Go small?

[droopdog7]

If KG is suspended (as I think he will be), would you give any consideration to going small by starting TA? The benefit would be to have TA play Wade fir more if the game, allowing Ray to focus more on offense. Beasley isn't a particularly big PF so perhaps PP can hold his own (while giving beasley problems on the other end).. We can then keep our bigs rotation off the bench in tact while giving more minutes to finley, quis, or nate.

Thoughts?

[vinnie]

Interesting idea. Might be worth a try. Beasly is a samll, big forward and Pierce just might be able to handle him. I like it.

[Bahku]

I agree, interesting idea, but unless Ray is injured, there's no way Doc will start Tony in his place.

[liam]

If KG is suspended (as I think he will be), would you give any consideration to going small by starting TA? The benefit would be to have TA play Wade fir more if the game, allowing Ray to focus more on offense. Beasley isn't a particularly big PF so perhaps PP can hold his own (while giving beasley problems on the other end).. We can then keep our bigs rotation off the bench in tact while giving more minutes to finley, quis, or nate.

Thoughts?

It's a good idea, but I bet Baby gets the start.

[Tai]

Baby starts, Shelden plays, all is well.  '

But the more I Think about it, the more I'm hopeful that KG won't be suspended.

At least, not without Q-Rich being in street clothes too.

[droopdog7]

I agree, interesting idea, but unless Ray is injured, there's no way Doc will start Tony in his place.

I meant starting both Ray and TA (and PP at PF).

[PosImpos]

If KG is suspended, Doc will start Rasheed.  I have no doubt.

It may be a good thing; maybe starting in the playoffs will actually energize Sheed a bit.  He should be able to get points in the post at will against Beasley or Haslem.

[Bahku]

I agree, interesting idea, but unless Ray is injured, there's no way Doc will start Tony in his place.

I meant starting both Ray and TA (and PP at PF).

Yeah, I just don't think it would be good for the chemistry of the starting five, or the psyche of the guy being replaced, to start someone other than the five guys you've started all year long. At the very least you can make a sub at any time after the game starts, but I can't see Doc messing with the starting five at the git ... it's a real slap in the face to a player that's been started all year, and it could really undermine the cohesiveness of that starting unit. If someone's injured or suspended, totally different case, of course ... and I think it would work well with Miami.

[snively]

I agree, interesting idea, but unless Ray is injured, there's no way Doc will start Tony in his place.

I meant starting both Ray and TA (and PP at PF).

The last time Pierce started at the 4 in the playoffs was Game 4 of the 2005 Pacers series, after Walker's suspension.

He scored 30 pts, grabbed 7 boards, dished 8 assists and swatted 5 shots (most of them Dale Davis decrepit heaves at the rim) in a blowout win.

Pierce against Beasley is a bit more palatable than Sheed.

[snively]

I agree, interesting idea, but unless Ray is injured, there's no way Doc will start Tony in his place.

I meant starting both Ray and TA (and PP at PF).

Yeah, I just don't think it would be good for the chemistry of the starting five, or the psyche of the guy being replaced, to start someone other than the five guys you've started all year long. At the very least you can make a sub at any time after the game starts, but I can't see Doc messing with the starting five at the git ... it's a real slap in the face to a player that's been started all year, and it could really undermine the cohesiveness of that starting unit. If someone's injured or suspended, totally different case, of course ... and I think it would work well with Miami.

This whole discussion assumes KG will be suspended.  In this scenario the suggestion is that TA would be replacing KG and guarding Wade: no faces would be slapped.

[Fafnir]

I don't like the idea of going small right away, the Celtics have a size advantage on Miami. They should try and use it to their advantage.

Now this is a lineup they could try for a few minutes, but I wouldn't start with it. Having Rondo, TA, and Perkins all on the floor could really screw up our offense.

[snively]

I don't like the idea of going small right away, the Celtics have a size advantage on Miami. They should try and use it to their advantage.

Now this is a lineup they could try for a few minutes, but I wouldn't start with it. Having Rondo, TA, and Perkins all on the floor could really screw up our offense.

The OP presumes a KG suspension.  Do you think Sheed or Baby would do any better for the offense?

[Bahku]

I agree, interesting idea, but unless Ray is injured, there's no way Doc will start Tony in his place.

I meant starting both Ray and TA (and PP at PF).

Yeah, I just don't think it would be good for the chemistry of the starting five, or the psyche of the guy being replaced, to start someone other than the five guys you've started all year long. At the very least you can make a sub at any time after the game starts, but I can't see Doc messing with the starting five at the git ... it's a real slap in the face to a player that's been started all year, and it could really undermine the cohesiveness of that starting unit. If someone's injured or suspended, totally different case, of course ... and I think it would work well with Miami.

This whole discussion assumes KG will be suspended.  In this scenario the suggestion is that TA would be replacing KG and guarding Wade: no faces would be slapped.

As I stated, in the case of a suspension or injury, different story.

[Fafnir]

I don't like the idea of going small right away, the Celtics have a size advantage on Miami. They should try and use it to their advantage.

Now this is a lineup they could try for a few minutes, but I wouldn't start with it. Having Rondo, TA, and Perkins all on the floor could really screw up our offense.

The OP presumes a KG suspension.  Do you think Sheed or Baby would do any better for the offense?

Yes, because our offensive sets are predicated on having two big men on the court. It is a line up that we've played with before so there would be less disruption in our chemistry.

Sheed is also a much better jump shooter than Tony Allen, he should start for KG. He'll have to play bigger minutes without KG in the line up, might as well start him and leave BBD in his bench role.

[FallGuy]

You know... I kinda like this idea for stretches of game two if KG is out. Miami doesn't want to get into a track meet with us (not that we could really handle that) and we could push tempo with a couple of different lineups. My worry is the half-court offense will stagnate (both starters and bench) if KG isn't in there and this might be a way to rev if up and get some transition points.

I agree that Doc wouldn't make it option #1 though....