Garnett, Pierce, R. Wallace, Daniels and Ray
Garnett, R. Wallace, Perkins, Daniels and Pierce
Given the ages of the veterans, I could see some tired legs. I don't see these unorthodox lineups as realistic for an entire regular season. But I don't think that's the intention behind employing this as an idea or strategy.
I believe Rivers could mix and match here and there at times during games to just throw teams off or exploit mismatches.
The ideal starting lineup should be: Garnett, Pierce, Perkins, Rondo and Ray. I doubt Rivers would deviate from this. I like the chemistry and continuity.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers has been described by Rasheed Wallace as a “mad scientist’’ for his experimenting with lineups. And Rivers is apparently ready to go with a mixture in which 6-foot-5-inch Ray Allen would be the shortest Celtic on the court.
“It was a very difficult matchup and that was when we stretched the lead, with that lineup,’’ Rivers said. “We didn’t stay with it long, because I liked it. We’ll show it more in practice, then use it in games. What we thought would happen happened. They had to figure out who they were going to put on Marquis and who they were going to put on Ray. And we got a couple baskets before they could do that.’’
But Rivers backed off from his pregame promise of going with an even taller lineup.
“I didn’t want to do that,’’ Rivers said. “I thought the bigs were playing too well and I didn’t want to screw them up, put one of them at the ‘3,’ so I actually liked the one ‘big’ lineup and that was good enough for me.’’
Before the game, Rivers said of the proposed “big’’ lineup, which would pair Daniels and Pierce in the backcourt, with Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, and Wallace up front: “We may not get up and down the court very quickly, but at least we’ll be big.’’
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... p?mode=PF#