Going Big

[Michael Anthony]

I'm a bit more worried about the Heat right now than I was earlier in the year.

What do you think about going big against them in the playoffs? I mean really big?

Allen-Pierce-KG-JO-Shaq

We would obviously dominate the glass, and be pretty unstopable on offense, but could we gaurd them? Could that team run a zone?

[rondohondo]

I'm a bit more worried about the Heat right now than I was earlier in the year.

What do you think about going big against them in the playoffs? I mean really big?

Allen-Pierce-KG-JO-Shaq

We would obviously dominate the glass, and be pretty unstopable on offense, but could we gaurd them? Could that team run a zone?

Lebron Would blow by KG if he is covering him, so would Wade . Plus our offense has looked horrible without Rondo running the show .

[mgent]

What advantage would subbing Rondo for JO yield?

[Fafnir]

So we'd let them have KG (at SF) and Shaq try to defend the P&R?

Can't get away with that lineup. Now if we're playing the Lakers and they have Ron Artest at SF we could probably pull it off.

[More Banners]

I'm not even sure we'd have an advantage in rebounding.

Fouls, yes.  Rebounding, not sure.

[Celtics18]

I say that we go really, really big with:

1. Davis
2. Garnett
3. J. O'Neal
4. Perkins
5. S. O'Neal

Then we can really confuse 'em by going with a small ball second unit of:

1. Robinson
2. Rondo
3. Allen
4. Daniels
5. Pierce
 

[Jon]

I'm a bit more worried about the Heat right now than I was earlier in the year.

What do you think about going big against them in the playoffs? I mean really big?

Allen-Pierce-KG-JO-Shaq

We would obviously dominate the glass, and be pretty unstopable on offense, but could we gaurd them? Could that team run a zone?

Lebron Would blow by KG if he is covering him, so would Wade . Plus our offense has looked horrible without Rondo running the show .

While I think a KG/JO/Shaq frontline is too slow-footed, I don't buy the notion that KG can't play the 3 for limited periods of time.  Everyone likes to talk about how LeBron would "blow by" KG; however, is this really true?  First, I'd question the notion that KG is really any slower than Pierce or Daniels, who will be guarding LeBron if he doesn't.  And even he is slower than them, I think he makes up for that and more given the fact that he's over 7-feet tall and arguably the greatest defensive player in the game.  At his height he could stay an extra step or two further off LeBron than PP or MD could and still be a threat to block the shot. 

Would I play him on LeBron for 35 mpg?  Absolutely not.  But would I consider putting him on LeBron if Pierce got in foul trouble?  Yes.  

[GreenFaith1819]

I see no reason at all to go big.

I'm happy with a Perk/Shaq, KG, Pierce, Ray and Rondo lineup on defense.

That worked against CLE twice so far this season? And same lineup took Lebron and CLE out of the playoffs in 6 games last year?

Heat are playing well right now, no doubt. But Boston needs not to adjust to whatever streak they are on.

We just need healthy bodies. And we are getting to that point slowly but surely.

[LakersFan_33]

If that worked, then every team would be doing it. The opposing team's PG/SG would most likely blow by your "tall" PG/SG. Plus, you wouldn't have any big players coming off the bench.

On top of that, you would have Allen and/or Pierce trying to do Rondo's job of distributing, which they would not be able to do nearly as well.

[Edgar]

My big lineup is something around

ray, marquis, paul, kg and JO OR Shaq

I think that might work

also one of

Marquis, Paul, Luke, JO and shaq

and small ball of

Rondo, Delonte, ray, paul and KG

[Celtics18]

Well, I actually liked the small ball lineup with Daniels, Pierce and Davis in the frontcourt to finish the game against Houston tonight.  Without our starting bigs in there, that may be the best lineup available.

Davis, in my opinion, is better defensively as a center than as a power forward.  I think Paul can hold his own down low on the defensive end and on the glass if he gets a little used to the role, and, although obviously not a shot blocker, I prefer him to Baby as a pick and roll defender. 

Offensively, having Pierce as our power forward can help open up the game some for Rondo.  Also, he's a pretty decent pick setter.  Davis could go back to being more of a roller and low post player than a popper.  An offensive role that I highly prefer him in. 

[Bahku]

I see no reason at all to go big.

I'm happy with a Perk/Shaq, KG, Pierce, Ray and Rondo lineup on defense.

That worked against CLE twice so far this season? And same lineup took Lebron and CLE out of the playoffs in 6 games last year?

Heat are playing well right now, no doubt. But Boston needs not to adjust to whatever streak they are on.

We just need healthy bodies. And we are getting to that point slowly but surely.

My feelings exactly, GF ... let's not get into the panic mode that we did last year, thinking we need to shake everything up. We're missing key players and we've had a couple of lackluster games ... it happens every year, and it's always temporary. I also have no problem with the Heat having a better record than us ... I love the underdog spot! Let them and everyone else think they're the team to beat in the East ... when we're healthy, no one will keep up.

[Megatron]

Whats the point of going big?

Right now our "big guys" cant even buy a rebound and are getting outworked, and outhustled on the glass by guards.

Shaq? So far hes been good for 1 or 2 rebounds a game.
Baby? Hes lucky if he even grabs 1 board a game.
Erden? Hes the only 7 footer ive seen that cant rebound.
JO? He cant get into a game healthy, let alone get a rebound.

KG is our only rebounding big right now, and hes out with a calf injury.