I'll say it again, we need Pierce off the bench

[CeltsAcumen]

I hope whoever is saying this will stop saying it because it is just a horrid idea.

Want to disrespect the team's captain and best player since Bird, sure throw him to the bench and have a guy that has proven nothing in this league into the starting lineup.

When are people ever going to get that managing actually NBA players is not the same as managing a fantasy basketball team?

Could not have said it better.  Thank you.

[CeltsAcumen]

I hope whoever is saying this will stop saying it because it is just a horrid idea.

Want to disrespect the team's captain and best player since Bird, sure throw him to the bench and have a guy that has proven nothing in this league into the starting lineup.

When are people ever going to get that managing actually NBA players is not the same as managing a fantasy basketball team?

  Any player with a team first mentality, a true leader should realize that starting isn't important, finishing is.

What?  You are a team player if you agree to make your team worse? 

I really dont know what some of you see in Jeff Green?  Seriously, someone explain why this guy is the second coming of Lebron James?  I just dont see it, especially when you put him up against an NBA Future Hall of Famer like Paul Pierce.

I would like one of you Jeff Green people to explain how his game is remotely comparable to Ray Allen or Paul Pierce?

[mc34]

I hope whoever is saying this will stop saying it because it is just a horrid idea.

Want to disrespect the team's captain and best player since Bird, sure throw him to the bench and have a guy that has proven nothing in this league into the starting lineup.

When are people ever going to get that managing actually NBA players is not the same as managing a fantasy basketball team?

  Any player with a team first mentality, a true leader should realize that starting isn't important, finishing is.

What?  You are a team player if you agree to make your team worse? 

I really dont know what some of you see in Jeff Green?  Seriously, someone explain why this guy is the second coming of Lebron James?  I just dont see it, especially when you put him up against an NBA Future Hall of Famer like Paul Pierce.

I would like one of you Jeff Green people to explain how his game is remotely comparable to Ray Allen or Paul Pierce?

Even if he turns out not to remotely resemble some kind of All-Star, he still plays better with the starters, while Paul is Paul no matter who he's playing with.

[CelticsFanNC]

  I'm not claiming Jeff Green is anything other then what he is.  He is no All-Star at least at this point and quite possibly never will be.  Still to judge him on what he did in a few months with a new team, trying to blend in with multiple HOF players, in a completely different system rather then admitting that this guy was a solid starter on a playoff team these past few seasons to me is slighting him a great deal.  He is no superstar but he has been a solid starter, playing out of position on a playoff team in what has been up until this past season the better conference of the two.

Some of you act as if he is Brian Scalabrine.

[wdleehi]

  I'm not claiming Jeff Green is anything other then what he is.  He is no All-Star at least at this point and quite possibly never will be.  Still to judge him on what he did in a few months with a new team, trying to blend in with multiple HOF players, in a completely different system rather then admitting that this guy was a solid starter on a playoff team these past few seasons to me is slighting him a great deal.  He is no superstar but he has been a solid starter, playing out of position on a playoff team in what has been up until this past season the better conference of the two.

Some of you act as if he is Brian Scalabrine.

He was the same player with the Thunder.

Just out of position with more minutes. 



Nothing I have seen in his career says "Bench Pierce"

[CelticsFanNC]

  I'm not claiming Jeff Green is anything other then what he is.  He is no All-Star at least at this point and quite possibly never will be.  Still to judge him on what he did in a few months with a new team, trying to blend in with multiple HOF players, in a completely different system rather then admitting that this guy was a solid starter on a playoff team these past few seasons to me is slighting him a great deal.  He is no superstar but he has been a solid starter, playing out of position on a playoff team in what has been up until this past season the better conference of the two.

Some of you act as if he is Brian Scalabrine.

He was the same player with the Thunder.

Just out of position with more minutes. 



Nothing I have seen in his career says "Bench Pierce"

It's not BENCHING Paul Pierce.  I'd bet he'd even understand that even if he wouldn't except it. 

It is a proven way of shaking things up when you don't really have the option of making major upgrades.  There is plenty of proof that you don't need to start your best five players and you can be successful doing so as long as you finish with your best five players.  I believe that both Green and Pierce will be finishing games this coming season once Green is fully incorporated into the system and is comfortable in his role.

  Pierce still finishes and plays his 30+ minutes.  The difference is you spread around your best talent so that you have better balance in your rotation.

