"Shoot, we’ve got issues everywhere with our depth, especially at the wing," said Pierce. "With...

"Shoot, we’ve got issues everywhere with our depth, especially at the wing," said Pierce. "With Tony being out (and) with Scal being out, we’re definitely thin at the 2-3 position. You got me, Ray and now we’re asking Eddie (House) to guard bigger guys, Stephon Marbury to guard bigger guys. So it definitely, definitely puts us in a bind. Hopefully in these next couple days we can work in Bill Walker or J.R. Giddens to give us some spot minutes and help us out, but that’s on the coach."

Herald

about 3 years ago Jeff Clark 21 comments 0 recs |

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Giddens hasn’t shown anything to justify receiving any minutes. Walker, it’d be nice to see him keep getting a few minutes earlier in the game; he still seems to be massively inconsistent as well, but he’s at least shown the potential of being an X-factor for us down the stretch. Seems to be better than any of the other options that could realistically be available as free agents (assuming we’d waive Pruitt); did ANY wings get bought out?

by theBird on Mar 2, 2009 10:20 AM EST reply actions

Ya, hasn't shown much in his 4 minutes of action

Dude,

He’s only played about 4 minutes in garbage time (and picked up 4 points). But, you are probably referring to his pre-season minutes. Can’t a guy improve in 4 months of sitting, watching, practicing, nbdl action, when his only limitations were not understanding the offense in the first place?

by libermaniac on Mar 2, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

It's time for Doc to listen up...

Pierce has complained of fatigue. Danny has mentioned that Walker and/or Giddens are ready. It’s time to make a change.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Mar 2, 2009 10:20 AM EST reply actions

Absolutely

Playing Pierce 48 minutes is crazy. Everyone wants home court advantage, but not at the expense of debilitating your stars. Doc had it right the other day when he indicated he’d rather have the players at 100% health and be a lower seed, than have a higher seed and not be healthy.

Well, killing Pierce’s and/or Ray’s legs leading up to the playoffs is little different. It’s all part of health.

Doc, get Giddens or Walker on the floor for at least 3 or 4 minutes a half, for the love of god.

by Mencius on Mar 2, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

Please listen Doc

Please. PP, sit the man down and tell him directly! Danny, you too!

by illantari on Mar 2, 2009 10:35 AM EST reply actions

Plenty Of Time To Rest Pierce And Ray

We still have a chance at home court advantage and need to win games. There will be time for Pierce and Ray to get rest before the playoffs. If Scals and TA were available they would not be playing the minutes they’re playing for a short period of games. At some point Doc will sacrifice wins if he has to.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Mar 2, 2009 10:47 AM EST reply actions

Home court advantage likely won't be locked up until the last week of the season, though...

… so when do you propose getting Pierce and Ray rest?

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Mar 2, 2009 11:02 AM EST up reply actions

First round of the playoffs?

You know, since we cruised last year and all…:-D

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Mar 2, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

As I kept Saying...

They needed a wind defender, not another big man or backup point guard. Now they’re screwed. Marbury can’t defend anyone his one size, never mind taller players. And Moore is too skinny to defend the post. He’s only useful against big men who roam the perimeter.

by Brickowski on Mar 2, 2009 11:21 AM EST reply actions

I thought your position was that

they didn’t need anybody.

Moore isn’t very good chasing guys around the perimeter, he fouls on jumpshots too often and gets burned if they’re able to put the ball on the floor.

I agree the priority post-TA injury was a wing defender, I was always puzzled with people saying otherwise.

by cordobes on Mar 2, 2009 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

this is pp’s way of saying—sit me down some. why do we draft these guys ? to watch them get splinters. yes they might be rooks and not get all the rotations- but marbury and mikki are superstars on our rotations? come on doc- you think we got injuries now-wait and see what you get when you push ray and pp too much.

by nazzbo on Mar 2, 2009 11:22 AM EST reply actions

Nobody listens to me

I have been saying for over a month give Walker some PT …..now everyone likes the idea. A man ahead of my time.

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Mar 2, 2009 11:29 AM EST reply actions

They are disrespecting the Tao of Po

When a fool first encounters the dao, he laughs.

by Mencius on Mar 2, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Let me add that, what they have to hope for now is a quick recovery by Tony Allen.

As for P/T, I’d give it to Pruitt long before I’d give it to Walker.

by Brickowski on Mar 2, 2009 11:30 AM EST reply actions

I’d give it to Walker at the 2/3 position. Pruitt has been pretty poor playing bigger guards from what I remember.

I agree about TA, especially with Scal looking like he’s done for the year.

by Berkcelt on Mar 2, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Pruitt can’t guard legit sized SFs. No chance. I haven’t seen enough of Walker and Pruitt to make that call.

They have more size to accomplish that, but whether they have the game is another matter. I suspect not, at least in Doc’s eyes, but the options seem to be 1) play Walker or Giddens some at the 3, or 2) play House, Marbury, or Gabe more minutes at the 2 (taking some of Ray’s 2 minutes, and have Ray instead play some 3 minutes, allowing PP to rest). One of those 2 things must happen. Can’t kill PP or Ray though.

by Mencius on Mar 2, 2009 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

Truth speaks Truth

by MattD on Mar 2, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions

Doc needs to pull a Pop

Remember awhile back when the Spurs played the Nuggets (I believe) and it was a completely strange move but Pop played with his subs while his stars got rest. Granted, Timmy nor Tony have played a full season and thus no where near the minutes that Ray and Paul have but even more so, I think that’s why Doc needs to do the same thing. Give your stars some rest and give the all important bench some PT and see what they can do. I loved watching Bill Walker play during the preseason but he’s only played garbage minutes since.

The Spurs didn’t win their game during the Nuggets but it wasn’t a runaway for the Nuggets either. It had to help build confidence in the bench players. Let’s see.. we got Memphis next Friday.. perfect timing if you ask me to give Allen and Pierce a much needed rest

by Spiraea on Mar 2, 2009 1:00 PM EST reply actions

Dead on right, Spiraea -- Pop has done this quite often this year. Who knows if it will work, but it

does seem worth a try. The drawback is that it could definitely put the Cs out of contention for home court, which may be the difference maker in this year’s playoffs, especially between the Cs, Cavs and Lakers, who are all so tough at home. But it may be worth a calculated risk.

by Cousin It on Mar 3, 2009 1:46 AM EST up reply actions

Walker or Giddens should be playing more. I like what I saw from Giddens limited action the other night, he had nice touch on his jumper and seemed to defend well. He certainly has the length to guard 3’s.

Seems like a no-brainer, hopefully Doc gets the message.

by D Dub on Mar 2, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply actions