Yesterday I posted some information about potential 10 game contract guys we could get from the D-League to help add depth at center. What I neglected to mention was that we already have a D-League graduate center on our roster who knows our system reasonably well and has even shown flashes of being able to contribute.
I think Greg Stiemsma is a good enough backup plan in case of injuries and he might be able to contribute from time to time when we need some shot blocking on the floor.
He also got a big vote of confidence from the team today.
Pregame: Stiemsma safe; Bass back
Celtics rookie center Greg Stiemsma admitted nerves kicked up a bit when he learned that the deadline for contracts to go guaranteed essentially was Tuesday evening (it actually occurs Friday, but due to the waiver process, players needed to be released before tip-off on Tuesday). Stiemsma, the only Celtics player whose contract was not fully guaranteed for the season, didn't get an official call (heck, coach Doc Rivers admitted even he didn't know that Tuesday was the key date), but the fact that his jersey was still hanging in his locker stall before Tuesday's game against the Charlotte Bobcats bode well for him.
Congrats Greg.
0 recs | 11 comments
{The sound of hands clapping}
clover - February 8, 2012
well deserved
congrats big guy
cltc5 - February 8, 2012
Congrats, Greg!
mmmmm - February 8, 2012
Good. He's earned it.
green18, 19, 20... - February 8, 2012
Definitely earned.
CelticPride - February 8, 2012
As a big Steamer supporter...
I am glad he had his contract guaranteed the rest of the season though I was not surprised as I think Greg is a talented, young and promising player who can not just help the C’s this year but long term also as the C’s seek to rebuild and will need all the big men with skills they can find.
I only hope that Doc will seek to play Greg more often in the 2nd half off the season then he did in the 1st half to allow us to get a better look at him and allow him the chance to grow and develop some also..
fordescort - February 8, 2012
agree 100% need more confidence and training camp wouldnt hurt hope he gets more minutes
EXER123 - February 8, 2012
1st time post here....
Hope Greg gets more playing time. He will be a big help in the middle.
KG took you lunch money - February 8, 2012
How to build a bench
Stiemsma definitely earned a rest-of-year. Let’s not forget the Patrick O’Bryant experiment and Mikki Moore – two proofs that being big is not enough. And everyone wants a big, and a backup big. So Danny brings in this guy and the only surprise I have after watching him in NBA games is why Doc doesn’t call him more often. But you can’t argue with a 9-1 recent record so, just like Johnson, they have to wait their minutes.
But Danny has assembled something from nothing and at the 5 with JO, Wilcox and Stiemsma #3 we have pretty good size, a lot of fouls to give and no clods. They may not be All Stars but you have to work withing the game rules you got and props to Danny for patching our 5 together.
Wildblu1 - February 8, 2012
+1
But Steamer’s gonna need some more burn if he’s really going to be ready to contribute in the playoffs. Hope he gets it.
JR99 - February 9, 2012
Another diamond in the rough...
…found by Ainge. Really glad to hear he’ll be around. You can’t just go to China and find seven footers who can block shots and hit jumpers. Now he needs to work on his rebounding and defensive rotations.
yakyakyak - February 8, 2012
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