So, any chance Pierce comes off the bench?

[celts55]

Okay, I'm ready to get trashed, but I like the idea. I think Daniels if (and it's a big if) can stay healthy would be a decent starter playing with KG, JO, Ray and Rondo. Pierce would give you a scorer who can create his on shot off the bench, not to mention, he's pretty good on the boards also. A second team of Pierce, Dooling, Bass, Wilcox and maybe Moore could be very effective. Paul would still get his minute as I'm sure he would get mixed in when the first team comes back.
Anyway, I like the idea, if his ego doesn't get in the way.

Thoughts?

[Donoghus]

Not until we have a bonafide SF that is better than Pierce.

That player does not exist on the Celtics yet.

[StartOrien]

I actually think it's a decent idea, especially after seeing how much this second unit struggled to score in 2 games against Toronto. Ya, they're unfamiliar w/ each other, but I don't really see anyone whose poised to present any kind of fire power off the bench.

[BballTim]

  I'm really not a big fan of a second unit. I'd rather have the top 4 reserves shuffle in and out so you normally either have all starters or a mix of starters and reserves. Having said that, I think that Wilcox and Bass are decent scorers (Bass better) and Marquis can put points on the board as well. They did struggle to score against Toronto but the Raptors were playing their starters for much of that and the Celts are trying to get time in the backcourt for Moore and Bradley, so it's not really going to be a well run offense.

[Donoghus]

I actually think it's a decent idea, especially after seeing how much this second unit struggled to score in 2 games against Toronto. Ya, they're unfamiliar w/ each other, but I don't really see anyone whose poised to present any kind of fire power off the bench.

That can be compensated to a great extent with rotations and minutes adjustments.  You don't swap 5 guys out for 5 new guys.  You can mix & match. 

Pierce is the best SF they have.  You start him.

[Who]

I like Marquis Daniels more as a two than a three. Not fond of him getting his minutes against starting threes on a nightly basis. Not enough defense/rebounding (from Daniels @ SF).

Plus, I don't like putting another non-shooter out there on the perimeter alongside Rondo. Squeezes the floor.

[snively]

I'd much rather trade for a bench scorer than break up the Rondo-Ray-Pierce-KG quartet that has been so dominant. 

Besides, I don't think Paul would be as effective if he had to spend so much time with the bench.  He's a solid playmaker and shot-creator still, but he's better utilized as a powerful weapon in an ensemble attack, and not in ball-dominant superstar mode. 

[hwangjini_1]

ha.... it is christmas, not april fools day.  

no, honestly, to have pierce come off the bench would be a disaster for the team. and i am sure pierce would hate it.

the first unit needs to play together early and try to build up large leads on other teams. after that, the bench can be rotated in to keep the lead going.

and by the way, merry christmas.

[Donoghus]

I like Marquis Daniels more as a two than a three. Not fond of him getting his minutes against starting threes on a nightly basis. Not enough defense/rebounding (from Daniels @ SF).

Plus, I don't like putting another non-shooter out there on the perimeter alongside Rondo. Squeezes the floor.

I agree about prefering Daniels @ the 2 as opposed to the 3. 

[Surferdad]

  I'm really not a big fan of a second unit. I'd rather have the top 4 reserves shuffle in and out so you normally either have all starters or a mix of starters and reserves. Having said that, I think that Wilcox and Bass are decent scorers (Bass better) and Marquis can put points on the board as well. They did struggle to score against Toronto but the Raptors were playing their starters for much of that and the Celts are trying to get time in the backcourt for Moore and Bradley, so it's not really going to be a well run offense.

Even if Pierce came off the bench, I think the mix-n-match would occur in any case because this is not hockey.  Doc probably would not do it, but the question is, what would we hope to accomplish with Pierce coming off the bench?  Is the foot injury such that limited minutes is even an option?  I am guessing that a sore heel means don't play at all until ready, but I'm no doctor.

[RedsCeltics34]

I like Marquis Daniels more as a two than a three. Not fond of him getting his minutes against starting threes on a nightly basis. Not enough defense/rebounding (from Daniels @ SF).

Plus, I don't like putting another non-shooter out there on the perimeter alongside Rondo. Squeezes the floor.

I agree about prefering Daniels @ the 2 as opposed to the 3. 

Definitely, because he cant post up the LeBrons and Carmelos of the world and use his size against them like he loves to do.

[wdleehi]

Not a chance with the other options on the team.

[StartOrien]

I actually think it's a decent idea, especially after seeing how much this second unit struggled to score in 2 games against Toronto. Ya, they're unfamiliar w/ each other, but I don't really see anyone whose poised to present any kind of fire power off the bench.

That can be compensated to a great extent with rotations and minutes adjustments.  You don't swap 5 guys out for 5 new guys.  You can mix & match. 

Pierce is the best SF they have.  You start him.

But that's not true. Doc's gone ten + deep every year he's been here.

[Donoghus]

I actually think it's a decent idea, especially after seeing how much this second unit struggled to score in 2 games against Toronto. Ya, they're unfamiliar w/ each other, but I don't really see anyone whose poised to present any kind of fire power off the bench.

That can be compensated to a great extent with rotations and minutes adjustments.  You don't swap 5 guys out for 5 new guys.  You can mix & match. 

Pierce is the best SF they have.  You start him.

But that's not true. Doc's gone ten + deep every year he's been here.

How often has he substituted 5 in / 5 out like a hockey line change?

[Meadowlark_Scal]

in this shortened season, PP, Ray, and KG should play very shortened minutes until the playoffs, gve the others a chance to develop, play a chess game..not docs usual formula of playing our stars tll they wear out and get hurt, which they did every January for the last 2 years..and the have a good chance of doing it if they play the same way....no winter break this year..they will wear out right at playoff time....doc can't sooth egos, but he cannot manage minutes or playing time....of course you might not agree, but the past January 2 times does prove my point.....and they aren't any younger..!!!