Crunch Time

by Jim Weeks on May 7, 2008 8:17 PM EDT in Green Bandwagon

What is Boston's ideal crunch time lineup? That sounds like the type of question that needs categories. Let's do it.

Guys Who Don’t Dress
Gabe Pruitt
Scot Pollard
Brian Scalabrine

Guy Who Won’t Be Out There
P.J. Brown

Guys Who Could be Out There in Certain Situations
Tony Allen – I see the Allen for defense argument but think it is flawed for a number of reasons. He needs a lot of time to be effective, never seemed entirely comfortable with his knee, makes too many mistakes and currently lacks confidence.

Glen Davis – He could easily be in the previous category based upon the last month or so. But he has been effective against Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Eddie House – In some shooting scenarios.

Leon Powe – Foul Trouble for guys ahead of him on the depth chart.

Most Likely to be in the Mix
Ray Allen – If Allen plays like he did Tuesday it’s hard to make an argument for him to be on the floor. Now to be fair the Celtics definitely did not get him open looks and both Rondo and Cassell were more concerned with getting their own shots. Regardless if he is in a rhythm and hitting shots, I like Allen for the three-point threat alone. Although I’m not entirely sure where I stand on this one.

Sam Cassell - I’ll be honest Cassell drives me a little crazy at times. For example he was playing Tuesday when Kevin Garnett checked back into the game. KG had been hot and went to the post presumably to get the ball. Cassell stayed on the opposite side of the floor and eventually threw up an errant jumper. At the same time there is no denying that Cassell hit some big shots.

Kevin Garnett – He has to be on the floor and I like him a lot more at the 4.

Kendrick Perkins – Even though he can be inconsistent I like the way Perkins rebounds, defends and plays in the post opposite KG.

Paul Pierce – I’m a big Pierce fan. But he can’t depend on fall away jumpers and three point shots. He has to get to the rim or into the lane. Also realistically he’s not the best option to guard LeBron. True story.

James Posey – Tuesday night he hit a few buckets, showed off his defensive prowess and grabbed a key rebound that helped seal the deal. To be fair Posey’s value was inflated by Allen and Pierce’s struggles in game one.

Rajon Rondo – Rondo showed once again that he could get into the lane and finish. He is also a better defender and rebounder than Cassell. The latter is particularly important given Cleveland’s rebounding ability.

Some Possible Lineups
Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Perkins – The Starting lineup. Clever.

Cassell, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Perkins

Cassell, Pierce, Posey, Garnett, Perkins – Plenty of offensive firepower and rebounding.

Rondo, Pierce, Posey, Garnett, Perkins – I don’t hate it.

Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Posey, Garnett – This is not a big team. Although Rondo rebounds well for his position and I think Posey’s rebounding is underrated. Of course I’m not crazy about KG at the 5.

In the end it’s a tough decision and to some degree it depends on how everyone is playing up until crunch time. And as I type this I can’t help but think about everyone’s performance in game one. But you have to admit that Posey is making it harder and harder for Doc Rivers to keep him on the bench.

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Comments

Winning line-up

I think any line-up with Rondo in it is a good line-up. The playoffs are all about energy and momentum. With #9 the court the Celtics get both.

by weeks21 on May 7, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions

Cassell/Rondo

After reading this over again I think I was a bit harsh with them. Especially when referencing Ray Allen’s struggles – “Now to be fair the Celtics definitely did not get him open looks and both Rondo and Cassell were more concerned with getting their own shots.” Rondo did finish with 6 assists. And their combined 28 points was huge. Just huge. Bottom line I don’t care how the Celtics win if they get the W. These are good discussions to be having.

Green Bandwagon: Celtics '08 or bust. Are you on the bandwagon?

by Jim Weeks on May 7, 2008 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

rondo vs. cassell

Would it also depend on what the crunch time situation is? If the game is close (like a 1 possession game) I really think I’d rather have Rondo who knows that the big 3 are the meal tickets. Cassell has hit big shots but when he’s not hitting he is a liability. Rondo on the other hand brings better defense and that rebounding ability.

As far as Rondo looking for his shot, I think he was particularly efficient. 5 of 8 and the only ugly shots were some of his moves inside that actually went in.

If salaries and pecking order were no issue, my crunch time line up would be: Rondo, Pierce, Posey (who’s hit some huge shots), Garnett and Perkins. I love Powe but everyone seems to be in agreement that he is still learning how to play within the team defense (sounds like LaVarr Arrington – he made a ton of big plays but was always just free-lancing and not playing to his actual role). Ray Allen is a good shot maker but defensively it’s just not there. I didn’t expect him to be a defensive star so I don’t view that as that big a deal. Tony Allen is a guy who I think will return next year to some of the form he showed before his injury. Clearly the knee is an issue, and hopefully the offseason will allow him time to get his confidence back.

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by David Fucillo on May 8, 2008 6:13 PM EDT reply actions

Tony Allen

It will be interesting to see if he is back. The C’s did not pick up his option last fall and he struggled all season. I wish he were able to contribute. Powe’s problem is that he’s a stretch at the 5 given his height and can’t play the 4 over KG. Factor in not wanting to have Garnett play center and Powe is definitely the odd man out.

Green Bandwagon: Celtics '08 or bust. Are you on the bandwagon?

by Jim Weeks on May 8, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions