Doc : "Maybe we need to think about [making changes]"

[looseball]

Even Tito shuffles the batting order every once in a great great while.  Sometimes change just for the sake of change is worth a try, especially when players are in a funk.  It allows the players to alter their perspective a bit, and maybe try to contribute in a different way.

So, with that said, I would start with the starting lineup: replace KG and Ray with Big Baby and Marquis.  (I can hear the  gasping from here.)  Big Baby played well as a starter last year, and this might inspire a return to that form. 

Ray would make an ideal 6th man, bringing instant offense, and his overall minutes would not have to go down..  KG might come in with renewed fire and really give the team a shot in the arm energywise late in the first period, when he'd normally be going out for a rest.

Even if you still did wholesale substitutions, they would be better balanced.  And you can still have your best (or hottest) five on the floor at the end.

Finally, Doc said a week ago that change was for amateurs. Oh, well.

[footey]

If Doc makes a change in the rotation, he shouldn't mess with Ray, who has been by far our most consistent player since the all-star break.

I'm wondering if he's thinking of starting Rasheed.  I don't think I'd like that a whole lot, but Perk has definitely been in a bit of a funk.  Still, I think a change would deepen things, rather than improve them.

I agree. Perk has been hurting us, but having him come off the bench would probably make him even worse.  Not sure that starting Sheed will make him more productive either.  Ray should start, but seems like Finley should be our first 2 or 3 option off the bench. MQ has really disappeared since coming back from injury.

[Tai]

Even Tito shuffles the batting order every once in a great great while.  Sometimes change just for the sake of change is worth a try, especially when players are in a funk.  It allows the players to alter their perspective a bit, and maybe try to contribute in a different way.

So, with that said, I would start with the starting lineup: replace KG and Ray with Big Baby and Marquis.  (I can hear the  gasping from here.)  Big Baby played well as a starter last year, and this might inspire a return to that form. 

Ray would make an ideal 6th man, bringing instant offense, and his overall minutes would not have to go down..  KG might come in with renewed fire and really give the team a shot in the arm energywise late in the first period, when he'd normally be going out for a rest.

Even if you still did wholesale substitutions, they would be better balanced.  And you can still have your best (or hottest) five on the floor at the end.

Finally, Doc said a week ago that change was for amateurs. Oh, well.

So replace two guys who can shoot with one who can't and who thinks he can but can't?

This is probably what Doc meant when he said change just for change isn't always a good idea....

[WeMadeIt17]

Interesting. I think the only change that would be made into the starting rotation would be Sheed into the starting lineup. It couldn't hurt to try it for a week or something. But if he is talking down the bench. Then I am not sure how thats happening because Nate needs to play more and Finley already showing he needs to be playing as well.

[DivingCowens]

The best change Doc could make is to start looking for a new job.

I won't even bother bringing up my weekly thread.  TP TP TP TP!  This is 100% correct.  Guys, his coaching is AWFUL!!!!  Did it really take him making a talking point for you to realize it?  He has lost the guys (maybe because of new players) and I don't care what the excuse is!  Here is the bottom line on Glen Rivers.... he would be the greatest assistant coach in the world because the players love him so much (or used to).  But as a head coach... you have to KNOW HOW TO COACH DURING THE GAME!!!!!

His subs are awful, his demeanor is awful, his clock management is awful, his play selection is awful and the worst part is.... IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, here and Orlando!  Winning can make you blind to many things but that team we had that got 17, they could have won 75 games if they wanted to.  Maybe our older guys are aging a little faster because of all the extra play they get from BLOWING LEADS (often because of rotations that do nothing short of boggle the mind)!

Danny, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please WAKE UP and send Glen packing!

[Q_FBE]

There are two problems. One is health, the other is mental. Changes won't help KG's knees feel better or the players any younger or more athletic. Changes won't help the players mind issues either. It will only make them worse. The only thing that will help this team is to have each player decide they are sick of playing like a bunch of pansies and to come out with the passion and energy they need. If they can't do that then and only then should we make wholesale changes.

Very good and consisely written point. It is all about heart and the Celtics have had none of it since Christmas except for a brief sighting in Los Angeles last night. Being near the bottom of the league in rebounding is a big part of that.

[looseball]

Even Tito shuffles the batting order every once in a great great while.  Sometimes change just for the sake of change is worth a try, especially when players are in a funk.  It allows the players to alter their perspective a bit, and maybe try to contribute in a different way.

So, with that said, I would start with the starting lineup: replace KG and Ray with Big Baby and Marquis.  (I can hear the  gasping from here.)  Big Baby played well as a starter last year, and this might inspire a return to that form. 

Ray would make an ideal 6th man, bringing instant offense, and his overall minutes would not have to go down..  KG might come in with renewed fire and really give the team a shot in the arm energywise late in the first period, when he'd normally be going out for a rest.

Even if you still did wholesale substitutions, they would be better balanced.  And you can still have your best (or hottest) five on the floor at the end.

Finally, Doc said a week ago that change was for amateurs. Oh, well.

So replace two guys who can shoot with one who can't and who thinks he can but can't?

This is probably what Doc meant when he said change just for change isn't always a good idea....

Ray and KG would still be playing the same amount of minutes.  The only change would be in when they would be in the game.  We're trying to come up with a solution to the loss of momentum here.

[RAcker]

Can someone please translate the quote for me. I only see:
Doc : "Bla bla bla bla bla [bla bla]"

More like:
Doc: "Wa wa wa...wa wa wa wa."

[looseball]

Can someone please translate the quote for me. I only see:
Doc : "Bla bla bla bla bla [bla bla]"

More like:
Doc: "Wa wa wa...wa wa wa wa."

Good one!!

[samjones]

The Quis for Ray swap does have some pluses. If the ball is going consistently to Ray, then Paul gets stagnant. If the ball is going to Paul for pick and rolls and isos, then Ray's shot attempts go down. Could be a better distribution of shots for both with Ray coming off the bench in 6th man role. Also, Ray is the biggest weak link in the starting unit defense. With Quis, the starting unit could jell as a tough defensive minded unit that gets its points off of transition. Pierce is no longer as effective as a slasher, but Quis is. Pierce takes Ray's role as the guy who stretches the defense with 3-pointers. Ray solidifies the offense for the 2nd unit, which is not a great defensive unit, but could be a good offensive unit.

[Vermont Green]

I am going to chime even even though just about all that can be said, probably already has been said.

I don't buy the notion that the Celtics don't play with heart or effort.  KG and PP are two players that have demostrated as much heart, effort, and general competitiveness over many years as anyone.  That doesn't just change midway through a season just because they are nearing the end of their careers.  I don't really quesition any other players either.

The Celtics stars (KG and PP) are hurt, probably more hurt than we are being told.  You can't coach or will your way around that.  Basketball is a "feel" game where if you miss a few shots (as a team or a player), you don't feel as "up" as you do after stroking a couple slamming one home.  So when KG and PP are flat (ie miss shots or give up baskets because injuries are limiting their ability to defend), it infects the team.

The problem is that we just don't have alternatives to KG and PP.  We could put in Davis and Daniels but come on, how far are they going to take us.

There is another thread that asks if Doc has lost this team.  I think the problem may be that KG and to a lesser degree PP have lost the team.

[looseball]

The problem is that we just don't have alternatives to KG and PP.  We could put in Davis and Daniels but come on, how far are they going to take us.

You're missing the point.  It's not that Davis and Daniels are being asked "to take us" anywhere.  Nobody's minutes would need to be changed drastically.  The only thing changing is when they're in the game.  The strategy is to alter the momentum in games.

This is all based on the premise that it's not who starts but who finishes that really matters.

[hpantazo]

Even Tito shuffles the batting order every once in a great great while.  Sometimes change just for the sake of change is worth a try, especially when players are in a funk.  It allows the players to alter their perspective a bit, and maybe try to contribute in a different way.

So, with that said, I would start with the starting lineup: replace KG and Ray with Big Baby and Marquis.  (I can hear the  gasping from here.)  Big Baby played well as a starter last year, and this might inspire a return to that form. 

Ray would make an ideal 6th man, bringing instant offense, and his overall minutes would not have to go down..  KG might come in with renewed fire and really give the team a shot in the arm energywise late in the first period, when he'd normally be going out for a rest.

Even if you still did wholesale substitutions, they would be better balanced.  And you can still have your best (or hottest) five on the floor at the end.

