Gabe deserves a few minutes

[ManUp]

If he deserved it, doc would play him, you don’t know what goes on behind the scenes!

I don't think this is all that true. In my opinion, Doc has shown that he'd pick a crappy vet over a talented inexperienced guy nine times out of ten. I understand this is a contending team and we need the vets, but even when we were losing it was evident. I don't think he realizes that players have to play to gain experience. 

That's what the DLeague is for.  No time for Mickey Mouse and friends in the big boys' league.

Do you really think the D-league counts as NBA experience? You've said before scrub until proven otherwise. How exactly is he going to prove he's not a scrub without minutes?

Practice.

I agree with Brick that it doesn't make sense to forcefeed kids minutes in meaningful games, just for them to prove themselves to the fans.  They can prove themselves to the coaches in practice, and the coaches are what matters.

With that said, I really hope Pruitt, or someone else earns some minutes soon, because something needs to be shaken up there, and the starters need to be getting more rest.

That's my entire point! I don't believe Doc will play young players regardless of how well they do in practice. With very few exceptions, Doc has only played young players when he was all out of options. If it was about practice I don't think players like Gomes, Powe, West, and Rondo would've taken so long to find minutes on his teams. Doc has an obvious preference towards vets.

I still think that Doc has waited with young players until they are both comfortable enough with the system, and in a situation where they can succeed.

As good as Pruitt has looked at times, he also has looked incredibly tentative.  To me, that is a red flag that he still is not mentally ready to contribute.

This is what Doc did with Gomes, Powe, and others.  Gomes especially.  He was given a shot early in his rookie year in the rotation, but he looked like a deer in headlights, and was terrible.  So he was then relegated to the bench for a while.  When he finally got another chance, he was a completely different player, and looked confident, and ready to succeed.

With Powe, he had no clue what he was doing defensively for the first year and a half he was there.  You could almost see him thinking about it as he was deciding where he was supposed to rotate.  But then all of a sudden, he seemed to "get it", and although he still wasn't great at the rotations (in fact he still struggles), the hesitations weren't there so much.  He was able to just play.

On the other hand, look at Big Baby, who picked up the defense incredibly quickly, and came in with tremendous confidence.  He was playing very quickly, because it was clear he was ready.

So while some take it as him simply hating playing young guys, I take it as him wanting to put the young guys in a position to succeed.  He clearly doesn't believe in throwing young guys into the deep end to see if they can swim.  That much is for sure.  But I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing.

I never said Doc hates young players I'm just saying he doesn't ever seem comfortable playing them. It's one thing when they're not ready to contribute, and it's another if you just don't trust them to. I think Gabe has gone from being unable to contribute to Doc not trusting him to.

That's probably been the case for players like Gomes, Powe, and even BBD. If Doc didn't have to play them he wouldn't have. I honestly don't think BBD got time because he was truly ready. He probably got the minutes because Pollard couldn't play, and Powe was our only other true big off the bench. Powe can't cover the bigger stronger centers so BBD got a chance.

In short Doc seems to takes a while realizing when players are ready to contribute.

[crownsy]

gabe proved he should get minutes tonight. him and davis were the only bright spots off the bench. very good defense by gabe once again, and he stuck some clutch shots.

[ManUp]

In my opinion, Doc has shown that he'd pick a crappy vet over a talented inexperienced guy nine times out of ten.

Thanks for proving me right Doc. 

Eddie House

1-5 from the field for 2 points 14 minutes of getting burned on defense.

Gabe Pruitt

3-5 from the field for 7 points and 15 minutes of solid defense.

[Mencius]

I know there could be some reserve QB syndrome going on, but the little I've seen of Gabe has me at least wanting to see more.  Love the way he stays in front of his man, and with Gabe in, the spacing is good because he can knock down the open J, unlike Tony.  

Right now, I'd rather see what we've got with Gabe.  We already know what TA brings to the table, and that ain't that good usually.

[Redz]

In my opinion, Doc has shown that he'd pick a crappy vet over a talented inexperienced guy nine times out of ten.

Thanks for proving me right Doc. 

Eddie House

1-5 from the field for 2 points 14 minutes of getting burned on defense.

Gabe Pruitt

3-5 from the field for 7 points and 15 minutes of solid defense.

Gabe earned some minutes tonight.  It will be interesting to see what happens when TA is back.  My guess is DNP-CD for Gabe.

[Edgar]

In my opinion, Doc has shown that he'd pick a crappy vet over a talented inexperienced guy nine times out of ten.

Thanks for proving me right Doc. 

Eddie House

1-5 from the field for 2 points 14 minutes of getting burned on defense.

