2nd Unit PG since Marquis Daniels Out after Surgery?

[nesnfsn]

Well, since this season's experiment was supposed to be Marquis handling the ball for the 2nd unit, and Eddie House being the SG on the offensive end, can we at least either try Lester Hudson out with the 2nd unit as the PG and Eddie at the SG?

If Doc has no faith to give Lester Hudson some playing time as the PG for the 2nd unit (not merely garbage time), then can we bring someone in (and I am not talking about unretiring "Coach" Lue) to handle the PG duties for the 2nd unit? I always thought that when your team has injuries, you give players a chance that might not otherwise get playing time (Powe and BBD when KG went down with his knee injuries).

Obviously to most, JR Giddens is not a viable option. Bill Walker, whom I would love to see get some opportunity, is not a PG, but rather, a SF (small PF on occassion). So we either need to give LH some playing time or bring someone in.

[2short]

With eddie's shooting still not up to par its time to give hudson 5-10 minutes a game.  That shouldn't kill us and might help him get steady in the nba to help us if needed.

[libermaniac]

The real issue with Marquis' injury, is how do the C's continue to keep Pierce and Ray Allen's minutes low.  I say it has to be more of Tony Allen and (yes, in spot minutes), JR Giddens.  If they drop to the 3rd seed, so be it.  They can't wear out Pierce and Ray Allen.  I think backup point can be manned by House (5-7 minutes per game) and Hudson (5 or so minutes per game). Rondo can handle 36-38 minutes per, no problem.

[Chris]

The real issue with Marquis' injury, is how do the C's continue to keep Pierce and Ray Allen's minutes low.  I say it has to be more of Tony Allen and (yes, in spot minutes), JR Giddens.  If they drop to the 3rd seed, so be it.  They can't wear out Pierce and Ray Allen.  I think backup point can be manned by House (5-7 minutes per game) and Hudson (5 or so minutes per game). Rondo can handle 36-38 minutes per, no problem.

I agree with this.  I think Doc has to work hard to keep Pierce and Ray on their current minutes schedule.  Basically each sit for 6 minutes per half.  To do that, they are going to need Tony or Giddens (and Scal when there are bigger SF's), as well as an increase in Rondo's minutes.  I really liked how they played Rondo with House last night for a few minutes.  That will work against most teams in the league, and it will be the best way to give Pierce and Allen some rest.

[Donoghus]

Increase Rondo's minutes.  Just run him out there more with the 2nd team (we've already seen this).  If you need to rest Rondo, use House in limited minutes and, if necessary, run Pierce as a point forward.   It should make up for Daniels' lost minutes. 

[nickagneta]

I don't see that there are any viable solutions to our bench problems on our bench. We need certain skills:

1.) Someone to be the second team facilitator. Bring the ball up, initiate the offense, take good care of the ball, distribute the ball to a host of spot up shooters that this second team has.

2.) A decent defensive, small forward that has some offensive game. Someone to give Pierce a rest without becoming an offensive liability to a second team that already has trouble putting points on the board. The ability and size to guard athletic 4's wouldn't hurt.

3.) A good outside shooting, shooting guard that can play at least some defense and isn't a SG in the body of a PG. The backcourt is already small enough, another short SG is not what we need.

4.) Experience or talented youth that has already shown signs of being a productive NBA player.

I just don't see that these skills are currently on our bench. In the "bench face lift" thread I started, I already gave my opinions and evaluations of the end of our bench and I don't see the above skills exist on this team unless we are talking about the starters.

A trade in the next few weeks will be seriously needed unless by some miracle Tony, Bill, JR, Eddie and Lester suddenly transform their games into something I have yet to ever see from them.

[2short]

The real issue with Marquis' injury, is how do the C's continue to keep Pierce and Ray Allen's minutes low.  I say it has to be more of Tony Allen and (yes, in spot minutes), JR Giddens.  If they drop to the 3rd seed, so be it.  They can't wear out Pierce and Ray Allen.  I think backup point can be manned by House (5-7 minutes per game) and Hudson (5 or so minutes per game). Rondo can handle 36-38 minutes per, no problem.

I agree with this.  I think Doc has to work hard to keep Pierce and Ray on their current minutes schedule.  Basically each sit for 6 minutes per half.  To do that, they are going to need Tony or Giddens (and Scal when there are bigger SF's), as well as an increase in Rondo's minutes.  I really liked how they played Rondo with House last night for a few minutes.  That will work against most teams in the league, and it will be the best way to give Pierce and Allen some rest.

no giddens, he is worse than ta , bring up an out of shape walker instead

[Neurotic Guy]

Being 17-4 has its benefits.  This is a team that can still win without being at full force, and I agree with the above posters that Doc should prioritize minutes maintenance even if it may sacrifice a couple of wins over the next couple of months.

