Published: July 26, 2009
In the world of professional basketball there’s no such thing as a perfect team. With free agency, the draft, trades, the salary cap and untimely injuries, general managers across the league are constantly shuffling their rosters in a constant attempt to contend.
The 2010 Boston Celtics are no different. After being defeated by the Orlando Magic in seven games, Boston’s great needs heading into the off season were height, a suitable back-up for the aging Paul Pierce and most importantly a capable ball handler to come off the bench when Rajon Rondo needs a rest.
Even after signing the 6’ 10”, 34-year-old Rasheed Wallace to bolster a thin front line and getting Marquis Daniels who averaged career highs in both points and rebounds last season, Boston still needs someone to run their offense.
Danny Ainge and the Celtics have two options on the table: they can either groom what they already have in Gabe Pruitt, a young guard who couldn’t play himself into the rotation last season but has showed promise during Summer League competition, or they can sign a free-agent.
The latter option includes bringing back Stephon Marbury who was spotty for the team in a limited role, but ended up coming through in the Orlando series with some legitimate offense off the bench. Overall signing Marbury wasn’t a terrible personnel move, but at times he seemed hesitant, even lost on the court.
Besides Marbury and Pruitt, the affordable free agent options left on the board are quickly drying up which means the Celtics need to address their back-up point guard situation sooner rather than later.
One possible option is Jamaal Tinsley, a 31-year-old floor general who has had an overlooked yet solid career bringing for the Indiana Pacers. Last year he went through a very similar situation as Stephon Marbury during his tenure with the Knicks, as Tinsley was told by the Pacers not to attend any games or practices while the club tried to figure out a trade partner.
On July 22nd, after nearly a year of languishing in basketball purgatory, the Pacers finally waived Tinsley making him available for any team in need of his services.
Being that he sat out the entire 2008-09 season, the Brooklyn native might be out of playing shape, but for the Boston Celtics, who badly need point guard depth, Tinsley could end up being the team’s latest addition in the never ending rat race to create a club with minimal flaws.
2 Comments on "Celtics Consider Backcourt Options"
Today’s Celtics Links 7/26 « New England Sports 24/7 on Sun, 26th Jul 2009 2:19 pm
[...] and Stephon Marbury has issues NY Post WARRICK, DAVIS ON NETS’ RADAR Hoops Addict Celtics Consider Backcourt Options Bleacher Report Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics: Out to Answer the Critics The Knicks [...]
Daily Links 7/26 | The Epic Sports Wagering Broadcast on Sun, 26th Jul 2009 2:54 pm
[...] has issuesNY Post WARRICK, DAVIS ON NETS’ RADARHoops Addict Celtics Consider Backcourt OptionsBleacher Report Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics: Out to Answer the CriticsThe [...]