Tony came back, does that affect Giddens?

[Jon]

Anyone else think Giddens could pass TA on the depth chart by the time the playoffs role around? 

Yes.  Giddens is actually older than Rondo, O'Bryant, Davis, and Pruitt, so he's not some fresh out of high school guy who should need enormous adjustment time.  And while I've heard some people say he's not a great three point shooter, he shot it fairly well in college.  Regardless of how well he shoots it, I'm sure he shoots it better than Tony Allen. 

Allen might be better at creating his own offense; however, that's not something this team really needs.  If Giddens proves he can hit the weakside three better than Allen--thus spreading the floor better for the C's superstars to create offense--I wouldn't be surprised to see him pass Tony Allen. 

On a separate issue, this "In Danny We Trust" nonsense is just that.  I just Danny too--to an extent.  But let's not turn into mindless, brainwashed, green-tinted zombies here.  Even the best executives make mistakes.  For goodness sake, Red Auerbach thought Bob Cousy was going to be a bust before he got Cousy handed to him out of a hat.  Furthermore, Danny, like Red, has been fortunate.  Danny was lucky last year two teams were willing to trade away their best players; that doesn't happen most offseasons no matter what you have to offer.  Similarly, Red was lucky that he had high draft picks when guys like Bill Russell and Larry Bird were available.  Players of their caliber aren't available in every draft no matter how high you're picking. 

So while I think Danny's done a real nice job lately, it is ludicrous to just assume very move he makes is going to turn to gold. 

[BigALmeetLasme]

#1   Perk,KG,Pierce,Ray,Rondo
#2   KG,Powe,Pierce,Ray,Rondo
#3   KG,Davis,Pierce,Ray,Rondo
#4-? KG,Pierce,House,Ray,Rondo
     KG,Pierce,Allen,Ray,Rondo
     Davis,Powe,Walker,Ray,Rondo
     KG,Davis,Powe,Giddens,Rondo -for Rebounds
     Perk,KG,Powe,Pierce,Allen  more rebounds and 3's
     KG,Powe,Pierce,Giddens,Pruitt
     Davis,Pierce,Giddens,Ray,TA

Just some thoughts and a reminder that when our bench comes into the game we will probably sub in 2 at a time opposed to all 5 guys.  This is important because Doc can put Giddens or Walker on the court with a couple of our starters still in the game and still be very effective if not more effective because of our youths focus on the Defensive end will be huge with KG screaming at them.  I love TA and I'm glad he is still in green!  Don't forget Danny's love for TA and his confidence he has with TA running the point position.  That is a lot more important than how high all of our confidence' are in his ball handling ability.

Go C's!!
     
   

[Change]

#1   Perk,KG,Pierce,Ray,Rondo
#2   KG,Powe,Pierce,Ray,Rondo
#3   KG,Davis,Pierce,Ray,Rondo
#4-? KG,Pierce,House,Ray,Rondo
     KG,Pierce,Allen,Ray,Rondo
     Davis,Powe,Walker,Ray,Rondo
     KG,Davis,Powe,Giddens,Rondo -for Rebounds
     Perk,KG,Powe,Pierce,Allen  more rebounds and 3's
     KG,Powe,Pierce,Giddens,Pruitt
     Davis,Pierce,Giddens,Ray,TA

Just some thoughts and a reminder that when our bench comes into the game we will probably sub in 2 at a time opposed to all 5 guys.  This is important because Doc can put Giddens or Walker on the court with a couple of our starters still in the game and still be very effective if not more effective because of our youths focus on the Defensive end will be huge with KG screaming at them.  I love TA and I'm glad he is still in green!  Don't forget Danny's love for TA and his confidence he has with TA running the point position.  That is a lot more important than how high all of our confidence' are in his ball handling ability.

Go C's!!
     
   

Good Job
I thought I was the only Celtic who's excited about next years possibilities. We have enough talent and depth to repeat. It just takes time and that time comes from playing together. Now, if we can only sign Kurt Thomas to fill Spot#15. This way our young guns can play more during the regular season, and Kurt can get an active role towards the playoffs.

[biggs]

It's not the same construction as last year, as we have now lost our big swingman in Posey, our only legitimately sized backup big man in Brown, and our only real backup PG in Cassell. 

What was our record before Brown and Cassell showed up? Like the third best in NBA history or something. I just don't see the reason for the panic. Obviously, losing Posey hurts, but I think keeping TA and House makes a ton of sense. For one, they were here last year, so there's continuity. TA is going to be better this year, and even though he's dangerous handling the ball, he's going to be more athletic this year and give us the slasher we miss when Pierce is on the bench. Plus, he's good defense coming in to guard the wings. The competition with Giddens and Walker is going to make him better.

House's ballhandling is not great either, but that will only matter in the playoffs, if then. If Detroit or whoever wants to press him, then Rondo plays 45 minutes or Ray or Pierce handle the ball. House's offense is just what we need off the bench and is much better than Posey's.

I like these moves. And then by Christmas time when Walker is playing 18 quality minutes a game backing up Pierce, things are going to be even more wonderful. 

I like it.  Very positive

[Jon]

It's not the same construction as last year, as we have now lost our big swingman in Posey, our only legitimately sized backup big man in Brown, and our only real backup PG in Cassell. 

What was our record before Brown and Cassell showed up? Like the third best in NBA history or something. I just don't see the reason for the panic. Obviously, losing Posey hurts, but I think keeping TA and House makes a ton of sense. For one, they were here last year, so there's continuity. TA is going to be better this year, and even though he's dangerous handling the ball, he's going to be more athletic this year and give us the slasher we miss when Pierce is on the bench. Plus, he's good defense coming in to guard the wings. The competition with Giddens and Walker is going to make him better.

House's ballhandling is not great either, but that will only matter in the playoffs, if then. If Detroit or whoever wants to press him, then Rondo plays 45 minutes or Ray or Pierce handle the ball. House's offense is just what we need off the bench and is much better than Posey's.

I like these moves. And then by Christmas time when Walker is playing 18 quality minutes a game backing up Pierce, things are going to be even more wonderful. 

I like it.  Very positive

Maybe.  I definitely agree that we can arguably mask our weaknesses more in the playoffs: the starting lineup is still very good.  I also agree that the backup PG position is less important this year than it was last year given Rondo's progress.  Still, Rondo is very aggressive defensively (as is Perkins at the 5 spot).  Foul trouble in the playoffs cannot be overlooked.  House playing with the Big Three usually works out OK; however, when you ask him to play with just Ray Allen or just Paul Pierce and some subs, it often becomes more problematic as the lone superstar has a lot to do with ball-handling and scoring duties. 

While I agree that your optimistic outlook could come true; I also think it could fall apart.  The Celtics will have big bulls-eyes on their backs this season; teams are going to gun after them much harder.  Eddie House faced very little pressure last year (except from Detroit).  I wouldn't count on that again.  Tony Allen still can't dribble or shoot; which isn't exactly encouraging for a guy who is supposed to be a shooting guard who can play a little point.  And after last year's playoff performance, Powe and Davis aren't going to be sneaking up on anyone either. 

Again, if the superstars were younger, I'd be perfectly OK with everything.  I'm just a little underwhelmed by the moves so far in a year that could be the best for the Big Three (a year together and still relatively young).  There still is plenty of time to get things done; however, with little money and little in the way of realistic trade-bait, I'm not sure what can be done. 

I'm hoping for Kurt Thomas, Darius Miles, or for Zo Mourning to pull a PJ for us in the winter.