Author Topic: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes  (Read 29075 times)

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Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« on: February 22, 2009, 05:34:03 PM »

Offline Roy Hobbs

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Consider this the "we can't keep playing Pierce and Ray 40 minutes (especially not when we're winning by 18 with five minutes left on the first night of a back-to-back)" thread.

We're playing short-handed right now, with KG out and Tony done for the regular season.  We've got two very athletic rookies on on bench who are capable of playing the swing positions, at least one of whom was heralded for his ability to play NBA-level defense straight out of college.

So, what gives?  Why aren't Walker and/or Giddens getting any time at all?  You can't tell me that, right now, Walker isn't at or near Tony Allen's level.  He deserves no playing time at all, while Doc runs Pierce into the ground?

It's being speculated that one of the factors leading to KG's injury was that he got no rest, and kept playing on a knee that was slightly balky.  Paul has complained of aches and pains throughout the season; there's no need to risk having the same thing happen to him.  Here's Paul's thought on the subject:

Quote from: Paul Pierce on February 19, 2009
“I’d like to see us do something,” said Pierce. “I think it would help us. You don’t want to burn out me and Ray (Allen) coming down the stretch to where we’re having to play heavy minutes, especially going into the playoffs.”

Paul gets it.  Why doesn't Doc?
« Last Edit: February 22, 2009, 05:40:31 PM by Roy Hobbs »

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Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2009, 05:36:04 PM »

Offline illantari

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Amen Roy.  Can't agree more.  I don't see what the fear is.  That we might have a few problematic 5 minute stretches because Walker/Giddens is in?  Isn't it better to have that now than a worn down PP/RA during the playoffs?

Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2009, 05:40:24 PM »

Offline Bankshot

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I totally agree.  That's why I started a thread earlier about either letter Walker play or signing Bonzi or some other vet if Doc isn't going to trust the rookie.  Pierce must have someone backing him up.
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Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2009, 05:46:23 PM »

Offline twinbree

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It seems the bench is already giving up leads half the time anyway I can't imagine how bad it can be to play those two a few minutes out there with Rondo. At the very least it allows Paul and Ray to rest a bit. Especially with KG out they can't afford to run those two to the ground.
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Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2009, 05:49:46 PM »

Offline bopna

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Doc can sometimes be stubborn...rephrase that, he has always been stubborn...The Utah game is a classic example of Doc running PP to the ground, 45 min. in that game and he was bricking jumpers since the last 4 min mark.

B Walker surely would be ain't that bad for at least 2-3 min now would it?, Let him develop Doc please....Its the regular season for cryin out loud..enough of these 40 min games by PP and Ray....Heaven forbid we lose these two on some injury agrevated by too much playin time.

Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2009, 05:56:33 PM »

Offline billysan

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TP4U. Thanx for the thread Roy, it echoes a couple of my rants about minutes and bench use.

Today was another great example where we were up by a bunch and Walker should have been brought into the game for Paul or Ray. I wouldnt have had a problem with Giddens coming in either, but there has got to be some reason why Doc will not let this guy even sniff the court.
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Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2009, 05:57:14 PM »

Offline MBz

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At the VERY least, Walker brings toughness and Giddens brings some athleticism.  Might as well give em a run and see how they do.  What does Doc expect these guys to show him in practice?  They're going up against Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, does he really think they're going to be that successful against them?  Now putting one out there with a couple other starters or putting them out there against 2nd stringers, I could definitely seeing these guys being okay.
do it

Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2009, 05:59:13 PM »

Offline KungPoweChicken

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Is there any way we could get O'Bryant back? The Celtics should be starting Pruitt, Giddens, Walker, Davis, and O'Bryant. We need to rest our elite level athletes who have been playing basketball all their lives. If Pierce and Allen continue to play that five extra minutes a game they will surely suffer injuries.

Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2009, 06:01:16 PM »

Offline The Walker Wiggle

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Paul gets it.  Why doesn't Doc?

Or put another way, Roy Hobbs gets it. Why doesn't Doc?

(Whoops, wrong thread.)

