Pierce yelled to Cassell to 'run the play' last night

GonzoLays · Post #1 » by **GonzoLays** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:26 pm

We'll, he didn't exactly "yell" at Cassell but he did have a distraught look on his face when he was talking to Cassell after he entered the game.

Apparently, Doc drew up a play where Pierce was going to get the ball at the top of the key and Cassell decided to be his ubunto-killing self and drove baseline and got blocked. The play proceeded to be a fast break for Detroit and Pierce committed a foul at the other end.

As the teams were lining up for the free throw, you could see Pierce and Cassell mini-arguing at the free throw line with Pierce saying, "run the play, run the play."

See, that's the problem with Cassell. That's why he's been traded 18 times in his career despite playing a premium position. Cassell likes to do things his way without regard to his teammates and coaches.

It seems like to me that that arguing took Pierce out of his comfort zone because we all know that Pierce isn't a yeller or a guy that likes to argue with his teammates. In all my years of watching the C's I have never seen Paul get into with his teammates.

Sam hit two big shots last night but we are starting to see why Sam has killed ubunto.

If Danny Ainge had addressed the PG position at the beginning of the year instead of a month before the season ended, this would never have been a problem.

Post #2 » by **tlee324** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:42 pm

Doc wanted a veteran PG. They probably didn't need one, but he did want one, and he does use him. Maybe he shouldn't.

Post #3 » by **ParticleMan** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:44 pm

Of the guys who were available he was the best thing out there at the time.

But I'm not too excited about bringing him back next season. At least as a player.

GonzoLays · Post #4 » by **GonzoLays** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:48 pm

BadMuthaCeltic wrote:Doc wanted a veteran PG. They probably didn't need one, but he did want one, and he does use him. Maybe he shouldn't.

And let Eddie House bring the ball up and get his pocket swiped against Lindsey Hunter? Or let House dribble the ball for 12 seconds simply to get to the three point line? No, this series is not a good matchup for House.

Paul Pierce bringing the ball isn't the solution either because he turns the ball over a ton too when he is the primary ball handler.

As by the two examples above, you can see WHY Doc was screaming for a veteran backup PG. Before Cassell arrived, WE DIDN'T HAVE ONE!

Now Doc is forced to play Sam "I Killed Ubunto" Cassell.

Post #5 » by **tlee324** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:50 pm

Our passing could break the press, and you can do that with House, who's a more willing passer than Cassell. When they aren't pressing, you can have Pierce, Ray or even Posey bringing it up, whoever of them is on the floor.

We didn't have huge PG problems before Cassell, and he's done nothing to really help, so why use him?

kmgarnett21 · Post #6 » by **kmgarnett21** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:54 pm

when did ubuntu change to ubunto? which is it?

GonzoLays · Post #7 » by **GonzoLays** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:57 pm

BadMuthaCeltic wrote:Our passing could break the press, and you can do that with House, who's a more willing passer than Cassell. When they aren't pressing, you can have Pierce, Ray or even Posey bringing it up, whoever of them is on the floor.

We didn't have huge PG problems before Cassell, and he's done nothing to really help, so why use him?

Where were you when we played against Detroit this year? Anytime Rondo leaves the game we ALWAYS have PG problems. Remember when Doc had to use Tony Allen to bring the ball up against Detroit? That's called a PG problem, my friend.

We can't handle Detroit's pressure (few teams can) with Rondo in the game, much less with House bringing it up against Lindsey Hunter. That's just cruel to House to let him do that.

Post #8 » by **tlee324** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:59 pm

"Where were you when we played against Detroit this year? Anytime Rondo leaves the game we ALWAYS have PG problems. Remember when Doc had to use Tony Allen to bring the ball up against Detroit? That's called a PG problem, my friend. "

It's not to say we didn't have a problem with Detroit, it's just that we have beaten them without using Cassell, we can break the press without Cassell or a primary ball-handler (like we did last night late in the 4th to hold them off), so there really isn't any reason to use Cassell.

