Pavlovic Getting More Playing Time For Celtics

by TLayman on Feb 2, 2012 9:36 AM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

(Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

Anybody else notice the lack of playing time for Marquis Daniels the past couple of games? The veteran role player has played sparingly, mostly in garbage time like in last night's victory over the Raptors.

Here are the minutes in the last three games for the nine-year veteran out of Auburn.

Jan. 29 vs. Cleveland: 2:48 of playing time, 0 points.

Jan. 31 vs. Cleveland: DNP

Feb. 1 vs. Toronto: 4:43 of playing time, 4 points

It's become pretty clear that Daniels has slipped down the bench with players like E'Twuan Moore, Avery Bradley and most notably Sasha Pavlovic gaining minutes with Rajon Rondo and other players missing time with various bumps and bruises.

Pavlovic is an interesting player to watch going forward. We all remember him from his Cleveland days when he would show off decent range when LeBron James barreled his way to the hoop, but after bouncing around the NBA he may have hit the crossroads of his career, and ESPN Boston's Chris Forsberg had some insight into that.

The Suns waived him that September and Pavlovic ended up in Minnesota, where his stats were career lows (3.7 points, 12.4 minutes per game in 71 appearances). Pavlovic's confidence never quite recovered as he bounced between the New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks on 10-day contracts before being signed by swingman-craving Boston on March 3.

Forsberg had some good quotes from Doc Rivers about the confidence issues that Pavlovic has been plagued with.

"He’s a good, solid player that, for whatever reason, has been up and down with himself," Rivers said. "I think he’s more hard on himself than the coaches probably."

"With Sasha, you just never know," Rivers said. "You just want him to stay in the positive place that he’s playing in -- it’s a good place."

Pavlovic tallied the second most minutes of the season last night with 21:26 off the bench and hit a pair of 3-pointers. It appears he's leapfrogged over Daniels for now as the person to spell Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, but as we all know this season, anything can happen between now and the Friday night's game against the Knicks.

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Pavlovic-Marquis

We know what Marquis can do. I think we also know what Sasha can do, but he is really just starting to show us now. I wouldn’t put anything into Sasha playing more than Marquis lately. I think Doc is still playing around with seeing what different players can do and what combos work.

Last nite it seemed that Ray, especially, was trying to set up Sasha. He’s a terrific defender and just knows how to play. His shooting is inconsistent, but he has lot’s of shots he can make from 3 point line to driving to basket. I don’t think he’s comfortable with this team yet, but because of his skills he should play. Come playoff time we’re going to need everyone and Sasha can be a big piece to the puzzle.

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

by TrueGreen on Feb 2, 2012 10:30 AM EST reply actions

Nice to have some competition for these minutes

Marquis is generally a solid player, but he was just tough to watch in some of the C’s early games. Pavlovic has some nice shooting range which we saw last night, and when he plays with energy he can be a very good defender. It seems to be all about confidence with him, so getting some extended minutes could help turn him into an important part of the team down the road.

Sorry Marquis, use this down time to work on your shooting touch. Way too many bricks!

by Aluminum Penguin on Feb 2, 2012 10:38 AM EST reply actions

i have always liked his fundamentals...

i still remember very well how he pounded our defense way back then with his trifectas and barging slashes to the rim, like pietrus, a guy you would easily hate, but love to have on your team..i always believe his play would pick-up sooner, like doc’s reference to nate robinson’s addition to the celtics a few years back,one way or the other, he would come up big and should win a game for us, that much is assured…

by greenlion on Feb 2, 2012 10:53 AM EST reply actions

Pavlovic gives us more athleticism, which isn’t a bad thing. Daniels is a better passer and has a nice post game. Pavlovic has an outside shot, which Quis lacks. Very different players, which is a good thing.

