We don't have a backup SF unless we...

[chakdaddy]

Go big!

Seriously, the only thing resembling a true backup SF is Bill Walker, and he's a little undersized, not to mention raw. I don't buy the talk of Tony Allen playing the 3 at 6'4". And please no one mention Scal here.

I wonder if, when Pierce needs a breather and we are faced with a big opposing SF, will we go big by inserting Davis or Powe at the 4 and sliding KG over to 3, with Perk or POB (or even Davis) remaining at the 5? In Minnesota he and Joe Smith kind of were interchangeable at 3/4. Might be worth a look when the Tony/Ray/Walker are obviously overmatched on defense and Pierce is on the bench.

[SonicYouth34]

I don't like the idea of KG playing the three spot (even though I saw him drill like 8 consecutive 3 pointers in the open practice on Saturday). I think we should trade Scal for like Trenton Hassell or just throw Bill into the fire and see what happens.

[Dave_From_NB]

Personally, I believe that most of the time RA becomes the backup SF. As we saw last season, one of Pierce and RA were on the floor pretty much all of the time, and I believe as PP sits RA slides over with Tony replacing him, and Tony getting the remainder of the minutes when RA sits down.

Your going big scenario makes sense to me when it's necessary.

[tombattor]

Personally, I believe that most of the time RA becomes the backup SF. As we saw last season, one of Pierce and RA were on the floor pretty much all of the time, and I believe as PP sits RA slides over with Tony replacing him, and Tony getting the remainder of the minutes when RA sits down.

Your going big scenario makes sense to me when it's necessary.

I agree with you here. I think Ray, PP and TA are going to play most of the SG/SF minutes. We may see Eddie House at the 2 on occasions when Ray and Paul are both sitting, but it's unlikely to see too much of that. In most cases, I think it'll be TA and Ray playing together when Paul is out and TA replacing Ray at the 2 when Ray is out.

[Rocky5000]

Yep, the only time having a backup 3 will be an issue is in blowouts when RA and PP are sitting, and in that case, it won't be much of an issue. We are a little more vulnerable to injury though.

[Bad-Thoma]

When need be early on, give Bill Walker some burn, if it seems like an issue make a move before the trading deadline.

[GuyClinch]

Doc shows know inclination to do this kind of thing. Doc is far more willing to go small then big - if it's not Ray Allen at SF it will be Walker or TA.

Pete

[aboubata]

the only time it will be a problem is when we are playing Cleveland, Paul gets in foul trouble, and Lebron is on fire and shooting (and making) over TA. I am not sure cleveland would be riding lebron for 48 minutes, in a 7 game series, doubt that would get them somewhere.
yea, maybe prince would be posting tony or ray, but if you think detroit would win a 7 game series against us doing that, then you are wrong.

[Rocky5000]

What do you guys think of Bonsi Wells? I was surprised to find out that he still doesn't have a contract.

[Fencer reregistered]

With all the talk about TA getting a lot of minutes, it's obvious that RA/TA is the base-case wing combo when Paul sits.

If Powe/Davis/POB earn a bunch of minutes collectively, then a three-bigs offense becomes more plausible. KG CAN play the 3 very effectively (perhaps better than he can play the 5).

[BillessuR6]

I think we are going to see quite a bit of Tony at 3. And let`s not forget Scal!

[JMillott]

I totally do believe we're going to see an awful lot of Tony Allen at SF this year until Walker or Giddens make the regular rotation around the allstar break. We have seen a very consistent approach from Doc Rivers in handling his rookies this way to avoid having them in the games until they really understand the system and possibly as a preventative measure to keep his rookies from hitting the rookie wall in the middle of the year.

I totally agree with the way the handle this around here because every young player we have had in here who could play has developed under this system quite well. Would we have liked to see a bigger role for guys like Al Jefferson, Rajon Rondo, Ryan Gomes, etc sooner then we did?

I'm quite sure many of us would've but honestly the team and players have been better served by Doc Rivers method of 80's style development where the guys don't get minutes until they learn to play team basketball.

The last thing 21 and under young players need is to get praised in the press and by fans because they do certin things well because it makes it harder for the coaches to get them to work away their flaws if they aren't desperately trying to earn playing time.

This is the best chance coaches have to really mold players because once they hit that floor and start hearing their own hype a large portion of them them decide they don't need to really
mold themselves to the team but that the team needs to mold itself around them.

[hiphop1]

Bill Walker is a small forward in my eyes. he is 6'6" and 225lbs. That is sufficient and just like Paul when fully developed will be able to be around 235-245lbs.

[campybatman]

I remember this summer there was talk of Travis Outlaw being available. Perhaps, Ainge should keep an eye on Portland throughout this season and see what's what before the trade deadline.

[stretch]

the backup SF is Scalabrine.
He's good enough. one of our smartest players. He's played incredibly well in the second half of this preseason

RA and TA will all see time there

by Feb or March (conservative estimate), you should expect to see Bill Walker become a legit option like Glen Davis or Leon Powe last year.

Ideally, I would have liked to see Miles work out.

More ideally, I wish that Corey Maggette didn't follow the money, and came to Boston for a year. Then you could pretty much guarantee the title.

[celticfan42487]

I wish Magette realized what he had too in the MLE offer... if there was one. Pretty sure there was one.

I think we pretty much just gave up hope with the Miles cut. Walker and Giddens don't know right now how to play the game. Tony is up and down.

And unless Patrick O'Bryant drastically improves CLE is going to be tougher for us then last year.

I don't see any player right now that could be cut during the trade deadline for a ring chashing vet. So maybe Ainge and company really believe Walker can learn a jumpshot or ball handling skills? Or maybe they are content for a stronger dunking version of Reed.

[GreenGrizz]

Is Scalabrine our SF?

[humblebum]

So far it's been very clear that Doc is going to divvy up those minutes between Tony Allen (primary backup), Bill Walker, and Ray Allen. Tony will struggle moreso with the Hedo Turkoglu's, Shard Lewis', and Stojakavic's... taller players who are primarily shooters or who are proficient in the post. People talk about having someone to guard Lebron effectively off the bench. Well, frankly we didn't have that last year. Posey was terrible at guarding Lebron. Tony Allen, though short, has the quickness to stay in front of Lebron. If Tony can do that than he will be more than adequate in defending him. I'm thinking a Joe Dumars - Magic Johnson type scenario... though I'm in no way comparing TA to Dumars... simply a physical likeness in terms of height, strength, so on.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Is Scalabrine our SF?

I hope not!!

[Mahoney_jr]

Well, frankly we didn't have that last year. Posey was terrible at guarding Lebron.

Posey wasn't terrible against LeBron in my point of view. I think the overall defense with Pierce against him (but also the help D) was better than with Posey, but he wasn't terrible by any means. Right now we have to rely on 6'4-Tony which is not something I'm keen on. I still think we will miss Pose tremendously.