RE: Celts lineup rotation

[jmc@ptc.com]

It's been entertaining reading all the speculation on this list about 
the roster.  My take is that eventually (meaning late this year, or next 
season), the starting roster will be Battie/Walker/Pierce/Mercer/Anderson. 

The rest of the players will be used situationally:

Schintzius - Against the really huge opposing centers. 
DeClerq - Quality backup minutes, boost the team's intensity & willingness 
          to scrap & fight for the ball and control the paint. 
Popeye - when the C's need rebounding
McCarty - "the Energizer Bunny" when the team needs an energy boost. 
Bowen -  Deeee-FENSE!! clap, clap, Deee-FENCE! clap, clap.  To "contain" 
         high scorers on the other team.
Barros - Outside shooting to open up the paint for others (or himself) to 
         penetrate.  Quick offense. 
M. Garnett - When Anderson gets tired. 
Minor -  Uh, well, a "minor" role.  OK, perhaps when there are injuries and 
         the team needs some "backup" speed & scoring, he may see some time. 

The encouraging thing is that this year, every non-starter seems to have 
a very well-defined role or situation in which they excel, which is not 
usually the case.  Everyone can contribute something valuable. 

Early in the season some combination of DeClerq/Popeye/McCarty/Bowen will 
get the starting Center and Forward duties over Battie and Pierce only 
because Pitino will want Battie and Pierce to know that as newcomers they
have to "earn" their position as a starter.  The faster they learn, the 
sooner they'll be put in as starters. 

Jon Mc