The thing I don't think most people are realizing with this PG debate is that it probably comes down to Eddie House as the backup "point guard" or Eddie House not being in the rotation. I just don't see how on a team where Rondo, Allen, and Pierce are all at least going to get 32 mpg (if not more), there's going to be room for 3 guys to back up the 3 positions.
If we do bring Jason Williams or some other PG in, that's at least going to eat up all the backup PG minutes. Daniels is going go at least get all the backup 3 minutes. Now you could argue that House could get the 14-16 mpg of backup time at the 2 spot, but you have to also ask yourself how much of the time Doc is really going to go with two 6 footers in the backcourt when he has Marquis Daniels available to get minutes. He did it last year, but he did it with the alternatives of Tony Allen and Bill Walker.
And while I've harped against House over the years, I think with Rondo ready for starters minutes, we're really only talking 10-12 mpg where Eddie would be the "point guard," and I use quotes as he'd really only be the defensive PG and someone else like Daniels, Allen, or Pierce would bring the ball up the court. While it might disrupt the offense a little to do things that way, the shooting that House brings to the backcourt would also open up things that wouldn't be there with Rondo in the game as well.
I agree it isn't ideal, but if you want Eddie's shooting in the game and you don't want the defensive liability of playing him at the 2 guard spot, I don't really see another way of doing things.
Although I disagree, that was a very well-though post which I much appreciated. I disagree first because I think the Celtics will be a very strong team next year, with significant age. Knowing that, the Celtics should be extremely careful to rest their "starting 7" during the regular season and play them limited minutes. We need them as fresh as possible for the second season. Having said that, I think there should be more substantial minutes available then if Rondo, Allen, and Pierce got 32 mpg.
Second, I really like Eddie House for what he can do, but he is not a play maker. Last year, the Celtics offense stalled without a playmaker in the game on many occasions. We need that second guy to make things easier for the elder statesmen and to facilitate the offense. While my information may be outdated, one of the typical Vet Min guys who are acceptable playmakers but not much else might be really helpful. Lets say (again, they may have signed, my list may be old), that Travis Diener, Jacque Vaughn, Bobby Jackson, Kevin Ollie, Ty Lue, and/or Brevin Knight are still available. The kind of guys that can at least run a team part-time. These would be the type of Min contracts that could be useful in the right role.
Third, insurance. I agree that I like seeing Eddie House out there and we should not eliminate him from the rotation. However, during the year guys get hurt. I think that with the age of our roster we can safely assume that there will be games missed by players, and having an extra vet who can run the team is playing it safe. Lets say that Allen gets hurt and we start House in his place. We then need a backup PG. Worse, lets say that Rondo gets hurt - then we really need a backup playmaker!
So I think we agree on our assessment of House's strengths and weaknesses. However, because I think (A) there *should* be more back-up minutes available next year; (B) we really need a playmaker off the bench at times (not convinced this is Daniels); and (C) we need to hedge our bets on injuries, a backup point is a smart move to make.
I tend to agree that a backup PG would be nice to have and I'd like Ainge to get one. I don't think, however, that in games that matter, House and the PG will both be in the rotation.
We can quibble about what the exact regular season rotation minutes will look like, but I think we can both agree that the starters will be getting well north of 30 mpg come the playoffs. If that's the case, there's really only room for Wallace, Daniels, and a "point guard" to get significant minutes. There might be the random 5 minutes here or there, but that's about it. If the backup PG is good enough, I'm fine with him knocking Eddie from the rotation. However, I question whether some of the guys available at this point will be a net gain over everything Eddie brings to the table.
Because for every time I've expressed disappointment in Eddie's inability to bring the ball up against pressure, there's been plenty of times he's made it work at the point. Let's not forget that Doc frequently went with the House/Allen/Pierce/Posey/Garnett lineup to close out games when they won it all in 2008. And none of us were complaining then.
And I really think Rondo's going to be playing 38-40 mpg in the playoffs. So I think the team can live with Ray, Paul, or Daniels bringing the ball up the court for 8-10 mpg. In many ways a House/Allen/Pierce/Wallace/Garnett lineup is very similar offensively to what we had when Posey was here.
As for what happens if Rondo's injured, that's a good question, but I'd throw this out there. If he goes down for a portion of the regular season, it isn't catastrophic: this team could win 60 games with Lester Hudson manning the point. Similarly, if Rondo goes down for the the year, there likely isn't anyone good enough out there to take his place and still have us win a title.
All in all, I agree a backup PG would be nice, I just don't think that a) it's the necessity it used to be with Rondo's development, and b) that the backup PG will necessarily get time and be of any use in games that matter. Still, I agree that it'd be a nice luxury to have.
Topic: Lets sign White Chocolate and be finished with the roster (Read 6223 times)