Start Baby, over Kevin

[looseball]

Well, if KG is averaging 14.2 ppg in rougly 30 mpg, I don't think its hardpressed at all that he can boost his ppg up to 17.5 ppg during the playoffs.  I'm be inclined to think that his minutes are going to uptick from their current state come playoff time. 

 

Maybe if he discovers the Fountain of Youth between now and then.

[el.celta]

I find no need for such change ...
in my opinion, give more playing Nate and especially Michael Finley

[Donoghus]

Well, if KG is averaging 14.2 ppg in rougly 30 mpg, I don't think its hardpressed at all that he can boost his ppg up to 17.5 ppg during the playoffs.  I'm be inclined to think that his minutes are going to uptick from their current state come playoff time. 

 

Maybe if he discovers the Fountain of Youth between now and then.

Simply saying that it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Do you honestly think BBD is a better option to start these playoffs over KG besides of his ppg from last year's playoffs?

[Jon]

Honestly, I'd be more for "bench Baby and never let him see the light of day" than for starting him.  He plays with some energy; however, given his size and lack of lift, he's a real detriment under the basket, especially against longer and more athletic teams.  On the off chance he get an offensive rebound, he certainly can't finish without getting the shot swatted back in his face.  

Which basically makes him really only an offensive threat on the 18-foot jumper or on open layups.  And if the goal is just to do those two things, KG and Sheed are much better at them and offer more than that.  

[Birdbrain]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I'm just happy he's on team to put the blogging experience in it's proper perspective. 

[BASS_THUMPER]

i hate to say..baby hussle is more seen than kevins..hussle is not something u can set up on a clipboard and execute...

and thats goin after ever loose ball and jumpin out to defend a open jumper and jus plain youth and energy he brings

[looseball]

Well, if KG is averaging 14.2 ppg in rougly 30 mpg, I don't think its hardpressed at all that he can boost his ppg up to 17.5 ppg during the playoffs.  I'm be inclined to think that his minutes are going to uptick from their current state come playoff time. 

 

Maybe if he discovers the Fountain of Youth between now and then.

Simply saying that it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Do you honestly think BBD is a better option to start these playoffs over KG besides of his ppg from last year's playoffs?

I don't think "starting" is sacred.  Finishing and the amount of minutes you play counts for more. I think it's important to have impact players coming off the bench, to change the momentum or give the team a shot in the arm.  In my opinion, KG would great coming off the bench, as he would fire up the team, and the crowd.  He could still play 30 minutes, and be on the court at the end of the game.

[Change]

Detractors like to dwell on his inability to finish around the rim. Well isn't that Perk's issue too. The same why Sheed can infect a team with lazy, Glen can revive the team with his pure energy & hustle. You can't change lazy, but you can fix a weakness. Glen is one guy You'll never question his heart.

I don't think you change the starting lineup this late in the season. But you can always find more minutes for Glen, especially in the same ball situations. That is where KG struggles can't keep up anymore.

[Tai]

Well, if KG is averaging 14.2 ppg in rougly 30 mpg, I don't think its hardpressed at all that he can boost his ppg up to 17.5 ppg during the playoffs.  I'm be inclined to think that his minutes are going to uptick from their current state come playoff time. 

 

Maybe if he discovers the Fountain of Youth between now and then.

Simply saying that it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Do you honestly think BBD is a better option to start these playoffs over KG besides of his ppg from last year's playoffs?

I don't think "starting" is sacred.  Finishing and the amount of minutes you play counts for more. I think it's important to have impact players coming off the bench, to change the momentum or give the team a shot in the arm.  In my opinion, KG would great coming off the bench, as he would fire up the team, and the crowd.  He could still play 30 minutes, and be on the court at the end of the game.

If you already know he'll play 30 min, why put him off the bench? What's the point? It's already been established he's much better than BBD, putting a CLEAR bench player in simply to have a "super 6th man" won't make much of a difference.

[kozlodoev]

-3rd year player who hasn't gotten in better physical shape.

What exactly is this astute observation based on?

[kenmaine]

Finished up some pizza for dinner, then turned to CB for some amusement.  After seeing this thread, I quickly yelled to Mrs. Banners to inquire as to what "spices" were used in place of Oregano!  Surely, my eyes deceive me?  Could someone legitimately suggest starting BBD over Kevin Garnett?!?

I just finished up some pizza for breakfast and thought the same thing when I saw the thread.
I like Baby, but about the only things he does well are take charges and hustle. Yes, he has a decent shot, but only gets about one open jumper a game, so that's irrelevant.

[Bahku]

Finished up some pizza for dinner, then turned to CB for some amusement.  After seeing this thread, I quickly yelled to Mrs. Banners to inquire as to what "spices" were used in place of Oregano!  Surely, my eyes deceive me?  Could someone legitimately suggest starting BBD over Kevin Garnett?!?

I just finished up some pizza for breakfast and thought the same thing when I saw the thread.
I like Baby, but about the only things he does well are take charges and hustle. Yes, he has a decent shot, but only gets about one open jumper a game, so that's irrelevant.

Agree, (TP). Desperation breeds the most extreme of absurdities ... I honestly thought this thread title had to be a joke. (Love pizza for breakfast).

[BballTim]

Detractors like to dwell on his inability to finish around the rim. Well isn't that Perk's issue too.

  No, it isn't. Perk hits about 73% of his shots at the rim and Baby comes in at 53%. Davis also gets blocked about twice as often.

[looseball]

Well, if KG is averaging 14.2 ppg in rougly 30 mpg, I don't think its hardpressed at all that he can boost his ppg up to 17.5 ppg during the playoffs.  I'm be inclined to think that his minutes are going to uptick from their current state come playoff time. 

 

Maybe if he discovers the Fountain of Youth between now and then.

Simply saying that it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Do you honestly think BBD is a better option to start these playoffs over KG besides of his ppg from last year's playoffs?

I don't think "starting" is sacred.  Finishing and the amount of minutes you play counts for more. I think it's important to have impact players coming off the bench, to change the momentum or give the team a shot in the arm.  In my opinion, KG would great coming off the bench, as he would fire up the team, and the crowd.  He could still play 30 minutes, and be on the court at the end of the game.

If you already know he'll play 30 min, why put him off the bench? What's the point? It's already been established he's much better than BBD, putting a CLEAR bench player in simply to have a "super 6th man" won't make much of a difference.

The point is: the Celtics have had a problem maintaining their energy and momentum.  As a result, they have lost a lot of big leads. So I think it would help to have guys who can change the momentum come into the game when the team could really use a lift. 
In the Cleveland game, Varejao came into the game late in the first period, with the score tied at 16 apiece.  Within 10 seconds he got his first (of 6) offensive rebounds.  He changed the momentum of the game right there.  (Plus, he played 30 minutes.) 

[nyceltsfan]

Also getting lost here is the fact that Big Baby is going to be a much better player with the first unit, while KG will probably be equally effective with the second unit.  KG can dominate a team's second unit and is probably better at getting his own shots.  BBD in the starting lineup will be playing with the likes of Rondo, Pierce and Allen, so he can get his mid-range shots like he did in the playoffs last year.  Also, playing in the starting lineup gives him the ability to play alongside Perk, who can make up for some of BBD's defensive liabilities.  Meanwhile, the team is putting KG in with the second unit, which can compensate for Sheed's lack of defense.

This idea will never happen in practicality, but it is not absurd.