Lineup Shuffle

[Change]

Ainge has done an excellent job putting this group. Even if a trade doesn't occur, Celtics can still compete with the upper echelon of the NBA. But at the same you can't ignore the struggles lately. Maybe a lineup shuffle can fix the problems. Two suggestions:

1) Start TA.
Starting units are too cool for their own good. They lack athleticism, and energy. TA plays with loads of energy. He is versatile. Can play 1,2,3 and defend the 3 positions really well. The times Rondo/TA played together, they caused havoc on the defensive end. And they feed off each others energy. The most exciting part is having Quisy and Ray come off the bench. How do you defend that?

2) Start Sheed
This might controversial. Doc likes to close out games with Sheed & KG. Why not start the two together? I still consider Sheed better than Perk. If he actually put his talent to use, Sheed has the most complete game on this team. But a lot of times, Sheed likes to hide behind Perk and KG. This puts the spotlight on him, he can no longer get by doing the minimal.  Perk & Baby played very well together last season. They have chemistry. If they can transition the chemistry to the bench, it's a plus for the team. Even now its kinda strange that Doc doesn't play Perk/Baby together. Especially how well they played together last season.


Lakers, Cavs, and Orlando shuffle their lineups all the times to see what works and what doesn't. Take for instance the Fakers. Moving Lamar to the bench was the best decision Phil made all of last season. Orlando had to go through couple of changes at the SF position before naming Matt Barnes permanent starter. This team is too comfortable for their good. A shake up, and a shake up there could wake them up. If you don't experiment now, It'll be too late once playoffs starts. GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS???

[nishesh]

Number 1 is an extreamly smart idea TP for that .  I'm not so sure about telling Perk to sit down though he's just to talented. When we play teams like Cleveland or Orlando, I don't want Shaq/Dwight to get easy buckets early in the game, the momentum will become dangerous. Danny's done with Ray, 80% chance we'll say see ya to Ray for Kevin Martin+Nocioni, and Martin is a V-12 engine in a sub-compact (only 185 pounds). Nocioni will provide a spark of defense of the bench. Still I love TA, in a league when at times during the 1st Quarter the game is almost relaxed, seeing TA run will really pump us up, as long as he doesn't turn it over.

[Jon]

Number 1 is an extreamly smart idea TP for that .  I'm not so sure about telling Perk to sit down though he's just to talented. When we play teams like Cleveland or Orlando, I don't want Shaq/Dwight to get easy buckets early in the game, the momentum will become dangerous. Danny's done with Ray, 80% chance we'll say see ya to Ray for Kevin Martin+Nocioni, and Martin is a V-12 engine in a sub-compact (only 185 pounds). Nocioni will provide a spark of defense of the bench. Still I love TA, in a league when at times during the 1st Quarter the game is almost relaxed, seeing TA run will really pump us up, as long as he doesn't turn it over.

Problem is, if you keep Perk in the lineup and add TA, you have three guys who can't shoot on the floor at the same time. 

Ultimately, I don't love either idea.  TA has improved; however, I think right now he's about 4th on the depth chart for the 2/3 spot.  I think that hardly merits starting him. 

I think I'd rather see Doc just get a little better at substitution patterns and get some more dynamic lineups on the floor, even if it's not at the start of the game. 

[nishesh]

I guess we could  have a shooting problem, but we have Paul Pierce who's shooting 47% percent from the 3, and KG will always be a threat from midrange.

5 on the Floor:
Rondo-Bringing up the Ball
TA-Ready to set a screen or cut to the basket from about baseline
Paul-Running to get behind the line (forcing his man to follow)
KG- Running around the baseline for a jumpshot (Dragging a big out of the paint)
Perk(In the post, getting position)]


Rondo has choices, he can pass to Paul for the  3, Drive in and  throw it back to KG, Drive in himself, let Perk muscle over everybody else in the paint, or get creative with TA....

[looseball]

Number 1 is an extreamly smart idea TP for that .  I'm not so sure about telling Perk to sit down though he's just to talented. When we play teams like Cleveland or Orlando, I don't want Shaq/Dwight to get easy buckets early in the game, the momentum will become dangerous. Danny's done with Ray, 80% chance we'll say see ya to Ray for Kevin Martin+Nocioni, and Martin is a V-12 engine in a sub-compact (only 185 pounds). Nocioni will provide a spark of defense of the bench. Still I love TA, in a league when at times during the 1st Quarter the game is almost relaxed, seeing TA run will really pump us up, as long as he doesn't turn it over.

Problem is, if you keep Perk in the lineup and add TA, you have three guys who can't shoot on the floor at the same time. 
[/quote)

You may have three guys who are not good jump shooters, but you'll get a lot more layups, and those are the highest of percentage shots.

[xmuscularghandix]

I like the idea of starting TA and putting the pressure on with him and Rondo, this would be very similar to the way Denver started Dahntay Jones over JR Smith but closed games out with the offensive guard.

I completely disagree with starting Sheed because i feel that when he's on the second unit he can become the "go to" player where we run our offense through him in the post.

To close out the games i like the idea of Rasheed and Ray outside stretching the floor for Rondo/Pierce/KG inside. No changes with that... unless of course Ray is gone.

[sk7326]

TA great where he is ... honestly he is a GREAT sell high candidate trade-wise.

The lineup makes sense right now the 8 man rotation now is finally healthy.  It would be nice if Walker showed the ability to take some of TA's minutes if Allen is dealt.

[snively]

Lateral moves at best.

What you gain in efficiency/rebounding/defense with TA over Ray you lose with Sheed over Perk.

What you gain in floor spacing and better decision making with Sheed over Perk you lose in TA over Ray.

What you gain in offensive impact with Ray off the bench you lose by bringing in low-offensive-impact Perk instead of Sheed.

[Steve Weinman]

I still consider Sheed better than Perk.

Why do you do that?

-sw

[sk7326]

Lateral moves at best.

What you gain in efficiency/rebounding/defense with TA over Ray you lose with Sheed over Perk.

What you gain in floor spacing and better decision making with Sheed over Perk you lose in TA over Ray.

What you gain in offensive impact with Ray off the bench you lose by bringing in low-offensive-impact Perk instead of Sheed.

Perk at least knows what side of the floor his teammates are on