  I'm not even completely convinced this is the best option but I do know that it is a viable option.  Pierce is the best option on this roster as a super 6th man due to his versatility and ability to create offense for himself and others.  He is also the best option of the Big Three because his back up, Green is a guy who is a proven starter on a playoff team with upside and youth going for him.

  If we don't upgrade the athleticism of our starting five we can expect the same results next season if not worse because the Big Three's athleticism is more then likely going to slip even further with another year passing.  It was very apparent to me during these playoffs and for the second half of this past season that we need an injection of athleticism and it cannot just be off the bench because the premiere athletes we cannot handle are starting and playing 40 minutes a night.

  The Celtics cannot continue to focus what they do on a group of mid-30's future HOFers.  Also the need someone in the starting line up who helps maximize Rondo's skills in the open court.

[wdleehi]

  I'm not claiming Jeff Green is anything other then what he is.  He is no All-Star at least at this point and quite possibly never will be.  Still to judge him on what he did in a few months with a new team, trying to blend in with multiple HOF players, in a completely different system rather then admitting that this guy was a solid starter on a playoff team these past few seasons to me is slighting him a great deal.  He is no superstar but he has been a solid starter, playing out of position on a playoff team in what has been up until this past season the better conference of the two.

Some of you act as if he is Brian Scalabrine.

He was the same player with the Thunder.

Just out of position with more minutes. 



Nothing I have seen in his career says "Bench Pierce"

It's not BENCHING Paul Pierce.  I'd bet he'd even understand that even if he wouldn't except it. 

It is a proven way of shaking things up when you don't really have the option of making major upgrades.  There is plenty of proof that you don't need to start your best five players and you can be successful doing so as long as you finish with your best five players.  I believe that both Green and Pierce will be finishing games this coming season once Green is fully incorporated into the system and is comfortable in his role.

  Pierce still finishes and plays his 30+ minutes.  The difference is you spread around your best talent so that you have better balance in your rotation.

  I'm not even completely convinced this is the best option but I do know that it is a viable option.  Pierce is the best option on this roster as a super 6th man due to his versatility and ability to create offense for himself and others.  He is also the best option of the Big Three because his back up, Green is a guy who is a proven starter on a playoff team with upside and youth going for him.

  If we don't upgrade the athleticism of our starting five we can expect the same results next season if not worse because the Big Three's athleticism is more then likely going to slip even further with another year passing.  It was very apparent to me during these playoffs and for the second half of this past season that we need an injection of athleticism and it cannot just be off the bench because the premiere athletes we cannot handle are starting and playing 40 minutes a night.

  The Celtics cannot continue to focus what they do on a group of mid-30's future HOFers.  Also the need someone in the starting line up who helps maximize Rondo's skills in the open court.

If the Celtic's core is not good enough, moving them around doesn't fix that.


Basically, that would be moving the the deck chairs on the titanic while punching extra holes in the bottom of the boat.   

[CelticsFanNC]

  With Rondo doing most of the ball handling it takes away much of what has made Paul Pierce so great.  These days he spends much of his time standing around at the 3pt line waiting for Rondo to create something rather then with the ball in his hands creating for himself and others.  He has been relegated to primarily being a spot up shooter when Rondo is running the offense and thats not Paul Pierce's strong suite although he is perfectly capable in that role.

  Making Pierce a super sixth man playing his 30+ minutes and still finishing games makes too much sense to me to not give it a good long look.

[wdleehi]

 With Rondo doing most of the ball handling it takes away much of what has made Paul Pierce so great.  These days he spends much of his time standing around at the 3pt line waiting for Rondo to create something rather then with the ball in his hands creating for himself and others.  He has been relegated to primarily being a spot up shooter when Rondo is running the offense and thats not Paul Pierce's strong suite although he is perfectly capable in that role.

  Making Pierce a super sixth man playing his 30+ minutes and still finishing games makes too much sense to me to not give it a good long look.

Why?


Pierce is getting better looks playing with Rondo.  He is allowing Pierce to score without spending as much energy creating his own shot. 

[CelticsFanNC]

  I'm not claiming Jeff Green is anything other then what he is.  He is no All-Star at least at this point and quite possibly never will be.  Still to judge him on what he did in a few months with a new team, trying to blend in with multiple HOF players, in a completely different system rather then admitting that this guy was a solid starter on a playoff team these past few seasons to me is slighting him a great deal.  He is no superstar but he has been a solid starter, playing out of position on a playoff team in what has been up until this past season the better conference of the two.

Some of you act as if he is Brian Scalabrine.

He was the same player with the Thunder.

Just out of position with more minutes. 



Nothing I have seen in his career says "Bench Pierce"

It's not BENCHING Paul Pierce.  I'd bet he'd even understand that even if he wouldn't except it. 

It is a proven way of shaking things up when you don't really have the option of making major upgrades.  There is plenty of proof that you don't need to start your best five players and you can be successful doing so as long as you finish with your best five players.  I believe that both Green and Pierce will be finishing games this coming season once Green is fully incorporated into the system and is comfortable in his role.

  Pierce still finishes and plays his 30+ minutes.  The difference is you spread around your best talent so that you have better balance in your rotation.

  I'm not even completely convinced this is the best option but I do know that it is a viable option.  Pierce is the best option on this roster as a super 6th man due to his versatility and ability to create offense for himself and others.  He is also the best option of the Big Three because his back up, Green is a guy who is a proven starter on a playoff team with upside and youth going for him.

  If we don't upgrade the athleticism of our starting five we can expect the same results next season if not worse because the Big Three's athleticism is more then likely going to slip even further with another year passing.  It was very apparent to me during these playoffs and for the second half of this past season that we need an injection of athleticism and it cannot just be off the bench because the premiere athletes we cannot handle are starting and playing 40 minutes a night.

  The Celtics cannot continue to focus what they do on a group of mid-30's future HOFers.  Also the need someone in the starting line up who helps maximize Rondo's skills in the open court.

If the Celtic's core is not good enough, moving them around doesn't fix that.


Basically, that would be moving the the deck chairs on the titanic while punching extra holes in the bottom of the boat.   

  It is changing the dynamics of the rotation and sometimes that is good enough.  Doing the same things over and over when they aren't good enough and resisting change leads to mediocrity.

[wdleehi]

  I'm not claiming Jeff Green is anything other then what he is.  He is no All-Star at least at this point and quite possibly never will be.  Still to judge him on what he did in a few months with a new team, trying to blend in with multiple HOF players, in a completely different system rather then admitting that this guy was a solid starter on a playoff team these past few seasons to me is slighting him a great deal.  He is no superstar but he has been a solid starter, playing out of position on a playoff team in what has been up until this past season the better conference of the two.

Some of you act as if he is Brian Scalabrine.

He was the same player with the Thunder.

Just out of position with more minutes. 



Nothing I have seen in his career says "Bench Pierce"

It's not BENCHING Paul Pierce.  I'd bet he'd even understand that even if he wouldn't except it. 

It is a proven way of shaking things up when you don't really have the option of making major upgrades.  There is plenty of proof that you don't need to start your best five players and you can be successful doing so as long as you finish with your best five players.  I believe that both Green and Pierce will be finishing games this coming season once Green is fully incorporated into the system and is comfortable in his role.

  Pierce still finishes and plays his 30+ minutes.  The difference is you spread around your best talent so that you have better balance in your rotation.

  I'm not even completely convinced this is the best option but I do know that it is a viable option.  Pierce is the best option on this roster as a super 6th man due to his versatility and ability to create offense for himself and others.  He is also the best option of the Big Three because his back up, Green is a guy who is a proven starter on a playoff team with upside and youth going for him.

  If we don't upgrade the athleticism of our starting five we can expect the same results next season if not worse because the Big Three's athleticism is more then likely going to slip even further with another year passing.  It was very apparent to me during these playoffs and for the second half of this past season that we need an injection of athleticism and it cannot just be off the bench because the premiere athletes we cannot handle are starting and playing 40 minutes a night.

  The Celtics cannot continue to focus what they do on a group of mid-30's future HOFers.  Also the need someone in the starting line up who helps maximize Rondo's skills in the open court.

If the Celtic's core is not good enough, moving them around doesn't fix that.


Basically, that would be moving the the deck chairs on the titanic while punching extra holes in the bottom of the boat.   

  It is changing the dynamics of the rotation and sometimes that is good enough.  Doing the same things over and over when they aren't good enough and resisting change leads to mediocrity.

So change what is failing.


