Mad Scientist Uses Big Lineup
by Jeff Clark on Oct 19, 2009 7:34 AM EDT
in News/Links
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The preseason is made for stuff like this. Doc is biding his time by experimenting with different lineups. This would have scared me 3 years ago. Now, not so much.
Some big doings regarding the Celtics’ starting lineup - The Boston Globe
Celtics coach Doc Rivers has been described by Rasheed Wallace as a "mad scientist’’ for his experimenting with lineups. And Rivers is apparently ready to go with a mixture in which 6-foot-5-inch Ray Allen would be the shortest Celtic on the court.
Late in the opening quarter yesterday, Boston’s lineup was Allen and Marquis Daniels at guard, and Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Wallace in the frontcourt. On the first sequence with that lineup, the Celtics made a stop and turned it into a fast-break layup by Allen. Then Daniels posted Jose Calderon, drawing a foul and extending the lead to 29-19 with 1:37 left in the quarter. That caused Toronto to pull Calderon and go with a Jarrett Jack-Sonny Weems backcourt.
But Rivers backed off from his pregame promise of going with an even taller lineup.
"I didn’t want to do that,’’ Rivers said. "I thought the bigs were playing too well and I didn’t want to screw them up, put one of them at the ‘3,’ so I actually liked the one ‘big’ lineup and that was good enough for me.’’
Before the game, Rivers said of the proposed "big’’ lineup, which would pair Daniels and Pierce in the backcourt, with Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, and Wallace up front: "We may not get up and down the court very quickly, but at least we’ll be big.’’
Honestly I don't think these lineups are all that odd. I mean, if Daniels is going to be the defacto backup point, there will be times when it will only make sense to put him on the court with these guys. And even a huge lineup with KG at the 3 isn't all that nutty (as long as KG is feeling healthy). There are times when KG acts like a 3 anyway. Whatever. Experiment away Doc.
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Isn't it cool to actually have the luxury to do this?
I mean, who would have thought of a team like this a few years ago, before KG and Rayray got reeled in?
Oh man, I love the C’s :’)
- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel
by Kiorrik on Oct 19, 2009 7:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It's better than Going Small
The one thing that concerned me about yesterday afternoon’s game is Eddie House’s inability to keep Jarrett Jack out of the paint. Jack was simply too strong for him. I would have preferred to see Daniels or even Lester Hudson on Jack.
Against LA, it makes perfectly good sense to play the big lineup: Perkins on Bynum, Sheed on Gasol, and KG on Ron Artest or Lamar Odom, neither of whom can guard him in the post.
by Brickowski on Oct 19, 2009 9:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Preseason dude
Stop worrying about matchups, Doc’s experimenting is not taking into account how he will match up against the opponent, but how they have to match up against the C’s. Once the season starts, you can start second guessing who Doc puts on whom.
by KJ33 on Oct 19, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In a situation like this, I think it's fine to experiment.
In the past, I think Doc did too much experimenting with his young lineups, not allowing them to develop chemistry in the pre-season. With a veteran team that has been together a couple of years, I don’t think that’s a problem.
Now’s the time to see what works and what doesn’t. I may force feed Giddens some minutes in the remaining games, but basically, I’d use the opportunity to see how our rotation players fit together.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 19, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Still have to find a way to criticize Doc, eh?
albeit from something he did 3 years ago. Not worth debating now, but the point could be made that with a whole roster of young guys, he needed to see who could play more than building chemistry.
by KJ33 on Oct 19, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's the issue?
Doc isn’t infallible. I appreciate that you want to be his white knight, but the guy has made some mistakes. I’m sure he’d be the first to admit to them.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 19, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the power line up...
of Daniels. Pierce, Perkins, Wallace and Garnett and hope Doc eventually uses the line up at times as it will come in handy at times during the year especially against Cleveland, Orlando.
Its a big. strong physical line up but one which is still fast and agile.
That group can play a low post offensive power game and is capable of scoring from the outside.
The defense will be incredible since the players are tall, strong and will clog the paint, which will stifle most low post opposing players and ones who attempt to drive to the hoop.
They will also still be quick enough to chase and defend opposing players outside the paint.
This power line up is going to cause alot of headaches for opposing teams and it will be fun to watch.
by fordescort on Oct 19, 2009 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
been looking forward to it
ever since they signed ’Sheed.
I fully expect that at least a few times during the year we will have need to play the ‘all big’ lineup of KG+Perkins+Sheed+Pierce+(Allen or Daniels) against somebody.
A lot happens in the course of a season – both with matchups needed because of what your opponent puts out there and with your own roster (injuries, rest, days off, slumps, etc.).
And obviously it was the lack of length that was so glaring during last year’s playoffs.
Just think: You can actually rest both Paul and Ray – two-thirds of the ‘Big Three’ – at the same time yet put out a lineup of KG+Perk+Sheed+Daniels+Rondo that would be the starting envy of most teams in the NBA. Perk & Sheed may not be that fast, but there would still be a ton of speed in Daniels and Rondo for both the fast break and for defense. Not too mention that’s the kind of lineup that allows you to cheat a Big (KG or Sheed) back on defense to go early on the break.
Doc could go crazy playing with all the combinations involving just the first 7 – and he does need to get the other 8 some playing time somehow!
by mmmmm on Oct 19, 2009 11:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Big Line-up
Daniels at point with Allen, Wallace, Pierce and Garnett is a great line-up. I think they can do real damage. Daniels has real good playmaking ability and can take games over for short stretches. I’m not convinced about the use of KG at the three, at this point in his career. Although, it may be a good way to save him from some pounding down low.
by HoopsHead on Oct 19, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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