Really liking that small ball lineup

[jgod213]

Rondo/Robinson/Finley/Allen/Sheed

Maybe Doc has run this lineup out a few other times and i just missed it, but last night i really enjoyed what i saw out of Docs "mini" squad that got about 5-10 minutes of burn.

On paper this lineup looks pretty wreckless, but i loved what they brought to the table with their defensive energy and aggression.  Offensively i liked how they would all spread the floor and allow either Rondo or TA to drive to the basket, spacing the floor with the other 3 shooters.

Obviously playing the Nuggests and their poor excuse for defense played a part in helping this unit stand out, but it's a nice little curveball that Doc has in his pocket - which he can use to suprise teams and increase the on-ball defensive intensity for a few possessions.

[RAcker]

He only used this lineup last night due to Denver's lack of big men and the fact that they went with a smallish lineup.  I don't think this is anything we're going to see on a regular basis, although I agree with you that it was very effective last night in changing the pace of the game on a whim whenever we cared to do so.

[Fafnir]

Rondo/Robinson/Finley/Allen/Sheed

I'm not a fan of this line-up. It has one plus rebounder in it, Rondo. Sure situationally it can work, but I don't think Doc should use it in the playoffs at all.

Last night he was just responding to Denver going small.

[Greenbean]

I started a thread about small ball line ups when we signed Finley anticipating Doc might experiemtn a little. So far he has with mixed results. Last night was pretty good though. Like Fafnir said we give up rebounding, but I like it as a weapon in the playoffs in certain situations.

Link: http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=36080.0

[Greenbean]

Rondo/Robinson/Finley/Allen/Sheed

I'm not a fan of this line-up. It has one plus rebounder in it, Rondo. Sure situationally it can work, but I don't think Doc should use it in the playoffs at all.

Last night he was just responding to Denver going small.

So are you saying in the playoffs if say Cleveland goes small, we should not go small? Or are you just saying that particular small ball lineup you dont like?

[jgod213]

Rondo/Robinson/Finley/Allen/Sheed

I'm not a fan of this line-up. It has one plus rebounder in it, Rondo. Sure situationally it can work, but I don't think Doc should use it in the playoffs at all.

Last night he was just responding to Denver going small.

Yeah probably not a playoff unit, and with the big 3 starting to find their zone i don't think it will be needed often, if at all, but if we fall back into playing uninspired basketball for streches over the next few games, at least Doc knows this is a unit he can go to for instant energy for several minutes.

[GroverTheClover]

Frankly, I liked the KG, PP, Ray, TA, and Rondo lineup we had out there during the fourth quarter. That was a nice solid defensive unit, particularly on the perimeter. Plus, they attacked on the break too.

[wdleehi]

It worked when Melo was at PF. 



Not a big fan of playing small.

[fairweatherfan]

Don't always like small ball lineups, but last night was a great situation to use them in, and they worked out well. 

It was the first time I saw the Rondo-Robinson backcourt really click as well.  Hopefully that'll pick up in the future too and isn't just situational.

[Fafnir]

Rondo/Robinson/Finley/Allen/Sheed

I'm not a fan of this line-up. It has one plus rebounder in it, Rondo. Sure situationally it can work, but I don't think Doc should use it in the playoffs at all.

Last night he was just responding to Denver going small.

So are you saying in the playoffs if say Cleveland goes small, we should not go small? Or are you just saying that particular small ball lineup you dont like?

That lineup.

If Cleveland puts LeBron at the 4 we should put KG at C and match it. I don't like having Sheed as our only big at all, and I also don't like having Finley/Robinson out there at all.

[Greenbean]

Rondo/Robinson/Finley/Allen/Sheed

I'm not a fan of this line-up. It has one plus rebounder in it, Rondo. Sure situationally it can work, but I don't think Doc should use it in the playoffs at all.

Last night he was just responding to Denver going small.

So are you saying in the playoffs if say Cleveland goes small, we should not go small? Or are you just saying that particular small ball lineup you dont like?

That lineup.

If Cleveland puts LeBron at the 4 we should put KG at C and match it. I don't like having Sheed as our only big at all, and I also don't like having Finley/Robinson out there at all.

Gotcha. I am actually very concerned about Cleveland when they decide to push tempo and go small. Luckily I am not sure they have a coach smart enough to do it even in small stretches in the playoffs.

[Ersatz]

Gotcha. I am actually very concerned about Cleveland when they decide to push tempo and go small. Luckily I am not sure they have a coach smart enough to do it even in small stretches in the playoffs.

REally? I think our fourth-quarter lineup would do really well against Cleveland small ball. Actually, I really like it. KG on Shaq when Cleveland has the ball I don't like so much, but the rest of the matchups are good for us. Plus, I like Shaq having to guard KG on the other end.

[ManUp]

I hate small ball.

[slamtheking]

I was surprised Doc tried something that new (relatively), particularly with Sheed as the big. 

small ball had it's place in 2008 with posey and KG on the court.  I could see Doc using it again occasionally to give the opposition a new look. KG at center though.  Not sure if PP as the PF is the way to go with TA/Daniels/Finley playing the wing with Ray.  We don't have Posey type that can really fit that role.

[liam]

If used situationally, I don't hate it. Used just for it's own sake ( Ala Nellie) I'm not a big fan. NATE and Rondo do look good together and I haven't seen anyone exploit that size match up yet. In the playoffs the other team will go right in to the post with that line up, but NATE and Rondo are both quick and play hard.