Celtics get their 'big'

O'Bryant signs 2-year, $3m deal

P. O'BRYANT Warrior flop

The Celtics are hoping a more mature Patrick O'Bryant will reach his potential after failing to do so with Golden State.

The Celtics signed the seldom-used 7-foot, 250-pound center yesterday to a two-year, $3 million contract, according to an NBA source. O'Bryant is expected to back up Kendrick Perkins. O'Bryant, 22, was the ninth pick in the 2006 NBA draft, but rarely played during two seasons with the Warriors.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity to come in the league and prove myself," said O'Bryant yesterday in a phone interview. "I didn't do a very good job the first two years. I need to prove I belong here and belong for a long time."

O'Bryant averaged 13.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks during his sophomore season at Bradley, then left school for the NBA. The Blaine, Minn., native averaged only 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 16 games as a rookie in the 2006-07 season, although he averaged 12 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in 25 games for Bakersfield in the National Basketball Development League.

Although the Warriors were impressed with O'Bryant's potential, his work ethic became a major concern.

"I came in a little immature to the league," O'Bryant said. "I was barely 20 years old. I didn't quite understand what it was about and I didn't figure it out quick enough. I didn't get the opportunity I wanted."

The Warriors declined O'Bryant's third-year option Nov. 1. Golden State executive vice president Chris Mullin told O'Bryant if he just reaches "30 percent more effort," he could have a 10-year NBA career.

"He's a talented young big man that obviously needs a little bit more development," said Mullin in a phone interview. "You see some things that make you believe he can become a very good NBA player. He's young, but he's a good kid. He needs to work harder, and that's not a bad thing. He has talent, no question about it."

O'Bryant averaged 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in 24 games with Golden State last season, and averaged 17.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.5 blocks in seven games in the D-League.

"I know how good a basketball player I am," O'Bryant said. "Everyone else doesn't know. With hard work and minutes, I'll show everyone why I was the ninth pick in the draft."

The Celtics had interest in other free agent centers, such as New Orleans's Chris Andersen, Indiana's David Harrison, and New York's Randolph Morris, but O'Bryant impressed them during a workout July 4. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge doesn't expect to sign any other big men. It seems doubtful that injured center Scot Pollard will be re-signed by the Celtics, and P.J. Brown is expected to retire.

"The presence of veteran guys, especially Kevin Garnett, will be a blessing for [O'Bryant] seeing that work ethic," Ainge said. "Perkins, Leon [Powe], Big Baby [Glen Davis] work really hard. We've done a good job developing our big guys."

Ainge said O'Bryant will have the tough task of earning playing time off the bench over Powe and Davis. O'Bryant will spend much of the offseason working out at the Celtics' training facility in Waltham and will attend assistant coach Clifford Ray's big man development camp in Orlando, Fla.

"I can help with a low-post presence, be a good backup center-[power forward] guy," O'Bryant said. "That's pretty much been my game since I was really young, a back-to-basket center, rebounder, and shot blocker. I can help as far as that goes."

The Celtics would like more help, and remain interested in re-signing James Posey, but they have competition. Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said "six to seven" teams are also interested and some are trying to clear salary cap space to sign Posey. Teams that have expressed interest include Cleveland, Detroit, New Orleans, and Washington. Posey has yet to speak about his status. He is scheduled to attend a private screening of "2007-2008 NBA Champions: The Boston Celtics" Monday night at TD Banknorth Garden.

"[The Celtics] want to sign him, but we haven't agreed on anything," said Bartelstein. "They are in the same spot with the other teams."

Said Ainge: "We like [Posey], he likes us. But I'm not sure where he stands with other teams."

The Celtics are also looking for a veteran backup point guard and have interest in re-signing Eddie House or signing Dallas's Tyronn Lue. Phoenix is also interested in Lue, and the Celtics might need to sweeten a potential one-year veterans' minimum deal to acquire him. House is also scheduled to attend the Celtics' function Monday.

Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com