So, any chance Pierce comes off the bench?

[Tai]

No. Pierce is the best SF we have. Why do people always seem to make a topic like this every year?

It's not like having him on the bench will necessarily decrease his minutes, and if it does somehow, it probably means it'll be to the point that he's playing too little. But if he can't handle at least 30+ minutes per game, it's probably just better he retire. Either way, I don't see a true way Pierce coming off the bench helps this team when he's clearly a better option than Daniels, or even Green when healthy.

[chris_fanfeedr]

Stupid that this was so summarily dismissed. It doesn't matter who starts the game, it matters who finishs the game.

As constituted, the bench looks like a disaster. Nobody can create their own offense. PP is probably the best on the team at creating his own offense. He can literally be a one-man offense, which is needed with this horrible bench group.

Having said that, no change Pierce would take the ego hit here even though Hall of Famers like Walton and McHale have done the same thing. Lakers did okay with Lamar as a 6th man, too.

[Tai]

Stupid that this was so summarily dismissed. It doesn't matter who starts the game, it matters who finishs the game.

As constituted, the bench looks like a disaster. Nobody can create their own offense. PP is probably the best on the team at creating his own offense. He can literally be a one-man offense, which is needed with this horrible bench group.

Having said that, no change Pierce would take the ego hit here even though Hall of Famers like Walton and McHale have done the same thing. Lakers did okay with Lamar as a 6th man, too.

I'll be straight up; I'll absolutely dismiss topics like these when people try to bring ego into this. That almost implies to me you're looking for an excuse to be creative, as opposed to really believing your idea.

If Pierce being off the bench would truely help the team, then it's immaterial whether Pierce would have the ego check to do that. The way I see it, Daniels starting instead of Pierce hurts the starting lineup, even if it does arguably help the bench. People like you seem to be under the impression that you can have the best of both worlds. I assure you it's not the case.

You take Pierce outta the starting lineup for Daniels or even Green (when healthy), you hurt the starting lineup. Period. Don't gimme this "overkill" bull as far as talent goes, either; if you wouldn't ask Lebron to come off the bench just because Wade and Bosh are already in the starting lineup, why should it be different for Pierce? I'm not saying Pierce is Lebron either, I'm saying Pierce is the best SF on the team, so he should start at SF. It's not like Pierce starting at SF alongside Ray and KG is a bad fit, like I sometimes wonder when people talk about starting Lebron at PG and Mike Miller at SF (even though Mike isn't on the Heat anymore).

Ok I rambled on too long, but my overall point is, when you even suggest ego, it tells me that's what you seem to think the problem is over whether Pierce on the bench actually helps the team, like it's a sure thing that Doc is just too scared to go with cause Pierce will get mad. Come on, man.

[Texstyles]

Hopefully with Pietrus coming aboard this problem is solved.

I have confidence that a lineup of Dooling, Pietrus, Daniels, Bass, and wilcox can find ways to score as a unit.

[Celtics4ever]

My answer is no as well.  I just don't see Doc benching him when he comes back.

[hwangjini_1]

crap...on twitter. pierce is likely NOT to start on sunday. now i wish he could come off the bench.

[hpantazo]

crap...on twitter. pierce is likely NOT to start on sunday. now i wish he could come off the bench.

actually, Doc said if Pierce plays at all Sunday it will be off the bench for 15-20 minutes.

[hwangjini_1]

crap...on twitter. pierce is likely NOT to start on sunday. now i wish he could come off the bench.

actually, Doc said if Pierce plays at all Sunday it will be off the bench for 15-20 minutes.

ha...ask and ye shall receive i suppose. thanks for the info. tp.

[guava_wrench]

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?

Almost never because guys get different amounts of rest and Pierce and Ray often get very different moments of rest.

But he often eventually gets to 5 bench guys on the floor at once in the first half. He is often more conservative in the second half.

[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?

Almost never because guys get different amounts of rest and Pierce and Ray often get very different moments of rest.

But he often eventually gets to 5 bench guys on the floor at once in the first half. He is often more conservative in the second half.

Exactly.  And that was the point I was getting at there.

[mqtcelticsfan]

Stupid that this was so summarily dismissed. It doesn't matter who starts the game, it matters who finishs the game.

Well, you've convinced me. I've got a great idea: let's put Rondo, Allen and Garnett on the second unit as well! That'd be a crazy mismatch for opposing benches, am I right?

[dark_lord]

Okay, I'm ready to get trashed

ok 





for the record, and no offense.....i hate the idea of our best player (imo) coming off the bench

[jpk2000]

I Paul Pierce hope plays I don't see him missing a game against the Knicks at MSG. I would be surprise if Pierce did not play.