The Celtics beat the Pistons in Game 5 on Wednesday thanks in large part to their starting five. Actually, make that thanks in VERY large part...the starters scored 103 out of Boston's 106 points. The story goes even further than that though; when all 5 of the Celtics starters were on the floor together (30 minutes) the Celtics had a 16 point advantage. With 4 starters on the floor (7:26) the Celtics were outscored by 2. With 3 starters on the floor (8:22) they were outscored by 5. And with only 2 starters on the floor (for just 2:08) they were outscored by 5. Aside from occasional bright spots the bench has not even come close to getting the job in the post-season and it is time to stop giving them meaningful minutes. If Perk can stay out of foul trouble as he did in Game 5 (always a big if with Perk) he should be going for 35+ minutes per game. Same with the rest of the starters...and maybe even more minutes than that. The only C's with a negative +/- in the post-season are Tony Allen (-16), Big Baby (-46), Posey (-47) and PJ (-54). Add to that Sam Cassell not seeming to know the plays and looking older than he is (difficult to do) and Doc's apparent lack of confidence in fan favorites Eddie House and Leon Powe, and it appears the subs are best left during the game in the same place they begin it, cheering from the sidelines. This isn't little league, not everyone needs to play, and in the Celtics case clearly not everyone should. Game 5 Prediction: Pierce comes alive and goes for 30+, C's take it by 6.Friday, May 30, 2008
C's Subs Should Stay on Bench
The Celtics beat the Pistons in Game 5 on Wednesday thanks in large part to their starting five. Actually, make that thanks in VERY large part...the starters scored 103 out of Boston's 106 points. The story goes even further than that though; when all 5 of the Celtics starters were on the floor together (30 minutes) the Celtics had a 16 point advantage. With 4 starters on the floor (7:26) the Celtics were outscored by 2. With 3 starters on the floor (8:22) they were outscored by 5. And with only 2 starters on the floor (for just 2:08) they were outscored by 5. Aside from occasional bright spots the bench has not even come close to getting the job in the post-season and it is time to stop giving them meaningful minutes. If Perk can stay out of foul trouble as he did in Game 5 (always a big if with Perk) he should be going for 35+ minutes per game. Same with the rest of the starters...and maybe even more minutes than that. The only C's with a negative +/- in the post-season are Tony Allen (-16), Big Baby (-46), Posey (-47) and PJ (-54). Add to that Sam Cassell not seeming to know the plays and looking older than he is (difficult to do) and Doc's apparent lack of confidence in fan favorites Eddie House and Leon Powe, and it appears the subs are best left during the game in the same place they begin it, cheering from the sidelines. This isn't little league, not everyone needs to play, and in the Celtics case clearly not everyone should. Game 5 Prediction: Pierce comes alive and goes for 30+, C's take it by 6.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
8 comments:
Everyone keeps saying "Doc hasn't settled on a rotation," and this is true. But it is not about having a set rotation as it is about having a GOOD rotation.
It doesn't have to be the same 7 or 9 or even 5 guys. To set on a certain few or many guys, with the inconsistencies coming from everyone in this playoffs, starters and bench alike, would be foolish.
Simply put, play who's playing well.
DK - Perk good for 35+ minutes a game? The guy looks winded after the opening tip.
The Celts need to rotate PJ Brown or Powe with Perkins. Big Baby wont be a factor until he can push away from the pre-game buffet.
I am hoping to see Scalabrine in for some spot duty tonight. 1-0 when Big Red suits up.
Also - if Rondo keeps throwing those lob entry passes, I think he should be forced to sit in the same room as Walpole Joe for an entire day.
DK - Perk good for 35+ minutes a game? The guy looks winded after the opening tip.
The Celts need to rotate PJ Brown or Powe with Perkins. Big Baby wont be a factor until he can push away from the pre-game buffet.
I am hoping to see Scalabrine in for some spot duty tonight. 1-0 when Big Red suits up.
Also - if Rondo keeps throwing those lob entry passes, I think he should be forced to sit in the same room as Walpole Joe for an entire day.
I dont really see ray allen missing a shot tonight. I think he will be as hot from deep as he has been all year. Celts win by 10 tonight with the bench getting big minutes.
Swamp Thang aka PK43 aka Perk will double double again in the first half.
I agree use the bench as little as possible.
Rip wont finish the game with the injured elbow. And without Rip at 100% Detroit is in for a world of hurt.
I can't believe the Pistons fans were leaving with a minute+ left in a 2 possession game....what a bunch of losers.
They deserved to lose that game because their fans sucked.
Has anybody ever seen a player attempting a 3-pointer pump fake and get called for a foul? That was one of the worst calls I have seen the NBA. Was Tim Donaghy working that game?
Who is posting messages as DK? NOT cool!
On a side note, Perk went for 40+ minutes 2 games in a row and they won them both. They are a better team with him on the floor. Period.
Of course you are hoping to see Scalabrine, Polarbear. Boston-Hater.
Post a Comment