Only way for them to prove they can do it is by testing them out. How? Replace Terry's minutes with theirs.
The only way they are gonig to get a chance to prove it is the same way Hollins did - when the other proven players at your position are hurt or in foul trouble, then you get on the court.
If you play well in that time, then you earn a little bit of trust and maybe you stay in a bit longer.
Next game, maybe you get some minutes too. If you do well in those, then maybe you earn a place in the rotation.
That's how it works, and if I were Doc I would do exactly the same thing.
If it's a blowout game and you are losing by 20 then sure, I'd throw some of those guys in their and see if their youth and enthusiasm can give you an unexpected boost.
In a close game like today where every basket counts, I'd be going with my proven veterans that have won championships and played in playoff games before.
Until one of the other guys gets a fluke opportunity and does a very good job in it, I'm sticking with a guy like Terry who has played on multiple playoff teams, has won a title, has a history of making clutch baskets his entire career, and is experienced making decisions under pressure.
How many times have we seen Ray Allen, in past seasons, go through shooting slumps? I recall at one stage he went through something like a 10 or 15 game slump where he couldn't buy a shot. Everyone started throwing out the whole "he's done" argument, and then eventually he got out of the slump and started putting the fear of god in our opponents again.
Moral of that story is that guys who have been known as very good shooters over such a long career tend to earn that reputation for a reason. Whatever slumps they get in, they tend to find a way to get out of it when you need them the most. Maybe Terry really is done, maybe he won't hit a single shot for us this entire postseason...but until the fat lady sings I still have faith in him.
The one guy I think wouldn't have hurt to see tonight is Randolf. When KG got in foul trouble I think we could have really used a tough big man in there to fight on the boards and bang inside, I think he could have contributed and I think he would have matched up well with K-Mart.
Much as Bass is earning my appreciation again, I still hate seeing him at the center spot.