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:
“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?