BIG reason we could be better this year

[KGs Knee]

A major problem for the C's last year was there 4th qtr offense.  They struggled to start qtrs and had to fight all qtr long to either get back into a game or hold a lead.

Here is where Shaq steps in.  Shaq for his diminished game can still do one thing well, back down an opposing player and draw a foul.  Even if he only makes 50%, it will be good for the bigger picture.  More fouls early mean more free throws later.  These free throws will be for Allen, Pierce and KG. All very good, if not excellent, free throw shooters.

We all saw how getting to the line in the 4th can win you a championship.  Having that ability now on the C's side will have a dramatic effect on the C's ability to score points at the end of games.

[j804]

Good point, agreed!

[Fafnir]

Playing Shaq in the fourth quarter isn't a way to jump start our offense, especially with the starters.

Even if he gets us into the bonus our starters still have to draw fouls and only Pierce is very good at that among our starters (of our good free throw shooters)

I think Shaq gives us a good piece to build our bench's offense sets around, but I don't think he'll make us much better in the 4th.

If anything KG's continuing recovery and Rondo's growth into our focal point on offense should help the C's offense bounce back.

[More Banners]

Playing Shaq in the fourth quarter isn't a way to jump start our offense, especially with the starters.

Even if he gets us into the bonus our starters still have to draw fouls and only Pierce is very good at that among our starters (of our good free throw shooters)

I think Shaq gives us a good piece to build our bench's offense sets around, but I don't think he'll make us much better in the 4th.

If anything KG's continuing recovery and Rondo's growth into our focal point on offense should help the C's offense bounce back.

Hmm...I think JO might do reasonably well at drawing fouls, too.  After that?  [crickets]

Drawing fouls earlier in the games can be pretty valuable, too, since we might then draw more favorable matchups for stretches, when we will hopefully be able to build a lead.  Recall in 08 we had many games over by the midpoint of the 3rd quarter before they started.  Why are we concerned about the 4th quarter?  I'll take 20 point blowouts, starters resting in the 4th,and getting <28 min during the early season while Harnagatang and Bradley get some run to develop any day.

[housecall]

Playing Shaq in the fourth quarter isn't a way to jump start our offense, especially with the starters.

Even if he gets us into the bonus our starters still have to draw fouls and only Pierce is very good at that among our starters (of our good free throw shooters)

I think Shaq gives us a good piece to build our bench's offense sets around, but I don't think he'll make us much better in the 4th.

If anything KG's continuing recovery and Rondo's growth into our focal point on offense should help the C's offense bounce back.

TP...finally someone said something positive in reference to KG.Instead of the usual he's to old or he is done,someone else realizes it takes longer to fully recover from his injuries.And i agree about Shaq's role is better with building around but probably will not be the fourth quarter player we will need.

[Roy H.]

I think whether we do better or not all comes down to how seriously the team takes the regular season.  It wouldn't shock me if the team goes into cruise control in January - late February again, to preserve themselves for the playoffs.

The playoffs are a different story, and once they start, I expect the Celts to once again be a top three team in the NBA.

[KGs Knee]

Playing Shaq in the fourth quarter isn't a way to jump start our offense, especially with the starters.

Even if he gets us into the bonus our starters still have to draw fouls and only Pierce is very good at that among our starters (of our good free throw shooters)

I agree I don't want Shaq in the game mid to late 4th qtr., due to his poor free throw shooting  I'd rather see Shaq start the 4th, and hopefully pick up a few early fouls.  Even if Pierce is the only "good" free throw shooter at drawing fouls, otherwise meaningless loose ball fouls now become free throws by the time the starters are back in.

[gar]

Depth at three positions that have been a concern in the past. We have never had this kind of depth at PG, SG and Center (w/ Perk). Depth at PF and SF would be helped by a wing with better size. Our lack of size and depth at SF make it harder to play BBD or Harangody @ PF.

[snively]

Having shooting options other than Ray will be big.  Far too dependent on him offensively last season.  When he was cold it was basically the Pierce iso show.

[housecall]

Having shooting options other than Ray will be big.  Far too dependent on him offensively last season.  When he was cold it was basically the Pierce iso show.

TP,I agree

[xmuscularghandix]

Having shooting options other than Ray will be big.  Far too dependent on him offensively last season.  When he was cold it was basically the Pierce iso show.

Agreed. And I believe that PP’s ISO show should go back to looking like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTkcXtHW6i4

go to 1:34

I like him at mid-range on one of the wings, not so much at the point just inside the three.

[Vermont Green]

Playing Shaq in the fourth quarter isn't a way to jump start our offense, especially with the starters.

Even if he gets us into the bonus our starters still have to draw fouls and only Pierce is very good at that among our starters (of our good free throw shooters)

I think Shaq gives us a good piece to build our bench's offense sets around, but I don't think he'll make us much better in the 4th.

If anything KG's continuing recovery and Rondo's growth into our focal point on offense should help the C's offense bounce back.

TP...finally someone said something positive in reference to KG.Instead of the usual he's to old or he is done,someone else realizes it takes longer to fully recover from his injuries.And i agree about Shaq's role is better with building around but probably will not be the fourth quarter player we will need.

I am not sure why it is wrong to question KG's ability to recover.  KG played great for a couple of months at the beginning of the year last year but then hurt his knee in December.  After the second injury, they nursed him along until the playoffs.  Early in the playoffs, he looked pretty good but by the Laker series, my observation was that he was spent again.  KG is a warrior but there are a lot of miles on those knees.  I have serious questions about his ability to be healthy (which I would define as playing at least 90% of the 2007/2008 KG) a whole year (including playoffs).

[KGs Knee]

Playing Shaq in the fourth quarter isn't a way to jump start our offense, especially with the starters.

Even if he gets us into the bonus our starters still have to draw fouls and only Pierce is very good at that among our starters (of our good free throw shooters)

I think Shaq gives us a good piece to build our bench's offense sets around, but I don't think he'll make us much better in the 4th.

If anything KG's continuing recovery and Rondo's growth into our focal point on offense should help the C's offense bounce back.

TP...finally someone said something positive in reference to KG.Instead of the usual he's to old or he is done,someone else realizes it takes longer to fully recover from his injuries.And i agree about Shaq's role is better with building around but probably will not be the fourth quarter player we will need.

I am not sure why it is wrong to question KG's ability to recover.  KG played great for a couple of months at the beginning of the year last year but then hurt his knee in December.  After the second injury, they nursed him along until the playoffs.  Early in the playoffs, he looked pretty good but by the Laker series, my observation was that he was spent again.  KG is a warrior but there are a lot of miles on those knees.  I have serious questions about his ability to be healthy (which I would define as playing at least 90% of the 2007/2008 KG) a whole year (including playoffs).

It's fine to question whether KG can have a better, more healthy season than last.  KG is the glue for the team.  With out his energy on defense and rebounding we struggle.  KG needs to get his rebound #'s back to around 8+, just not sure it will happen.  His offense has always been somewhat superfluous, although more scoring from KG is definelty helpful.

One thing this team needs is more consistent bench scoring.  Shaq can help in this area.  I expect the new bench will take time to gel.  Getting Shaq the ball against some 2nd string bum center sounds like a very good option to me.  He'll either score or get fouled, can't have both he's infamous for his free throw shooting.  I expect, if Shaq does play mostly with the 2nd unit, the offense will run through Nate and Shaq quite a bit.  That is not a bad pairing against other benches.