Finally!! Doc gets it!!!

[xmuscularghandix]

Everyone on here that said this, is gonna be all ****y when he misses a defensive rotation or has a couple TO's. 

Of course. 

Doesn't matter.  They need to give Pierce and Ray more bench time.

Even five minutes in the first half and just two at the end of a quarter can make a big difference in PP/Ray's ability to finish the game.

Price of keeping people ready for the playoffs.

oh i understand that players need to go through the learning curve, i just know that in the game threads everyones gonna say "walker can't play defense, he sucks, we should waive him so that we can sign Swift." or "lets cut JR becuase i already ordered my Joe Smith Celtics' jersey."

[BrickJames]

I don't want to hear anyone crying the rest of the year that we lost due to Doc's "substitutions" because our inexperienced players are getting PT.

But of course that's going to happen.

[orrzor]

I'm confused. Doc says he will give either Giddens or Walker 3-4 mins. Does that means he expects Pierce to play 44-45 mins?

[BudweiserCeltic]

I'm confused. Doc says he will give either Giddens or Walker 3-4 mins. Does that means he expects Pierce to play 44-45 mins?

Ray gets some minutes at the SF.

[illestmcsgt]

I suspect Doc will start to give PP and Ray less minutes and rookies some playing time. Not too much that we lose most of the games I think Celtics want #1 no matter what. Just resting our starters in time for the players is something they know they will need to do. I think we will see more of Marbury and Moore these upcoming games. Until KG, TA, and Scal come back Big Baby, House, and Powe should be playing bigger roles. Hard part is figuring out rotations in time for the playoffs with KG, TA, Scal, Marbury, and Moore. I would like to see them play the last season games together more to know each other's game.

Marbury running point off the bench, TA playing wing, Scal could play small, KG at power forward, and Moore at center would be a great rotation. Doc might see that as well if they come back in time only.

[2short]

He almost gets it....what would MOST players do in 3-4 minutes time much less a rookie.  Up it to 5 minutes at the end of a quarter with all the starters but PP or Ray.  Then fit them in another 3-4 minutes in a game.

Thankfully Pierce spoke up yet again.  And, did you notice, he did so at the same time he gushed about how he'd want to retire rather than play for another coach after Doc.  You'd almost think he's been reading management books and decided to use the 'sandwich technique' of praise, correct, and praise again. Of course that approach has been debunked as too obviously manipulative if used regularly, so let's hope he got through to Doc this time around!

[Roy Hobbs]

Doc in the February 23, 2009 Herald:

“With Tony (Allen) out and Kevin (Garnett) out and Scal (Brian Scalabrine) playing 4 (power forward), that really puts us in a bind,” Rivers said. “Even if I play a Billy (Walker) and a Gabe (Pruitt) and we’re struggling with them in, I’ve got to sit and take it because I can’t burn Paul and Ray out. That’s going to be a tough one.

Doc in the March 3, 2009 Herald:

“That was a bad job by me,” Rivers said the day after exposing Pierce to all but 18.5 seconds against Detroit. “I’ve got to get him out no matter what, even if we’re losing the lead.”
...
On those nights right now we’re going to have to go with either Billy (Walker) or J.R. (Giddens) to give us three or four minutes until we get Tony (Allen) or Scal (Brian Scalabrine) back.”

Maybe Doc can give us another nice quote to discuss in 10 days, while he plays Pierce even more minutes (although I don't know how that will be possible, unless we have some overtime games).

[Chief]

Doc in the February 23, 2009 Herald:

“With Tony (Allen) out and Kevin (Garnett) out and Scal (Brian Scalabrine) playing 4 (power forward), that really puts us in a bind,” Rivers said. “Even if I play a Billy (Walker) and a Gabe (Pruitt) and we’re struggling with them in, I’ve got to sit and take it because I can’t burn Paul and Ray out. That’s going to be a tough one.

Doc in the March 3, 2009 Herald:

“That was a bad job by me,” Rivers said the day after exposing Pierce to all but 18.5 seconds against Detroit. “I’ve got to get him out no matter what, even if we’re losing the lead.”
...
On those nights right now we’re going to have to go with either Billy (Walker) or J.R. (Giddens) to give us three or four minutes until we get Tony (Allen) or Scal (Brian Scalabrine) back.”

Maybe Doc can give us another nice quote to discuss in 10 days, while he plays Pierce even more minutes (although I don't know how that will be possible, unless we have some overtime games).

Doc seems obsessed with the best regular season record. 

[illantari]

Actually the Globe says he doesn't:

Coach Doc Rivers said Pierce and Ray Allen will be candidates for added minutes as the Celtics await the return of Tony Allen (thumb surgery), Kevin Garnett (knee strain), and Brian Scalabrine (concussion, scheduled for more tests).

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/03/taking_blame_for_arrest_pruitt_is_eager_to_play/

I don't even know how that's possible, seeing as PP played 48 last game.  Maybe he's prepping for overtimes.

Keep the Truth alive!  Free Billy!

[bopna]

The problem here is whenever the game is ongoing, Doc always asks PP if he's ok...the natural response would always be "Doc, Im alright, I can still play"...and this is the problem with Doc....Sure PP can still play, thats what he is being paid to do, he is our Captain and he's warrior, but PP ends up making dumb mistakes and becomes turnover prone because of exhaustion...so Doc really would have to make a stand whether we are leading or not, close game or not that PP will have to sit down period.

