Why does Powe play better as a reserve?

campybatman · Post #1 » by **campybatman** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 4:28 am

I'm curious, since Scalabrine and Davis get the nod ahead of him in replace of Garnett. Davis has the beef and height but Powe is a better rebounder.

Still, can't believe Ainge got no takers at the trading deadline for either player.

Kids Are Alright · Post #2 » by **Kids Are Alright** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 4:31 am

and I'm glad, these guys are tough and tested and with Mikki and Scals (hopefully) and KG returning, it's a good frontcourt.

Baby played great tonight too.

TheMartian · Post #3 » by **TheMartian** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 4:35 am

Powe is a keeper. He knows his role and he plays it to perfection. I just wish he was at least 2 inches taller.

Scalamental · Post #4 » by **Scalamental** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 4:41 am

I too was glad powe came up tough in tonight's game. There were times this season when I thought opponents had figured his game out. But there's nothing to figure out, he's just a bad bad man.

Fencer reregistered · Post #5 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 5:18 am

1. When you're physically lacking, you need to substitute energy.
2. First-string offenses can exploit him. In more chaotic reserve situations he excels.
3. First-string defenses are less likely to fall asleep on him.

campybatman · Post #6 » by **campybatman** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 5:28 am

It was said on WEEI that Rivers prefers to keep Powe with the second unit as not to affect his rotations too much. So, it isn't that he can't start. It's Rivers prefers him off the bench.

Another thing, sometimes I think Davis and Powe aren't good playing at the same time. They seem to fight with one another for rebounds. I still don't understand why teammates don't yell out, I got it.

Post #7 » by **TMU** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 5:29 am

Scalabrine and Davis got the starting nod because of they of their ability to stretch the floor. This creates a lot of space in the interior that allows guys like Rondo, Pierce and Allen to maneuver their way through the basket.

Smart move by Rivers. Had Powe played alongside Perkins, the Celtics offense won't have been as efficient. This team relies heavily on Rondo's penetration and his ability to create in the paint, and the interior space does just that.

chakdaddy · Post #8 » by **chakdaddy** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 5:37 pm

Plus, he has trouble when guarded by bigger guys - maybe there are more undersized guys in other teams 2nd units, or it's easier for Doc to find the appropriate matchup if he's coming off the bench.

Certain players, regardless of their abilities, really get neutralized by other types of players - it's like rock paper scissors. Even though Powe is better than Mikki Moore, against a 6-11, 7-0 guy Leon might never really get his shot off and Moore will do better. Antoine was like that - against a decent guys 6-10 or 6-11, he couldn't get a shot off.

Best example...Larry Johnson may have been a better player than Chris Dudley and Herb Williams; but the latter two were tall enough that Duncan wouldn't have been able to shoot over them unmolested in the finals - JVG wouldn't have handed the Spurs the title if he had just put in a scrub with height instead of LJ.

Havlicek17 · Post #9 » by **Havlicek17** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 10:13 pm

Woah! You guys are throwing out all kinds of reasons why Powe isn't starting and why he plays better with the second unit, but you've missed the most obvious reason. Powe plays with the second unit beacuse he is our only low post threat and this allows Paul, Ray, or whatever perimeter starter stays in with the 2nd unit rotation to play an inside outside game. If you watch the second unit play, they are almost always looking to go into Powe as their first option on offense, then let him either turn and go to the hoop or kick it back out to the perimeter. He is a big part of the 2nd unit offense. If he were to start, then either BBD or Scal would have to play with the second unit, and neither can create their own offense very well. They are better used as role players with the first unit.

I don't buy any of the comments about Powe not being able to play as well against taller players or the 1st unit starters. The best way to level the playing field on height is to go right at the taller player. Powe's one of the league leaders in "and 1's". He scored frequently on Cleveland's 1 st unit last night, and he does that against other 1st units as well. Sometimes he exhibits more energy, like he did last night, but the guy is pretty consistent. I don't care who he is playing against, he scores, rebounds, and gets to the line quite often.

campybatman · Post #10 » by **campybatman** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 10:56 pm

Even when Boston's physical play went too far -- like when Davis was ejected for a flagrant foul on Anderson Varejao early in the third quarter -- it worked out OK. Davis' ouster proved to be a blessing in disguise, as Powe came in and raised Boston's interior domination to another level. Truth be told, Powe has been the more effective player all season, and it's been something of a mystery that Davis, not Powe, has been the one to see more court time in Garnett's absence.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/s ... ics-090307

campybatman · Post #11 » by **campybatman** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:09 am

Anyone know if Powe starts at power forward now that Davis will be out indefinitely?

