Where are Eddie House & TAllen

[Roy Hobbs]

House definitely needs to see some minutes eventually; he's contributed this year on both ends of the court, and a lot of nights this season has been our best bench player.

Tony, I couldn't really care less about, unless we absolutely need his defense in a game.

[crownsy]

A Tony playing as good as he can is a lock down defender and starting shooting guard (see last year)
#17

Tony has not played much worse this year than he did last year.  The difference is, this year he is playing on a team where the mental mistakes are amplified, because they are actually in the games, plus, he is being asked to play within a system, rather than just go out there and basically play streetball.

A good point, I will say last year when he was really on is a big difference between this year's play.  Our team's system this year is soooo far changed from last years 1 on 1 mentality.
Does this mean Tony's heading to free agency.

yes, and headed to a 10th man in the nba career unless he learns how to dribble.

[Chris]

House definitely needs to see some minutes eventually; he's contributed this year on both ends of the court, and a lot of nights this season has been our best bench player.

And he absolutely will see minutes.  But he will likely be playing off the ball as a shooter in very selective spots.  He is the 4th guard on this team, and in the playoffs, those guys don't play much...but can still make valuable contributions in short minutes.

[Donoghus]

House definitely needs to see some minutes eventually; he's contributed this year on both ends of the court, and a lot of nights this season has been our best bench player.

And he absolutely will see minutes.  But he will likely be playing off the ball as a shooter in very selective spots.  He is the 4th guard on this team, and in the playoffs, those guys don't play much...but can still make valuable contributions in short minutes.

Pretty much sums up my feelings.  Right now, I think Eddie is going to be situational from here on out.

[ScoobyDoo]

I guess the good news is that we have Rondo, Cassell and House so I defiantely like our options at the point. I like Cassell's point guard play, I think he is better at setting tempo and running the half court. He's more of a point guard than House.

On the other hand, I also like House and what he's brought to the team this year. I like his energy. He's not great on D but he works hard and I like the microwave effect when's he's on.

I agree it might be situational and Doc will play both House and Cassell depending on the situation because I think at times both will be needed.

Re TAllen I disagree with most in that I think he will be critical at times, against players like Rip Hamilton or LeBron, just as an irritant and for some good physical defensive play in spurts. So I hope he gets some burn to keep him fresh.

I also hoep the same for Big baby. I love Powe but there will defiantely come a time in these playoffs where we are goign to need all 290 pounds of Big Baby's muscle around the rim. Probably against Zadrunas if we see Cleveland and most definately against Maxiell and company if we see the Pistons. So I'm hoping he gets regualr burn as well to keep him fresh. I really liked the way Baby came into the last Piston game and made Maxiell disappear.
  

[Chris]

Re TAllen I disagree with most in that I think he will be critical at times, against players like Rip Hamilton or LeBron, just as an irritant and for some good physical defensive play in spurts. So I hope he gets some burn to keep him fresh.

I also hoep the same for Big baby. I love Powe but there will defiantely come a time in these playoffs where we are goign to need all 290 pounds of Big Baby's muscle around the rim. Probably against Zadrunas if we see Cleveland and most definately against Maxiell and company if we see the Pistons. So I'm hoping he gets regualr burn as well to keep him fresh. I really liked the way Baby came into the last Piston game and made Maxiell disappear.
   

I think Tony will see some minutes here and there, but I think Doc will be very careful about them.  He will likely be used to throw at guys for a short period of time, and he will be kept on a short leash if he starts losing focus.

I also think we will see Baby just like we did last night.  He will not be a regular rotation guy (that's Powe), but when there is a tough matchup for Powe, or he simply isn't performing, then Baby will get a chance.  Although they are both undersized 4's, they bring very different things to the table, and Doc has shown throughout the year that he knows how to take advantage of this.

[crownsy]

TA will be useful at times, but i wouldn't worry about rip. Ray's pretty much devastated him all year, rip can't get his own shot anymore and our defensive scheme works of picks and screens very well.

Rip isn't the player he was anymore. he's still very good, but i don't worry about him.

As to bron-bron, pierce and poesy get that job, TA isn't big enough, lebron will post him up, something he's very good at vs. smaller defenders.

TA will see limited minutes as a defensive specialist on guys like billups and other bigger guards who drive, which is exactly what doc should be doing.

he can't protect the basketball, and is inconstant on offense. You sit those guys in the playoffs, you can't afford his 3-5 TO's in 10-15 minutes of work. and you must use them sparingly in thier roles. Doc is using tony fine.

[BudweiserCeltic]

We all would like to see all our players in this roster play, but the reality is that they all should not be playing in the games.  Hasn't that been one of the complaint towards Doc all year and years in the past? That he has no rotation, that he has a 12-player deep rotation?  So now he shortens it and some start to complain about some players not getting to the floor.  We can't have it both way.  I would love to see House and Tony here and there, but sadly that's not the way it goes.

It's harder this year because we have so many likable players and all can be productive.

