Celts sign Eddie House
Posted by Mark Murphy at 4:08 pm

The Celtics signed free agent guard Eddie House this afternoon to a one-year deal, apparently solving their need for a veteran backup to point guard Rajon Rondo.

In truth the 6-1 House, who averaged 8.4 points in 56 games for the Nets last year, is more of a shooter than a playmaker, which is indeed part of why Danny Ainge was attracted to him. On the positive side House shot .429 from 3-point range last season, and has indeed sunk the Celtics many times over the years from behind the circle.

On the other, he shot worse (.428) overall last season.

But House is not the only player who figures to fill in behind Rondo this season. Tony Allen, and even Ray Allen, have been discussed as point guard possibilities, in addition to rookie Gabe Pruitt out of USC.

The Celtics also signed Jackie Manuel, a 6-5 wing player who played for Los Angeles in the NBDL last season, and is considered a solid defensive player. He was named the ACC’s defensive player of the year two seasons ago while at North Carolina.

Next up in the free agent market is a big man. PJ Brown, the 37-year-old power forward who is reportedly seeking the full mid-level exception ($5.6 million) for his services, has probably priced himself out of the Celtics’ range.

The team is currently checking into the market for Dikembe Mutombo, who could fill in nicely as a backup behind Kendrick Perkins. Mutombo is currently in Africa, where he is on his annual mission at the head of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program.

there's also rumors floating around that the wolves are going to cut gomes (who had to be included to make the $$$'s work).

If that's the case, what are the odds Gomes goes right back to Boston? If anything, it makes the trade less lopsided than it already is.

Agreed, cutting Gomes is crazy.

Eddie House, not bad.

1) You know we're talking about Kevin McHale here, right?
2) The Wolves roster is pretty overloaded right now. Some guys have to be cut.
3) They might keep Telfair since they just bought Hudson out.

Eddie House=instant offense..sucks for the Nets, he can be deadly off the bench.

Posted by nixluva:

Good move by Ainge. House is a great shooter off the bench.

I think he will probably start at the 1.

Posted by bigbeast:

Posted by BigC:

Posted by nixluva:

Good move by Ainge. House is a great shooter off the bench.

I think he will probably start at the 1.

House is a shooter, he's no PG or decision maker. Doc is already on record saying that Rondo will start this year.

[Edited by - bigbeast on 01-08-2007 5:51 PM]

He could play a little point off the bench it's not like they need a real point off the bench. KG, Ray Allen, and pierce can all handle the ball.

I think the Celts would be best served running an offense like(not the triangle, but the style) Chicago used to. Where they have Pierce handle the ball(like Jordan and Pippen used to) in the half court and their PG is more of an off the ball jumpshooter that can make good decisions with the ball. Otherwise it's going to be really hard to find a PG that can distribute to all these guys and keep them happy. House is definitely a great fit for them because he will be able to light it up, but as a PG for long stretches I'm not sure if that is a great role for him.

That role would put a lot of pressure on Pierce by the way. He's done it in the past but he was also the main scorer and could call his own number anytime he wanted. He will have to make an adjustment.

In a notso perfect world where everyone was available to the C's but the elite PG's, I would think a guy like Bibby would be the best fit.

Posted by arkrud:

Posted by Bippity10:

I think the Celts would be best served running an offense like(not the triangle, but the style) Chicago used to. Where they have Pierce handle the ball(like Jordan and Pippen used to) in the half court and their PG is more of an off the ball jumpshooter that can make good decisions with the ball. Otherwise it's going to be really hard to find a PG that can distribute to all these guys and keep them happy. House is definitely a great fit for them because he will be able to light it up, but as a PG for long stretches I'm not sure if that is a great role for him.

That role would put a lot of pressure on Pierce by the way. He's done it in the past but he was also the main scorer and could call his own number anytime he wanted. He will have to make an adjustment.

In a notso perfect world where everyone was available to the C's but the elite PG's, I would think a guy like Bibby would be the best fit.

They need guy like Mardy and it's planty of that stuff in NBA. They can get by close to nothing

Mardy wouldn't hurt them, but I think they would prefer to have a shooter at the position. That would be a better compliment to the slashing style of Pierce and the post-up of Garnett.

Posted by Allanfan20:

A shooter like Ray Allen who can also bring the ball up the court and distribute?

Ray and Paul will probably take that role. I think Paul has done it for the past year or two in Boston so he is probably the most likely candidate. I haven't seen enough of Ray in Seattle to know if this is common practice.

It is funny how after the Celtics trade for Garnett and Ray they immediately start targeting players that compliment them. Some teams like to do it that way.