A Minute on Minutes

Posted by Brendan Jackson on Dec 30, 2009 51003 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2009%2F12%2F30%2Fa-minute-on-minutes%2FA+Minute+on+Minutes2009-12-30+22%3A00%3A54Brendan+Jacksonhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D5100

Saying one thing and doing another is confusing….

“It’s a goal of mine not to have KG play 81 games and to not have Paul Pierce play 81 games,’’ Ainge said yesterday. “And to not play 36 minutes a game for 81 games. That’s not my objective at all, or our organizational objective. KG could have played [Tuesday] night. We look for opportunities to give him time off.” ~Danny Ainge

“We’ve got a roster of 15 players. We’re not going to be cutting anybody,’’ he said. “We don’t have any open roster spots. We’ve got guys to practice. I’m glad to see Tony Allen’s playing very well and we’ll have to have people like Tony to step it up.” ~Wyc Grousbeck

“To use Walker, Giddens, and Lester Hudson solely in blowouts is useless at this point.” ~ Gary Washburn

These quotes were published on Christmas Eve.  In the three games since then, Ray Allen has played 136 minutes and Kevin Garnett has played 95 minutes.  Which wouldn’t be so bad if there wasn’t so much unnecessary bench warming going on.  In those three games Bill Walker, Shelden Williams, and J.R. Giddens logged a combined 6 minutes- all played by Williams in the Orlando game.  I’m willimg to completely concede the Magic game because, well, it’s the Magic.  But you can’t tell me that there weren’t stretches in either game against the Warriors and Clippers where these three guys could taken some time off the pine.

In the Clippers game, the Celtics had at least a 9 point lead for the last five and a half minutes in the third quarter.  Ray Allen played four of those minutes and KG played three against the likes of Rasual Butler, Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan respectively.  If Walker, Giddens, and Williams are incapable of guarding those guys than they don’t deserve to be on the team. 

Similarly, in the Warriors game, the C’s watched a thirteen point second quarter lead dwindle to one without any sign of movement from Giddens, Walker, or Williams.  If Shelden Williams can’t guard Ronny Turiaf, he doens’t deserve to be on the team.  If Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens can’t guard the likes of Stephen Curry and Anthony Morrow, then they don’t deserve to be on this team.

Clearly, those “if” statements were part of a hyperbolic rant, but I hope my point is well-taken- which is that Walker and Giddens can defend these players.  Nevermind their offensive limitations/ ineptitudes, they can defend these players.  They are also young and can get out and run with the young guys on both the Clippers and Warriors.

So Doc, what gives?

Given the injuries to Paul Pierce and Marquis Daniels, this could be the toughest two games of the regular season (Golden State and Phoenix).  A question to any Boston Celtics’ fan:  Which team would you rather have your young guys get a good run in, the Golden State Warriors or the Phoenix Suns? 

Now Doc has forced his own hand and tonight, he might have to give some minutes to Walker and Giddens against a much better run and gun team. 

This may sound crazy, but I’m actually okay with that.  Both Giddens and Walker can guard Jared Dudley.  I’ve seen Dudley play for the last six year (BC Alum) and I believe I’m quick enough to guard him.

I know I come off like a freak, posting every other week about how Doc needs to play his young guys, but if now is not the time given the injuries and the mounting minutes, than there is no time.  Cut ‘em.  Sign someone who you can trust.  Who you can play.

It seems like Wyc and Danny believe these young kids can play, does Doc?  Are they on the same page?  Are they even reading the same book?  Do they make horse socks?  Is anybody listening to me?