than House, and TA's energy/defense off the bench is unique and not replacable by Stoud. I am not saying Stoud isn't a useful player, but being that this is the best start in team history, I can't see Doc pulling House even for a marginal increase in play. Now if Rondo, House or Allen get injurred, Stoud would be a great asset. Hence, my feel this is an insurance move. But if he can come in and truly outplay Hose and/or Allen, Hallelujah.

[meatball sub]

woo **** hoo!!!

[celticfan42487]

well Colin you are negating the very reason he'd be good insurance for a Rondo injury.. and that's because he can bring the ball up the floor.

And I said he'd be very imporant because of that in the playoffs against DET, who we all know unlike last game won't go an entire series without playing the diffrence maker Lindsey Hunter was against House/TA/Ray Allen's ball handling skills.

Stoud I doubt is going to bring any more to the table then a House or a TA, but what he does bring is uniquely his own out of all our players save for Rondo.

And I personally think we NEED to have a PG Doc can go to in the playoffs and trust without us having to get buried by the press. Apparently Doc doesn't trust Pruitt so.. get one of those vets in here.


Recent realgm article says Stoud wants to be on a team by THURSDAY. With the Suns in the running doesn't look like we'll be able to play the waiting game. But Sammy was just speculation, honestly who the **** is going to buy out Sam Cassel and why? We can just wait and sign him next year if we need too.

[hiphop1]

I would rather sign Mighty Mouse than not get anyone.

[darrendaye]

Whose minutes are you going to reduce to give Stoudamire the playing time he is going to require before signing a contract? That's my only question.

[hiphop1]

TA or House he is better than both of them.

[darrendaye]

TA or House he is better than both of them.

He's a better point guard than either of them, I'd strongly debate whether he's better than both of them period. Also, TA has generally played PG in name only as he has generally been paired with House. You look forward to seeing, even if it's just 5 minutes a game, a Mighty Mouse and Rondo or House backcourt?

[hiphop1]

I have always been a Stoudamire fan. Plus he is what WE NEED a legit POINT GUARD.

[darrendaye]

I have always been a Stoudamire fan. Plus he is what WE NEED a legit POINT GUARD.

All well and good, but, the issue to me still remains that there is only 48 minutes a game to play a point guard (defensively speaking). If you intend to give Rondo at least 28 minutes per, that leaves only 20 minutes to divide between two guys accustomed to playing around that much per game themselves. If you can deal House for something, sure. Otherwise it seems like a tight squeeze.