The rotation has really stabilized

Fencer reregistered · Post #1 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Sat Nov 8, 2008 1:58 am

The box scores and my eyes tell me the same thing -- Doc is running an almost pure rotation of:

Perkins/Davis
Garnett/Powe
Pierce/Allen
Allen/Allen
Rondo/House

And it looks like it's working.

Now if Eddie still remembers how to be a complete player when he re-learns how to shoot, we'll be in great shape.

GreenGrizz · Post #2 » by **GreenGrizz** » Sat Nov 8, 2008 3:13 am

Let's see what they can do against Detroit this Sunday but I love the way the bench has done. Powe looks more experienced and Davis has matured. TAllen is back to his old self. Still uncomfortable with House at the point.

Jammer · Post #3 » by **Jammer** » Sat Nov 8, 2008 3:16 am

The Celtics announced Tony Allen's, Eddie House's and Leon Powe's roles before the season started, and it was evident from Game 1.

The only "surprise" was Glen Davis beating out Patrick O'Bryant for backup center.

Davis, compared to O'Bryant, apparently has:

- a high basketball IQ
- knows the plays on offense and defense
- quicker and better passer
- can try to push people off their desired position with his low center of gravity

O'Bryant, if he can put his mind to it, can be a much better player, simply due to his superior physical skills (height, reach, vertical, agility and athleticism).

But right now, Davis is the Celtics backup center.
Something I'm sure that the Celtics are hoping to change by playoff time
(with either Mutombo, Mourning, McDyess or Joe Smith, I would guess).

bceltic55 · Post #4 » by **bceltic55** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 4:55 pm

Not so sure that Big Baby has more of a BB IQ than POB, but he does know the system. As the season moves along lets see how the back up center pans out. POB has the length and maybe Big Baby will be used in a trade.

Post #5 » by **sully00** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:34 pm

Big Baby has a better basketball IQ than anyone on our bench. He understands the game beyond his own position on both ends of the court. This guy was the best player in the premier conference in the country that included Rajon Rondo for 3 years. If you didn't see Glen Davis at LSU understand this guy was a complete player with an inside out game and with the ability to put the ball on the floor and pass. He was also a very effective defender.

The questions about Davis were the obvious physical concerns and whether he would be able to get his shot off in the NBA which for the most part have not been an issue. Most important was whether or not he could be motivated to get his ass down on the blocks and rebound and play in the post and not fall in love with his 15-18 ft game. The best thing that could have happened to him did. He was slapped in the face by not going in the first round and went to team that dictated that he only get his down on the blocks and forget about his perimeter game.

Now Boston is allowing him to show off that jumper a little and it will only make the duo of him and Leon more complete and make that second unit something else with Eddie on the perimeter and Tony looking to slash at the weakside.

I am still concerned with the tandem of Leon and Baby defensively and Eddie House is just an offense to the senses as a pg. Doc seems inclined to go back to using TA as a distributor, you have to give him this he isn't a quiter, but it still seems a stretch though at least he doesn't get trapped
in the backcourt like an 8 year old.

As much as I like Baby I would give his role to Dyess in a heartbeat and let Baby and Powe duke it out for what is left over.

rambo_ortega · Post #6 » by **rambo_ortega** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:10 am

we need to still get a tall sf who can shoot. just for a couple of minutes coz TA will have problems against lengthy sf's. maybe dermarr johnson for a non guaranteed deal?

aboubata · Post #7 » by **aboubata** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:09 pm

Tony played good D on prince and kapono, who both were crazy hot when he came in the game.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #8 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:23 pm

I think Doc's rotations have been great this year...not only do I see no drop-off from last year, I think they are tighter and more consistent this year.

I know it's early but I think people made a little bit too much of a big deal about Posey leaving....

Fencer reregistered · Post #9 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:35 pm

MyInsatiableOne wrote:I think Doc's rotations have been great this year...not only do I see no drop-off from last year, I think they are tighter and more consistent this year.