I think a Lester Hudson experiment is a must.  Despite kudos for effort, Eddie is a liability when he is not shooting well.  Lester seems in line to get a chance here unless the coaching staff is really not enamored with him.  As a 25 year old rookie, one would hope he is more 'ready' than a typical rookie.  If not, the C's have a hole that will cause them some problems.  Doc can up Rondo's minutes, but wearing him down is not a good idea.  

[Change]

But Lester is not a point-guard, Is he? I think Doc will use House with the help from Pierce & Ray. Lester is not a natural point-guard, he's an undersized shooting guard. He's forced to play the point, since that was his only hope making the team. However since House is in a slump, Lester should get some minutes.

[nickagneta]

What I am worried about is that we will be on the road a lot in the next 6-8 weeks and I don't see a good option at the backup wing that Doc will use to spell Paul and Ray. With road games come close games and close games mean bigger minutes for Ray and Paul if Danny feels that using the Walkers, Giddens, Scals, and Tonys of the world will lose the game.

I don't want to see a repeat of last January and February regarding Pierce's and Allen's minutes. Bring in a competent SF now, Danny..

[Chris]

What I am worried about is that we will be on the road a lot in the next 6-8 weeks and I don't see a good option at the backup wing that Doc will use to spell Paul and Ray. With road games come close games and close games mean bigger minutes for Ray and Paul if Danny feels that using the Walkers, Giddens, Scals, and Tonys of the world will lose the game.

I don't want to see a repeat of last January and February regarding Pierce's and Allen's minutes. Bring in a competent SF now, Danny..

I'm worried about this as well.  But I also don't know whats out there for trades.  It is not going to do any good to trade for another mediocre player.  They need to get a significant player, and I am not sure if that deal is there.

[Greenbean]

1. Play Rondo for the enitre 1st half.
2. Build 20-30 point lead.
3. Rest Rondo for 3rd Q. Play anyone at point (I mean anyone)
4. Finish opponent off in 4th with more Rondo.

[libermaniac]

The real issue with Marquis' injury, is how do the C's continue to keep Pierce and Ray Allen's minutes low.  I say it has to be more of Tony Allen and (yes, in spot minutes), JR Giddens.  If they drop to the 3rd seed, so be it.  They can't wear out Pierce and Ray Allen.  I think backup point can be manned by House (5-7 minutes per game) and Hudson (5 or so minutes per game). Rondo can handle 36-38 minutes per, no problem.

I agree with this.  I think Doc has to work hard to keep Pierce and Ray on their current minutes schedule.  Basically each sit for 6 minutes per half.  To do that, they are going to need Tony or Giddens (and Scal when there are bigger SF's), as well as an increase in Rondo's minutes.  I really liked how they played Rondo with House last night for a few minutes.  That will work against most teams in the league, and it will be the best way to give Pierce and Allen some rest.

no giddens, he is worse than ta , bring up an out of shape walker instead

I think Giddens can play 2 minutes per half, say toward the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters.  He can go in there knowing that his job is to play lights out defense on the opponents SG/SF.  I don't see that as much of a liability.  Sure, on the offensive end, he'll continue to stand around, but we are only talking 2-3 possessions per half.  I think the rest to PP is worth it.

[2short]

The real issue with Marquis' injury, is how do the C's continue to keep Pierce and Ray Allen's minutes low.  I say it has to be more of Tony Allen and (yes, in spot minutes), JR Giddens.  If they drop to the 3rd seed, so be it.  They can't wear out Pierce and Ray Allen.  I think backup point can be manned by House (5-7 minutes per game) and Hudson (5 or so minutes per game). Rondo can handle 36-38 minutes per, no problem.

I agree with this.  I think Doc has to work hard to keep Pierce and Ray on their current minutes schedule.  Basically each sit for 6 minutes per half.  To do that, they are going to need Tony or Giddens (and Scal when there are bigger SF's), as well as an increase in Rondo's minutes.  I really liked how they played Rondo with House last night for a few minutes.  That will work against most teams in the league, and it will be the best way to give Pierce and Allen some rest.

no giddens, he is worse than ta , bring up an out of shape walker instead

I think Giddens can play 2 minutes per half, say toward the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters.  He can go in there knowing that his job is to play lights out defense on the opponents SG/SF.  I don't see that as much of a liability.  Sure, on the offensive end, he'll continue to stand around, but we are only talking 2-3 possessions per half.  I think the rest to PP is worth it.

can someone post a cartoon of a chicken with its head cut off on a basketball court 

[vinnie]

Are the Celts the only team in the league without a real backup point guard? I think the answer is yes, but looking for confirmation from you smart guys out there.