GonzoLays · Post #9 » by **GonzoLays** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:08 pm

BadMuthaCeltic wrote:"Where were you when we played against Detroit this year? Anytime Rondo leaves the game we ALWAYS have PG problems. Remember when Doc had to use Tony Allen to bring the ball up against Detroit? That's called a PG problem, my friend. "

It's not to say we didn't have a problem with Detroit, it's just that we have beaten them without using Cassell, we can break the press without Cassell or a primary ball-handler (like we did last night late in the 4th to hold them off), so there really isn't any reason to use Cassell.

You can't compare the regular season to the post season. Teams prey on other teams weaknesses during a seven game series. Have trouble bringing the ball up? Pressure even more.

Doc is forced to use Cassell and there is really no other alternative because of his ability to bring the ball up without having half the team in the backcourt to set screens.

Post #10 » by **tlee324** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:10 pm

You used the regular season first, but I also used the example of just last game last night. After some turnovers and rushed shots trying to dribble through the pressure, we spread the floor and used smart passes to break it. It eliminates using Cassell altogether. It's the best way to break a press anyway.

GonzoLays · Post #11 » by **GonzoLays** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:18 pm

BadMuthaCeltic wrote:You used the regular season first, but I also used the example of just last game last night. After some turnovers and rushed shots trying to dribble through the pressure, we spread the floor and used smart passes to break it. It eliminates using Cassell altogether. It's the best way to break a press anyway.

Huh? That was with Rondo in the game.

What you are saying there is no need for a team to have a PG in the game because all you have to do is "spread the floor and use -- and here are the key words -- smart passes to break it.

Why not let James Posey bring the ball up and tell the team to "spread the floor and use smart passes to break the pressure?

Hell, why not let Perkins bring the bring the ball up and tell the team to "spread the floor and use smart passes to break the pressure?" Really, if you did that would eliminate using Cassell. Seriously, why not?

Post #12 » by **tlee324** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:25 pm

GonzoLays wrote:Huh? That was with Rondo in the game.

What you are saying there is no need for a team to have a PG in the game because all you have to do is "spread the floor and use -- and here are the key words -- smart passes to break it.

Why not let James Posey bring the ball up and tell the team to "spread the floor and use smart passes to break the pressure?

Hell, why not let Perkins bring the bring the ball up and tell the team to "spread the floor and use smart passes to break the pressure?" Really, if you did that would eliminate using Cassell. Seriously, why not?

No, he rotated Rondo and Cassell, and when Rondo was in there he didn't dribble through the pressure.

It was actually Posey who made the "smart" passes to break the press, along with Pierce, Garnett (eventually) and Ray. I was making this point during the game when i was watching it. I was praying that they'd get someone in there that could break it with the pass rather than dribbling in, rushing shots, or turning over the ball.

You're saying to me "why not let Perkins bring the ball up", but it's not about one guy simply bringing the ball up, it's getting the right passes to advance the ball up the floor, not pounding it. In that case, I'd have Perkins head straight down the floor, because having him passing the ball like that would definitely result in a turnover. His passing is better near the hoop, preferably with KG.

cloverleaf · Post #13 » by **cloverleaf** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:37 pm

Pierce mentioned Cassell during the post-game presser when he was praising the play off the bench. Reading this thread makes me feel good that he's balancing that public praise with actually getting on him during the game. Maybe having Pierce on the floor at the same time Doc feels he has to use Sam will help keep Sam in line.

campybatman · Post #14 » by **campybatman** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:42 pm

I remember Denver had an interest in Cassell. And Cassell still has a good rapport with Karl and does have serious aspirations to be a head coach. That is, he could've his cake and eat it too in Denver. Play under Karl and eventually join his coaching staff maybe.

Despite, Cassell's interest in returning to Boston next season. I say, he could bolt during the off season. I believe it was said that Cassell or his agent did inform other teams not to inquire about him because he's going to sign with Boston after he cleared waivers.

The Heat shouldn't expect too much out of the free-agent market at point guard considering four of the top unrestricted free agents