Do you think we're deep enough to...

[RAcker]

AB, I honestly don't know how we can give realistic answers to that post question without seeing them through a training camp and some pre-season games at the least.  However, this is what makes forums great.  TP for the question.

I tell you one thing, Doc had better be thinking about this already.

[ManUp]

Do you think the 2012-2013 Celtics are deep enough to...

1. Give KG, Pierce, and even JET whole nights off against weaker, faster moving teams?
2. Have Jeff Green focus the majority of his time on learning to defend LeBron (essentially becoming LeBane)?
3. Keep Melo on the bench to give him another year to learn the sport?

And so on... Post your thoughts!

1. We may be deep enough to do the first, but I don't see that happening, except at the end of the season.  Their competitors, and they'll all want to play.  At the end of the year, if a game has little-to-no bearing on playoff seeding, then they sit, but otherwise, they'll play.

2. I don't really understand how one learns to play defense on Lebron without playing against him, so I don't know how to focus his time on that.  But no, I don't think we're deep enough to send a player to some virtual reality chamber where he comes back programmed to stop LeBron.

3. I think it's the expectation of Doc and Danny that Melo will spend most of the season in Portland.

This, although I'm hoping Melo proves to be worthy of some spot/garbage minutes. I'm not a d-league believer. IMO, college ball> practice with NBA team & players > d-league. Maybe that will change in the coming years, but I have to see it to believe it.

[bucknersrevenge]

1. Absolutely. I'd count on at least 5-10 games each this year for KG/Paul/JT to sit out. Perhaps on one of the back-to-back games. Or perhaps a game before or after said back-to backs to give them extra rest.

2. I would just like to see Green focus on improving at both ends of the floor. I don't see he needs to zero in on LBJ per se. That's gonna be a total team job where multiple players see time on him. I just wanna see Green being aggressive offensively and more in tune with the team defense. Everything else will take care of itself.

3. I'm in complete agreement on. If it were up to me, he'd play the entire year in the D-League learning.

[Moranis]

2. I don't really understand how one learns to play defense on Lebron without playing against him, so I don't know how to focus his time on that.  But no, I don't think we're deep enough to send a player to some virtual reality chamber where he comes back programmed to stop LeBron.

What I was thinking was he'd watch tape after tape after tape of LeBron.

No, I don't think we're deep enough to leave a major rotation piece in the film room for most of the season, with the sole purpose of stopping one player.

Alright, I guess I'm not making myself clear. Obviously at a contract of around 9mil, Jeff Green will play, and he will play plenty. 25-30 minutes a night. I'm just saying in addition to that, he has a weekly or daily film session with Doc looking at what LeBron did over the last few days. Learn his style, learn to stop it.

  LeBron isn't a great player because he has a vast array of moves and people don't know what to expect from him. It's because he's bigger/faster/stronger and does what he wants anyways.

You are correct that Lebron is bigger/faster/stronger than just about everyone.  Where I disagree with you is that you seem to imply Lebron is dumb and predictable on the court and that isn't the case.  Lebron is a tremendous student of the game, plays highly intelligent basketball, and is always evolving.  Sure he isn't going to turn into Hakeem or McHale in the post, but he does have a wide array of skills, whether it is taking you off the dribble, backing you down (a new wrinkle), pulling up, catch and shooting, or creating for others. 

Lebron is essentially a more athletic and stronger version of Magic Johnson, but with less dribbling skill and no one could stop Magic either.

[BballTim]

2. I don't really understand how one learns to play defense on Lebron without playing against him, so I don't know how to focus his time on that.  But no, I don't think we're deep enough to send a player to some virtual reality chamber where he comes back programmed to stop LeBron.

What I was thinking was he'd watch tape after tape after tape of LeBron.

No, I don't think we're deep enough to leave a major rotation piece in the film room for most of the season, with the sole purpose of stopping one player.