Fix the bench so it helps the teams strength (the starting 4)


The idea is to build on what works, not tear apart what works.

[CelticsFanNC]

 With Rondo doing most of the ball handling it takes away much of what has made Paul Pierce so great.  These days he spends much of his time standing around at the 3pt line waiting for Rondo to create something rather then with the ball in his hands creating for himself and others.  He has been relegated to primarily being a spot up shooter when Rondo is running the offense and thats not Paul Pierce's strong suite although he is perfectly capable in that role.

  Making Pierce a super sixth man playing his 30+ minutes and still finishing games makes too much sense to me to not give it a good long look.

Why?


Pierce is getting better looks playing with Rondo.  He is allowing Pierce to score without spending as much energy creating his own shot. 

  Because NO ONE in the NBA that comes off the bench and would be facing Paul Pierce head to head has a prayer of guarding him.  That fact means he would expend less energy then he does now trying to guard guys like LBJ/Carmelo who are younger, faster, bigger and can jump over his head.  He would no longer be asked to guard the opposing teams best player for the entire game which would conserve his energy to guard them in the 4th quarter. 

[wdleehi]

 With Rondo doing most of the ball handling it takes away much of what has made Paul Pierce so great.  These days he spends much of his time standing around at the 3pt line waiting for Rondo to create something rather then with the ball in his hands creating for himself and others.  He has been relegated to primarily being a spot up shooter when Rondo is running the offense and thats not Paul Pierce's strong suite although he is perfectly capable in that role.

  Making Pierce a super sixth man playing his 30+ minutes and still finishing games makes too much sense to me to not give it a good long look.

Why?


Pierce is getting better looks playing with Rondo.  He is allowing Pierce to score without spending as much energy creating his own shot. 

  Because NO ONE in the NBA that comes off the bench and would be facing Paul Pierce head to head has a prayer of guarding him.  That fact means he would expend less energy then he does now trying to guard guys like LBJ/Carmelo who are younger, faster, bigger and can jump over his head.  He would no longer be asked to guard the opposing teams best player for the entire game which would conserve his energy to guard them in the 4th quarter. 

So instead the Celtics put an inferior player out there to allow those players to get off to a hot start and not waste as much energy having to guard a player like Pierce.


Pierce comes in and has to face a Lebron or Melo on fire (because they are going to be playing close to 40 minutes a game)

[CelticsFanNC]

  I'm not claiming Jeff Green is anything other then what he is.  He is no All-Star at least at this point and quite possibly never will be.  Still to judge him on what he did in a few months with a new team, trying to blend in with multiple HOF players, in a completely different system rather then admitting that this guy was a solid starter on a playoff team these past few seasons to me is slighting him a great deal.  He is no superstar but he has been a solid starter, playing out of position on a playoff team in what has been up until this past season the better conference of the two.

Some of you act as if he is Brian Scalabrine.

He was the same player with the Thunder.

Just out of position with more minutes. 



Nothing I have seen in his career says "Bench Pierce"

It's not BENCHING Paul Pierce.  I'd bet he'd even understand that even if he wouldn't except it. 

It is a proven way of shaking things up when you don't really have the option of making major upgrades.  There is plenty of proof that you don't need to start your best five players and you can be successful doing so as long as you finish with your best five players.  I believe that both Green and Pierce will be finishing games this coming season once Green is fully incorporated into the system and is comfortable in his role.

  Pierce still finishes and plays his 30+ minutes.  The difference is you spread around your best talent so that you have better balance in your rotation.

  I'm not even completely convinced this is the best option but I do know that it is a viable option.  Pierce is the best option on this roster as a super 6th man due to his versatility and ability to create offense for himself and others.  He is also the best option of the Big Three because his back up, Green is a guy who is a proven starter on a playoff team with upside and youth going for him.

  If we don't upgrade the athleticism of our starting five we can expect the same results next season if not worse because the Big Three's athleticism is more then likely going to slip even further with another year passing.  It was very apparent to me during these playoffs and for the second half of this past season that we need an injection of athleticism and it cannot just be off the bench because the premiere athletes we cannot handle are starting and playing 40 minutes a night.

  The Celtics cannot continue to focus what they do on a group of mid-30's future HOFers.  Also the need someone in the starting line up who helps maximize Rondo's skills in the open court.

If the Celtic's core is not good enough, moving them around doesn't fix that.


