Small Ball - Like it or Loathe it?

[jgod213]

Bass at the 5!? Peirce at the 4, Rondo/Bradley/Allen on the court together, what did you think of Doc's experimentations?

I guess we should've seen this coming considering Docs comments before the game, which were something to the tune of "we're going to have a lot of options in terms of lineups once Ray is back."

Personally i loved it.  That small unit really gets the energy flowing and if we're going to get beat on the boards anyways you might as well toy around with some other looks.  

Hopefully, with a little more time, this unit can develope and work on its rotations so that it's a viable option in the playoffs.  I suppose its a unit that can only work against certain frontcourts, but its a nice option for Doc to have in the holster.  

Can't leave Matt Bonner open for 3!

[Jon]

I've always been a big proponent of making teams matchup to you, not matching up to other teams. 

Yes, in matchups like that, the C's give up size.  However, they also get speed and spacing matchups at almost every position.  Bradley is faster than any 2 in the league, Ray is faster than almost every 3, Pierce is faster than any 4 (and a nightmare to cover). 

And really, only elite players who are going to get their points anyway are going to exploit those matchups.  For instance, is DeJuan Blair or Matt Bonner going to abuse Paul Pierce in the post if he's playing the 4?  I think not.  And I think it's actually a gain for Boston if the Spurs were ever to away from their offense to try that. 

[Who]

Loathe it

[pearljammer10]

Not a big fan of the whole small ball idea, but if it works then Im for it... I like playing the matchups game too. If we can throw that lineup out there and make teams match up against us and discombobulate them for a short period of time then Im a supporter. Plus, we are such a terrible rebounding team anyway that having Bass at center probably wont hurt us too much.

[LooseCannon]

I really think the question should be whether you prefer smallball or Ryan Hollins getting more playing time.

[celticslove]

not a big fan of it... but i know someone who is, ask the coach. cringing moment every time we play small.

[Fafnir]

Against a team like the Spurs, okay. But I don't think we should play Pierce at the 4 very often.

[theswitch]

It's terrible. Having Bonner guard someone like Dooling or Bradley isn't a terribly large advantage for us because neither creates off the dribble, and then there is just nobody to box out.

I'm okay with a two guards, two small forwards, KG/Bass lineup, I guess. I'm not okay with a three point guard, Pierce/Allen, KG lineup.

[Donoghus]

Loathe it.

[Marcus13]

I like it FOR THIS TEAM.  We don't rebound anyway...so why put an extra big out their to take up space?

[Celts Fan 92]

for yall dat was complaining about small ball last night not only did we cut the lead doin dat the spurs played small ball themselves its about matchups they played 4 wings nd a big so did we nd we lost by 1 in yesterdays game it wasnt a beef

[nickagneta]

I hate it but I can't argue its effectiveness against that Spurs team that just was not ready for it.

[manl_lui]

it's an experiment so I guess it's ok, depending on the situation

like yesterday when we played small, it confused the hell out of the spurs and we climbed back in the 3rd. However, the biggest problem with that we will not be able to grab rebounds as seen in the last minutes of the 4th, Duncan got an easy rebound

Credit Doc for trying out different rotation styles. Tbh if we are playing small ball I rather have Rondo, Bradley and Ray on the floor compare to having the three of them with Pierce. In that situation I'd actually put Bass or Stiesma back in with KG so we're taller to grab boards, but having Bradley and Ray Ray/Pierce gives Rondo more option to pass to (either cutting or popping a shot)

[theswitch]

it's an experiment so I guess it's ok, depending on the situation

like yesterday when we played small, it confused the hell out of the spurs and we climbed back in the 3rd. However, the biggest problem with that we will not be able to grab rebounds as seen in the last minutes of the 4th, Duncan got an easy rebound

Credit Doc for trying out different rotation styles. Tbh if we are playing small ball I rather have Rondo, Bradley and Ray on the floor compare to having the three of them with Pierce. In that situation I'd actually put Bass or Stiesma back in with KG so we're taller to grab boards, but having Bradley and Ray Ray/Pierce gives Rondo more option to pass to (either cutting or popping a shot)

Yeah, it completely screws up our defensive rotations. KG had to defend the pick and roll, and usually has Bass or Steamboat check the roll guy until he's back into position. Here, Duncan wasn't really checked by anyone and gained uninterrupted rebounding position on Garnett. The rebound itself was just a formality once Duncan had KG on his back.

[jgod213]

I hate it but I can't argue its effectiveness against that Spurs team that just was not ready for it.

True, I guess its effectiveness is probably more related to the fact that the Spurs hadn't seen it or anticipated it - though i'd be suprised if a coach like Pop didn't have some inkling after finding out Ray was going to play.

The 3rd quarter seems like a great time to delpoy that unit, but yeah you can't close out games with it.  That Duncan offensive rebound and kick out to Neal for the 3 was a real killer.