Mike Finley and Going Small

[Greenbean]

Does anyone claim to know anything about the defensive ability of Finley, especially this year?

Someone in the situational lineups thread was wondering out lound whether Doc had any plans to use Finley like Posey in a small lineup. If KG is healthy and strong, I would love to see a lineup of Rondo, Ray, Pierce, Finley, KG in the playoffs to be a really disruptive change of pace.

This would only work if Finley could play defense on quick 4's like Rashard Lewis or Jamison.

I have to go for a while but discuss below, any small ball lineups you think could work. It would be a huge weapon in May and June.

[Jon]

Yeah, that someone was me, and I think it's a pretty good idea. 

The simple facts of the matter are these:

At best there's room for a 9 man rotation come playoff time.  Nate, Marquis, and Sheed are definitely in.  That leaves 1 other spot. 

While I like BBD's post ability and bulk, the question becomes when we're actually going to use those.  I mean, when we cut our rotation down and 2-3 starters are on the floor at all times, are we really ever going to run a play for BBD?  So what does that make him other than a jump shooter on the perimeter? 

And if we want someone who is 6-7 (which BBD is) to sit on the perimeter and hit jumpers, why not make it Michael Finley, who can do it better, and probably defend guys like Jamison and Lewis better too? 

Again, I'm not talking about this for 25 minutes per night.  But, I wouldn't mind seeing a playoff rotation like this:

Rondo: 38 mpg, Nate 10 mpg
Ray: 35 mpg, Nate 8 mpg, Daniels 5 mpg
Pierce: 35 mpg, Daniels 13 mpg
KG: 35 mpg, Finley 10 mpg, Wallace 3 mpg
Perk: 30 mpg, Wallace 18 mpg

Now matchups could change that, but I personally wouldn't mind Baby bumped. 

[snively]

Yeah, that someone was me, and I think it's a pretty good idea. 

The simple facts of the matter are these:

At best there's room for a 9 man rotation come playoff time.  Nate, Marquis, and Sheed are definitely in.  That leaves 1 other spot. 

While I like BBD's post ability and bulk, the question becomes when we're actually going to use those.  I mean, when we cut our rotation down and 2-3 starters are on the floor at all times, are we really ever going to run a play for BBD?  So what does that make him other than a jump shooter on the perimeter? 

And if we want someone who is 6-7 (which BBD is) to sit on the perimeter and hit jumpers, why not make it Michael Finley, who can do it better, and probably defend guys like Jamison and Lewis better too? 

Again, I'm not talking about this for 25 minutes per night.  But, I wouldn't mind seeing a playoff rotation like this:

Rondo: 38 mpg, Nate 10 mpg
Ray: 35 mpg, Nate 8 mpg, Daniels 5 mpg
Pierce: 35 mpg, Daniels 13 mpg
KG: 35 mpg, Finley 10 mpg, Wallace 3 mpg
Perk: 30 mpg, Wallace 18 mpg

Now matchups could change that, but I personally wouldn't mind Baby bumped. 

We would get slaughtered on the boards.  Fin's a terrible rebounder at the 3 much less the 4.  Compound that with Sheed and Daniels' paltry contributions on the glass and you'd be opening the door wide for a offensive board party for the other team.

[Tough Juice]

if Finley guard Jamison or Lewis, they will drop 30 to 40 every single night

[Jon]

So who do you guys want to guard Jamison or Lewis when KG is out of the game? 

To me, even an older, slower Finley is quicker than a young BBD.  And he's certainly used to guarding the perimeter more than BBD is. 

And again, we're talking 5-10 mpg tops, not 35. 

[Who]

Michael Finley is a very poor defensive player who struggles against strong physical wing players nevermind power forwards.

Finley has never been a good option at PF in small ball lineups for San Antonio and won't be one here.

[Jon]

But again, I'd ask, will it be any worse than BBD, who Jamison and Lewis will likely blow by at will too?  And if Finley's jumper works better with certain lineups, wouldn't that be a net gain?

[snively]

But again, I'd ask, will it be any worse than BBD, who Jamison and Lewis will likely blow by at will too?  And if Finley's jumper works better with certain lineups, wouldn't that be a net gain?

I think Paul Pierce is the much better option at the 4 if we're forced to go small.  Rondo-TA-Ray-Pierce-KG would be my preferred smallball unit. 

[Who]

Last season, in the playoffs while matched up against BBD and Scalabrine, Rashard Lewis pumped in 20.4ppg in 40.4 minutes a night while shooting 45.5% from the field and posting a TS% of 55.5%.

During the regular season, Lewis was averaged 17.7ppg in 36.1mpg (19.8 per 40.4 minutes) on a TS% of 58%.

My point? The matchup wasn't that damaging. Lewis was scoring at a comparable clip to his regular season output in a less efficient manner.

[Who]

But again, I'd ask, will it be any worse than BBD, who Jamison and Lewis will likely blow by at will too?  And if Finley's jumper works better with certain lineups, wouldn't that be a net gain?

I think Paul Pierce is the much better option at the 4 if we're forced to go small.  Rondo-TA-Ray-Pierce-KG would be my preferred smallball unit. 

Agreed = Pierce over Finley at PF

I would prefer to see Scalabrine get those minutes in a series against Orlando. I think he'll do a good job for the C's against Lewis + Anderson. I'm actually more worried about Anderson than Rashard ... I think he'd more aggressive (in the post) than Lewis if he had a smaller player on him.

[jdub1660]

The problem with going small ball now, is KG is still not %100 and will never be what he was in our championship year.
Lewis blew past KG for an open layup(thanks to KG's age and lack of help defense) Then there's noway Finley of all people could do it. Sorry.

Rondo - Finley - Ray - Pierce - KG/Scal

Finley is too old to guard 3s or 4s. Let him guard the SG. Hopefully with better ubuntu and team D, it wouldn't be that bad. This way, on a good shooting night, the floor is spread perfectly. Rondo/Pierce slash, KG/Scal pull the bigs out of the paint, and Ray and Finley run around screens for open 3s.

[wdleehi]

I rather someone like Wallace out there as long as the Celtics game plan is for him (and KG) to push those guys under the basket in the low post. 


He is a smart enough of a defender.  Try and lean on those guys so they have tired legs on their 4th quarter jumpshots.