Ray 6th Man, Start Marquis

[Change]

If it comes down to trading Ray and improving the team so be it. Just remember Ray is averaging 16ppg. He has plenty in the tank. But its quite obvious a shake up is needed. Instead of Trading Ray, How about moving him to bench and starting Marquis? Marquis was a starter in Indy where he had career high in points. Q role changes at little bit with 1st unit. He becomes more of a scorer/slasher. And then you take 16ppg scorer that Ray provides to the bench. Where he'll have a easier time to score on other teams 2nd unit. But for this to work, you need a true PG dishing out assist to Ray. Maybe a trade for Keyon Dooling? This keeps Ray's minutes down, where he is most effective. And he'll still be able to close out games.

This is a really good team, and are still contender. We had Lakers beat, Orlando Beat, Atlanta Beat if it wasn't for some 3rd Q collapse. This keeps the core guys together for another run.

[moiso]

I wouldn't mind trying this.  I notice that teams like the Spurs seem to have a different starting lineup every night, so it couldn't hurt to try this for a while.

[FatjohnReturns]

good idea I like it.

[Drucci]

How about keeping Ray as a starter but drastically reducing his minutes to increase Marquis'? It would benefit both of them : Ray would get a much needed rest and would have fresher legs in general and for the playoffs, and Marquis would learn quicker than planned the systems, the defensive and offensive schemes and other stuff that he has missed during his long absence.

Ray at 28 minutes per game and Marquis at 20 minutes or more seems good to me.

[moiso]

How about keeping Ray as a starter but drastically reducing his minutes to increase Marquis'? It would benefit both of them : Ray would get a much needed rest and would have fresher legs in general and for the playoffs, and Marquis would learn quicker than planned the systems, the defensive and offensive schemes and other stuff that he has missed during his long absence.

Ray at 28 minutes per game and Marquis at 20 minutes or more seems good to me.

This would be nice, but I doubt Doc has it in him. 

[Drucci]

How about keeping Ray as a starter but drastically reducing his minutes to increase Marquis'? It would benefit both of them : Ray would get a much needed rest and would have fresher legs in general and for the playoffs, and Marquis would learn quicker than planned the systems, the defensive and offensive schemes and other stuff that he has missed during his long absence.

Ray at 28 minutes per game and Marquis at 20 minutes or more seems good to me.

This would be nice, but I doubt Doc has it in him. 

Yeah ultimately it all comes down to Doc and I just don't understand why he never reduces Ray's minutes while acknowledging at multiple times that he needs to give him more rest...

I was shocked to see Marquis play only 12 minutes against Orlando while he was really a big boost, but I put that on the "just came back from injury" excuse, although he was physically OK and would have gladly played more.

[Kuberski33]

I think this move makes a lot of sense right now.  It will help the defense, that's for sure.  You could also look at starting Tony Allen until Marquis has his legs.

[Change]

How about keeping Ray as a starter but drastically reducing his minutes to increase Marquis'? It would benefit both of them : Ray would get a much needed rest and would have fresher legs in general and for the playoffs, and Marquis would learn quicker than planned the systems, the defensive and offensive schemes and other stuff that he has missed during his long absence.

Ray at 28 minutes per game and Marquis at 20 minutes or more seems good to me.

Fist of all, it improve the team defensively. Ray gets torched every game now. He is black hole on defense. Starting Q gives the team instant youth. Another issue is keeping Marquis on the bench takes away from his scoring. Right now Q is 'point-guard' of the 2nd unit. I say get a point-guard on the 2nd unit, and have Ray as 6th man.

Regardless, he should see more minutes and Ray less. My only problem with Marquis starting is the bench plays better with him out there than they do with Ray.

All 2nd unit need is a true PG. Give them that and the unit runs better. Ray provides the scoring.

[jpd985]

Regardless, he should see more minutes and Ray less. My only problem with Marquis starting is the bench plays better with him out there than they do with Ray.

[Casperian]

I would like to see less of the "all bench" unit, and more "3 starters mixed with 2 role-players".

That´s all.

[fanofgreen]

Ray's minutes have to come down. period

Ray should not be playing 38-40 mintutes a game at 34/35 years old!

How do you explain Ray's Minutes per game average, increasing every year since he's been in Boston?

That is just ridiculous!

[wdleehi]

No.  Daniels is the PG off the bench. 

[crownsy]

Can;t do it, leaves us no PG off the bench, which we have desperately been missing since marquis got injured.

[looseball]

If you start Tony Allen, you have Marquis and Ray coming in off the bench as point and shooting guards.

[celticinorlando]

the lack of getting a real #2 Pg this offseason means this cannot happen