Alright, I guess I'm not making myself clear. Obviously at a contract of around 9mil, Jeff Green will play, and he will play plenty. 25-30 minutes a night. I'm just saying in addition to that, he has a weekly or daily film session with Doc looking at what LeBron did over the last few days. Learn his style, learn to stop it.

  LeBron isn't a great player because he has a vast array of moves and people don't know what to expect from him. It's because he's bigger/faster/stronger and does what he wants anyways.

You are correct that Lebron is bigger/faster/stronger than just about everyone.  Where I disagree with you is that you seem to imply Lebron is dumb and predictable on the court and that isn't the case.  Lebron is a tremendous student of the game, plays highly intelligent basketball, and is always evolving.  Sure he isn't going to turn into Hakeem or McHale in the post, but he does have a wide array of skills, whether it is taking you off the dribble, backing you down (a new wrinkle), pulling up, catch and shooting, or creating for others. 

Lebron is essentially a more athletic and stronger version of Magic Johnson, but with less dribbling skill and no one could stop Magic either.

  If players like Magic or Bird had LeBron's physical gifts every year of their career would be like the year Wilt scored 50 a game. If LeBron had the speed/strength of Magic or Bird he'd be an occasional all-star.

[billysan]

I think we are deep enough (if everyone is healthy) to at least rest KG and Pierce once in a while for a whole 4th quarter. This will be most valuable on the 1st of a back to back.

This is largely going to be dependent on how fast Green, Wilcox and Bradley come back. Also how quickly Jet and Lee pick up our system. I also think an emergence of Sullinger will help but we are not dependent on it this season.

As to Melo, he simply doesnt have enough time on the court to break the rotation this season IMO unless it is in a blowout or garbage time. His most valuable learning time will be using what he has been taught from the staff and KG during practice/camp while playing in D league games after he is sent down.

[pearljammer10]

I think we are deep enough to win enough games and be ahead in enough games so that melo WILL see the floor and get minutes, benefitting because of it.

[2short]

Do you think the 2012-2013 Celtics are deep enough to...

1. Give KG, Pierce, and even JET whole nights off against weaker, faster moving teams?
2. Have Jeff Green focus the majority of his time on learning to defend LeBron (essentially becoming LeBane)?
3. Keep Melo on the bench to give him another year to learn the sport?

And so on... Post your thoughts!

I for one was pushing for nights off LAST season ala San Antonio.  This would affect the mind set of other guys.  Hey PP has the night off, period, not we are going to play him sparingly and try to rest him, HE IS NOT PLAYING.  So Jeff you are starting and we expect (insert backup name) to step up to the plate.  Same with KG, I personally wouldn't mind rondo taking a day off if banged up (we need he and kg healthy to do anything)

Lebron is an amazing athlete who has forgotten how good he could be, hopefully the olympics don't wake up his passing skills that have taken a back seat to his offensive game.  I wouldn't care about Green playing good 1 on 1 d.  PP does a really good job by understanding help defense and forcing guys in defensive zones.  Granted size wise Green should be able to do a better job.

Melo, I see if d league this year.  Does anyone think he is RIGHT NOW better than Hollins?  Hollins is a fringe nba players, lots of energy but chickens missing heads will run around as well 

[Sketch5]

They might get a few games off, maybe near the end of the season. I see Doc more playing them less in some games, against weaker teams.

I think KG and PP are rep type of guys that need some game time to stay in a good groove. But if they only get 15 min in a game against the Bucks, or Cleveland that wouldn't be too bad.

then it would give the roll players time to gel and makes them better if they need to step up in the playoffs.
 

[greenpride32]

If you mean sitting all 3 for the same games then not a chance.  You're talking about 3 of our top 5/6 players on the team; without them we aren't a playoff team. 

I think this year will be like all the past few years; if we get a big lead and the bench can hold it, the starters will get rest.  Obviously the big difference is we actually have a bench that has a proven track record.

[billysan]

I think we are deep enough to win enough games and be ahead in enough games so that melo WILL see the floor and get minutes, benefitting because of it.

Always the optimist, hope you are right on this one.