If Pierce can't go -- then what?

[Fencer reregistered]

If Pierce can't go, Posey surely starts at the 3.

So who is the rest of the 2/3 rotation?

Cassell at the 2 doesn't seem that appealing when Kobe is in the lineup, one charge taken notwithstanding.

Tony Allen is an obvious choice for the 2 -- if HE is near 100%.

Other choices:

Davis or Scal logging serious minutes at the 3, with Posey sliding over to the 2 in Allen's absence.

KG playing some 3.

KG playing some 3 on offense while remaining at the 4 on defense.

And if Perk is impaired too, Garnett really is needed inside, especially on D.

[Tricky Ricky]

Lets not worry about that til we have to

[sully00]

If Pierce is out I would start Tony Allen. He is at his best starting on the wing and at least gives Ray a break on Kobe for the start of the game. He is also a wildcard offensively as LAL will have to go to their bench quickly to find someone to guard him if he is effective and that will limit their perimeter shooting. Especially since you may be starting Posey at the 4 or at least need him to be ready to handle whatever breaks down first.

[GuyClinch]

I would start TA as well...a guy who could surprise people. But I think Doc will start Posey.

[Rondo_Fan]

Doc just said on WEEI that he would probably start TA, because he likes Posey off the bench.

He sounded much more pessimistic about Perkins than Pierce.

He mentioned that the medical staff spent a lot of time going over Perkins.

[cloverleaf]

Thanks for the update--sorry to hear that about Perk. Pierce and Perk are two tough warriors.

I think the 2 most reliable guys to go above and beyond off the bench are PJ and Posey, so that's what we may see the most of. Having the season come down to a yet-again-rusty TA isn't really encouraging.

But the C's showed they could win for a stretch in the offseason without KG, and Doc was on them right after Pierce went down to play through the adversity last night. The rest of the team may need the extra day to regroup emotionally, as they're all on the spot now.

[nyhuskyfan]

I'd like to see Eddie House get a chance to have an impact. He's a guy who can break your back with a quick flurry of bench points. I just don't see the Lakers being able to put enough defensive pressure on him to exploit his ball-handling weakness.

It might be tough to ask him to shake off the mothballs and shoot effectively, though.

[hermes]

how serious are pierce and perkins' injuries is there any word?

[tombattor]

I'd like to see Eddie House get a chance to have an impact. He's a guy who can break your back with a quick flurry of bench points. I just don't see the Lakers being able to put enough defensive pressure on him to exploit his ball-handling weakness.

It might be tough to ask him to shake off the mothballs and shoot effectively, though.

No ****. If Sam doesn't have Doc's family in hostage, we should see House. Is there anyone worse than Cassell for this team? If we lose the series, it'll be because of him.

No backup PG playing 10 min or less has ever consistently made a bigger negative effect on a team than Cassell. He needs to go. I don't care where. If that's hell, even better.

[Fencer reregistered]

So Allen/Allen starting at the 2/3?

I guess Ray Allen can probably do a good job of covering Radmanovich. He's just a taller jumpshooter ...