Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes

[winsomme]

although i have been wanting Walker for a while, i'm going to sort of disagree here.

I think Doc really wanted this game to make sure we didn't get into a KG-less losing streak and i do see the value of that. we want to stay the best we can in the hunt for HC advantage. we don't want to just concede that.

I'm gonna hold off until the Clipps game to start calling for more Walker mins because I think we  would like to have a good showing against DEN tomorrow night.

I expect to see a little more Pruitt or Walker tomorrow, but i still think Doc will run a pretty short rotation in that game to - especially if we look to be in any trouble.

Was this game really in doubt when we were up by 20 points or so with six minutes left?  Put in Walker for Pierce, and if the lead gets down to 10 or 12, think about putting Pierce back in.  Don't, however, play Pierce 44 minutes in a fast tempo blowout without at least attempting to spell him.

i see what you're saying, but you also don't want to have Pierce and Ray shut it down and then have to go back into a game that in no way should have been competitive at that point.

the real minutes problem in this game was at the regular rest times at the end of the 1st and beginning of the 2nd Qs....and clearly Doc felt like he didn't want to get behind at that point and be playing uphill the rest of the game.

PHO was looking pretty good and energized at that point.

maybe he could have gotten them some rest earlier towards the end of the game, but the real change in bench minutes was not using them in the first half, and i see why he didn't sub at that point.

I think this was a good win to get and i see why Doc didn't go to the bench earlier.

Now if this  continues in the Clipps game, I'll be right there....Paul and Ray can't be playing 40+ MPG until KG gets back. but tonight and tomorrow, I'm a little more forgiving of...

[Roy Hobbs]

Again:

You don’t want to burn out me and Ray (Allen) coming down the stretch to where we’re having to play heavy minutes, especially going into the playoffs.”

If Paul Pierce thinks minutes are a problem, I think it's worthy of discussion without your sarcastic retort.

Roy,

I'm sorry, I'm confused. How can you have a discussion without a sarcastic retort? I've never done it.

Haha.  I don't mind sarcastic retorts, so long as there's some substance there, too.  However, shouting "let's start POB, too!" when somebody is suggesting getting Pierce 5 minutes of rest -- when Paul himself has indicated that he needs more rest -- doesn't seem like a very persuasive method of argument.

If people *don't* think Walker or Giddens should get a handful of minutes, I'd like to hear why they think that way, and what the alternative is.  Should we continue to play Pierce 44 minutes per night, despite his own concerns about burning out?

[Roy Hobbs]

Paul Pierce's minutes played this month:  41, 37, 45, 43, 40, 43, 44, 45, 44

[illantari]

Paul Pierce's minutes played this month:  41, 37, 45, 43, 40, 43, 44, 45, 44

 
!!!
 
That's worse than I thought....

[winsomme]

Paul Pierce's minutes played this month:  41, 37, 45, 43, 40, 43, 44, 45, 44

there's also been a bunch of rest in there and games against key teams like LAL, SAS, NO and DAL....

This month was going to be big minutes for the big 3 given who we were playing regardless of injuries....the injuries just made it worse....

again, i agree in the overall point, but i see the rationale for pushing to get wins over that stretch....

if it continues, then it could be a problem for sure, but i'm just not there quite yet.

hey, i'm big on the we shoulda signed Pose train and he would be perfect for what's going on now.

i wish there were more attractive veteran wings out there to pick up, but i think we will be seeing Walker pretty soon.

[KungPoweChicken]

Paul Pierce's minutes played this month:  41, 37, 45, 43, 40, 43, 44, 45, 44

there's also been a bunch of rest in there and games against key teams like LAL, SAS, NO and DAL....

This month was going to be big minutes for the big 3 given who we were playing regardless of injuries....the injuries just made it worse....

again, i agree in the overall point, but i see the rationale for pushing to get wins over that stretch....

if it continues, then it could be a problem for sure, but i'm just not there quite yet.

hey, i'm big on the we shoulda signed Pose train and he would be perfect for what's going on now.

i wish there were more attractive veteran wings out there to pick up, but i think we will be seeing Walker pretty soon.

If i hear the name Pose or Posey mentioned on this blog again I'm sure I will puke.

[CoachBo]

Funny, I feel the same way about Paddy O'Blount.

[The Walker Wiggle]

If i hear the name Pose or Posey mentioned on this blog again I'm sure I will puke.

Is this and the O'Bryant quip all you've got?

Anyway, I wouldn't turn my nose up at the guy making my argument for me...

[KungPoweChicken]

If i hear the name Pose or Posey mentioned on this blog again I'm sure I will puke.

Is this and the O'Bryant quip all you've got?

Anyway, I wouldn't turn my nose up at the guy making my argument for me...

No, I've got a few more zingers stashed away for later.

[The Walker Wiggle]

I can't wait.

(I do like the name though.)

