Boston Celtics Paul Pierce Looking For Wing Help: Marquis Daniels And Von Wafer Are Ready
[picappgallerysingle id="8506142"]Paul Pierce is a great player. His number will someday grace the rafters of the Garden. However, sometimes his mouth is just a bit much. Pierce has been making comments that the Celtics need wing help. He has made jokes wondering who is going to guard him in practice. Danny Ainge has already provided help there. Way to go Captain! Way to insult two of your teammates!
This season Marquis Daniels will be playing small forward and shooting guard for this team. This is a position in which he excelled at for the Indiana Pacers. In 09 Daniels averaged 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. These are solid numbers for a guy off your bench. He also played great defense.
Last season was a lost year for Marquis. Daniels was thrust into the backup point guard role. He did well, but he was out of position. He also hurt his thumb severely. He played like a warrior with the injury. The injury would take away the use of one of his hands and he was not as effective. When he finally went down for a while due to surgery, Tony Allen stepped in and did a tremendous job. By the time Daniels came back, Doc could not relinquish the roles from Allen to Marquis.
However, this is a new year. The Celtics have a backup point guard. Daniels will be asked to fill a role he has already filled before and thrived at it. The team will count on Daniels to spell Pierce and Ray Allen. Ainge feels that he will deliver.
The other option is Von Wafer. Wafer left the NBA after the 09 season because he was offered more money overseas. Before he left, he was on a tear for a Houston Rockets team that almost upset the Lakers. After Tracy McGrady was hurt, Wafer came into the game and excelled. Wafer would provide scoring punch as an athletic driver to the hoop. He also displayed nice touch on the jumper. The result was a career year as he averaged 9.7 points a game. He also gave the Rockets something T-Mac did not: solid defensive play.
Wafer does have some issues. He was miserable overseas and his effort showed that. He also let his body go and missed an opportunity to return to Houston last year because of that. He also has butted heads with coaches in the past. There is a reason the team got him for under a million dollars.
Wafer may be a gamble, but he is a wise one. Wafer needs to play well. He needs to display the talent that made him a solid player in 09. If he does not, then his dream of playing in the NBA will be over. He has worked hard this offseason to get in shape. He has also been mature and said all the right comments when asked about his role on the team. Wafer has the talents to really help Boston in the Drive to 18.
If these men falter or get injured, there is also rookie Luke Harangody. Harangody was very impressive in the Summer League. Harangody can shoot from mid range and showed some great post moves. He may be a rookie, but he is a mature four year college player. Trusting big time minutes to a rookie is not Doc Rivers style, but if the man can deliver, he will play.
The bottom line is Pierce is calling for help. Maybe he should look at his roster before he calls for help. The team might have more answers for the small forward spot than he knows. Once again Ainge has done a great job providing depth at a position with limited funds. If these men pan out like Ainge believes they will, than the drive to Banner 18 will go smoother than the Captain thinks.
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Daniels looked horrible after that injury. I didnt attribute it to him playin out of position but mainly his ugly jumper and he wasnt really beating his man. He did get hot on occasion and I know the guy I saw guarding Wade in the Finals wasnt that same man.
I thought he was a steal last year and the same could go for this year. He is buddies with Chris Johnson so maybe seeing him dominate this year can ignite him to be a better player. I would love to see him become the first player off the bench for us at the 2 and 3.
I expect big things from a healthy Daniels. Setting up the offense and being a part of it are different things. Being in his natural position should make it easier for him.