I enthusiastically co-sign the above. In fact, was just signing in, following fun win to watch in Phoenix, to complain  (sheepish :-[) about the lack of minutes for Walker and Giddens. If franchise is being cautious with Garnett, and possibly ceding home court to Cleveland in the process, why not also save Pierce (who's looking half a step slow) and Allen for the playoffs, while giving the rookies a good look now (15+ mpg even).

Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2009, 06:02:14 PM »

Offline CoachBo

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 ;D

Anyway, I'm most certainly behind giving Walker more minutes. He's clearly the better of the two draft picks, and it's time to give him some burn unless help is immediately on the way.
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Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2009, 06:03:18 PM »

Offline Roy Hobbs

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Is there any way we could get O'Bryant back? The Celtics should be starting Pruitt, Giddens, Walker, Davis, and O'Bryant. We need to rest our elite level athletes who have been playing basketball all their lives. If Pierce and Allen continue to play that five extra minutes a game they will surely suffer injuries.

Again:

Quote from: Paul Pierce
You don’t want to burn out me and Ray (Allen) coming down the stretch to where we’re having to play heavy minutes, especially going into the playoffs.”

If Paul Pierce thinks minutes are a problem, I think it's worthy of discussion without your sarcastic retort.

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Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2009, 06:03:57 PM »

Offline winsomme

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although i have been wanting Walker for a while, i'm going to sort of disagree here.

I think Doc really wanted this game to make sure we didn't get into a KG-less losing streak and i do see the value of that. we want to stay the best we can in the hunt for HC advantage. we don't want to just concede that.

I'm gonna hold off until the Clipps game to start calling for more Walker mins because I think we  would like to have a good showing against DEN tomorrow night.

I expect to see a little more Pruitt or Walker tomorrow, but i still think Doc will run a pretty short rotation in that game too - especially if we look to be in any trouble.

Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2009, 06:05:58 PM »

Offline Roy Hobbs

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although i have been wanting Walker for a while, i'm going to sort of disagree here.

I think Doc really wanted this game to make sure we didn't get into a KG-less losing streak and i do see the value of that. we want to stay the best we can in the hunt for HC advantage. we don't want to just concede that.

I'm gonna hold off until the Clipps game to start calling for more Walker mins because I think we  would like to have a good showing against DEN tomorrow night.

I expect to see a little more Pruitt or Walker tomorrow, but i still think Doc will run a pretty short rotation in that game to - especially if we look to be in any trouble.

Was this game really in doubt when we were up by 20 points or so with six minutes left?  Put in Walker for Pierce, and if the lead gets down to 10 or 12, think about putting Pierce back in.  Don't, however, play Pierce 44 minutes in a fast tempo blowout without at least attempting to spell him.

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Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2009, 06:07:58 PM »

Offline KCattheStripe

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Again:

Quote from: Paul Pierce
You don’t want to burn out me and Ray (Allen) coming down the stretch to where we’re having to play heavy minutes, especially going into the playoffs.”

If Paul Pierce thinks minutes are a problem, I think it's worthy of discussion without your sarcastic retort.

Roy,

I'm sorry, I'm confused. How can you have a discussion without a sarcastic retort? I've never done it.

Re: Give Walker and/or Giddens some minutes
« Reply #14 on: February 22, 2009, 06:12:33 PM »

Offline Hoyo de Monterrey

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Is there any way we could get O'Bryant back? The Celtics should be starting Pruitt, Giddens, Walker, Davis, and O'Bryant. We need to rest our elite level athletes who have been playing basketball all their lives. If Pierce and Allen continue to play that five extra minutes a game they will surely suffer injuries.

Again:

Quote from: Paul Pierce
You don’t want to burn out me and Ray (Allen) coming down the stretch to where we’re having to play heavy minutes, especially going into the playoffs.”

If Paul Pierce thinks minutes are a problem, I think it's worthy of discussion without your sarcastic retort.

KPC thats definitely legit... Keeping Pierce in 44 minutes against the run and gun Suns (who have abandoned defense even more then under D'Antoni if possible and are looking to make up for lost time with their track meet offense) was stupid IMHO, especially with the lead. I know Doc wanted the win without KG, but you can't sacrifice Pierce for it down the stretch, especially without a solid backup SF on the bench.
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