http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/celtics/?p=126 Celts agree to terms with Posey Posted by Mark Murphy at 2:13 pm The Celtics just agreed to terms with one of the hottest free agents still on the market - James Posey, a player who should give the Celtics defense a significant upgrade. This 6-8 forward, known in particular for his role as a defensive stopper on the 2006 Miami team that won the NBA title, averaged 7.7 points, five boards and one steal per game last season. The deal came together with relative haste. Though Danny Ainge, the Celtics’ director of basketball operations, had been in touch with Posey over the last month, discussions gained momentum yesterday, after Reggie Miller informed the Celtics that he would not come out of retirement to join the team. By this afternoon, the sides had reached agreement on a deal that will pay Posey just over $3 million - the amount left on the team’s mid-level exception - next season. The full contract will pay him $7 million over the next two years, with Posey holding an option on the second season. Posey’s decision is significant, considering that the Celtics initially considered his price to be too high. But dynamics of the market drove Posey’s price down. According to agent Mark Bartelstein, Posey could have received more to play in some other locations, but was attracted by the Celtics’ growing allure as eastern conference contenders. New Jersey had been close to a deal with Posey this week, but had less money to offer than the Celtics. Though Posey had been thought to be angling for a return to Miami, the Heat’s signing of Anfernee Hardaway may have changed his thinking. His modest scoring numbers aside, Posey is considered a high-energy player who is particularly adept that shutting down opposing small forwards and big guards. At the age of 30, he is not only considered to be a player in his prime, but also one of the NBA’s most highly regarded role players - in short, the perfect player to compliment Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.
Man..with Posey's athleticism, all they really need is a few perimeter shooters now and a backup Ctr. They got everything else needed to win.
Very good signing by the Celtics. I think this is also a big loss by the Nets. I don't like Posey because he's a dirty player, but props to the Celtics here. They still need other parts, like an experienced PG to split time with Rondo.
good signing for the Cs but how is he going to start for the Cs? unless KG plays the 5 but JP would then be a really undersized PF right now i thought its PG-??? SG-Allen SF-pierce PF-KG C-??? but either way good signing because he can be a great 6th man for that team.
Definitely a nice pickup. I loved the guy's game when he was in Houston although I don't think he is still the same player. He seems older than 30 to me but that might be the injuries slowing him a bit.
they can probably plug the PG position with Dan Dickau? wasn't he just released from the Knicks... They still have a few holes, but in the East they are going to be damn good However still not on par with Suns, Spurs, Mavs......Rockets
I wouldn't say Boston has a back up center problem, they have Perkins and Pollard. The issue is whether they have anyone who should be starting. I agree it is a good signing. Posey is not a starting caliber player, but is a very quality sub. Should allow more rest to Pierce and Allen with a guy who can play defense and understands the game enough for a role. But PG is there real problem. They are in way too critical of a juncture in that vet team to count entirely on Rondo. Here are the meats one of 4 deals I predict to happen: *Rafer + Reed for Scalabrine + Tony Allen *D. Stoud for Scal + Powe *Watson for Scal + Allen *Banks + Pike for Scal + Allen Boston also might have to kick in some combination of Portland 2008 2nd, their own 2009 2nd, or their own 2011 1st. I personally think Rafer Alston would be a terrific trade for them even if it cost them two 2nds. He has more gas in the tank left/healthier than D Stoud and is more experienced/proven than the alternatives if counted on for heavy minutes (Watson or Banks). And in the Rockets case they shave a little over 1 mil this year (2 mil with lux cap--use to resign Deke!), pick up a 3rd PF, save more salary down the line (Tony Allen is expiring), and get two 2nds. Our we could ask for the rights to Big Baby instead of a one of the 2nds.
I think Posey is expecting to come off the bench. He brings athleticism, energy, defense, depth, size and championship experience.
Actually, they're doing a good job building up their bench, Posey, Scalabrine, House and someone else I'm missing. They need a PG, that would push Rondo to the bench adding more depth.
I don't think this'll happen... but Ray Allen did play some PG briefly in his career. I really can't remember where...I'm pretty sure he did for a while due to some injuries though. How about Allen at 1, Pierce at the 2, Posey at the 3, Garnett at the 4?
I could see that lineup maybe occassionally. But the great thing about the Posey signing is he can sub in for Pierce and Allen and they go merely from star to quality role player, rather than star to CBA quality player. Posey should bring a lot more continuity from the bench and allow them to not need to push Allen and Pierce's PT--both a concern with age and health. Also, Allen is much better off the ball than on it. They really could use another steady ball handler and distributor who can get those stars the ball in the right spots. Rafer really would be very solid for that team, better than what he did for us last year because he would be on a much more offensively potent perimeter squad where his shooting weaknesses are less of a drag on their offense. Rafer helps their defense too.
Allen's ankles are shot, so he doesn't have the speed to play PG anymore. He's basically a Reggie Miller-esque type for them....moves well without the ball, and gets to his spot to hit the open shot.
This is an incredible signing for Boston. When he was here, I couldn't stand the guy. He's an inconsistent shooter, poor ball handler, highly overrated defender, and probably the only guy on the team that made Steve Francis' basketball IQ look like that of Steve Nash. However, that was with high expectations as a starter and then later that summer he simply wasn't worth the $7million price tag we balked at giving him. But he came up absolutely huge off the bench for Miami in that championship run. People talk about Wade, but they couldn't have won the title without Posey and Mourning's contributions in the Finals. At $3million to be a sub, this is a steal and makes the Celtics dangerous.
Agree with your comments completely. I've said ever since the trade that Ray Allen is overrated. And contrary to popular belief, his shooting is inconsistent. He shot the Sonics out of games sometimes. But people only seem to remember when he gets into those unconscious zones when he doesn't even seem to look at the basket and his shot goes in. Desert Scar, you read my mind on Rafer. Hopefully Morey can make it happen.
