reflections
August 1st, 2007 Celtics Sign Eddie House, Jackie Manuel

Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald reports that the Celtics have signed veteran guard Eddie House to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, leaving the Celtics with roughly $3.8 million left of their MLE (mid-level exception). The sharp-shooting combo guard is entering his eighth year in the NBA, and has previously played with Miami, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee, Sacramento, Phoenix, and most recently New Jersey. Appearing in 56 games for the Nets last season, House scored 8.4 points per game and shot roughly 43% from three-point territory in 16.9 minutes per game. House is now the consensus backup to starting point guard Rajon Rondo, but could also see time off the ball at shooting guard.

Along with House comes 6′5” defensive specialist Jackie Manuel, who helped North Carolina win the 2005 NCAA National Championship. Last season, Manuel appeared in 46 games for the D-League’s Los Angeles D-Fenders, posting averages of 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

My take: I’m not overly impressed with this signing, but I’m also not mad. It’s a one-year, low-risk deal that got us a veteran shooter off the bench, which we desperately needed. I would have preferred a guy like Brevin Knight or Charlie Bell, but their price tags were probably too high anyway (and Bell is also restricted, meaning Milwaukee can match any offer given to him). House isn’t necessarily a point guard in my book, either. I think he’s an experienced, more consistent version of Allan Ray. We’ll see how it works out, but this isn’t great, nor is it that bad.

With no true veteran point guard to show Rondo the ropes, he may have to pull a Tony Parker and control himself on a contending team. I have confidence in Rondo, and I believe that he will do fine, but I would have liked more of a mentor. This is a big year for Rajon, and he has a lot of weight to carry on those frail shoulders in just his second year in the league.

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