I know it's early but I think people made a little bit too much of a big deal about Posey leaving....

One knock on him was that he couldn't be decisive about rotations when he had a really deep roster.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #10 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:40 pm

^^True, but it seems like now he is settled in and they've been great so far!

Dave_From_NB · Post #11 » by **Dave_From_NB** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:00 pm

I think my only complaint about the bench, and it's not so much rotation as garbage time players, is that Scal continues to dress instead of POB. If we had some injuries for bigs, I could see having Scal on the active roster due to his experience. But Scal is what he is at this point, while POB has upside which should be developed.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #12 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 4:07 pm

Even POB without upside is better than Scal...MAN, does he suck! I see him being out of the NBA when his ridiculous contract is up simply for the fact that he sucks so bad no one will want him!

Egregious Blunder · Post #13 » by **Egregious Blunder** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:24 pm

i give it 2 weeks before people start bashing doc for not giving bill walker playing time. we loves us some rookies here.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #14 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:32 pm

Where would Walker fit in right now? We are getting great minutes from TA, Powe, Baby, and House...

Athanacropolis · Post #15 » by **Athanacropolis** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:35 pm

MyInsatiableOne wrote:Where would Walker fit in right now? We are getting great minutes from TA, Powe, Baby, and House...

So fans can still wear their Antoine Walker jerseys to game and not feel too silly.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #16 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:20 pm

Athanacropolis wrote:
MyInsatiableOne wrote:Where would Walker fit in right now? We are getting great minutes from TA, Powe, Baby, and House...

So fans can still wear their Antoine Walker jerseys to game and not feel too silly.

Has anyone noticed though that no one has worn #8 since Antoine left???

Athanacropolis · Post #17 » by **Athanacropolis** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:31 pm

Well, Big Al did for a while.

Hmm....

Has the number been semi-retired....

Or TAINTED?

I kid, I kid.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #18 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:37 pm

I've wondered if it's been semi-retired, as you said. After Antoine came back, Al gave 8 to him, and when Antoine left, Al didn't go back to 8 and no one has worn it. While I don't think it should be retired (although if Antoine had won a title here it shoulda been) maybe it will be held back in respect...the dude did give us his all for many years!

tombattor · Post #19 » by **tombattor** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:54 pm

I agree that our rotation has really stabilized and that has made us play more cohesively as a team. Everyone knows his role and each player is getting comfortable with his role, which is great. I also see more confidence from the role players, especially TA and Powe. Maybe it's knowing that they are going to get at least certain amount of PT. At least in TA's case, we saw some of that last year too. I hope Doc keeps this up because it'll help everyone on the team. One tiny complaint, if I have any, is the amount of minutes PP is playing. I'd like to see him under 35, but that's a minor complaint. I think TA can easily pick up those extra few minutes a game. He's really been playing very well.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #20 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:56 pm

tombattor wrote:I agree that our rotation has really stabilized and that has made us play more cohesively as a team. Everyone knows his role and each player is getting comfortable with his role, which is great. I also see more confidence from the role players, especially TA and Powe. Maybe it's knowing that they are going to get at least certain amount of PT. At least in TA's case, we saw some of that last year too. I hope Doc keeps this up because it'll help everyone on the team. One tiny complaint, if I have any, is the amount of minutes PP is playing. I'd like to see him under 35, but that's a minor complaint. I think TA can easily pick up those extra few minutes a game. He's really been playing very well.

Yeah, Paul has been logging a lot of time. Perhaps Doc wants him to get in rhythm and shake off the rust before racheting it down? Also, we did need all those minutes to dig us out against Toronto the other night. If we are playing better earlier, we won't need that from Paul.

And I agree, the bench looks great, although Big Baby makes some dumb plays out there sometimes, and if I see him jacking up 18-20 ft jumpers one more time, *I'm* gonna bodyslam him!!!