[KungPoweChicken]

Doc in the February 23, 2009 Herald:

“With Tony (Allen) out and Kevin (Garnett) out and Scal (Brian Scalabrine) playing 4 (power forward), that really puts us in a bind,” Rivers said. “Even if I play a Billy (Walker) and a Gabe (Pruitt) and we’re struggling with them in, I’ve got to sit and take it because I can’t burn Paul and Ray out. That’s going to be a tough one.

Doc in the March 3, 2009 Herald:

“That was a bad job by me,” Rivers said the day after exposing Pierce to all but 18.5 seconds against Detroit. “I’ve got to get him out no matter what, even if we’re losing the lead.”
...
On those nights right now we’re going to have to go with either Billy (Walker) or J.R. (Giddens) to give us three or four minutes until we get Tony (Allen) or Scal (Brian Scalabrine) back.”

Maybe Doc can give us another nice quote to discuss in 10 days, while he plays Pierce even more minutes (although I don't know how that will be possible, unless we have some overtime games).

Doc seems obsessed with the best regular season record. 

Rightfully so, home court advantage in the east is imperative.

[twinbree]

No offense to Doc but I'm going to believe this when I see it. TA and Scal are likely out for the rest of the season and its not reassuring that it takes Pierce talking about fatigue twice to address the problem of having one real SF in the rotation. I don't think he gets it at all.

[Roy Hobbs]

Doc in the February 23, 2009 Herald:

“With Tony (Allen) out and Kevin (Garnett) out and Scal (Brian Scalabrine) playing 4 (power forward), that really puts us in a bind,” Rivers said. “Even if I play a Billy (Walker) and a Gabe (Pruitt) and we’re struggling with them in, I’ve got to sit and take it because I can’t burn Paul and Ray out. That’s going to be a tough one.

Doc in the March 3, 2009 Herald:

“That was a bad job by me,” Rivers said the day after exposing Pierce to all but 18.5 seconds against Detroit. “I’ve got to get him out no matter what, even if we’re losing the lead.”
...
On those nights right now we’re going to have to go with either Billy (Walker) or J.R. (Giddens) to give us three or four minutes until we get Tony (Allen) or Scal (Brian Scalabrine) back.”

Maybe Doc can give us another nice quote to discuss in 10 days, while he plays Pierce even more minutes (although I don't know how that will be possible, unless we have some overtime games).

Doc seems obsessed with the best regular season record. 

Rightfully so, home court advantage in the east is imperative.

So imperative that it's worth playing Paul Pierce 48 minutes in a regular season loss?  So imperative that it's worth ignoring Pierce's own pleas for rest, which he has now made three times now?

I don't think so.  It's more important to have a rested and healthy roster than it is to have home court.

[EJPLAYA]

Doc in the February 23, 2009 Herald:

“With Tony (Allen) out and Kevin (Garnett) out and Scal (Brian Scalabrine) playing 4 (power forward), that really puts us in a bind,” Rivers said. “Even if I play a Billy (Walker) and a Gabe (Pruitt) and we’re struggling with them in, I’ve got to sit and take it because I can’t burn Paul and Ray out. That’s going to be a tough one.

Doc in the March 3, 2009 Herald:

“That was a bad job by me,” Rivers said the day after exposing Pierce to all but 18.5 seconds against Detroit. “I’ve got to get him out no matter what, even if we’re losing the lead.”
...
On those nights right now we’re going to have to go with either Billy (Walker) or J.R. (Giddens) to give us three or four minutes until we get Tony (Allen) or Scal (Brian Scalabrine) back.”

Maybe Doc can give us another nice quote to discuss in 10 days, while he plays Pierce even more minutes (although I don't know how that will be possible, unless we have some overtime games).

Doc seems obsessed with the best regular season record. 

Rightfully so, home court advantage in the east is imperative.

So imperative that it's worth playing Paul Pierce 48 minutes in a regular season loss?  So imperative that it's worth ignoring Pierce's own pleas for rest, which he has now made three times now?

I don't think so.  It's more important to have a rested and healthy roster than it is to have home court.

Very true. Especially since we aren't getting home court anyway. Cleveland isn't losing the close games like we are. With KG out we aren't going to match them record wise the last 15 games very likely, nor the Lakers, so we might as well go in rested or we have no chance. This will not only get them ready, but will give our younger guys more time to get in the groove to have some confidence going into the playoffs.

[twinbree]

Actually the Globe says he doesn't:

Coach Doc Rivers said Pierce and Ray Allen will be candidates for added minutes as the Celtics await the return of Tony Allen (thumb surgery), Kevin Garnett (knee strain), and Brian Scalabrine (concussion, scheduled for more tests).

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/03/taking_blame_for_arrest_pruitt_is_eager_to_play/

I don't even know how that's possible, seeing as PP played 48 last game.  Maybe he's prepping for overtimes.

Keep the Truth alive!  Free Billy!

I'm just as baffled by the quote in the globe. How many more minutes can they play? And its not like KG, TA and Scal are only missing a couple of games. This is just irresponsible coaching by Doc if he plays them heavy minutes for the rest of the season.