Rondo Running 2nd Unit

[LB3533]

What do you guys think about this new combination that Rivers employed against Knicks?

Rivers had Rondo and House combo in the back court for much of when the 2nd unit was out there.

I'll say that it is a good adjustment by Doc, for now, because I've always felt that when Rondo goes well, Ray Allen goes well and vice versa.

Right now Ray is struggling from the 3 point line, so the Rondo move to pair with House kinda makes sense. Rondo can toss the ball to House (who's shooting well from 3) on the fast breaks.

Until Ray gets his jump shot back, Rondo can stay with House.

[Rtpas11]

I love it! Its the reason why I keep stressing that we need a another point guard but not like Rondo. A point that is a scorer and not a shooter. A point that can create his own shots or create for others. Rondo & House is fantastic together with also Rasheed spacing the floor for Rondo. Rondo likes that because it helps a drive to the basket a bit easier (he said that's the reason he likes scal playing the 4 or 5 when kg was out). When Rasheed starts hitting some threes also the bench will be unstoppable. When Pierce ran the point everyone witnessed how smoothly and effective the offense was, because Pierce is a offensive threat who can not be guarded 1 on 1, he creates his own shot, if its not there he looks for shooters in their spot when doubled team. Its that simple!!!, but Rondo poses no threat as scorer/shooter so teams collapse and stay put with their man to man defense. Celtics offense then struggles and their defense in return looks poor because they can't set it with all them bricks.

Bench:
(Rondo, House, Daniels, Davis, & Rasheed)

Starters:
(Iverson, Allen, Pierce, Garnett & Perkins)

[xmuscularghandix]

The second unit is getting good shots, it's just that Rasheed is in a slump. He'll come out of it, House came out yesterday.

[Tough Juice]

I like the idea of Rondo with the second unit, and Daniels to start

[Fafnir]

I like the idea of Rondo with the second unit, and Daniels to start

Daniels isn't PG and I don't think Rondo's the problem with the starting 5.

[wdleehi]

I say the Celtics should keep the starting 5 that won a title together. 


I say it is time for the team to wake up and start playing with effort. 

[nesnfsn]

Thank you for this topic.

Although I know that we do not see what happens in practice sessions, the talk that has leaked out, and the limited time that I have seen this kid play, begs the question:

Should the 2nd unit right now be commanded by Lester Hudson?

I know he is a rook, but, think about it. Rasheed Wallace at Center, Sheldon Williams/Brian Scalabrine at PF, Marquis Daniels at SF, Eddie House at SG and Lester Hudson at PG. The kid can dribble circles around anyone else on the second unit (including MD), can create his own shot, and has so far displayed the selflessness and intelligence necessary to set up his teammates for shots.

This would also allow Rondo to get some rest, while observing what might work for another PG against that opponent. Simultaneously, House and Sheed can shoot to their hearts' content, Marquise can do the slashing and positioning that he
is quite able to, and the Landlord can just collect the rent checks (rebounds).

This, if it works, would also let Pierce and Allen rest while the second unit is in.

Thoughts?

[jdpapa3]

I like the idea, but Doc pulled Rondo early yesterday in the 3rd quarter to do this. He puts Eddie in at first and brings Rondo in to run the second unit a few minutes later. Rondo had started to take over the game and was driving at will with no shotblocking presence on the Knicks. We were up big, he brought Eddie in and Paul was running point and the lead evaporated. So to clarify my point: only yank Rondo early if he is not dominating offensively.

Statistically (up until 11/19) our second unit has been best with Ray Allen in with the second unit instead of Pierce.

[Fafnir]

I think Doc only ran that unit out there because the Knicks have a very small back court. Against teams that don't play 3 midgets he won't use that unit.

[clover]

Thank you for this topic.

Although I know that we do not see what happens in practice sessions, the talk that has leaked out, and the limited time that I have seen this kid play, begs the question:

Should the 2nd unit right now be commanded by Lester Hudson?

I know he is a rook, but, think about it. Rasheed Wallace at Center, Sheldon Williams/Brian Scalabrine at PF, Marquis Daniels at SF, Eddie House at SG and Lester Hudson at PG. The kid can dribble circles around anyone else on the second unit (including MD), can create his own shot, and has so far displayed the selflessness and intelligence necessary to set up his teammates for shots.

This would also allow Rondo to get some rest, while observing what might work for another PG against that opponent. Simultaneously, House and Sheed can shoot to their hearts' content, Marquise can do the slashing and positioning that he
is quite able to, and the Landlord can just collect the rent checks (rebounds).

This, if it works, would also let Pierce and Allen rest while the second unit is in.

Thoughts?

Wouldn't surprise me if that is their hope for the latter part of the year.  Seems they keep the untested new talent somewhat under wraps early in the year, while showing more of the players they'd like to trade (hello, Scal and JR) and giving the new guy an extended period to learn their system.  That's my hope, at least.

And I don't think they're worried enough yet to consider trading Ray or Eddie.

[pearljammer10]

What do you guys think about this new combination that Rivers employed against Knicks?

Rivers had Rondo and House combo in the back court for much of when the 2nd unit was out there.

I'll say that it is a good adjustment by Doc, for now, because I've always felt that when Rondo goes well, Ray Allen goes well and vice versa.

Right now Ray is struggling from the 3 point line, so the Rondo move to pair with House kinda makes sense. Rondo can toss the ball to House (who's shooting well from 3) on the fast breaks.

Until Ray gets his jump shot back, Rondo can stay with House.

Eddie House is shooting 31 percent from three over his last nine games and 33% for the month of November...I'd hardly say that's shooting well from 3. Ray is in a slump but I'd say Eddie is there too.

[twinbree]

I do like Rondo being the starter with the bench unit to give Ray and Paul a breather. They're not too many backcourts that can allow us to get away with it but it'd be good to capitalize on those whenever we have the chance.

[guava_wrench]

What do you guys think about this new combination that Rivers employed against Knicks?

Rivers had Rondo and House combo in the back court for much of when the 2nd unit was out there.

I'll say that it is a good adjustment by Doc, for now, because I've always felt that when Rondo goes well, Ray Allen goes well and vice versa.

Right now Ray is struggling from the 3 point line, so the Rondo move to pair with House kinda makes sense. Rondo can toss the ball to House (who's shooting well from 3) on the fast breaks.

Until Ray gets his jump shot back, Rondo can stay with House.

Eddie House is shooting 31 percent from three over his last nine games and 33% for the month of November...I'd hardly say that's shooting well from 3. Ray is in a slump but I'd say Eddie is there too.

33% from 3 is essentially 50% from 2, except it requires less possessions to score the same amount.

Then again, it isn't clear how to factor in the decreased chances of getting fouled from 3, the impact on offensive rebound likelihood, and the increased chance of having to defend a fast break off of a long rebound.

It would be interesting to see a study of missed 3's and their correlation to giving up fast break point on the ensuing defensive possession.

[Who]

I like Rondo in the second unit. I've wanted to see two of the C's big four on the court at all times and the players I've wanted in that second unit are Rondo + one of Pierce/Ray.

I don't expect to see Rondo in the second unit during the regular season but I do expect to see Doc to try and keep two of those four guys on the court at all times in the playoffs. I'd rather he started that now but ... I don't think he will.

[BballTim]

What do you guys think about this new combination that Rivers employed against Knicks?

Rivers had Rondo and House combo in the back court for much of when the 2nd unit was out there.

I'll say that it is a good adjustment by Doc, for now, because I've always felt that when Rondo goes well, Ray Allen goes well and vice versa.

Right now Ray is struggling from the 3 point line, so the Rondo move to pair with House kinda makes sense. Rondo can toss the ball to House (who's shooting well from 3) on the fast breaks.

Until Ray gets his jump shot back, Rondo can stay with House.

Eddie House is shooting 31 percent from three over his last nine games and 33% for the month of November...I'd hardly say that's shooting well from 3. Ray is in a slump but I'd say Eddie is there too.

33% from 3 is essentially 50% from 2, except it requires less possessions to score the same amount.

  No, it's the same number of possessions. 2-6 = 33% = 6 points. 3-6 on 2-point shots = 50% = 6 points. Same number of shots, same number of points.