Nice Look at a shortened bench

[winsomme]

It is interesting in that this was probably a good idea of what the playoff rotation will look like, though hopefully Shaq will start and either JO or Nenad will be getting spot minutes backing him up (with the rest of C minutes going to KG and BBD).

  JO coming back would be nice but not really expected.

  Green playing well would be big in the playoffs because PP could slide over to the two for some of Ray's breaks.

  We're still one big short but with one healthy O'Neal our bench should be a big advantage over most if not all of the league.

the whole trade has hinged on Shaq (also to a lesser extent JO) coming back ever since it was made. Even Danny has said we could be in trouble if these guys don't come back for the playoffs. So he clearly was rolling the dice in that respect.

as far as the getting rest for the starters, this is why it is imperative that Shaq comes back this week. He needs about 10 games with the starters to get up and running IMO and that would still leave time for the Big 4 to get some rest before playoffs start.

  Even if we had Perk we'd be in trouble with only one center.

Exactly, we'd be in a similar if not the same kind of "trouble".

The trouble is definitely worse with no Perk. We'd have our starting five and a bench of:

Arroyo
DWest
Pavlovic
BBD
Murphy

and still the possibility of one of the ONeals

^ Jeff Green would like to have a word with you.

I mean if we hadn't made the Perk trade...

  So you don't see Sasha as Paul's backup as a problem? Seriously?

not even in the same zip code of a problem as the interior defense for a playoff run...

I mean between Paul, Ray, and Delonte you could have what 8 MPG needed from Pavlovic?

  Yes, Delonte will make a great backup 3. Somewhere LeBron is trembling in fear.

  By the way, do we get the Delonte from the Hornets game or the Delonte from the Knicks game?

Ray would be the three with Delonte at the two, BBall.

and again, any back up minutes on the wing pales in comparison to the problems you have at center if the ONeals don't come back.

[jr_3421]

I'm probably in the minority but I really don't like what I've seen of Delonte at the 2. He been at his best providing a change of pace from Rondo at the PG position. Taking the ball out of his hands kind of takes away a lot what he brings to the offense - decision making and passing.

[Celticjay]

Come playoffs Kg's minutes will go up as will the rest of the starters.  There are NO back to backs and in the 2nd round on there are often multiple days off.  I think we'll have a 8-9 man bench unless someone gets into foul trouble.. Most playoff teams have an 8-9 man bench but most benches don't have 3 players who can play multiple positions like West (1,2) Green (3,4) and Baby (4,5).  This will be a huge advantage come postseason.  Because of this I really think the Celtics need to get Green up to speed all the other new acquisitions won't be much of a factor. This is assuming everyone is healthy.

Shaq 24mins  (24)
Kg 36mins    (12)
PP 36mins    (12)
RA 38mins    (10)
RR 40 mins   (
             ___
             66mins for the bench
Baby 28
Green 24
West 14

Possible minutes
Kristic (JO if healthy), Murphy, Arroyo.  I don't see any of them getting more than 6-8 in any games though.

Love the look of this team with Shaq! 

Thots?

[Celticjay]

Possible permutations

Starters
Shaq,KG,PP,RA,RR

Go Big
Shaq,KG,JG,PP,DW/RR

All offense
Kg,JG,PP,RA,DW/RR

All Defense
JO,KG,PP,RA,DW/RR

Where's the Beef
Shaq,BB,JG,PP,DW

Possibilities are endless and they all offer distinct match-up advantages.  When you throw in any other bench players I get uncomfortable.  Makes me thing and 8 man bench is key and a 9 man if JO comes back with some semblance of game as he is our only real shot blocker now