Actually would have been a benefit to have kept him around by a team early in his career. Say Lakers. Maybe his path would be different. I believe so. Now all he cares for is his pay day and a contract and not the team he's playing for.
Wafer hoping to seal 15th roster spot... This is just to dismiss the idea of many Rockets fans that Wafer is "Ray Allen's backup" and will make an immediate impact for the Celtics. He is still a 3rd-stringer but hopefully he continues to improve. Boston Herald Link
Damn i hope he can get a spot! But lol at everyone saying he was a lock for backup SG, or i think i read someone say "they should start him over ray allen" haha
Here's the Celtics current roster situation: They have 14 guys guaranteed. In addition, Wafer has a partial guarantee. Wafer probably has the last roster spot locked up. His remaining competition are invitees Stephane Lasme and Mario West. The Celtics have Perkins out, Avery Bradley on the shelf for a little while longer, and Delonte West will miss the first 10 games with a suspension. This will put Wafer in uniform and possibly in the rotation, so he's got a chance early to make an impression one way or the other. When Delonte West gets back, it's likely Wafer will not be in the rotation. On the positive side, Paul Pierce recently said this: "No one is talking about Von Wafer," captain Paul Pierce said Monday. "He’s going to be X-factor type of guy, who can give us a lift." The Celtics will be playing 10 men during the regular season- The starters: Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and probably Jermaine O'Neal. The second five: West, Robinson, Daniels, Big Baby, and probably Shaq. (The O'Neals could switch.) That leaves Avery Bradley, Luke Harangody, Semih Erden, and Von Wafer to pick up whatever minutes they can.
Now I'm reading Wafer hasn't been hitting his shots in camp. He still hasn't officially made the team and has the preseason games to beat out Lasme and Mario West. Lasme fills a need for Boston. Mario West has impressed with his energy and defense, but he's not a shooter. It's still Wafer's spot to lose.
Everybody says our bench is better than lots of team's starters, but I don't see how the celtics second 5 is not better than ours, especially when perkins gets back in the starting group
all these player signings on the celtics roster might spell doom for wafer, unless he starts hitting all his preseason threes in boston like he did for us in houston. von wafer comes back to the nba only to have to prove to coaches yet again that he deserves to get playing time in the nba.
Well his ass better be in the gym as we speak hitting at least 300 threes from the wings and top of the key everyday if he wants to make an NBA team.
Delonte West is sitting with back spasms today. That's moved Wafer up to the second unit. So he has an opportunity to show what he's got. (Jermaine O'Neal is also resting with a hamstring. Shaq's with the first unit, Semih Erden is playing center with the second five.)
My guess is the Celtics are keeping Mario West and Lasme around as motivation for Wafer, rather than just handing him the job. As Doc said in that article, they let Gaffney go because he couldn't shoot. Lasme and Mario West can't shoot either. Wafer has to: a) not be a jerk b) commit to play defense If he does those things, he gets the job. (I mean, the guy can shoot.)
Preseason game 1 is done for Boston, and Wafer did not do much. In his garbage time stint with the 3rd unit he was scoreless with a couple of turnovers. His competition for the last spot did better, particularly Stephane Lasme who scored a nice handful of points in just a few minutes. The Celtics obliterated an undermanned Philly team playing without Iguolada and Brand who were resting. The Boston starters looked great. Shaq was running hard, beating his man on the break. Rookie center Semih Erden was the big surprise, showing very good mobility, playing fine defense, and scoring 13 points in his debut. Wafer gets another chance tomorrow against New Jersey.
i don't understand the hate for von wafer. the guy was our most exciting wingman since t-Mac in 04, and by far our most consisnt 3 point threat. not only could he shoot but he could drive with authority as well. the guy was a great player and meant well his time here.
I watched the 4th quarter when Von was playing and he was driving the ball and was making some good passes. He did turn it over a couple of times but he is trying to spread the ball around more. He was also playing pretty good defense on his man which was good to see. He didn't take any shots to my knowledge so hopefully they get him some shots tomorrow.
The Celtics second preseason game just ended and once again Wafer didn't accomplish much. In 9 minutes he got one rebound and straight zeroes across the box score. His main competition is Stephane Lasme who like last night, was long and active. I believe Lasme now has at least as good a chance as Wafer to get the final roster spot. The third competitor for the position, Mario West, also didn't help himself. None of the three scored a point tonight. Wafer needs to take a few shots to show what he's got.
You left out that he got a technical foul called on him and was sent to the bench. Some of the new no-tolerance policy toward arguing calls has something to do with it, but with that he's displaying a bit of that Wafer form already.
Game 3. Wafer only played four minutes. He finally was more aggressive and scored three key points on free throws to help the deep Celtic bench beat the Toronto first string. The problem for Wafer is once again over all Lasme looked better. Lasme threw down a vicious jam to give Boston the lead. The Celtics have five games in seven nights this week, so Wafer should get some extended minutes. The position is still up for grabs, and Lasme hasn't locked anything down yet. I could see the Celtics cutting both guys and leaving the spot open too.
I loved Wafer, but the Celts have Delonte West back, BACKING UP Ray Allen. That's a pretty sweet back up if you ask me. No way you play Wafer over West when West could start elsewhere. Sorry, but I think Doc knows what he's doing. I feel bad for Von...sorta.