Avalanche · Post #12 » by **Avalanche** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:27 am

i assume he would simply by process of elimination

very short in the frontcourt right now

campybatman · Post #13 » by **campybatman** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:34 am

Good. Because Perkins and Powe in tandem are probably the team's best at getting offensive rebounds. For Davis' height, size and strength over Powe, he isn't that better of a rebounder.

Golabki · Post #14 » by **Golabki** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 3:19 pm

Powe has 8 career starts for 184 minutes. In that time he averaged 23 mpg, 12 ppg and 6 rpg. If you extend that to 40 mpg ('star' minutes) Powe averages 20 and 11 that is pretty good. I would strongly question the assumption of this thread that Powe plays better as a reserve.

celticfan42487 · Post #15 » by **celticfan42487** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 3:39 pm

Davis has been starting over Powe because he won't get pushed around.

I like Powe, but I don't want to see a 30 mpg Powe out there. There is only so much he can against the bigger players after his energy is taped.

If all was well and we had KG out, Moore would be the best to guard Rashard. Sheed isn't going to punish Moore in the post and Moore is a 7 foot tall SF himself so he should be able to make good run outs.

Pogue Mahone · Post #16 » by **Pogue Mahone** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:11 pm

T-Mac United wrote:Smart move by Rivers. Had Powe played alongside Perkins, the Celtics offense won't have been as efficient. This team relies heavily on Rondo's penetration and his ability to create in the paint, and the interior space does just that.

Sorry to cut off the rest of your post but I figured I would get right to the meat and potatoes. While I doagree with your general overall point, I am not quite willing to cede that Davis is a better option than Powe in a pairing with Perkins.

Any slight offensive downgrade a Powe/Perk unit has in relation to Davis/Perk, if any, is more than made up for in the Powe/Perk lineups ability to hit the glass at both ends, limit good looks in the interior and just overall activity.

Consider the following:

Kendrick Perkins Lineups (w/Glen Davis):
Minutes: 271.56
Offensive Possessions: 496
Defensive Possessions: 502
Offensive Points Scored: 524
Defensive Points Scored: 573
Offensive Points per 100 Possessions: 105.65
Defensive Points per 100 Possessions: 114.14
Point Differential per 200 Possessions: (8.50)
Offensive Rebound Percentage: 32.21%
Defensive Rebound Percentage: 70.82%
Expected Winning Percentage: .253

Kendrick Perkins Lineups (w/Brian Scalabrine):
Minutes: 62.23
Offensive Possessions: 125
Defensive Possessions: 126
Offensive Points Scored: 149
Defensive Points Scored: 131
Offensive Points per 100 Possessions: 119.20
Defensive Points per 100 Possessions: 103.97
Point Differential per 200 Possessions: 15.23
Offensive Rebound Percentage: 29.79%
Defensive Rebound Percentage: 77.78%
Expected Winning Percentage: .871

Kendrick Perkins Lineups (w/Leon Powe):
Minutes: 109.64
Offensive Possessions: 208
Defensive Possessions: 206
Offensive Points Scored: 226
Defensive Points Scored: 184
Offensive Points per 100 Possessions: 108.65
Defensive Points per 100 Possessions: 89.32
Point Differential per 200 Possessions: 19.33
Offensive Rebound Percentage: 37.23%
Defensive Rebound Percentage: 76.58%
Expected Winning Percentage: .940

Bluewhale · Post #17 » by **Bluewhale** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:55 pm

Way to go, Pogue Mahone.

What make me confused why Davis is a so bad defensive rebounder. He is so big.

Golabki · Post #18 » by **Golabki** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:58 pm

short, can't jump, not aggressive