TA starting at point?

[blake]

I don't give Doc a whole lot of credit most times....but If he showed his cards before the game I would lose a lot of respect for him.  The best thing about this move is that it would throw the Lakers off for a few minutes in the first half and hopefully the Celts wouldn't put themselves in an early deficit.

Things I like about the idea:
they have to adjust
d
this would cause foul trouble for the lakers

things I don't like about the idea:
I really liked the 2nd game where we were like 21 assists for 26 baskets.  That wouldn't happen
and everything everyone else has said in this post

[Barnabas]

I kinda agree with Hobbs on this one.  Tony is liable to be very rusty.  This ain't the time to be experimentin'!  It might be better to start the game with Sam though, and then bring in Tony and Eddie as the relief PGs.  

This match up is close.  The last thing we want is for the Lakers to even out the series.  The Zen-Master might come up with better and better strategies against our superior defense.  Like he did by crossmatching Kobe and Rondo in game 3.  We need to really go all out tonight, guys.  The momentum in the series could swing to LA if Doc's not careful.  Kobe, Fisher, and Vujacic could easily explode tonight and even out the series.  Who knows, Gasol might wake up from his coma and go for 20 points!

In some ways, I would like House out there.  On the other hand, we don't want Fisher and Vujacic to explode for major, consecutive baskets.  I'm sure the Zen-Master has something planned for us in case we start House though.  

Ofcourse, all this is moot if Pierce's and KG's offense go MIA on us.  That's really my main worry, not who plays the PG position.  

[LB3533]

You never know who will help you out...maybe the least expected guy can bail you out or provide something unexpected.

I say if Tony does play we can have either him or Ray Allen down on the post against Fisher...we can beat Fisher up or create double teams.

[DJRYB13]

I was just about to post this topic because I heard this being reported by Rachel Nichols on Sportscenter this morning.  You guys are crazy for even considering this a good idea.  Tony Allen isn't a PG!  He's barely a SG because he can't shoot.  He's basically a very small SF because that is probably where he would play best if he was a little taller. 

Even if Doc wasn't all that serious, why would you even say that?  Tony Allen hasn’t even played a minute in the last 2 series (maybe longer?), I thought he had an ACL issue and it’s TONY FREAKIN’ ALLEN!  He can’t even dribble up the court without tripping over his own feet or knocking the ball out of bounds off his knee.  Maybe it was a diversion but I honestly don’t even doubt the fact that he could have actually been serious.  This would be one of the dumbest moves of all time.   

Two seconds after Rachel Nichols reported this, they showed the real coach, Kevin Garnett, saying that if Rondo couldn’t go, we had enough depth at PG where Cassell or House could step right in. 

We should just let KG make the substitution patterns.  It couldn’t be any worse than what Doc is doing…

[Chris]

Well, if you are commited to playing Tony, then I have no problem with starting him.  By playing with the starters, they would be able to hide his weaknesses better than playing him off the bench, and he seems to have better focus when he starts.

With that said, Doc would have to have a VERY short leash on him.  If he starts making mental mistakes, he needs to sit down.

[Ersatz]

If it weren't for the rustiness factor, I'd be all for it. Tony doesn't have to bring the ball up court; Ray can do that, or Paul. And I love his defense. I think it's better to bring House off the bench. I just don't think Tony is ready for this.

[wdleehi]

This is a very scary thought



I am hoping this is a smokescreen by Doc and Rondo is actually ready to go.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ILLf2ikCLQ

[Shamrock]

If Cassell starts and gets more then 8 minutes at the point - we can kiss game 4 good bye. 

As rusty as TA is - and as prone to turnovers as he is (as is Cassell)- Tony makes much more sense then Cassell.  He offers a lot more defensively and he shares the ball well.  He doesn't chew up the shot clock holding on to the ball forever while looking for his own shot. 

House obviously should get the majority of the point guard minutes if Rondo is out.

God I hope Rondo can play!

There's always Gabe Pruitt - can we activate him?  I'd take him any day over Cassell.

[connerhenry43]

This is a very scary thought

I am hoping this is a smokescreen by Doc and Rondo is actually ready to go.

it has to be. even doc, as cozy with the media as any coach in sports, knows there is nothing to gain by announcing this before a game. TA might see some minutes if rondo is hurt, but why would doc announce this if he was going to do it?

[Who]

I think it would be a fantastic decision

Starting Tony rather than having him come off the bench will be easier for him. He can go straight from warmups to game action instead of spending 30 minutes sitting on the bench. It'll be a lot easier for him to find the flow of the game. It'll also be easier for him playing next to the starters instead of having to play with the second unit, they'll keep the game simple and he'll do well.

I'm also not too enthusiastic about House or Cassell starting or playing inflated minutes. I don't think either of those guys bring the threat that Tony does and I don't believe either of those guys can sustain a high level of performance for many minutes at this moment in time. I think we get much more out of Sam and House by having them stay as the backup and giving a slight increase in minutes. It keeps their roles the same and they know how to handle that.

That said the whole thing is mute. There's no way Rondo isn't starting, that would be ridiculous.

[Chris]

I think it would be a fantastic decision

Starting Tony rather than having him come off the bench will be easier for him. He can go straight from warmups to game action instead of spending 30 minutes sitting on the bench. It'll be a lot easier for him to find the flow of the game. It'll also be easier for him playing next to the starters instead of having to play with the second unit, they'll keep the game simple and he'll do well.

I'm also not too enthusiastic about House or Cassell starting or playing inflated minutes. I don't think either of those guys bring the threat that Tony does and I don't believe either of those guys can sustain a high level of performance for many minutes at this moment in time. I think we get much more out of Sam and House by having them stay as the backup and giving a slight increase in minutes. It keeps their roles the same and they know how to handle that.

That said the whole thing is mute. There's no way Rondo isn't starting, that would be ridiculous.

As much as I dislike Tony ever being on the court for this team in the playoffs...I agree completely with this post.

If Rondo isn't playing, they need to at least give Tony a look, and it makes more sense to do it as a starter.  But I can't see Rondo missing this game, he is too tough.

[toddhinds]

I LOVE IT!

Yes, he's struggled, yes he's rusty, yes he's lost his confidence at time, but..

What better way to get a guy to play the most focused, intense basketball of the season, then by having Doc tell him "I have faith in you to run the point of this team in the NBA effing Finals." 

Another thought,... I like this just for the transition D.  I'd rather have TA on Kobe in transition than Rondo.  TA has had success against Kobe in the past, and while there's bound to be some rust, he may absolutely spark that success again.

I say give him a chance, and see what comes out of it.  If he turns it over and makes stupid plays, give him a quick hook.

[Brickowski]

I think TA can handle the point just fine until Farmar comes into the game.

If this happens, I suspect that it has more to do with giving Ray Allen a break from guarding Kobe than it does with Rondo.  And I would not have any problem letting TA give Pierce a little more rest and hanving Tony play alongside Rondo.

LA isn't that physical, it would certainly consider putting Posey on Odom and playing Garnett at the 5, as opposed to bringing in PJ Brown to spell Perkins.

[ma11l]

I don't feel comfortable having someone who hasn't played any real minutes in a long time playing a lot of point guard for us.  However it would help stop the cross matchup problems we were having with Kobe.  I wouldn't mind seeing him with the bench and have Eddie play the two.  Tony can bring the ball up just the way Ray or Pierce does when Eddie is playing. 

[hpantazo]

come on, even TA himself doesn't believe Doc when he said he may play point tonight.