[MVP]

The announcers were saying how Doc told them that he would rather be a 7th seed and KG at 100% then be the 1st seed and KG at 75%. What about Pierce who is just as important?

Doc has to do a better job of finding a few minutes here and there to rest Pierce so that he doesn't play >40 minutes a game. Give Walker 4-5 minutes in the 2nd quarter to spell Pierce and do it when Ray/Rondo come back in the game so that Walker doesn't have to do much. If Walker plays well during that stint, then put him in again in the 3rd quarter, if not then rotate Pierce/Allen/Rondo/House.

[Change]

The thing about Doc is that he's too cautious. You guys saw what happened when Gabe got in late 1st Q & played the start of the 2nd Q Suns went on a run pressuring our none ball handlers. I can understand him playing rondo 40+ a game but not PP and ray. Don't tire our horses DOC.

I doubt JR/Bill have an NBA ready game, nonetheless they need the experience of playing just in case of injury. 3-5 mins each could go along way relieving PP & Ray

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

The announcers were saying how Doc told them that he would rather be a 7th seed and KG at 100% then be the 1st seed and KG at 75%. What about Pierce who is just as important?

Doc has to do a better job of finding a few minutes here and there to rest Pierce so that he doesn't play >40 minutes a game. Give Walker 4-5 minutes in the 2nd quarter to spell Pierce and do it when Ray/Rondo come back in the game so that Walker doesn't have to do much. If Walker plays well during that stint, then put him in again in the 3rd quarter, if not then rotate Pierce/Allen/Rondo/House.

Ive said it before, but Pierce playing 40+ minutes has been needed lately, unfortunately..

Doc is coaching to win, and giddens/walker arent ready to play, its clear thats what the coaching staff thinks, and I agree with it..I saw the way they handled a rookie who actually was ready to play last year, BBD and it was perfect.
Blame danny for not having an adequate backup for Pierce, he had his best possible backup last year and let him get away

[Roy Hobbs]

The announcers were saying how Doc told them that he would rather be a 7th seed and KG at 100% then be the 1st seed and KG at 75%. What about Pierce who is just as important?

Doc has to do a better job of finding a few minutes here and there to rest Pierce so that he doesn't play >40 minutes a game. Give Walker 4-5 minutes in the 2nd quarter to spell Pierce and do it when Ray/Rondo come back in the game so that Walker doesn't have to do much. If Walker plays well during that stint, then put him in again in the 3rd quarter, if not then rotate Pierce/Allen/Rondo/House.

Ive said it before, but Pierce playing 40+ minutes has been needed lately, unfortunately..

Doc is coaching to win, and giddens/walker arent ready to play, its clear thats what the coaching staff thinks, and I agree with it..I saw the way they handled a rookie who actually was ready to play last year, BBD and it was perfect.
Blame danny for not having an adequate backup for Pierce, he had his best possible backup last year and let him get away

In your opinion, could Pierce and the other starters been taken out before there were 2:00 left in the game?

I understand why Pierce needs to play a lot of minutes.  However, it's up to the coaching staff to get him rest when they can.  Increased minutes means that Pierce will be less fresh for the playoffs, and it increases his chances of injury.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

The announcers were saying how Doc told them that he would rather be a 7th seed and KG at 100% then be the 1st seed and KG at 75%. What about Pierce who is just as important?

Doc has to do a better job of finding a few minutes here and there to rest Pierce so that he doesn't play >40 minutes a game. Give Walker 4-5 minutes in the 2nd quarter to spell Pierce and do it when Ray/Rondo come back in the game so that Walker doesn't have to do much. If Walker plays well during that stint, then put him in again in the 3rd quarter, if not then rotate Pierce/Allen/Rondo/House.

Ive said it before, but Pierce playing 40+ minutes has been needed lately, unfortunately..

Doc is coaching to win, and giddens/walker arent ready to play, its clear thats what the coaching staff thinks, and I agree with it..I saw the way they handled a rookie who actually was ready to play last year, BBD and it was perfect.
Blame danny for not having an adequate backup for Pierce, he had his best possible backup last year and let him get away

In your opinion, could Pierce and the other starters been taken out before there were 2:00 left in the game?

I understand why Pierce needs to play a lot of minutes.  However, it's up to the coaching staff to get him rest when they can.  Increased minutes means that Pierce will be less fresh for the playoffs, and it increases his chances of injury.

Of course, but maybe doc is trying to send a message to danny to hurry up and get help, and they arent as careful with PP and rays minutes as they are KG's, they are capable of playing 40 minutes and barely breaking a sweat, it isnt ideal, but I think those 2 can handle it, its the heart of the season and they had it easy in training camp and averaged low minutes early in the season..as long as those minutes gradually come down and they get some good rest before the playoffs they'll be fine. its one thing with KG healthy and playing, but with him out I see Pierce playing 40 minutes a game or more if we want to win, homecourt could make or break our season and its still in reach