Welcome to the Boston Celtics, Chris Boucher!

[brackdan70]

Whats up with Boucher? I’m kinda shocked he has had little to no playing time. Anyone have any idea what’s going on? Is he in the doghouse or something?

I was just wondering myself. I had thought he would be a key rotation guy.
His PT has been limited. Defense solid though offense dreadful in the limited minutes.
There could be an injury or maybe Joe liking Garza and Minott more?

[Bad-Thoma]

Whats up with Boucher? I’m kinda shocked he has had little to no playing time. Anyone have any idea what’s going on? Is he in the doghouse or something?

I was just wondering myself. I had thought he would be a key rotation guy.
His PT has been limited. Defense solid though offense dreadful in the limited minutes.
There could be an injury or maybe Joe liking Garza and Minott more?

I've always like Boucher but I didn't really think his defense has even been that solid in the limited minutes he's played, he's probably front court insurance at this point and as a 32 year old vet doesn't need the developmental minutes that Garza and Minott need. Our front court is so thin it's good to have a vet if anyone has to miss time so I definitely can't complain about the signing.

[Hal14]

His jumper has been off and he's not hitting 3's, he offers little value on offense because a guy like Garza is a better screen setter, better offensive rebounder.

He's 0/6 from 3 so far this season..25% from 3 if we expand the sample size to include preseason. And he's taking a high volume of 3's when he's in the game. If you're taking lots of 3's, not making them and not contributing enough in other ways, you see the bench. Especially if you're 32 yrs old (and on a vet min 1 year contract) compared to all of these other guys we have like Garza, Minott, Hugo and Walsh who are much younger with more upside for future development and have more years on their contract which means they are more of an investment for the team beyond this season..

He's a vet. 1 year, min contract signing. Has had declining playing time last couple years in Toronto, age 32. I see him at this point like a guy who can go in there and bring us some hustle, energy, be decent on defense, grab some rebounds, move the ball and maybe hit some 3's if we need him - because other guys are out, other guys are in foul trouble, if we're on a back to back..it's a long season - you need 12-13 guys who can play..he's a depth piece and a vet who can play if we need him to but won't be pissed if he's not playing.

[darrendaye]

It's early. I didn't think Boucher would be this low on the early season integration priority list as the team's 2nd best rebounder, 2nd best shot blocker, and most accomplished 3pt shooting big man by the historical numbers. Joe is working on combinations. He toyed a bit with a Queta/Boucher/Minott unit in preseason for a couple stretches at least. We saw a Queta/Boucher pairing for a couple minutes vs. the Pels. Personally, while I advocated for Boucher to start games, Minott starting was my ideal if things broke right with his rebounding, offensive role and effectiveness. I will pump the brakes a bit with assuming Minott continues answering those questions throughout the year. At least to the level you squeeze out other PF options.

Garza and Boucher is the pairing that made most sense to me to cover for Garza's deficiencies. The last 2 games they've gotten by with smaller units. Yes, one can cite examples of masquerading PFs success stories, but if you have the ability to be a lengthy team, you like to have that advantage.

[jmr07019]

There aren't minutes for all of Minott, Garza, Scheierman, Walsh, Hugo and Boucher. Minott and Garza appear to be separating from the pack giving the celtics a top 8. There's still minutes left for a 9th man but it might be more game/opponent specific.

I wonder if part of the thinking in the Niang / Boucher swap was that Boucher would be a better teammate if he wasn't getting minutes?

[Hal14]

There aren't minutes for all of Minott, Garza, Scheierman, Walsh, Hugo and Boucher. Minott and Garza appear to be separating from the pack giving the celtics a top 8. There's still minutes left for a 9th man but it might be more game/opponent specific.

I wonder if part of the thinking in the Niang / Boucher swap was that Boucher would be a better teammate if he wasn't getting minutes?

Good point, you might be right about that.

I think it was mostly about the $ savings but this could have factored in a little bit too..

[bisme37]

I thought dude was going to be our starting pf.

[threrf23]

His game reminds me of Brissett's game, more disruptive than Brissett on defense but also doesn't provide much physical presence.

Good energy guy to throw on the floor when we need a spark, good emergency depth in the front court, beyond that he is not filling a void for us rn.