by guava_wrench on Feb 2, 2012 11:04 AM EST reply actions

+1

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Feb 2, 2012 2:06 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Sasha seems to have a quicker motor than Marquis

by JPV on Feb 2, 2012 11:05 AM EST reply actions

I have never seen what Marquis brings to the table

You can not trust him with the dribble, he is turnover prone, can’t finish at the rim and has no semblance of a reliable jumpshot. I am thrilled to see Pavlovic playing well and getting those minutes. I think it closes a gap on our second unit.

by PierceMVP08 on Feb 2, 2012 11:20 AM EST reply actions

Have To Disagree

Yes, Marquis had some awful games, but so did many other C’s. His game is not flashy so what he does often goes unnoticed. He just always seems to do the right thing. He is probably one of the best C’s at scoring in the paint. He looks so awkward, but he just seems to be able to get to his spots. He also sees the floor very well and makes some really great, but not remarkable, passes. He’s an excellent defender. As JPV says above, he has a slow motor, but somehow he seems to make that work for him. He probably uses his body well to shield his shots.

He and Sasha are definitely different types of players. I like them both and think they both have something to offer the team.

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

by TrueGreen on Feb 2, 2012 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

Have you seen Daniels play this year?

He hasnt’ been able to score, but has been a classical ‘black hole’. I think it is a result of his tragic injury last year. He is NO WHERE the player he was before the injury. Very sad, but Pavlovic has passed him because Daniels has just been terrible.

I'm not the Devil's Advocate but I consiider him a close friend

by Dipper on Feb 2, 2012 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

Not really agreeing much on the “black hole” part, that is, if you’re referring to a guy who claims all the shots whether he’s making them or not. In the games he’s played well enough (barring scoring), he’s been a pretty good distributor for the 2nd unit. I distinctly remember games wherein he led the team in assists from the bench.

But yes, he’s terrible in scoring right now. Not so much in other areas.

by paolost on Feb 2, 2012 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, I've Seen Every Game

And yes, Marquis has missed alot of layups, some not so easy. And yes if you’re a stat person you can go down the roster and see all the layups other guys missed, and easy ones. And that includes Pierce, KG, Ray, Rondo, etc.

Don’t forget Marquis missed most of last season, he had to rehab during the summer, he was locked out like all the other players and I don’t think his game has disappeared. I think his timing has disappeared at times, just like all the other Celtics. Also, Marquis makes alot of his layups off passes and the timing of the passes are also off.

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

by TrueGreen on Feb 3, 2012 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

As a Pav fan...

who was hoping the C’s would sign him last off season to add more wing depth, I am glad to see him get some legit minutes.

I think his scoring, tough defense, size and physical play at the wing position is something the C’s could use more of so hopefully Doc will continue to utilize Pav as the season progresses since I think he can help the team.

by fordescort on Feb 2, 2012 11:48 AM EST reply actions

Agreed...

I preferred Wafer in the off-season for his scoring ability, but with Pietrus handling the “scoring” for the second line wings I like Sasha for his defense, physicality, athleticism, and sneaky scoring ability.

Definitely don’t understand why Doc would insist on playing Quis. He’s so inconsistent and his shooting has been abominable this year.

Hopefully Sasha can completely overtake Quis and continue to gain more confidence and comfort in this system. I think he can be a productive player for this team.

Basketball is like war in that offensive weapons are developed first, and it always takes a while for the defense to catch up. - Red Auerbach

by IanMello on Feb 2, 2012 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

Though I think...

we do need Quis for insurance I also would prefer Pav play over Quis as I think he has more to offer on the offensive and defensive ends of the court and also has size and toughness to offer that I think the C’s lack and can really use in the line up .