Basically, that would be moving the the deck chairs on the titanic while punching extra holes in the bottom of the boat.   

  It is changing the dynamics of the rotation and sometimes that is good enough.  Doing the same things over and over when they aren't good enough and resisting change leads to mediocrity.

So change what is failing.


Fix the bench so it helps the teams strength (the starting 4)


The idea is to build on what works, not tear apart what works.

  It didn't work.  These past two seasons this team had looked down right dreadful for much of the second half of last season.  if it weren't for a miraculous playoff run last season we'd probably all be saying blow it up right now.  It's not very smart to plan on miracles happening every year.

  The big three are playing very important positions in NBA basketball.  Positions that are stacked athletically.  I don't think you can give up that much at those three positions athletically to opposing teams starters and hope to ultimately be successful.

  Listen I hope I am wrong and they keep it as is, up grade the bench(how exactly with the limited options we have?....you tell me), run through the regular season, get home court, win #18 and prove me wrong.

  Excuse me if I don't hold my breath until that happens.

[wdleehi]

  I'm not claiming Jeff Green is anything other then what he is.  He is no All-Star at least at this point and quite possibly never will be.  Still to judge him on what he did in a few months with a new team, trying to blend in with multiple HOF players, in a completely different system rather then admitting that this guy was a solid starter on a playoff team these past few seasons to me is slighting him a great deal.  He is no superstar but he has been a solid starter, playing out of position on a playoff team in what has been up until this past season the better conference of the two.

Some of you act as if he is Brian Scalabrine.

He was the same player with the Thunder.

Just out of position with more minutes. 



Nothing I have seen in his career says "Bench Pierce"

It's not BENCHING Paul Pierce.  I'd bet he'd even understand that even if he wouldn't except it. 

It is a proven way of shaking things up when you don't really have the option of making major upgrades.  There is plenty of proof that you don't need to start your best five players and you can be successful doing so as long as you finish with your best five players.  I believe that both Green and Pierce will be finishing games this coming season once Green is fully incorporated into the system and is comfortable in his role.

  Pierce still finishes and plays his 30+ minutes.  The difference is you spread around your best talent so that you have better balance in your rotation.

  I'm not even completely convinced this is the best option but I do know that it is a viable option.  Pierce is the best option on this roster as a super 6th man due to his versatility and ability to create offense for himself and others.  He is also the best option of the Big Three because his back up, Green is a guy who is a proven starter on a playoff team with upside and youth going for him.

  If we don't upgrade the athleticism of our starting five we can expect the same results next season if not worse because the Big Three's athleticism is more then likely going to slip even further with another year passing.  It was very apparent to me during these playoffs and for the second half of this past season that we need an injection of athleticism and it cannot just be off the bench because the premiere athletes we cannot handle are starting and playing 40 minutes a night.

  The Celtics cannot continue to focus what they do on a group of mid-30's future HOFers.  Also the need someone in the starting line up who helps maximize Rondo's skills in the open court.

If the Celtic's core is not good enough, moving them around doesn't fix that.


Basically, that would be moving the the deck chairs on the titanic while punching extra holes in the bottom of the boat.   

  It is changing the dynamics of the rotation and sometimes that is good enough.  Doing the same things over and over when they aren't good enough and resisting change leads to mediocrity.

So change what is failing.


Fix the bench so it helps the teams strength (the starting 4)


The idea is to build on what works, not tear apart what works.

  It didn't work.  These past two seasons this team had looked down right dreadful for much of the second half of last season.  if it weren't for a miraculous playoff run last season we'd probably all be saying blow it up right now.  It's not very smart to plan on miracles happening every year.

  The big three are playing very important positions in NBA basketball.  Positions that are stacked athletically.  I don't think you can give up that much at those three positions athletically to opposing teams starters and hope to ultimately be successful.

  Listen I hope I am wrong and they keep it as is, up grade the bench(how exactly with the limited options we have?....you tell me), run through the regular season, get home court, win #18 and prove me wrong.

  Excuse me if I don't hold my breath until that happens.

Game 7 of the finals. 


They made it to game 7 of the finals. 

Time to blow it up.


This year, they made a dumb trade and had an injured PG and an injured C.  They had a bench that did nothing. 



So let's take a member of that bench and start him.


This way, the starting offense and defense will be weaker.