I'll say this, I'd love to see House given a couple of big minute games as apreciation for what he did this year, and who knows, he can surely can come up big here and there.

[ScoobyDoo]

Overall, no arguments here. My basic point was that I hope that House and TA, as well as Big baby are kept fresh and get some burn where they can because I think in spots they will all be needed; House for his 3's, TA for his D and baby for his banging.

But I do agree after thinking about it and the feed back that they should probably all be getting situational minutes. I just hope they're not totally iced so they're not prepared when, for example, Maxiell needs to be smacked around.

Also, I actually have no problem with a longer rotation. I like the idea of a longer rotation, why not wear the other team down if you can. I just don't think most people have the depth.

[2short]

MOST important it seems like everyone is concentrating on winning and minutes aren't as important.  From starters down to Scal.  If Davis doesn't play more than 5 minutes a game from now til the finals against Duncan but can help us there that is all we neeD!

[Chris]

Overall, no arguments here. My basic point was that I hope that House and TA, as well as Big baby are kept fresh and get some burn where they can because I think in spots they will all be needed; House for his 3's, TA for his D and baby for his banging.

But I do agree after thinking about it and the feed back that they should probably all be getting situational minutes. I just hope they're not totally iced so they're not prepared when, for example, Maxiell needs to be smacked around.

Also, I actually have no problem with a longer rotation. I like the idea of a longer rotation, why not wear the other team down if you can. I just don't think most people have the depth.

The only player I would worry about being "iced" is Tony Allen.  He is the only one of the three who has really shown a tendency to lose focus when he is not getting regular minutes.  Although I wouldn't be that surprised if he is able to keep his focus for short stretches now that we are in the playoffs.

House and BBD have both been exemplary bench players who can come off the bench cold, and immediately inject energy into a team.  This is where they are going to be so important IMO.  If the C's come out flat, those are the type of guys who can pick everyone up by sparking a run....it's just not needed in all games.

[Donoghus]

Overall, no arguments here. My basic point was that I hope that House and TA, as well as Big baby are kept fresh and get some burn where they can because I think in spots they will all be needed; House for his 3's, TA for his D and baby for his banging.

But I do agree after thinking about it and the feed back that they should probably all be getting situational minutes. I just hope they're not totally iced so they're not prepared when, for example, Maxiell needs to be smacked around.

Also, I actually have no problem with a longer rotation. I like the idea of a longer rotation, why not wear the other team down if you can. I just don't think most people have the depth.

The depth we have comes in handy because it allows us to throw ou different stuff in various situations.  We need a 3 point shooter; we bring in House.  Interior physical presence; Powe or Davis, etc....  That's where the depth comes in.  However, that doesn't mean we necessarily go longer rotation.  Ideally, the coaching staff will pick and choose their substitutions based on matchups and situations.  That's where our depth holds a huge advantage over many teams.  Other teams might not necessarily have the best horses to handle certain situations where the Celtics can pick their weapon.

So basically, depending on matchup and situations.  Doc might go Cassell, PJ Brown, and Powe one night and then switch it up with House, Allen, BBD the next night or series.  The versality this team has comes in real handy.  You're still only going 8 or 9 deep but it could be a different rotation the next night.

[liam]

I feel a little bad for House. He's played his heart out this season and now he's being replaced. I think Cassell is a better player and I do think we need him. Tony Allen has had a few good minutes this year on the court. I think TA's mental errors and bad handle are keeping him off the court. We will need all 12 before we are done to win a championship. TA and House are situational players now but will be needed.

[Bahku]

I feel a little bad for House. He's played his heart out this season and now he's being replaced. I think Cassell is a better player and I do think we need him. Tony Allen has had a few good minutes this year on the court. I think TA's mental errors and bad handle are keeping him off the court. We will need all 12 before we are done to win a championship. TA and House are situational players now but will be needed.

Actually, I wouldn't call Cassell a "better" player ... he's got different strengths and is a more experienced, (and selfish), player in the post-season, but I like Eddie's energy much more than Sam's, and he plays much better defense.

[EJPLAYA]

If you don't trust a player is going to make the right decisions out there then you don't play them in the playoffs. It's one thing for TA to make mistakes in the regular season where it doesn't really count. Doc won't play him unless it is garbage time or he has no choice due to injury or foul trouble. Based on his consistent inconsistency that is what he has earned.

Not sure how anyone out there can watch Sam's selfish performance with no defense (Acie blew past him numerous times out there right after Sam had scored which basically took away his 2 baskets in that stretch) and say that Sam manages the half court better. If you never pass the ball it is kind of hard to be given credit for ''managing'' the offense. He better revert back to the last couple games of the season Sam or he'll be yanked quick. If I was House and had to watch him out there pulling that selfish game I would be real upset. Here he has been the biggest energy guy off the bench all year and been a great team player, and he gets all his minutes taken by a guy who gives you less just because of his name. Still a Sam disliker, but now that it is the playoffs we have bigger fish to fry. When you win both games by 20 nothing is that bad!