Boston Signs Pollard

[azirish]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2007/08/07/celtics_pollard_agree_on_deal/

Celtics, Pollard agree on deal

Veteran provides height up front

By Shira Springer, Globe Staff | August 7, 2007

The Celtics agreed to terms with free agent forward/center Scot Pollard yesterday, according to executive director of basketball operations/general manager Danny Ainge. The 6-foot-11-inch, 265-pound Pollard got a one-year deal believed to be worth the veteran minimum ($1.2 million for 10 years service). He adds a much-needed big man to the Celtics' frontcourt and raises the number of players under contract to 12, one shy of the league minimum.



Selected 19th overall by the Pistons in the 1997 draft, Pollard, 32, spent the bulk of his career with the Kings (five seasons). He enjoyed his best season with Sacramento in 2001-02, averaging a career-high 7.1 rebounds and 6.4 points. He played 80 games that year and averaged 23.5 minutes per contest.

After signing a one-year deal with Cleveland almost a year ago for about $2 million, Pollard played 24 games with the Cavaliers, averaging 1 point and 1.3 rebounds in 4.5 minutes per game. He has career averages of 4.5 points and 4.8 rebounds.

Preferring to wait until the deal is officially signed, Ainge declined to comment yesterday on why the team pursued Pollard. Undoubtedly, in addition to his size, the Celtics found Pollard's rebounding ability and intensity and energy appealing. Plus, after playing for the Cavaliers last season, he has experience with a playoff run to the NBA Finals. And it doesn't hurt that Pollard played two years at Kansas alongside Paul Pierce.
At the very least, Pollard promises to keep the locker room loose with his quirky humor and unusual hairstyles, like the mini-Mohawk he sported with Cleveland.

But sometimes Pollard can go too far. Late last season, when the Cavaliers played one of his former teams, the Pacers, Pollard was on the bench in street clothes. He made headlines when he looked into a camera and said, "Hey kids, do drugs." Pollard later apologized for the remark, calling it a bad joke.

Joking aside, if Pollard stays healthy and earns an opportunity to play consistently, he could be a pleasant surprise. While he may be less heralded than the other 30-something acquisitions the Celtics have made this offseason, he could be a valuable role player with his defense.

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This takes one more suitor for PJ off the table.

 

[Rab]

I just have this overwhelming feeling Dallas is going to get Brown.

As for Pollard....I guess there's not much else to talk about huh?

 

[okhoops]

My guess is that Dallas is waiting on Webber's decision. If he opts to go back to Detroit, Dallas steps up its pursuit of PJ, and the Suns are potentially left out of the mix (unless they decide to up the ante?).

 

[scXfreakX]

Pollard. Eh

 

[dodie53]

the celtics added someone with a crazy persona..

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

hey kids, do drugs!

 

[overseascardfan]

Again why not go younger with either Skinner or guys like Lawrence Roberts, Melvin Ely, or Wayne Simien who we would probably have to trade a second rounder to get.

 

[Rab]

PJ is a proven big man who has a rep of playing Duncan well. I think we are better with him than any others you listed, but Skinner would be my next choice.

 

[azirish]

One odd thing about how GM's look at players is that for the Suns, PJ Brown is a center while everyone else see's him as a power forward. The same with Skinner, he's only 6'9" so they think he's a power forward.

The Skinner situation seemed odd to me in that I think Skinner is a much better player than Pollard. But the Celtics wanted a center and only a center.

 

[fordronken]

One odd thing about how GM's look at players is that for the Suns, PJ Brown is a center while everyone else see's him as a power forward. The same with Skinner, he's only 6'9" so they think he's a power forward.

The Skinner situation seemed odd to me in that I think Skinner is a much better player than Pollard. But the Celtics wanted a center and only a center.

Either way, none of the people you mentioned would play power forward for the Suns this season.

 

[Bufalay]

One odd thing about how GM's look at players is that for the Suns, PJ Brown is a center while everyone else see's him as a power forward. The same with Skinner, he's only 6'9" so they think he's a power forward.

The Skinner situation seemed odd to me in that I think Skinner is a much better player than Pollard. But the Celtics wanted a center and only a center.

And Boris Diaw used to be a point guard

 

[Mainstreet]

And Boris Diaw used to be a point guard

Boris also played center quite nicely the season Amare and KT were out for the playoffs.

 

[mjb21aztd]

we shouldve never let kurt thomas go in the first place what a stupid move...

 

[BC867]

we shouldve never let kurt thomas go in the first place what a stupid move...

Even if Kurt had been kept, he would probably not see meaningful action until Amare gets into foul trouble. Or a Game 2 vs. the Spurs.

We need a big man who would be played alongside Amare so he wouldn't get in foul trouble, then be tentative on defense when he re-enters the game.