Who among the bench is seeing their stock rise?

[Avalanche]

yeah i didnt understand that in the slightest... with what he did, in the minutes he was given surely he deserves to stay active over cassell at least at this point of the season

[campybatman]

I feel this is true. For me, I'm intrigued to see Giddens play. Whereas, Walker I'm uncertain from the little I've seen of him if he's a keeper for Boston or yet another Kedrick Brown/Gerald Green.

Doc Rivers has heard the calls for the kids throughout his five-year tenure in Boston. From Al Jefferson, to Gerald Green, to Ryan Gomes, to Rajon Rondo, to Leon Powe, to Gabe Pruitt, the unknown quantities have intrigued fans and media, and Rivers has had to explain why it’s taking so long to get to know them.

Now Rivers is hearing those questions about rookie Bill Walker. His combination of leaping ability, size, and toughness makes him an intriguing option. But Rivers has made his young players earn their way into the lineup in recent years, and he says he is not ready to rush Walker from the Development League right into a spot in the main rotation just yet.

“Whenever I hear that about Patrick [O’Bryant], or this week it’s Billy, or next week it might be J.R. [Giddens], I always wonder who they want me to take off the floor,” Rivers said. “It’s not anything they’re doing or not doing, but they have to beat out the guy in front of them. You play nine guys, we play 10 as much as I can help during the regular season, but it’s just that simple.

“It’s either that, or in the olden days, you’d just take the guy out who is in front of you.”

Since the beginning of camp, Walker has appeared to be a step ahead of Giddens — more poised and readier to make an impact, despite being almost three years younger. Still, although he has been able to excite with a powerful baseline move or a menacing block, he has struggled with fouls. In two games against the Nets, he had 12 points and five rebounds, along with seven fouls, in 24 minutes.

http://www.boston.com/sports/ot/2009/01 ... _case.html

[Avalanche]

Leons stock must be going well down now, hes playing less and less minutes and if thats going to continue maybe we should consider giving him a few 25+minute games and get his stock up for a trade.

And i agree with Doc that guys have to earn their way into the rotation, but for 5-10 minutes a game, especially with TA out i feel Billy did exactly that

[campybatman]

What's confusing about everything is as a fan you can't really determine whether or not players are receiving minutes to be showcased to other teams or are they merely being played out of necessity as oppose to them actually earning more time. I mean the most perplexing situation is the one you've between Powe and Davis. Regardless of their play this season, you do know one thing for sure. Both Powe and Davis will be restricted free agents after this season.

[rambo_ortega]

big baby. he's been playing well as of late.

[campybatman]

Davis is developing his outside range like Gomes did when he was in Boston. If he [Davis] can establish a go-to mid range shot he can hit with regularity and combine that with his passing, footwork and inside rebounding. Davis could really see his stock soar this season if his minutes remain consistent. Unlike Powe, Davis has the skills to potentially be an inside/outside threat on offense. Something like a young Antoine Walker early in his career with Boston. With that said, the coaching staff should develop him more into a regular 4 rather than a 5. But, he would need to lose more weight. Because I see some play making ability in him like Oliver Miller. He needs to become a better dribbler, though.

[campybatman]

I remember Ainge had an interest in Etan Thomas. I think he and Smith are the two Ainge could be monitoring. Anthony Parker is another one I would've an interest in playing behind Ray, if House can be moved.

While Toronto forward Jermaine O'Neal and Miami forward Shawn Marion have been mentioned in the hottest rumors and could, in fact, be traded for each other, there are several other intriguing names being tossed around. Keep an eye on Toronto's Anthony Parker and Joey Graham, Minnesota's Mike Miller, Oklahoma City's Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox, Chicago's Larry Hughes and Andres Nocioni, Cleveland's Wally Szczerbiak, Dallas's Jerry Stackhouse, New Jersey's Bobby Simmons, and Washington's Etan Thomas.

"A lot of people are trying to make trades hoping to get an extra boost," one executive said.

Said the other executive, "Teams are looking to save money, get a good young prospect, and get draft picks."

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... re/?page=3