So, when do players 10-12 get their chance?

[BillessuR6]

Obviously in the playoffs you shorten the rotation to 8-9 guys. Players 10-12 are basically there as an insurance, as specialists coming off the bench in certain matchups.

We have a defensive specialist, an "instant offense" player and a big energy guy on the bench.

So, when do you use their abilities in games?

When the starting PG is passive on offense, when you basically play 4 on 5 with him in the lineup, when the back-up PG is a volume shooter who can`t make a shot, when you are 20+ points down, isn`t that a nice opportunity to try something different to give a chance to a player who has been hitting threes and playing well throughout the season?

I really don`t get the concept of when the 10-12 guys should get their minutes. I thought, if your regular rotation plays terrible and you are down big, you give a chance to the players at the end of the bench to see if someone is having a good day, if he can bring some energy and maybe change the rhythm and flow of the game.

Or is the confidence in these end of the bench guys so low that they can only get a chance in the last few minutes of blow out games?

[mr_sunshine]

I'd much rather toss House out there than Cassell as of late. He plays better d, actually tries to run the offense, and hustles. Plus, it's not like Delonte or Gibson are amazing defenders that will pressure him to turn it over a lot (like against Hunter in the first Detroit game). Doc must know something we don't, and I'm sure if House were out there sucking we'd all be begging for Sam back.

[scots3314]

2 words for ya...bad coaching! Doc relies on 100% on his players taking over. When he gets in situations where we need a bucket, he calls time and throws the ball in the post. He has no plays or anything of the sort to use to help make a play.

Cassell was awful, but I haven'e seen house hit a shot in the play offs yet. I wish TA would get some minutes. Attack the basket and try and get to the line and draw fouls.

[PPAW4Life]

Probably play House some because he can score and play defense somewhat better than Sam.

You need some offense out of the PG position but most importantly you need to stop the other opposing PG from creating offense.

Rondo shot way too much and didn't limit West which is not all that surprising considering West can shoot and has been in a slump the last two games...but the disparity was too significant and unacceptable.

I'd like to see House, Posey, and Allen get more minutes.

Play KG at the 5 if you have to and sit Rondo or Cassell if they're not getting the job done offensively.

[Scalamental]

Pierce needs to play better. Period.

When Pierce is going to the hoop and getting guys like Z in foul trouble, opportunities start to open for Ray, Rondo and Perk (KG hasn't needed anything to get going in this series). The cavs don't have guys like Posey or KG to fluster Pierce in a difficult double team.

[ParticleMan]

Focusing on players 10-12 is stupid. They aren't going to make any difference. It's Pierce, Ray, and KG who have to play better. Well KG's been pretty good, so it's the other two. They need to get their heads out of their asses. If our big 3 play well then it makes no damn difference what TA, House, or any of our bench guys do.

Paul is completely flustered by Lebron, but keeps trying to take him 1-on-1. Ray, the supposed purest shooter in the league, has a shooting percentage on wide open jumpers of about 20%, so far as I can remember. Those guys need to get it going, period. Changing Cassell for House or playing TA more isn't going to do squat.

[BillessuR6]

Focusing on players 10-12 is stupid. They aren't going to make any difference. It's Pierce, Ray, and KG who have to play better. Well KG's been pretty good, so it's the other two. They need to get their heads out of their asses. If our big 3 play well then it makes no damn difference what TA, House, or any of our bench guys do.

Paul is completely flustered by Lebron, but keeps trying to take him 1-on-1. Ray, the supposed purest shooter in the league, has a shooting percentage on wide open jumpers of about 20%, so far as I can remember. Those guys need to get it going, period. Changing Cassell for House or playing TA more isn't going to do squat.

Obviously the "big three" need to play better but yes the 10-12 guys can make a difference. But of course not on the bench. If Rondo and Cassel play poorly then that 10th guy becomes the 5th guy and he can make a difference.

[armageddon]

Watching the game it was obvious that Cleveland was just packing the paint. You take PP's and Rondo's drives away (similar with with what they're doing to LaFlop) then you're forcing the timid Ray and others to win shooting jump shots. Boston's offense only works when Posey's in because he stretches the floor.
If they do not make the 3 a major part of the offense they will not win. This also means that House must play 20 minutes or so. Have a game where they shoot 30 to 40 3's and see how it opens up the floor for Paul and KG. We have the shooters, use them.

[s1ickd]

for the sake of cohesion and consistency, you need an 8-9 man rotation in the playoffs.

[Fencer reregistered]

If there's an energy shortage again, send in Big Baby and Tony. I think in a front line of Garnett/Powe/Davis Garnett would have to be one defending LBJ, but so be it.

Otherwise, don't get all panicky about the rotation.

[Celtics_History_Lesson]

If there's an energy shortage again, send in Big Baby

Did not Big Baby have success in some regular season games against Ilgauskas, put him in there and his width can cancel out some of Ilgauskas' height.

If Rondo can't shoot, which is happening now, then House has to play.