One of the primary reasons the Celtics fell short of their ultimate goal a month ago was that the Lakers beat them up on the glass during the NBA Finals, particularly in Game 7, when second-chance opportunities might have cost Boston an 18th title.
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has noted a number of times this offseason that the team would like to add a big man to solidify a front line that will start the season without Kendrick Perkins (ACL surgery). It would seem the Green would benefit from a big whose focus is largely on rebounding.
[+] EnlargeShaquille O'Neal AP Photo/Mark DuncanShaquille O'Neal would have to be acquired via a sign and trade, but considering the lack of big men on the market, maybe it's worth it for the Celtics to go after him.
Now the sobering reality: Of the top 25 free-agent rebounders (unrestricted and restricted) from last season (based on rebounds per game), only three remain on the market: Earl Barron, Shaquille O'Neal and Anthony Tolliver.
Most importantly, remember that Shaq will turn 39 (thirty-nine!) before the 2011 playoffs. History simply isn't on the side of a player that age. The flip side, of course, is that O'Neal did have a decent postseason (11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game in 11 appearances for the Cavaliers) and was still an imposing force in the middle of the floor.
Certainly no player would have more of a big-splash impact than Shaq, and there's a perception that Miami -- quickly anointed the (three) Kings of the East -- is weak up front and would be susceptible to any team with a fearsome front line.
Tolliver and Barron are lower-cost options who enjoyed strong finishes to the 2009-10 season after working their way back to the league from the D-League, but they are unproven over long stretches. It's unclear whether either would play for the minimum (Barron reportedly turned down a minimum offer from the Knicks to explore the market more), but as free agency winds down, it will be interesting to see what they seek from a team (a chance to win or playing time).
Tolliver appeared in 46 games for Golden State last season, averaging 11.7 points and 7 rebounds in 31 minutes per game. With increased playing time late in the season, he averaged 18.4 points and 11 rebounds in 41.2 minutes during the final five games of the regular season. That uptick in playing time could leave him yearning for a bigger role elsewhere.
Barron signed a 10-day contract with the Knicks in April and averaged 11.7 points and 11 rebounds per game in seven appearances (six starts). The Celtics should be mighty familiar after the 28-year-old posted 17 points and 18 rebounds in 44 minutes in New York's 104-101 triumph over Boston on April 6.
Dig deeper into the free-agent pile and you'll find familiar names like Josh Boone, Kurt Thomas and even old friend Theo Ratliff (who played two forgettable games for Boston in 2006-07). Craig Smith, a Boston College product, remains a free agent as well.
The Celtics also can examine the trade market with Rasheed Wallace's contract, should the 15th-year veteran plan to follow through on his intentions to retire, possibly seeking out a team drifting over the luxury tax with its offseason moves. (We're looking at you, Houston Rockets.)
NBA insider Alex Kennedy has tweeted that the Cavs have offered Barnes the most amount of money out of all the interested teams, but Barnes may take less money to play with a contender.
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One of the primary reasons the Celtics fell short of their ultimate goal a month ago was that the Lakers beat them up on the glass during the NBA Finals, particularly in Game 7, when second-chance opportunities might have cost Boston an 18th title.
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has noted a number of times this offseason that the team would like to add a big man to solidify a front line that will start the season without Kendrick Perkins (ACL surgery). It would seem the Green would benefit from a big whose focus is largely on rebounding.
[+] EnlargeShaquille O'Neal
AP Photo/Mark DuncanShaquille O'Neal would have to be acquired via a sign and trade, but considering the lack of big men on the market, maybe it's worth it for the Celtics to go after him.
Now the sobering reality: Of the top 25 free-agent rebounders (unrestricted and restricted) from last season (based on rebounds per game), only three remain on the market: Earl Barron, Shaquille O'Neal and Anthony Tolliver.
Most importantly, remember that Shaq will turn 39 (thirty-nine!) before the 2011 playoffs. History simply isn't on the side of a player that age. The flip side, of course, is that O'Neal did have a decent postseason (11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game in 11 appearances for the Cavaliers) and was still an imposing force in the middle of the floor.
Certainly no player would have more of a big-splash impact than Shaq, and there's a perception that Miami -- quickly anointed the (three) Kings of the East -- is weak up front and would be susceptible to any team with a fearsome front line.
Tolliver and Barron are lower-cost options who enjoyed strong finishes to the 2009-10 season after working their way back to the league from the D-League, but they are unproven over long stretches. It's unclear whether either would play for the minimum (Barron reportedly turned down a minimum offer from the Knicks to explore the market more), but as free agency winds down, it will be interesting to see what they seek from a team (a chance to win or playing time).
Tolliver appeared in 46 games for Golden State last season, averaging 11.7 points and 7 rebounds in 31 minutes per game. With increased playing time late in the season, he averaged 18.4 points and 11 rebounds in 41.2 minutes during the final five games of the regular season. That uptick in playing time could leave him yearning for a bigger role elsewhere.
Barron signed a 10-day contract with the Knicks in April and averaged 11.7 points and 11 rebounds per game in seven appearances (six starts). The Celtics should be mighty familiar after the 28-year-old posted 17 points and 18 rebounds in 44 minutes in New York's 104-101 triumph over Boston on April 6.
Dig deeper into the free-agent pile and you'll find familiar names like Josh Boone, Kurt Thomas and even old friend Theo Ratliff (who played two forgettable games for Boston in 2006-07). Craig Smith, a Boston College product, remains a free agent as well.
The Celtics also can examine the trade market with Rasheed Wallace's contract, should the 15th-year veteran plan to follow through on his intentions to retire, possibly seeking out a team drifting over the luxury tax with its offseason moves. (We're looking at you, Houston Rockets.)
NBA insider Alex Kennedy has tweeted that the Cavs have offered Barnes the most amount of money out of all the interested teams, but Barnes may take less money to play with a contender.
David Aldridge of NBA.com adds the Raptors into the mix for Barnes.
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