Free Bill!

by Greg on Feb 11, 2009 11:36 AM EST Comment 6 comments

With all of the talk surrounding the Tony Allen thumb injury, and how Gabe Pruitt should move into the rotation and move Eddie to shooting guard, I feel like people are beginning to look over Bill Walker.

With both Scal and TA out, there looks to be a spot as a rotational 2/3 for Billy. Scal occassionally took some 3 minutes, and the C's also occassional went with the 3 guard look of Pruitt, House, and TA. Usually, however, they played one of the big 3 into the second quarter, so the 3 spot was always filled.

However, why not give Bill Walker some run? He's on the roster, we have a spot in the rotation available, and it's not like Doc hasn't had rookies thrive in his rotation before.

Al Jefferson was an excellent role player in 04-05. Tony Allen was too. In fact, Tony even was able to start (with Ricky Davis coming off the bench). In 05-06, Ryan Gomes found his place, and even Gerald Green had a couple of big games with some run. In 06-07, Rajon Rondo found a role for himself. Hell, even Kevinn Pinkney found a role for himself. And last year, Glen Davis found a way to succeed at times.

Yeah, maybe Billy Walker is a little suspect in his ball handling. Maybe his defense is a little raw at this point. However, it's clear that he's untapped potential, and maybe throwing him in during the second quarter for four or five minutes of playing time wouldn't be so bad.

Be respectful and keep it clean. Thanks.

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agreed

by xmuscular ghandix on Feb 11, 2009 4:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

cant argue here, but hes being overlooked because noone thinks doc will actually play him

by TheAncientRivalry on Feb 11, 2009 4:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hate to say this....

Bu the will only play and find PT if Pierce goes down…..which to be honest, doesn’t need to happen, he can always play and be a part or a mini part of the rotation with just 5- 8 min of play relieving PP. from what I can see, this guy is better than Gerald Green already, and Green found some PT only when Pierce went down.

I really don’t understand why doc has to ride out PP so much up to 40 min each night of a regular season game where he can use guys like Gabe, BW and yes even POB each time…Doc needs to play his players strengths, a formula working during the winning streaks ….EH needs to stop playing PG ans he is better utilized at the spot up 2 playing with RR or even gabe….Free Bill by playing him with 2 of the big 3 present or with Rondo so it would mask his rookie jitters….playing with scrubs in the 4th qtr of a blow out is not gonna help this kid, I think this kid will be good in the future that i’d really start playing him now with KG in the lineup and utilize his athletisism with Rondo, what could possibly go wrong…..just play the kid damn it DOC

by bopna on Feb 11, 2009 6:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Billy just went in

One minute in the first quarter… big coincidence… or maybe Doc does read this blog haha

by Greg on Feb 11, 2009 8:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He looked great tonight, didn't he?

There is a reason young guys have a tough time cracking the rotation. The average fan only focuses on a guys’ individual skills, not understanding it is the blend of the 5 players on the floor that makes things work. I love the potential the kid has, but he was lost out there. Yes he is rusty and his timing is off, but I am more talking about knowing where to go and when, how to play with and off of the other players out there.

Those pining for more minutes for him, Pruitt, Giddens, etc. don’t understand that a team with championship aspirations, battling for the best record in the league, don’t have the luxury of wasting a weeks worth of games to get these guys acclimated. Tonight was a prime example of this.

If this were the C’s of 2 years ago, which lots here seem to have fallen in love with, yes, you could afford one step back in the hopes of taking two steps forward. But that is not the case with this Celtic team, you just can’t sacrifice important wins on the road to “work the young guys in”. I suggest those pining for that become Timberwolves fans.

by KJ33 on Feb 12, 2009 12:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bill played ok, not very good but he was fine in the minutes i saw him play, there was an error id bet that was on PP’s pass to Bill as Walker made a cut but PP passed it errandly, wasn’t Walker’s fault at all…his Defense was ok as well…
Truth is its difficult to gauge how well he did in those 2 min of PT Doc gave him because he did not help the team, but neither did he do badly, I’d reserve my judgement when he starts getting decent PT and not spurty 2 minutes of not even able to warm your feet on…Even Ray Allen was even that bad last night and how much PT did he recieved.
Im still clamoring for Doc to get this player some burn. BW will not be a bust ala Gerald Green, I will stand by this statement that this guy will be a very fine player someday….All i want is to speed up his development and be a contributor of a contending team that’s all.

by bopna on Feb 12, 2009 1:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs