2nd Unit Needs Pushy PG

[nesnfsn]

There is no rhythm whatsoever in the 2nd unit unless and until Doc inserts Rondo.

He needs to give Lester Hudson some minutes in the 2nd unit to push the ball up the court, run the offense and defend against the opponent's PG. I would insert him with Rasheed, Marquis, Sheldon(or Davis after he returns) House(or Davis).

With House as PG, every Point option takes way too long to bring the ball up court, and then merely dribbles the ball until there are approximately 7-8 secs. left on the 24 sec. clock. Does not matter if the ball is handled by House, Marquis, Ray or Paul. Even then, there is no chemistry on the floor, and the players settle for bad shots, and too many long shots, including forced 3-point efforts.

Also, has anyone noticed that House has not improved on the defensive end, but regressed. Too many times his man blows by him for easy layups. George Hill last night was just way too fast for him, as was Tony Parker the few times that he played against House (when Hill has his nose bleed). Surely Doc could have given Lester Hudson a few minutes against George Hill to see how he responded defensively, as well as to ascertain whether he could run the point on offense.

Just my thoughts so far this season on the 2nd unit and their lack of a PG.

[2short]

There is no rhythm whatsoever in the 2nd unit unless and until Doc inserts Rondo.

He needs to give Lester Hudson some minutes in the 2nd unit to push the ball up the court, run the offense and defend against the opponent's PG. I would insert him with Rasheed, Marquis, Sheldon(or Davis after he returns) House(or Davis).

With House as PG, every Point option takes way too long to bring the ball up court, and then merely dribbles the ball until there are approximately 7-8 secs. left on the 24 sec. clock. Does not matter if the ball is handled by House, Marquis, Ray or Paul. Even then, there is no chemistry on the floor, and the players settle for bad shots, and too many long shots, including forced 3-point efforts.

Also, has anyone noticed that House has not improved on the defensive end, but regressed. Too many times his man blows by him for easy layups. George Hill last night was just way too fast for him, as was Tony Parker the few times that he played against House (when Hill has his nose bleed). Surely Doc could have given Lester Hudson a few minutes against George Hill to see how he responded defensively, as well as to ascertain whether he could run the point on offense.

Just my thoughts so far this season on the 2nd unit and their lack of a PG.

a tommy point for your idea
I also believe that lester should get some pt.  There are plenty of opportunities to put him in with 3 minutes to go in a quarter and us up a lot of points.  Eddie knows his job and works his butt off I don't think giving lester a little playing time will wreck eddies confidence.  And I agree eddie has limitations as a defender for either guard posistion but he really works at d and is a valuable asset to the team.

[pengaloo]

Eddie was cringeworthy last night. I'm not sure Lester's the answer, but certainly his defense would be better than Eddie's. Better defense translates to more points off transition and we wouldn't be forced to the play our ugly 2nd unit offense.

[Greenbean]

Eddie cannot be a PG and dribble to Quis side of the floor. Defenders can help off of Quis and trap Eddie easily and House isn't tall enough or eqipped with enough vision to pass out of it.

When Marquis is handling the ball and Eddie is spotting up for jumpers, the O is much smoother. It certainly wouldn't hurt to give Hudson a try though for a game or 2.

[wiley]

Eddie cannot be a PG and dribble to Quis side of the floor. Defenders can help off of Quis and trap Eddie easily and House isn't tall enough or eqipped with enough vision to pass out of it.

When Marquis is handling the ball and Eddie is spotting up for jumpers, the O is much smoother. It certainly wouldn't hurt to give Hudson a try though for a game or 2.

I agree.  Remember Eddie's flow with Marbury at the 1.  Let Lester play some 1 and tell him to find Eddie for open 3's...Means a few less minutes for the Allen/Pierce/Daniels trifecta....I'd give Lester 2 of Paul's, 2 of Ray's and 2 of Daniels.

On the other hand I have trouble arguing with winning streaks.

[wiley]

Eddie cannot be a PG and dribble to Quis side of the floor. Defenders can help off of Quis and trap Eddie easily and House isn't tall enough or eqipped with enough vision to pass out of it.

When Marquis is handling the ball and Eddie is spotting up for jumpers, the O is much smoother. It certainly wouldn't hurt to give Hudson a try though for a game or 2.

I agree.  Remember Eddie's flow with Marbury at the 1.  Let Lester play some 1 and tell him to find Eddie for open 3's...Means a few less minutes for the Allen/Pierce/Daniels trifecta....I'd give Lester 2 of Paul's, 2 of Ray's and 2 of Daniels.

On the other hand I have trouble arguing with winning streaks.

Of course a few of Eddie's minutes is also possible.  On the other hand, Eddie at the 2 becomes a natural Ray Allen backup, and I do like Ray Allen when he's had rest, fresh legs, dunks the ball like last night, etc...I'd love to see Ray Allen dunk in the playoffs, which I'm not sure he did at all last post-season.  I love watching Ray this year, getting to the hoop and dunking, and one way to keep him playing this way is to give him plenty of rest all season long!!

[Chris]

The problem with this is, you would need any PG you bring in for the second unit to be good enough to keep House off the floor.  And there simply are not many guys out there right now who can do that.

The real problem with the second unit last night was that they had no inside presence, which killed the spacing.  Everyone was crowded on the perimeter, and it made it impossible for anyone to have room to operate.  I like the idea of having Scal out there against certain matchups, but if he is, Wallace needs to be on the block EVERY time down.

[slamtheking]

agree with the premise of getting a better flow to the second unit.  House isn't the answer for running the offense. 

The second team did much better starting the season with Daniels setting the offense.  If Doc does not want to go back to that arrangement, Hudson would be worth a look.  In that situation, a unit of Hudson, House, Daniels, Williams, Sheed would not lack for offense.  House is a liability on defense whether he's defending the opposing PG or SG.  That situation is just a matter of picking your poison.

I would not be surprised to see Danny use House as on of the expiring contract trading chips at the deadline if he thinks he can get someone to fill the backup 1-2 combo guard role better.

[nesnfsn]

Other problem with the 2nd unit is Sheed staying out at the 3 pt. arc. Last night, when he was in the box, he was efficient and effective. Then, when he got some timely looks at 3's and made a couple, he stayed there.

This is on Doc!!! He is the Coach. He has to get the message to Rasheed during practice, before games, and throughout the games, that he must go inside. He will be pulled if he just stands at the 3 pt. arc.

We need Rasheed down low with KG or Scal (I am not a Scal fan, nor a hater, but, prefer Sheldon/Davis to Scan), as both KG and Scal are outside shooters.

[More Banners]

The problem with this is, you would need any PG you bring in for the second unit to be good enough to keep House off the floor.  And there simply are not many guys out there right now who can do that.

The real problem with the second unit last night was that they had no inside presence, which killed the spacing.  Everyone was crowded on the perimeter, and it made it impossible for anyone to have room to operate.  I like the idea of having Scal out there against certain matchups, but if he is, Wallace needs to be on the block EVERY time down.

Disagree on House, completely agree on Sheed:

To be good enough to keep Eddie House off the floor, a backup PG would have to be able to do two essential PG things, things that Eddie cannot do:  1) reliably get the ball over half court, and 2) play reasonable, or at least average, on-ball defense.  Playmaking, any kind of dribble penetration, even against merely average defense, would seal the deal.  I think quite a few players out there- unsigned vets, Euroleaguers, Hudson(?)- could do that.

Sheed:  Totally agree.  He was chucking 3's instead of taking the much smaller Blair on the box.  Nobody was in position for offensive rebounds, part of why we're fairly low in second chance points.  I don't think we've seen the impact that Sheed COULD bring to the team.  I hope Doc pulls the reigns in on this second unit...  We're not getting from Sheed all that he has to give.  Get down on the box, big fella!

[Atzar]

I agree - I think Doc needs to give Lester a few chances with real minutes.  Eddie is not good running the offense and he's been straight-up terrible defensively this year.  He hasn't been shooting well either, and when he's not scoring he's not contributing.  If not Lester, then Rondo needs to start getting 40 minutes or so a game until Ty Lue gets a spot on the roster.  Eddie's defense - or lack thereof - against opposing PG's has turned games around several times, and he hasn't been scoring to offset it. 

[Chris]

To be good enough to keep Eddie House off the floor, a backup PG would have to be able to do two essential PG things, things that Eddie cannot do:  1) reliably get the ball over half court, and 2) play reasonable, or at least average, on-ball defense.  Playmaking, any kind of dribble penetration, even against merely average defense, would seal the deal.  I think quite a few players out there- unsigned vets, Euroleaguers, Hudson(?)- could do that.

I think you are underestimating the value House brings to this team, both on the court, and through intangibles.  His shooting is very important to the team's offense, and he is a passable defender, who works his butt off. 

Ultimately, I would be fine if they found someone better to replace him, but they need to do more than just handle the ball and defend a little.  They need to be able to create offense, and also finish.  Guys like that are not a dime a dozen in the NBA.

[celts55]

While I'm not sure Hudson can be the guy, it's pretty ovious that the second unit needs a real point guard. Right now it looks kind of like a pick up game at the Y. Who ever gets the ball brings it up. I think the second unit wouldn't be half bad with someone running it.

[nesnfsn]

I think you are underestimating the value House brings to this team, both on the court, and through intangibles.  His shooting is very important to the team's offense, and he is a passable defender, who works his butt off. 

Ultimately, I would be fine if they found someone better to replace him, but they need to do more than just handle the ball and defend a little.  They need to be able to create offense, and also finish.  Guys like that are not a dime a dozen in the NBA.

As for Eddie House's intangibles, I understand, but respectfully disagree to the extent that I think he is hurting the team on the court more than he lends in comraderie off the court.

As for a PG being "able to create offense, and also finish", that's why I want Doc to insert Lester Hudson and let him, the team and us fans see his potential. It is only potential at this point, but from earlier comments from Rondo, Pierce, KG and Ray, this kid (older than most rookies) really understands the game and his role.

Time to take some chances with him on the 2nd unit. Doc can always bring Rondo back or give Eddie House minutes if it goes horribly wrong (and I do not mean he has a turnover and a missed FGA in 1 minute of playing time). But, this early in the season is the perfect time to give LH some time to get on the court, gametime experience (with the 2nd unit).

[RAcker]

I agree with the OP in spirit, thus a TP.  The 2nd unit, when it fails to extend or maintain a lead, is always too slow.  Another PG may or may not be the whole answer, but there has to be a conscious effort to push the ball with that second unit to see if baskets can come easier.