2nd Unit Impresses Doc

by Jeff Clark on Sep 30, 2009 5:50 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

"The biggest thing that stood out to me today was the second unit,'' Rivers said. "I bet Marquis played point 75 percent of the time, Eddie 25 percent, and they've already figured out the rhythm of whoever has the ball, that's the point guard in our offense.

"They just know how to play. And I thought for the first time in two years - last year I didn't think we had that - the first unit had to play today, because the second unit was capable. The second unit beat them a couple of times, which was great.''

The first-unit players were still trying to jell with Garnett back in the mix, but they couldn't help but be impressed.

"They looked really good,'' said Pierce. "You've got guys who understand the game. You have such a high IQ on the second unit, and that's something we haven't had here in a while.

"Our second unit could be a starting unit for a lot of teams around the league.''

Also see: Celtics.com Post Ups Notebook for videos and notes from practice

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Sooo… who is the 2nd unit? ;)

Ok, I know four of them but is Giddens or Walker the fifth guy?

by Mahoney_jr on Sep 30, 2009 6:09 AM EDT reply actions

I bet TA, Sheed made a comment about getting to know some of the guys, “Big Baby, Perk, Kevin, Ray, TA…” I’m just guessing becuase he didn’t say anything about getting to know how JR and Billy play.

by jesse_stoneham on Sep 30, 2009 6:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Nevermind, i forgot TA was out at first practice.

by jesse_stoneham on Sep 30, 2009 6:49 AM EDT up reply actions

2nd unit

according to the article, the 2nd unit is: Marquis Daniels, Glen Davis, Eddie House, Brian Scalabrine, and Rasheed Wallace.

so Scal is understandably ahead of Walker/Giddens on the depth chart thus far

we’ll see if that changes over the course of the preseason

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V

by Jeff Clark on Sep 30, 2009 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions

So maybe Sheed will play some point center.

by clover on Sep 30, 2009 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I just don't see Scals

being able to guard more than 5% of the backup 3s in the league. But if Daniels and House can actually play as a backcourt together, then kudos to Danny—bring on #18!

"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark

by Eeyore III on Sep 30, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

They have to have a second 5 to scrimmage

But don’t expect that exact 5 on the floor together during the season as a “second unit.” Sheed, Daniels, Baby and House will all mix in with the starters at points during the game. Scal is a logical 5th for practice given where he was on the depth chart at the end of last year, makes complete sense. They can’t scrimmage 5 on 4 so somebody has to fill that role… in practice. That’s as far as it goes.

by KJ33 on Sep 30, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

exactly

Once in a while, depending on how the games go, you’ll see a complete ‘second unit’ out on the floor, but that will be rare. Most of the time at least one or two of the starting 5 will be on the floor. And ’Sheed basically counts as a starter. Hell Daniels is definitely starter quality as well.

Jeeze we have depth.

Back on point – Scal does somethings well – but in games (i.e. not preseason scrimmages ) you are not likely to see him in as a pure SF very often. On defense he plays better as a PF where he doesn’t need lateral speed as much, but he does have decent length and good footwork. He plays pretty decent team defense more because he’s smart, if not very athletic. Ultimately, he’s going to be far down the depth chart unless the try to get him minutes to show for trade. So I’m not worried about him at all.

Side note – Scal is apparently going to be a regular call-up on 98.5 FM every wednesday morning during the season. Should be pretty funny.

by mmmmm on Oct 1, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

That's great to hear...

I remember the reports from training camp in Italy (prior to the championship season) when the second team was beating the first team.

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

by Roy_Hobbs on Sep 30, 2009 7:08 AM EDT reply actions

I hope the bench rotation will be............

the following:

The 7 activated bench players this season should be .

Hudson point guard
House shooting guard
Rasheed center
Baby & Williams power forward
Daniels & Walker small forward

The 3 inactivated players on the bench should be :

Giddens keep on inactive roster and activate him if a injury occurs
running the team at point guard.
Scal keep him on the inactive roster until Danny trades him.
T. Allen keep on the inactive roster until Danny trades him.

Thats how I hope the bench rotation shapes up this season..

I hope that Doc is not planning to use Scal in the bench rotation instead of the Landlord Williams as the post article describes above.

That would be I think silly and a crime since I think Williams will offer the Celtics a tough defense, shot blocking and rebounding presence down low which Scal does not provide us which will come in handy against clubs with big low post players like Orlando and Cleveland.

Also Williams fits in perfect with Garnett, Perk and Rasheed to allow for a very physical, intimidating 4 man front line rotation.

Lets see what happens as training camp and the season unfold.

Go Celtics!

by leothetiger on Sep 30, 2009 9:48 AM EDT reply actions

Daniels and House are playing point. Daniels kind of a point-forward. It literally talks about this in the article.

by stevenfuzz on Sep 30, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Just curious

When was the last time you watched Scal play?

He was arguably the best 2nd unit defensive player last season.

by Finkelskyhook on Sep 30, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

several comments on this

1) Daniels will almost certainly swing between Point and SF. He can also play SG.
2) Wallace is a damn good PF and can play #3 in an all-BIGS lineup
3) There is no way Scal has any trade value if he is kept on the inactive list.
4) Ditto for T.A.
5) Scal is pretty decent defender and obviously a good outside shooter. Don’t be so dismissive. He would get a lot more minutes on many other teams. He also did a fine job on this team last year filling in for KG until he got hurt himself. You can never have too many big men, especially those who know how to play Celtics style team defense.
6) Okay, T.A. may have played hisself off the team …. I’m having trouble thinking of why we should keep him around anymore now that Daniels is here. Daniels is definitely better and Walker probably is too.

You can hope for that rotation all you want, but it is not likely to work the way you describe. The point of much of this bench is the flexibility that so many of the players have. It is the deepest bench because so many can play multiple spots. Mix in the fact that KG and Pierce both can play multiple spots and the result is a very flexible, deep team that provides Doc with a zillion options.

by mmmmm on Oct 1, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Who'll Be Backup PG

I guess Doc’s comment above answers the question. Based on one day we may see alot of Eddie and Daniels on the floor at the same time. It was sweet seeing KG hitting long jumpers on sports tv last nite. Don’t know if the film was edited, but he didn’t miss.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn

by TrueGreen on Sep 30, 2009 11:26 AM EDT reply actions

The "Daniels as Point Guard Experiment" looks like it'll continue on at least into the preseason games.

But it may never make it to the regular season. I’m thinking Daniels has bet an entire season, not only that it will, but that it’ll successfully carry on into and through the playoffs. It’ll be interesting to watch.

by no kidding on Sep 30, 2009 4:41 PM EDT reply actions