Finally, Doc said a week ago that change was for amateurs. Oh, well.

So replace two guys who can shoot with one who can't and who thinks he can but can't?

This is probably what Doc meant when he said change just for change isn't always a good idea....

Ray and KG would still be playing the same amount of minutes.  The only change would be in when they would be in the game.  We're trying to come up with a solution to the loss of momentum here.

I don't like that at all. You reward a guy (Davis) who has been terrible by making him a starter. He should be benched completely and Shelden should take his minutes. Also, you bench the one member of the big three who has been healthy all year. No way. I would bench Perkins and start Rasheed until Perkins decides to play like the old Perkins again, and I would keep Davis on the bench permanently and give his minutes to Shelden.

[mmbaby]

Even Tito shuffles the batting order every once in a great great while.  Sometimes change just for the sake of change is worth a try, especially when players are in a funk.  It allows the players to alter their perspective a bit, and maybe try to contribute in a different way.

So, with that said, I would start with the starting lineup: replace KG and Ray with Big Baby and Marquis.  (I can hear the  gasping from here.)  Big Baby played well as a starter last year, and this might inspire a return to that form. 

Ray would make an ideal 6th man, bringing instant offense, and his overall minutes would not have to go down..  KG might come in with renewed fire and really give the team a shot in the arm energywise late in the first period, when he'd normally be going out for a rest.

Even if you still did wholesale substitutions, they would be better balanced.  And you can still have your best (or hottest) five on the floor at the end.

Finally, Doc said a week ago that change was for amateurs. Oh, well.

So replace two guys who can shoot with one who can't and who thinks he can but can't?

This is probably what Doc meant when he said change just for change isn't always a good idea....

Ray and KG would still be playing the same amount of minutes.  The only change would be in when they would be in the game.  We're trying to come up with a solution to the loss of momentum here.

I don't like that at all. You reward a guy (Davis) who has been terrible by making him a starter. He should be benched completely and Shelden should take his minutes. Also, you bench the one member of the big three who has been healthy all year. No way. I would bench Perkins and start Rasheed until Perkins decides to play like the old Perkins again, and I would keep Davis on the bench permanently and give his minutes to Shelden.

Totally disagree. BBD should get the minutes when KG is having an off night. He demonstrated last night that his jumper is back. I still love KG, only saying there are some off nights.

[hpantazo]

Even Tito shuffles the batting order every once in a great great while.  Sometimes change just for the sake of change is worth a try, especially when players are in a funk.  It allows the players to alter their perspective a bit, and maybe try to contribute in a different way.

So, with that said, I would start with the starting lineup: replace KG and Ray with Big Baby and Marquis.  (I can hear the  gasping from here.)  Big Baby played well as a starter last year, and this might inspire a return to that form. 

Ray would make an ideal 6th man, bringing instant offense, and his overall minutes would not have to go down..  KG might come in with renewed fire and really give the team a shot in the arm energywise late in the first period, when he'd normally be going out for a rest.

Even if you still did wholesale substitutions, they would be better balanced.  And you can still have your best (or hottest) five on the floor at the end.

Finally, Doc said a week ago that change was for amateurs. Oh, well.

So replace two guys who can shoot with one who can't and who thinks he can but can't?

This is probably what Doc meant when he said change just for change isn't always a good idea....

Ray and KG would still be playing the same amount of minutes.  The only change would be in when they would be in the game.  We're trying to come up with a solution to the loss of momentum here.

I don't like that at all. You reward a guy (Davis) who has been terrible by making him a starter. He should be benched completely and Shelden should take his minutes. Also, you bench the one member of the big three who has been healthy all year. No way. I would bench Perkins and start Rasheed until Perkins decides to play like the old Perkins again, and I would keep Davis on the bench permanently and give his minutes to Shelden.

Totally disagree. BBD should get the minutes when KG is having an off night. He demonstrated last night that his jumper is back. I still love KG, only saying there are some off nights.

really? A 3-6 night when we get killed at home is enough to prove to you that his jumper is back? Where was his jumper every other game this year? He is also a dumb player who can't finish around the rim if his life depended on it, and he is a half a foot shorter than opposing centers. I see no benefit to playing him at all at this point.