Gabe Pruitt

3-5 from the field for 7 points and 15 minutes of solid defense.

Gabe earned some minutes tonight.  It will be interesting to see what happens when TA is back.  My guess is DNP-CD for Gabe.

....nah yeah youre right

Darn docs methods....

[ManUp]

In my opinion, Doc has shown that he'd pick a crappy vet over a talented inexperienced guy nine times out of ten.

Thanks for proving me right Doc. 

Eddie House

1-5 from the field for 2 points 14 minutes of getting burned on defense.

Gabe Pruitt

3-5 from the field for 7 points and 15 minutes of solid defense.

Gabe earned some minutes tonight.  It will be interesting to see what happens when TA is back.  My guess is DNP-CD for Gabe.

....nah yeah youre right

Darn docs methods....

 

[xmuscularghandix]

it was nice to see our two second year players out on the court at the same time, and looking good i might add. way to go Glen and Gabe.

[RebusRankin]

Why does Eddie keep getting a pass when he's stunk most of the year? Ditto TA? Why not reward Gabe with more minutes since he's played well and shown some positives?

[Kuberski33]

He earned some minutes, but as Donny pointed out in the post game -- 0 assists and he's technically a PG.

I thought he was pretty solid defensively though.  At this point, you have to force feed him a little bit because the bench as a whole ain't getting it done.

Play him until either he proves he can't do it or you can pick up a better veteran option.

[Edgar]

He earned some minutes, but as Donny pointed out in the post game -- 0 assists and he's technically a PG.

I thought he was pretty solid defensively though.  At this point, you have to force feed him a little bit because the bench as a whole ain't getting it done.

Play him until either he proves he can't do it or you can pick up a better veteran option.

did he got 0 asists this game i remember one at least?

[Fan from VT]

gabe proved he should get minutes tonight. him and davis were the only bright spots off the bench. very good defense by gabe once again, and he stuck some clutch shots.

Not true, Leon was one of the only C's not afraid to actually grab a rebound.

[crownsy]

He earned some minutes, but as Donny pointed out in the post game -- 0 assists and he's technically a PG.

I thought he was pretty solid defensively though.  At this point, you have to force feed him a little bit because the bench as a whole ain't getting it done.

Play him until either he proves he can't do it or you can pick up a better veteran option.

he played SG for all but 2 minutes.

[Tr1boy]

pruitt is not a prototypical pg. But can mold into a billups/stuckey type with time. His assist is not as fancy as rondo but he usually makes simple smart passes, is a good dribbler, shooter and has the iq

Rondo is hurting lately. His confidence seems like its gone. Whats worst is that the big three are playing 1 on 1 basketball too frequently instead of rondo let be a pg(just like how he had more control during the run)

If the celtics want to play a more 1 on 1 game, pruitt should start and have rondo come in from the bench. Eddie house honestly is a specialist and shouldn't even play too much. He can give you some needed boost and threes in clutch situations but he shouldn't be a regular bench guy

We are tanking so bad right now i'm sure wyc is pressing ainge to think about doing something. Doc is a wreck haha , honestly i hope he is gone, what a lucky unskilled strategic coach

[crownsy]

pruitt is not a prototypical pg. But can mold into a billups/stuckey type with time. His assist is not as fancy as rondo but he usually makes simple smart passes, is a good dribbler, shooter and has the iq

Rondo is hurting lately. His confidence seems like its gone. Whats worst is that the big three are playing 1 on 1 basketball too frequently instead of rondo let be a pg(just like how he had more control during the run)

If the celtics want to play a more 1 on 1 game, pruitt should start and have rondo come in from the bench. Eddie house honestly is a specialist and shouldn't even play too much. He can give you some needed boost and threes in clutch situations but he shouldn't be a regular bench guy

We are tanking so bad right now i'm sure wyc is pressing ainge to think about doing something. Doc is a wreck haha , honestly i hope he is gone, what a lucky unskilled strategic coach

this whole post hurts my head.

so you want to restore rondo's lost confidence, after what many considered an allstar worthy streak by benching him? that makes zero sense, good message. "be perfect or your scrubbed. now go in thier and don't play tentative, which is what were benching you for. but remember, screw up and your benched."

and you figure firing doc is the best bet to restore the teams confidence in the goal of the team?

"hey guys, i know you say you love the guy and he just won a championship, but im going to go ahead and fire him for a 6/8  slump. we'll have to install a whole new system and philosphey, but next year, once were all back on baord we'll be gangbusters. unless we lose 4 out of 8 games in a row at any point. then i will of course fire our coach no matter what our history is."