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With the signing of Marbury, we now have adaquate back-up players for each starter (in the event of foul trouble in the playoffs) , with the exception of Paul Pierce. All you need is someone to fill in up to 15 minutes, play solid defense and make sound decisions on the offensive end (keep turnovers down). This is why we need Tony Allen back for the playoffs. I know... I know... turnovers and Tony Allen, but remember, we now have a legitamate back-up point and Tony now slides into the 3 slot. He won't handle the ball as much. Perfect. He plays good enough defense for a 15 minute duration.

Think about it... and remember, this is playoff time I talking about here. Not the regular season. It is only natural our starters are going to get more minutes in the playoffs... the bench gets shorter.

Powe, Baby, Scal, and Moore can spell Garnett and Perk. Each brings something different to the table depending on match-ups.

House AND Marbury back up Allen. Perfect. Eddie playing his natural 2 position is like gaining a new player. We see him struggle when he plays the 1, and we forget how good he is when he plays off the ball. He absolutely lights it up when in the line-up with Rondo. Marbury can also play the 2 if the situation calls for more penetration (if Pierce is resting). Plus he still can hit the 20-23 footer jumper.

Marbury spells Rondo. This one is obvious.

Who has the ability off the bench to take Pierce's rest periods... nobody, but Allen. We see Doc slide Ray Allen the 3 when Pierce is resting, but I don't see this as a plus going against LeBron. We need Tony back. Tony can put more muscle on LeBron than Ray in that match-up. This is crucial if we are going to beat Cleveland. Say what you want about his decision making but I want him and Pierce defending LeBron in this match-up.

By the way, a shout out to Michael Jordan. Your going to LUV this MJ! I got my Hanes on and it's not riding up my A#$! Don't you feel better now.....stupid commercial.

Shoot, my bad. This should have been in the CELTICS STILL HAVE 1 MAJOR ISSUE IMO post. Didn't see it until after I posted this.

For the rest of the season with Marbury here and Tony injured I'd like to see Walker get 6-10 minutes a night to help give Ray and Pierce a good rest till the playoffs. There is no reason why Ray, Paul, and Garnett need to play more than 32 minutes a night in 90% of the games remaining this year. With the addition of Moore and Marbury along with House moving to his natural SG spot our offense shouldn't sputter.

Well, good thoughts and all, but I think the 2 and 3 spots are interchangeable. So, assuming TA comes back, he'll probably get some minutes at both of those spots, with him and House platooning at the 2 guard spot.

I'm not sure if anyone else seen it, but in today's Marc Spears article,there was a one sentence statement that Doc was not optimistic that TA would be ready for the playoffs. That's not good. Is it me, or has his injury been the most under reported story of this season? We basically know nothing about the nature of the injury--other than they're torn ligaments in his thumb--and the Cs gave us the typical 8 week recovery period...without specifying anything about the surgery or his prognosis.

Knowing Doc, his pronouncement of not being optimistic means that even if TA comes back, Doc's not going to give him any meaningful minutes in the playoffs...and so when J Johnson or DWade, or any of the other possible wings are burning us in the playoffs, Doc's not going to the sensible thing and give them a different look for a couple minutes by inserting TA. I hate it when Doc purposely limits his options like that...same thing happened last season with TA in the playoffs...he easily should have got a few minutes against Joe Johnson, especially in Game 4....but Doc had decided beforehand he wasn't going to play him. I just think that's dumb.

I know... I know... turnovers and Tony Allen, but remember, we now have a legitamate back-up point and Tony now slides into the 3 slot. He won't handle the ball as much. Perfect. He plays good enough defense for a 15 minute duration.

Tony is the only player on Celtics I dont like, but now in sf spot he could be ok for 12 minutes.

Doc should say to Tony 3 things:
-Dont handle the ball (avtomaticaly less turnovers)
-Go to the basket and NO shots from mid range
-play defense