« CelticsStuffLive's Jack Jemsek Answers the Dirty Dozen | Main | Celtics Restore Order »
April 22, 2009
'Big' Decisions or Small?
Kendrick Perkins is averaging 15 points a game on 70% shooting, 10 rebounds and two blocks per game, to go with being the best defender on the team. When Perkins is on the floor the Celtics have been up +4, and +12.
Glen Davis has a great opportunity to make a name for himself. Kevin Garnett is out. Leon Powe is out. Brian Scalabrine is going to play, but who knows how well. Scal's game should be rusty. Mikki Moore is the only other option and he's been having big trouble in the playoffs so far.
Spotlight on Glen
That leaves Glen Davis standing in the spotlight. Glen casts a big shadow, but ironically he is standing in NBA giant Kevin Garnett's shadow.
He has performed better and better. He has the best plus-minus on the team by far. The Celtics are at a total +27 when Glen is on the floor. No one else is even close. We all know that plus-minus doesn't tell everything, but when it's that much better than the next best, it tells you something. The team is playing very well when Glen is in the game.
Glen had a career best 26 points to go with 9 boards in the last game and is coming close to that 'bust out' game. You know, that game where everything goes right. No better time than now. If Glen can defend a bit better and hit the boards as he did last game, it helps the Celtics' chances immensely. It is getting easier and easier for him to score. You can see it happening.
I must note again that Glen Davis has become the best pick setter on the Celtics, by far. Dude is a wide wall to get around. He must continue to do that.
Here is Doc River's from Scott Souza's article in the Metro West Daily...
"Perk and (Davis) were phenomenal," Rivers said. "Not just with their points, but with their picks. They got their guys open. They got to loose balls. They made the dirty plays - the clean, dirty plays. That was sensational too. That's the type of effort we're going to need out of them."
Beyond that, how is Doc going to play it tonight against the Bulls in Chicago?
Big or Small?
Will he go to Mikki Moore more? Mikki has a great shot but has had little time to use it. Mikki has had big time troubles in the playoffs so far.
It's been announced that Brian Scalabrine will play for the first time since February 23, a period of exactly two months and 26 games. How much can you expect from a guy who hasn't even been able to play any ball in his down time? Brian will play with a padded head band to brace against another concussion.
I'm guessing that Doc will try to go small with either Tony Allen or Bill Walker. That would move Pierce to the power forward position for at least a brief while.
On offense for the Cs, that would cause the Bulls to bring shot blocker Tyrus Thomas out to contest Paul's dangerous shooting, or Joakim Noah, if Brad Miller's in the game. Either way, it's a good thing, as it keeps either player away from the basket to stop a driver. And Pierce works his picks well to get open.
Defensively, Paul can play physical enough and is quick enough to stay with Tyrus Thomas, who likes to be a jump shooter anyway. He is strong enough and quick enough for Brad Miller or Noah, to cause them problems on the shot, though it's unlikely that he can keep them off the boards. Paul rebounds well for his size, though.
That puts Tony Allen on whoever needs it most, Ben Gordon or John Salmons. If Walker actually gets his number called, he would take the small forward or possibly Tyrus.
It's also possible that Doc goes really small with Stephon Marbury or Eddie House, in order to get more offense going, but offense isn't the Celtics' problem. Defense is. Tony Allen makes the most sense.
We will have to see how Doc plays this. The Bulls have the 5th best home record (28-13, tied with Miami) in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland, Boston, Orlando, and Atlanta. The Bulls are 14-2 at home to close the season.
As mentioned a million times already, the pressure is off the Bulls. It is on the Celtics.
We continue to gauge how good the role players are on the team, and how good Ray, Paul and Rondo are. So far, the bench has been MIA. Now would be an excellent time for the bench to show up.
Posted by Tom on April 22, 2009 11:53 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://forum.connpost.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/3211
