If Stiemsma, Moore, and Bass are getting major (or regular) minutes...

[Who]

I think Bass is great with the first unit because he is shooting shots that are created for him by Rondo.

However, he's the type of player that will shoot the ball almost every time he gets it. So having him be the first option with the second unit is a recipe for disaster.

Pierce coming back will have a trickle down effect improving the shots of of everyone around him by being a threat to score. I also think Moore is more than a fringe NBA player. Steamer only has one skill but it happens to be a skill we really need.

Absolutely agree. The bench right now is in a little bit of disarray without a point guard, as everyone (even Dooling & Daniels, the two "distributors" in the unit) is looking for their shot first - except whoever is playing SG, and that's because they just don't do anything with the ball.

To be honest, I'm not really a fan of this all-bench idea. I'd much rather sacrifice our big 4 always playing together to have Pierce or Rondo play with the second unit, create for others and keep continuity. While I like Dooling, Daniels, Pietrus, Bass and Wilcox all subbing in for their respective starters and playing with 2-3 of the big 4, I don't like them all playing together.

I'd like to drop Keyon Dooling from the bench once Pietrus is healthy.

Play Marquis Daniels at the point alongside Pietrus and Pierce/Ray on the wing.

I don't know what Dooling has done to get into your doghouse 3 games into the freaking season, but I definitely am not in love with benching him if it means less rest for Pierce/Ray.

I'd rather Rondo be the one to have his minutes upped. The Rondo/Dooling backcourt actually seems to work very well. I also am bothered that you're willing to have another non-shooter be our PG off the bench. Dooling's release looks bad, I admit, but at least opponents respect Dooling's shot enough to guard him behind the arc. Rondo seems to be trying to get there, but he's not, yet.

I'd like Rondo's minutes to be lowered to 34 a contest. That is about where I'd like Ray and Paul too.

With Marquis and Pietrus playing around 20 minutes apiece.

As for Dooling, it doesn't really have anything to do with his play so far in a Celtics jersey. I just don't rate him highly as a player. I consider him a low level primary backup PG to a high level third string PG.

Once Pietrus was signed, that created a nice opening to move Dooling into a role I am more comfortable with him in (third string PG = high level defender situation sub) + by moving Marquis to the point, it gives the Celtics their best option of maximizing the playing time available to, and contributions of, their two best perimeter reserves (Marquis and Pietrus).

Oh, and Dooling needs to stay in the team until Pietrus is ready. Not worth doing until then.

[nickagneta]

Dooling needs to stay as the primary backup PG. Where Daniels used to have his advantages were in his sneaky quick moves to the basket, ball handling ability, passing ability and ability to post up people his size or smaller playing the 1 or 2.

But he appears to have lost at least a step laterally and forward, and his jumping ability appears to not exist. Let him continue to get some playing to to increase his strength and maybe gain back some of what he has loss due to his time away for injury but Dooling is absolutely necessary as an outside shooting, change of pace PG behind Rondo right now. Keep Daniels at the 2 once Pietrus is here.

[LooseCannon]

Let him continue to get some playing to to increase his strength and maybe gain back some of what he has loss due to his time away for injury

With the shortened preseason, I wouldn't be shocked if at least some of the players who haven't looked good so far need to play into game shape (not necessarily conditioning, but refreshing muscle memory, etc.)

[nicknorman]

I should make am quick clarification to my original post.  I think playing bass too many minutes (I.e., starters minutes) would be bad.  It seems to me that many posters are already anointing him as a starter and I don't think he is.  He'd get exposed in that role.

I wouldn't mind seeing a couple games where the Celts play Bass as the starter and move to KG to the 5, and have Jermaine come off the bench, once Pierce comes back.  He seems to have great chemistry with Rondo, and that starting lineup would be good for spreading the defense of opposing teams with 4 solid shooters around Rondo.

[thenotoriousjts]

Moore is a great shooter, Steamy is our best defender, and Bass is our best bench player. Sheesh.

[Who]

I'd be pretty worried about the team's bench if Bass moved into the starting lineup.

Right now, Bass is the only player giving the Celtics any real punch off that bench (above average play).

[pearljammer10]

How can you say Bass shouldnt be getting big minutes? Hes our third leading scorer and best rebounder so far. Also, he played very well as a starter in Orlando playing 27 minutes a game... If anything he should be getting more minutes.

[snively]

Dooling needs to stay as the primary backup PG. Where Daniels used to have his advantages were in his sneaky quick moves to the basket, ball handling ability, passing ability and ability to post up people his size or smaller playing the 1 or 2.

But he appears to have lost at least a step laterally and forward, and his jumping ability appears to not exist. Let him continue to get some playing to to increase his strength and maybe gain back some of what he has loss due to his time away for injury but Dooling is absolutely necessary as an outside shooting, change of pace PG behind Rondo right now. Keep Daniels at the 2 once Pietrus is here.

Daniels was never all that athletic.  I think he's still capable of playing some PG.

Doc has seemed pretty hesitant to use him in that role during his stints here though.

[dthizz]

Where have you guys been for the past 4 years.

Neither Greg, Moore, or JJJ are going to get legitimate minutes. Did you forget already that our coach is DOC RIVERS?

[Chris]

Where have you guys been for the past 4 years.

Neither Greg, Moore, or JJJ are going to get legitimate minutes. Did you forget already that our coach is DOC RIVERS?

Yup, just like Glen Davis, Rajon Rondo, Marcus Banks, and Ryan Gomes.