I do think with Pierce, Pietrius, Pav and Quis the C’s have a pretty good darn 4 man small forward rotation and have alot of depth and different looks to throw at teams which will be great heading toward the playoffs.

by fordescort on Feb 2, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

Sasha shot that one three from a good 5 feet behind the line and his form was perfect, as if he was at 15 feet

I suspect he is one of these guys who just never will get to show just how good he really can be. Its certainly ok for him to be on the floor especially with a few starters

by wahz on Feb 2, 2012 12:08 PM EST reply actions

I really like his game

It fits well with the starters. But I’m not sure the wing players can compete with Miami just yet. We will have to go thru them in the playoffs

by vgarcia890 on Feb 2, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

I actually think...

a Pierce, Pietrius, Pav and Quis rotation is a pretty talented, deep wing rotation that has nice , length, size, physical toughness, defensive capabilities and 24 fouls to throw at the Heat and especially Lebron if we should ever meet in the playoffs.

by fordescort on Feb 2, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

i’m asasha-man- likr the way he plays. he plays very good d and is starting to assert himself better on o.

by nazzbo on Feb 2, 2012 12:56 PM EST reply actions

I like marquis

but hes been plain awful this season. Sasha brings more athleticism and outside shooting at least.

by Karasu on Feb 2, 2012 1:16 PM EST reply actions

I wonder...

if his injury is lingering in some way, that is negatively effecting his play?

by fordescort on Feb 2, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

YES!

I think so. And it is sad. But if we did have a chance to pick up another player who could really help, Daniels is the one who should go.

I'm not the Devil's Advocate but I consiider him a close friend

by Dipper on Feb 2, 2012 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

Daniels had a very long layoff- remember- surgery and missing the bulk of the last season.

He’ll come around, and it’s going to take a while, but come the playoffs, he’ll be there. He has a very deceptive game, but once he’ll really be in game shape, he’ll be quietly effective.

Lygafe

Lionel Gaffen / Fotomix | International Hockey Forums > Europe > ISRAEL
Israel Recreational Hockey Association 2009-2010 & 2010-2011 [ Lygafe ] | Israel Ice Skating Federation - From the Media [ Lionel Gaffen ]

by lygafe on Feb 2, 2012 6:41 PM EST up reply actions

I hope your right but i am not that optimistic

It is already amazing that he could be back on the court after spinal surgery and it may be too much to expect him to get back to his previous level of playing.

by Karasu on Feb 2, 2012 10:47 PM EST up reply actions

I love Pavolic

his D is great, he can shoot and he can get to the rim. Most of all I love his intensity and his hustle. Marquis occasionally gives you something but more often than not his scoring is suspect and he is soft. Marquis is an effective creator from time to time but he reminds me of ray allen in that there’s no grit to his game. It’s all finesse and soft stuff. For this team and what it needs right now off the bench Pavolic is much better. If marquis and JO would bring you anything in a trade- I’d do it.

by Red2 on Feb 3, 2012 10:39 AM EST reply actions

I, Too Like Sasha

But I wouldn’t make those remarks about Marquis and Ray. Both Marquis and Ray don’t wear their emotions on their sleeves, but they play hard and aren’t afraid to mix it up under the basket or anywhere else. Joe Dimaggio never made a great catch. It was because he got a great jump on the ball and was always in position to make the catch look easy. Marquis plays basketball the same way and thus it might appear that he has no “grit”. Yes, he does have finesse, but he’s not “soft”.

Ray: Larry Bird was the last guy I saw taking a beating coming around picks. Could say the same for Pierce. But, concentrate on Ray when you see him coming off picks. He’s held, kicked and anything else the guy guarding him can get away with. Watch Ray doing this every minute he’s in the game. Watch Ray get a rebound. There’s nothing soft about Ray. And when Ray gets mad you can see the fire in his eyes. I would never say Ray is soft or doesn’t have “grit”. It takes some grit to miss 10 shots in a row and still take a shot at the buzzer to win a game.

I would say that Ray is smooth and Marquis, with his herky-jerky moves just knows how to get to the basket. They can both play great defense with their feet, Marquis is probably a better defender. They both know how to change speed and use their bodies to get a layup against bigger defenders.

In summary, I like Sasha and would like to see him play more and get in a groove. If he comes in before Marquis, fine. But I just wouldn’t make those comments about Marquis (and Ray).

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

by TrueGreen on Feb 3, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions