Let's Talk Rotations

by Jeff Clark on Apr 16, 2008 7:44 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Scott Souza has an excellent rundown on the rotation decisions that Doc Rivers is faced with. Here are two of the more interesting points made.

In the backcourt, it will be interesting to see how far Sam Cassell has forged himself into the plans based on his play of the past two games. Rivers said play in the last week wouldn’t affect his rotations much, but he had to be getting a little concerned with Cassell’s inability to assimilate into the lineup because of a combination of lack of practices, a minor back injury and Eddie House’s strong play at the point. But with House out the past two games, Cassell has seized his chance while House’s unit had trouble holding the starters’ leads in recent games.

I like the idea of using House for instant offense and Cassell as the backup point guard. The only knock on Sam is that he shoots too much, but it isn't like House is a natural passer. Rondo will get the bulk of the minutes, but both backups have a role they can fill.

The wild card remains Tony Allen. Though Allen has played better of late, he continues to play well when handed 30 minutes a night and not so well when forced to play in three- to five-minute spurts of a traditional backup shooting guard. He remains the team’s best defensive option against the types of bigger guards that have given the Celtics trouble this season, but if Rivers feels he cannot trust him not to make mistakes in the playoffs his time could be more limited than the coach would have liked.

Sad to say, but I could see Tony Allen falling out of the rotation. I like him as much as anyone, but the playoffs are a time where you need to be consistent, and he's anything but. On the other hand, if we're going to see Tony shine this offseason, it would be against the Hawks where he can match up athletically against their wings better than most Celtics.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

While I was a bit harsh (did anyone notice?) on “Sam I Might Be” coming to this team. He has show moments (and I do mean only moments) of real value on the court. I do like his spirit. But like you say Mr Jeff, he shoots too much, dribbles too much and won’t push it hard up the floor on Fastbreaks (he is old school – old ugly school). I say you dance with who brought you to the dance, and that was mainly a combination of Rondo and then House and NOT Sam. He will work in certain moments, but as Walt “Clyde” Frazier said the other night: “Sam Cassell will shoot you into a game….. or he will shoot you out of a game”…..that sounds too much like Toine 3-ball Walker for my taste.

Does all this conjecture really matter about Cassell vs House vs TA etc….? No, not really because I have every cynical confindence that more than once during the playoffs I will be screaming at my TV saying to Doc (regarding his nonsensical musical chair rotations) “Gaaawd …..you flippin idiot what are you doing” Well actually I hope not. I am hope I am the idiot, because I want to be wrong (at least once in my life).

The Time is Now….

by Master Po on Apr 16, 2008 9:20 AM EDT reply actions

Po, I assure you that your wish to be wrong at least once in your life has already been granted … about a million times.

I actually think Sam I Am is perfect for our second unit. We need someone who can pour in enough points to keep them afloat—otherwise, their defense and overall cohesion is fine. I used to hope that G$ could be that scoring-machine player, but I’m delighted with Sam I Am.

As for TA, since we’ll annihilate Atlanta in 4 straight anyway I think he’ll get a playoff opportunity against them, but if he turns into the Mr. Hyde TA, as I fully expect, he’ll be riding the pine for the duration (I hope).

by Eeyore III on Apr 16, 2008 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

I wish I could be wrong only a million times in my life :P

by Jeff Clark on Apr 16, 2008 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

tony has been getting to the rim but having problems finishing. i think doc will use him vs. atlanta per their strong athletes needing tony’s size to cover. they need a scorer on the 2nd unit and sam is wily.

by nazzbo on Apr 16, 2008 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

I of course was kidding ….it’s a handful of times I have been wrong…..I was actually assuming no one would mistake my humor attempts for being serious….and boy was I wrong. I will soon be out of thumbs to count the times I have been wrong …Thanks Eyeore III ;)

by Master Po on Apr 16, 2008 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

It might be a moot point about House vs. Cassell anyway, if Eddie doesn’t heal up. I think Rondo is going to be playing heavy minutes as well.

This is the part I’m worried about:

“In the fourth quarter, while some may disagree, a frontcourt of Garnett and James Posey is still most likely in a close game.” —Souza

Out of the East teams, only Toronto (and maybe Orlando but not really) strikes me as a team this would be a good strategy to go with.

by Berkcelt on Apr 16, 2008 10:04 AM EDT reply actions

We’re concentrating all our rotation comments on the guards. To me the most important rotation players are Posey (number 1), Powe, BBD and PJ Brown, whose experience is starting to show. The prime mission of the 2nd unit or rotation players is defense and these four guys are most important here. We need the guards to score on the 2nd unit. Pushing it up is less important. Cassell can be hot or cold. He’s hot when he shoots alot. Sam can’t be incorporated into the basic offense due to lack of time so Doc has told him to just do his thing. His game improved from that point on. In the last Atlanta game Sam made the Hawks look like fools. He fouled out one key player and basically frustrated anyone else guarding him as he scored alot of points. So when it comes to which guards play I think Doc will play it “seat of the pants”. I’m purposely leaving out TA in this discussion. Also, when the second unit isn’t working Doc, until recently, has been putting KG back in and things usually pick up from there. We’re not going to see the “second” unit finish games as we have in the last few weeks. I think Doc will play it as he did before we clinched home court and that was pretty well-defined. I think the bench is going to be real important, but I think we are getting too wrapped up in how Doc uses it. We are 66-16. I kind of think we should be willing to admit that Doc knows what he’s doing.

by TrueGreen on Apr 16, 2008 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

Speaking of Sam, I’m sure all who watched Rondo post up Robinson and destroy him with all sorts of shots, including a fade away, might think that maybe some of of Sam’s experience has already helped Rondo. Sam is here for the playoffs. Doc had to quickly learn what he can do and how to get the most out of him. I think that question has been answered.

by TrueGreen on Apr 16, 2008 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

OK..hard to admit this but, I agree with Po…the key word with Sam is backup…I think Eddie will see minutes if Atlanta doesn’t press…Doc might keep KG and Sam I Am on the floor while resting PP…with KG on the floor Sam seems to pass a bit more….I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Posey and Leon enter the game at the same time, they seem to have develop solid chemistry..no matter what happens it’s just wonderful to talking about the playoffs..yes I said Playoffs !

by Fastbreak on Apr 16, 2008 10:26 AM EDT reply actions

Come to the darkside fb :D

by Master Po on Apr 16, 2008 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

Sam’s going to get significant minutes and that’s going to be a good thing. I think we may all be a bit surprised by PJ Brown’s minutes as well. He looks like he’s got his timing back.

by Kuberski33 on Apr 16, 2008 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

Sam and PJ are buttons to be pushed if & when they seem needed…dnpcd’s or a few 4th qtr mins could flip-flop from game to game…Posey is our only real backup,from Perk on down they are parts to be inserted as Doc sees needed….we’ve got 4 studs and thier friends…Tony Allen is a friggin trainwreck..he’ll get his shot,could do well,but his margin for error is gone and he will be too if he spits the bit

by Motown on Apr 16, 2008 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t remember the Celts ever having so many weapons available. The LB era had the starters playing big minutes every night, because the bench’s value significantly dropped off at 8 or 9. There was Wedman, Walton and ? Sichting?

by johnnymost on Apr 16, 2008 10:54 AM EDT reply actions