Pierce, Ray and J. Green

[ScoobyDoo]

I wouldn't suprise me if Pierce came into this season "particularly" slim, as I expect to see some combination of the following this year...

1. Jeff Green either starting at SF or playing "a lot" of minutes their.

2. Pierce either coming off the bench as our 6th man or starting at the 2

3. Pierce and Ray starting with Pierce sliding to the two spot a lot more often to create more time for Green at his natural position.

4. Ray's minutes generally being reduced to save his legs for the end of the season and the playoffs.

I know Ray's an athletic freak, but he'll be 36 this year. If we'd like him dropping daggers on people for a nother 2-3 seasons, it's time to wind him down a bit.

Also, I think can and should start carrying more of the load at the three spot this year. This transition is coming where Pierce won't be able to handle 38-40 minutes a night. Green has to step into it more this season.

This will have nothing but positive benefits all around.

1. Take a load off Ray
2. Take a load off Pierce
3. Keep them fresher for the postseason
4. Helps extend their careers a bit
5. If we're going to keep Green long term, better get he and Rondo working now and start having him carrying a larger load NOW.
6. If we're going to trade Green, raise his stock with some good steady minutes at the 3 spot.

I really hope we see more reliance on young legs during the season this year - even if it means a few more losses. I don't think that would be the case but if so, I'll take the losses if it means our Vets are fresh and our young guys have grown significantly.         

[Chris]

This keeps coming up, but I would be absolutely shocked if any of the starting 4 returning from last year are not starting this year.

While Doc will clearly need to find a way to get more out of the bench, and get the old guys more rest, I feel pretty confident that he sees the egos being too big, and the chemistry being too good in that first unit to mess with it...with the only exception being if they somehow add a player that is actually better than any of them (which is incredibly unlikely).

I also think Doc really likes the idea of bringing Green off the bench, so he can benefit from being covered by second string players.  He may not be a top line starter, but he absolutely should be a top line bench player.

I do think they will be much more creative with the minutes though.  Getting guys on the bench in there earlier, and more often, but I think it would take a significant event (much more significant than a birthday) to get Doc to bring any of those guys off the bench.

[Kane3387]

I honestly don't think any of the big four come off the bench. I do however believe that we don't have HCA in the first round this year. I think with all the back to backs we would play guys would be sat down for the playoffs. I think we will take the 2010 approach this season.

[Marcus13]

I can't see any situation where it would benefit the Celtics to have Jeff Green on the floor...in our uniform, at least

[barefacedmonk]

I think we will take the 2010 approach this season.

Yeah, my thoughts as well.

[greenpride32]

I think we will take the 2010 approach this season.

Yeah, my thoughts as well.

And the 2010 season ended how???

[mgent]

I think we will take the 2010 approach this season.

Yeah, my thoughts as well.

And the 2010 season ended how???

About a rebound or two away from a banner.

[PosImpos]

And the 2010 season ended how???

About 15 rebounds away from a banner.

Fixed.

[mc34]

Agreed. If there's a season, I think we're gonna see a lot of coasting and reduced minutes for the older guys. Rondo and/or Green having a breakout season is really our only hope of getting one of the top 2 or 3 seeds.

[pearljammer10]

There is no way that Pierce ever comes off the bench as a Celtic.

[BASS_THUMPER]

There is no way that Pierce ever comes off the bench as a Celtic.

rondo off the bench before paul

[ballin]

There is no way that Pierce ever comes off the bench as a Celtic.

rondo off the bench before paul

Seriously. I remember some threads last season suggesting that Doc start Delonte until Rondo shapes his act up...

No way in hell should Pierce be coming off the bench, not while he's still playing at the level he's currently at.

[2short]

There is no way that Pierce ever comes off the bench as a Celtic.

Hondo was great in the role.   Why not?
Our best low post presence is Green, that adds another dimension to the TEAM game.  Doesn't mean it is a knock on Pierce or his game is slowing down or Green is a better player.  I'm sure Paul would be finishing the game.  I envision an end of game line up, rondo, ray, pierce, green and kg.  I would like to see less minutes for all the starters (as of last year) rondo included.  If west can stay healthy I would like to see him getting pg/sg minutes, reduce ray's minutes as well.  Paul has proven he can handle every aspect of the offensive game, he would be the leader if rondo is not in the game. 

[clover]

There is no way that Pierce ever comes off the bench as a Celtic.

I'd expect Pierce to start for the next two calendar years anyway, but why wouldn't they bring him off the bench in his later years?  He's signed until he's an old man.

[CelticsFanNC]

There is no way that Pierce ever comes off the bench as a Celtic.

  If he remains a Celtic until the end of his deal he wont be starter material.  As much as I like Pierce, better men have come off of the Celtics bench then Paul Pierce.  He should never, ever be put above the franchises potential success.