Well, that went well

When was the last time a team with the best record in the majors going into September looked so clearly in need of a major roster overall?

Only a few years ago that the Sox had a lineup of almost entirely .300 hitters and Jason Veritek. Yes, pitching wins in the post-season. And in baseball a seven games series is something of a coin flip. Still, it doesn't get much more frustrating then watching the Sox bats lay down game after game in front of the Yankee's awful pitching staff.

Lugo, Crisp, Drew, Varitek, Manny: when half of your lineup sucks eggs and your #4 hitter becomes relatively average it makes for a lot of 4-3 and 5-3 loses.

Of course, as long as we can play the Devil Rays in the playoffs we should be all set.

Celtics roster and projected rotation as of August 29th

Our current roster, with each player slotted as of their most recent level of play. It would not be a surprise to see Perkins and Rondo come out this season and show us more then they're getting credit for here.



And with it, a projection of how minutes will be allocated this next season.



This still leaves eight minutes unaccounted for at the 5. Assuming ownership doesn't surprise us again and OK a contract for someone like Dikembe Mutumbo (hello, Finals) those minutes would likely get divided between Perkins, Pollard and Posey (with KG sliding over to C).

Just don't drive up here too fast

Those of us who have been cynical about the state of the Celtics for the last two years liked to point to how little trade value Ainge's young talent was supposed to have; that is, until we traded most of it for two Hall of Famers. We furrowed our brow about ownership's apparent penny-pinching ways; that is, until they agreed to one of the larger payrolls in the league. Then we pointed to the lack of talent on the roster beyond the Big Three; that is, until the Celtics signed James Posey.

In at least one way, this move was impressive the way the trade for KG was. Since the team was over the luxury tax threshold, it would have been understandable if ownership had filled out the roster with vet minimum bodies (whose contracts are mostly paid by the league) and called it a day. Instead they ponied up an addition ~$7M salary(which will provoke an additional ~$7M in luxury tax penalties) for a starting-quality swingman with tons of playoff experience. The folks running this team had already gone above and beyond expectations by agreeing to pay the luxury tax to bring KG to town. They just did it all over again.

In terms of his on-court play, you could not script a better complement to the Big Three then Posey. He's an eight-year starter in the prime of his career whose ego doesn't care if he starts or comes off the bench, and has been happy to play in the shadows of folks like Shaq and Wade. The NBA is filled with talented players who are used to being the #1 option on every team and then can't adjust to playing a supporting role. Posey is the photo negative of this.

He is the kind of bruising, athletic, intelligent defender who will relieve Pierce and Allen from spending half the game trying to slow down the other team's best perimeter scorer. The Celtics haven't had as good a wing defender since Eric Williams left town, and even in EWill's prime Posey would have been an upgrade. Posey is also an excellent outside and three point shooter (37% last year, 40% the year before), who will make other team pay for doubling down on KG, Pierce or Allen. In addition, since Posey is 6'8" and has always been a strong rebounder (rather like Pierce) the Celtics now have a legimate up-tempo 'small ball' lineup with KG at C, Posey and Pierce at PF/SF, Allen at SG and Rondo running the point.

The following quote from Posey's press conference is an indication of how far things have come since lottery night:

"I waited patiently and I landed here in a great situation where we have an opportunity to win a championship," Posey said. "There [were] other teams out there but I wanted the best chance to win a championship. This is the place to be."

Rumors have been that Posey had offers on hand from Miami and New Jersey-- both of which were likely larger-- and picked Boston instead. He signed for perhaps a third of what he would have made in the open market if he was looking for as much money as possible. For years the Celtics have been starting bench-quality players and racking up regular season loses. This fall we're going to field a team with at least one starting-quality player coming off the bench.

Bring on November.

Here's a little of Posey, showing he would have been right at home in the rough-and-tumble NBA playoffs of the 1980s:



And the reaction of Chicago fans:



See you in the playoffs

Nothing is impossible

I remember when this commercial was on the teleyvissy, but had forgotten Garnett was the principal. A good metaphore for the Boston hoops scene?

Another missing piece?

Adonal Foyle now needs a new team.

Mmmm . . . . burger.

I was a little surprised that the news that Wily Mo Pena had cleared revocable waivers didn't spark some trade chat here -- clearly, B. was engrossed at SoSH or something -- but this, from Bill Simmons' mailbag today, seems like the fitting response:

Q: What do you consider to be a fair trade the Red Sox can make for Wily Mo Pena? My roommate and I were discussing it, and we decided that a cheeseburger would be fair. But not just any cheeseburger… we're talking a one-pound cheddar and bacon burger from Fuddruckers. We figure once we add on the tomatoes, pickles, relish, mustard, ketchup, jalapeños, nacho cheese and onions, we'd come out on top. Your thoughts?
--James, Brighton

SG: Um, you'd come out on top if you traded Wily Mo for a single-patty McDonald's cheeseburger with nothing on it. But I like the thought of Theo Epstein announcing the deal, then holding a news conference in which he eats the Fuddrucker's burger in front of the reporters and cameraman and just repeatedly says, "Mmmmmmm … . Mmmmmmm … mmmmm, this is delicious, it almost makes up for the fact that we effectively gave away Bronson Arroyo … mmmmmm … yummmy … "

Ah, The Missing Piece of the Puzzle...

... a 42 year old shooting guard.

NERVOUS!

Boston 68 45 .602 - 36-20 32-25 580 454 Lost 2 5-5
NY Yankees 63 50 .558 5 37-21 26-29 674 516 Won 5 8-2

Lost in translation.

How do you say disappointing en Francais?

First pitch

Is he that happy to see David Ortiz again? Or to have gotten the ball over the plate?

Welcome to the House.

The Celtics signed free agent guard Eddie House this afternoon to a one-year deal, apparently solving their need for a veteran backup to point guard Rajon Rondo.

In truth the 6-1 House, who averaged 8.4 points in 56 games for the Nets last year, is more of a shooter than a playmaker, which is indeed part of why Danny Ainge was attracted to him. On the positive side House shot .429 from 3-point range last season, and has indeed sunk the Celtics many times over the years from behind the circle.

On the other, he shot worse (.428) overall last season.

But House is not the only player who figures to fill in behind Rondo this season. Tony Allen, and even Ray Allen, have been discussed as point guard possibilities, in addition to rookie Gabe Pruitt out of USC.

The Celtics also signed Jackie Manuel, a 6-5 wing player who played for Los Angeles in the NBDL last season, and is considered a solid defensive player. He was named the ACC’s defensive player of the year two seasons ago while at North Carolina.

Next up in the free agent market is a big man. PJ Brown, the 37-year-old power forward who is reportedly seeking the full mid-level exception ($5.6 million) for his services, has probably priced himself out of the Celtics’ range.

The team is currently checking into the market for Dikembe Mutombo, who could fill in nicely as a backup behind Kendrick Perkins. Mutombo is currently in Africa, where he is on his annual mission at the head of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program.

Boston Herald