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There is a chance that Rondo may not play in game 4. Doc Rivers is thinking about starting TA at the point. Why would Doc even consider this when TA has hardly played at all in the playoffs? we know the answer to that. Doc is **** clueless.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bask ... up_in_air/

"Even if Rondo is deemed game-worthy, Rivers may still have reservations about sending him out against the Lakers.

His speed, clearly,

I expect Rondo to play. But TA at PG that should be fun! I actually still like Tony and if he starts and gets consistent minutes he can be effective. He seems to play well when he starts and against LA I don˙t think he would have too much trouble since they don`t press like DET. And he can guard Kobe, he used to be pretty good at it back in the day.

I doubt Tony will get any minutes tonight but if he does hopefully he can bring something positive to the team.

IF Rondo isn't healthy enough, I like the idea of giving TA a chance. Or, perhaps Cassell starts, and then we bring TA out to start the 3rd quarter and the Lakers aren't prepared. TA @ PG worked well enough in the regular season, he can guard Kobe, and he usually he does seem to respond positively when given a big enough role

TA started at PG in the game against the Lakers in LA during the regular season. Not that really means anything.

I don't think House is the right kind of player to start with but I would go as far as to say I would prefer TA to start ahead of Cassell.

given the choice between Eddie, Sam and Tony I'd start Tony. Hopefully he doesn't try to dribble in traffic too much. Still, at least he won't hog the ball, will use his strength to pentrate and will defend well as he always does. Not having Rondo is definitely a huge minus but who knows, Tony could very well step up.

Start with House and bring in TA. I don't want to see that pussy Sam Cassell..

im down

as long as tony allen shows up not phony allen

he is there for defense only.
TA can't bring the ball up against either fisher or kobe, and neither could Ray. I wouldn't want either one of them doing it.

PP and/or KG would run the offense, and in this way if they want kobe defending tony, then when we have to go back on D, then kobe has a good defender on him.

I think that's a good idea. This doesn't mean that House won't see most of the minutes on the court you know..

Pete

Well one thing is for sure if Tony starts... we won't be complaining about no one going to the basket. Tony will drive like a mad man. Tony seems even more difficult to stop going to the basket than Pierce. I am disappointed that Tony hasn't received much playing time in these playoffs. I really think he can help.

Tony always seemed to do better when starting however it's been so long that he's gotten any real minutes that I'm a bit concerned with him playing meaningful minutes.

House would see the lion's share of the minutes. This would be the same thing as when Tony would start but Ricky Davis would get the majority of minutes as the 6th man. For whatever reason, Allen seems to get off to much better performances when he starts a game. Some guys, as Cassell is showing, really struggle when asked to come cold off the bench. Eddie House clearly isn't bothered by that, while Tony Allen is. If they're going to get most of the PG minutes with Rondo out, why start House?

I don't get it. Don't you guys remember the Tony Allen that leaves his feet every time someone sneezes??? Everyone talks about how good a defender he is, but that was a long time ago. More recently all he does is fall for any and all pump fakes (see Rip Hamilton) and/or make stupid fouls. And after he commits a foul, he usually gets down on himself and plays even worse.

The good play you saw from Tony was well over a year ago now. His confidence clearly isn't the same now, and add to the fact that he hasn't seen many minutes recently, and he's the last person I wanna see out there now. Add to that he usually has trouble just dribbling the ball.....

I think it's a great idea. TA would give them D, quickness, etc. At this point, Sam is too **** to get any PT and Eddie is better suited off the bench. Hopefully Doc has the balls to actually do that instead of being forced to start Cassell.

I would love to see what TA can do out there and maybe even see some time guarding Kobe.

As long as Cassell doesn't see time on the court, I'd be happy with whoever we go with.

jking wrote:I don't get it. Don't you guys remember the Tony Allen that leaves his feet every time someone sneezes??? Everyone talks about how good a defender he is, but that was a long time ago. More recently all he does is fall for any and all pump fakes (see Rip Hamilton) and/or make stupid fouls. And after he commits a foul, he usually gets down on himself and plays even worse.

The good play you saw from Tony was well over a year ago now. His confidence clearly isn't the same now, and add to the fact that he hasn't seen many minutes recently, and he's the last person I wanna see out there now. Add to that he usually has trouble just dribbling the ball.....

Don't be stupid. Falling for a few pump fakes in no way is an indication of what kind of player he is. Everyone falls for them and in case you didn't notice, TA is always guarding the opponent's best offensive player when he's out there. If he was so bad, wouldn't he be hidden by guarding a non-offensive threat than always being put on the hottest opposing player?

Besides, would you rather he be beaten off the dribble like Cassell, so the offensive player doesn't even have to use a pump fake? He's falling for pump fakes against players like Billups and Rip, not the likes of Acie Law or Daniel Gibson.

TA could really surprise people. Sure he could play badly and we could lose but we would probably lose with Cassell anyway. TA has upside. He has put on some awesome performances and he could do it again.

Pete

tombattor wrote:I think it's a great idea. TA would give them D, quickness, etc. At this point, Sam is too **** to get any PT and Eddie is better suited off the bench. Hopefully Doc has the balls to actually do that instead of being forced to start Cassell.

I would love to see what TA can do out there and maybe even see some time guarding Kobe.

As long as Cassell doesn't see time on the court, I'd be happy with whoever we go with.

Regardless of his shortcomings, at this point ANYONE is better than Sam. I'd still rather seen House instead of TA because of his scoring ability, but inserting TA for some D wouldn't be half bad...

Hi, Stupid here. So the fact that he always leaves his feet against good players makes it okay?? I just think he has zero confidence in himself right now (partly due to just not playing much), which usually leads to poor play, especially in the pressure of The Finals.

People can cite all the good games he used to have, but it was very few and far between this year. Didn't happen regularly since over a year and a half ago now. Now we think he'll just step in and play well?? Didn't happen vs Detroit, thats for sure.

I think its moot anyways. Rondo's gonna play, with House/Sam backing him up.

IF TA plays the point we might be screwed. His decision making capabilities are up there with Ray Allen. Who is worse with the ball in theirs hands then ray allen? I would say no one. Ray, catch and shoot buddy, catch and shoot.

thats the problem, your making a generalization and trying to pass it off as the truth, he doesn't always leave his feet, he bites on pump fakes no more than any other player, a pump fake is a very effective move which is why it has been part of the game for 50 years

anyone who has covered, watched, or coached Tony Allen on the Celtics during his time here or at Oklahoma State will tell you he is an excellent perimeter defender, so saying he isn't is foolish and shows an agenda. Yes, Tony Allen has significant holes in his game, but perimeter defense isn't one of them