Marquis May Return Sunday

by Jeff Clark on Feb 5, 2010 9:03 AM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

Marquis Daniels was back practicing yesterday nearly two full months after undergoing surgery on his left thumb. Doc Rivers didn't close the door on a return to the lineup tonight, but Sunday's game against Orlando is looking like a better bet.

Great news. We could really use him. Once he and Pierce get back, we might finally have our top 8 rotation guys available at the same time for the first time this year. This could be the least talked about potential difference maker in the league.

See some prior articles on the impact Daniels could have here:

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now we can test the water!

i think if this team will perform well with ’quis we will become a legit elite team once again. if not then its time for Danny to decide! especially the rumor about Jamison going to Cavs!

but im still with Ray-Ray! unless its Bosh and the likes; it will ruin the chemistry that they have with Ray!

by poezappa on Feb 5, 2010 7:03 AM EST reply actions

if Jamison goes to the Cavs then we're in some trouble, Quisy or no Quisy!

by milt palacio's shot on Feb 5, 2010 8:32 AM EST up reply actions

believe it when I see it

not holding my breath on Quisy coming back this soon and being productive.

by slamtheking on Feb 5, 2010 7:59 AM EST reply actions

This could be our most important piece

If you have seen any of my posts you know I agree with Jeff on this one. It may take a week or two for the rotations to click and for Marquis to find his legs again, but this will make Doc’s work much easier. Marquise spells three positions in the starting lineup (and, boy, Paul, Ray and Rajon really need breathing room) as well as providing leadership and cohesion on the bench. I am very excited. We will finally have our 18 win streak team back on the floor. I hope Marquis is in better shape than Glen Davis was when he came back from the same injury, but Glen is playing well now and now is what counts. I also expect Williams to be playing again, as, I have stated before, his play compliments Marquis (at least I hope to see him playing again).

by thirstyboots18 on Feb 5, 2010 9:36 AM EST up reply actions

concur

One extra plus is that Tony wasn’t available to play with ’Quis in those early games.

I like the thought of a Quis-Eddie-Tony-Sheed-Shelden bench unit. To me that looks like a potent transition game. Yeah, Doc will probalby play BBD in there instead of Shelden.

by mmmmm on Feb 5, 2010 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

Hey maybe he could be another wing

off the bench to help limit minutes for Paul and Ray….

IF they are healthy by the start of the playoffs the C’s will be the deepest team in the league.

"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said

by Birdbrain on Feb 5, 2010 8:15 AM EST reply actions

This is exactly the timnig that was predicted for Quis

coming back. I expect him to be rusty at first and with TA playing well and PP returning Sunday, I doubt Quis get many minutes at first.

So good news, but don’t expect this to change things much right away.

by Surferdad on Feb 5, 2010 8:33 AM EST reply actions

Well, where Quis will probalby get minutes mainly isn't from PP & TA

but rather from RR and RA.

Doc really likes putting ’Quis at PG in the second team and moving Eddie over to SG. ’Quis leadership allows him to rest Ray and use Eddie away from the ball instead to space the offense.

This does require defensive switching – which as you point out will probably take some time to shake the rust off of.

by mmmmm on Feb 5, 2010 11:37 AM EST up reply actions

I'm pulling for you guys

to get healthy.

I have to fight my instincts. I find myself hoping for the Celtics to right the ship. Which I know will happen, and these bobbleheads saying you’re done can eat crow.

I feel dirty now.

http://twitter.com/wondahbap

by wondahbap on Feb 5, 2010 9:46 AM EST reply actions

Is Daniels really that good?

by thereallargejames on Feb 5, 2010 11:35 AM EST reply actions

He's versatile and addresses specific needs of the rotation.

He’s tall enough and strong enough to play SF or SG but is very comfortable working with the ball and fast enough with good passing and leadership skills to play PG.

So he helps spell three positions including the two that we most need rest at (Rajon and Ray). And the ripple effects are large. Eddie has been the backup PG behind RR, but it is well known that Eddie is WAY more effective at SG – away from the ball. By putting Daniels at PG, that allows Eddie to play his natural position much more effectively.

He’s not a superstar, but his effect on THIS team is huge.

by mmmmm on Feb 5, 2010 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

Let's put it this way

The Lakers have Odom coming off the bench as the 6th man. Then Brown, Walton, etc…How does Daniels match up with the Lakers reserves at the 1,2. and 3s?

by thereallargejames on Feb 5, 2010 11:45 AM EST reply actions

I’m still in hopes that we can get someone with our expirings and cash or a draft pick the thought of tyrus thomas flying around blockin shots and dunkin makes me happy ,rather than sheldons feet for hands can’t finish around the rim self

by reggie_35 on Feb 5, 2010 11:57 AM EST via mobile reply actions

i'll be glad to have him back, but...

the team’s problems go far beyond health/depth and ball handling.
at best, the C’s have issues with their defense and consistency.
at worst they have a crisis of leadership and a lack of the kind of mental toughness that generally defines this team.
they have a lot of work to do and it’s doc’s responsibility as much as anyone else’s to get this team back to playing their game.

by hooray on Feb 5, 2010 12:48 PM EST reply actions

"the C’s have issues with their defense" ????????????

The Celtics are rated number one in defense in the NBA. They’ve been rated #1 or #2 all season. They only give up a miserly 93pts per game!

Defense is not the problem. Even against good teams they are holding teams well below their scoring averages.

They are having trouble scoring, if anything. They are ranked squarely in the middle of the pack for scoring. Daniels can definitely help with that. ‘Not saying he’s the whole solution. But he will help.

There is no problem with leadership on this team. They just need to be healthy and to execute.

by mmmmm on Feb 5, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed, and it's a contradiction to say

they lack mental toughness but also say it defines this team. Which is it? In any case, you can’t judge mental toughness.

by Surferdad on Feb 6, 2010 9:02 AM EST up reply actions

actually, yes they do have issues with their defense

opponent’s ppg before christmas – 91.5
opponent’s ppg after christmas – 96.8
if you break down just the 2nd half, it’s even more disconcerting. so while if you look at the season at an aggregate level, yes they are a top defensive team, the trending of current data suggests otherwise.
with respect to offense, i believe that health is part of it, but many key players who are healthy and have been all season are posting numbers well below their career averages.
they have been unable to hold leads and get big stops at the end of games, which i think speaks to mental toughness, though that’s my opinion and i don’t have statistics to back it up. tommy has made numerous references to this, and i also believe that there’s a stark difference to the team’s reaction to losses (in terms of post-game response and performance in the next game) relative to the previous 2 seasons.

by hooray on Feb 6, 2010 11:15 AM EST up reply actions