Tired Old Guys Need Help, Yo

I've been thinking about this week, and I find myself surprisingly unperturbed by it all.  First of all, for a bit of perspective, none of our games thus far have involved Gerald Green.  Plus!

There are a few things going on that I think are making the Cs look worse than they are.  First of all, our starters are tired old guys.  OK, only 3 of them are old guys, but the rest of them are at least tired.  This was our 3rd game in what is technically 3 and a half days, and at least 1/3 of our active roster was just recently or still is actively battling the flu.  The execution was bad, the defense was barely there, but to be perfectly frank, I really would keep my expectations down until after AllStar break.  I have a feeling the flu bug won't go away entirely until they get extended rest.

As for our bench, I truly believe it's not that terrible.  I just don't think it's currently being maximized.  The bench played its best ball when Gabe and Scal were regularly in the rotation, and as much as I used to love dumping on Scal, he's really impressed this year.  I actually have some dim hope that Scal's return to the rotation will make things better. And from what I've seen of Gabe, my theory is thus: Gabe Pruitt is not Rajon Rondo.  He is not a brilliant point guard of the future, nor is he a particularly awesome defensive stopper.  But he can handle the ball under pressure, passes fair well, and unlike certain other members of our bench, rarely makes stupid mistakes.  Unlike the Scal's situation which is likely to solve itself, I have no idea what to do about Gabe.  But I also wonder if post AllStar break is when we will finally see what is to become of Sam Cassell.  Any of these things, I think, will help improve our bench play and make it so that the starters don't have to not only get a lead from 0-0, but constantly dig the team out of holes the bench has created.

The one thing I am worried about is the return of PJ.  More than Posey, I think we miss PJ.  He was exactly what none of the other guys on our bench are: remarkably consistent.  Anyone have his number?

Also, remember this guys: repeating is hard.  Repeating, I would venture, may be harder than winning a championship the first time.  We have high expectations, but so do 3 or 4 other fanbases.  And, we're still on pace for 60 something wins.

And none of our games have involved Mark Blount either!  Plus!

(The author of this incoherent mess would like to thank anyone who read it for putting up with her ramblings.)