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.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Welcome to the House.
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5 comments:
House is a perfectly decent signing, and fits the template of what our bench needed. He's a solid vet who can bring the ball across half court, play good perimeter defense (opponent PER of ~14 last year at SG), and nail outside shots when his man decides to double KG, Pierce or Allen. Somewhat like the Mike James signing in Ainge's second month on the job, House will be a cheap vet who sees a fair amount of the court and plays a valuable supporting role.
I don't understand the Manuel signing, unless he's insurance in the event that Tony Allen isn't ready by November. If Tony is ready to go, then perhaps Manuel gets cut in training camp. Otherwise, I'm not sure why a contending team that already has a bunch of recent second-rounders on the roster needs another NBADL type. What we need is two more vets who can step in a play an important role from day one. Dikembe Mutumbo would be a great add. So would Darrel Armstrong or Anthony Johnson as the vet PGs we probably no longer need and James Posey or Eddie Jones on the wing.
"...I'm not sure why a contending team that already has a bunch of recent second-rounders on the roster needs another NBADL type."
They still need to sign several players to get to league minimum of 13, and are already over the lux-tax threshold. I'm not surprised they're looking for cheap players.
And besides, he's a Tar Heel - he's GREAT!!!!
I guess I didn't do a good job of explaining my Manuel beef.
No question the Celtics need to add vet minimum and LLE players to fill out their contracts. The key issue here, however, is that right now the first SG off the bench behind Ray Allen is rookie second round pick Gabe Pruitt. The first SF off the bench behind Pierce is undrafted rookie Brandon Wallace. The first PF off the bench behind KG is second-year second round pick Leon Powe.
That situation is an invitation to 1) watch big leads disappear in seconds once the big three go to the bench or 2) play the big three 40 mpg and watch them break down by the playoffs.
What this team needs to really make noise is a bunch of good veterans who can play well for 15-20 mpg off the bench. House was a decent start, if not near the top of my list. Manuel did nothing in college except have better teammates, went undrafted, and hasn't done anything since then. If he ends up playing ~15mpg its going to be ugly.
What kind of vets would really make us championship contenders? Mutumbo or PJ Brown at C, Chris Webber or Brian Skinner at PF, Derek Anderson, Eddie Jones, James Posey or Ruben Patterson on the wing, and if we hadn't just signed House as a cheap PG I'd Earl Boykins, Anthony Johnson or Darrell Armstrong at the point.
There will be plenty of vet ring chasers, as well as good players who lose out on numbers games and are looking for a roster before training camp. We should have plenty of takers for cheap contracts. I don't get taking a flyer on an unproven, bad college player who projects to be a long-term project at best. We don't have time to wait on that.
I guess I didn't do a good job of making my Manuel joke.... ;)
He's a Tar Heel...ergo...he is perfect and can do no wrong ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Still longing for a Stackhouse/Wallace reunion someday,
Chris
Rasheed Wallace has a place on any basketball team of mine, no doubt. I love that guy.
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