8-man rotation

["hironaka@xxxxxxxxx"<hironaka@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi List:

Looking over the available minutes in 02-03, I don't feel 
that playing time will be a likely source of locker room 
tension for the Celtics this season.

Even if Walker and Pierce play 40 minutes each (rather 
than both down to around 38), O'Brien could still get 
Baker and Battie around 30 each, plus put four other guys 
into the 24 minutes per game range: including Kedrick. 

For instance, here's one scenario that would give 
significant minutes (24 or more) to 8 guys, leaving 
another 10 leftover minutes for Sundov or McCarty.

Walker 38 (10 at SF, 28 at PF)
Pierce 38 (SG)
VBaker 30 (C) 
Battie 28 (20 at PF, 8 at C)
EWill+Kedrick 48 combined (10 at SG, 38 at SF)
Sham+Delk 48 combined (PG)
Sundov/McCarty 10 (center or forward).

Total=240 minutes

So that's a 9-man rotation with 8 guys getting regular 
playing time, plus 10-12 minutes left for Walter or 
Sundov depending on who's helping out that night. 

Notably, this breakdown assumes everyone is healthy and 
never misses a single game. With the inevitable minor 
injuries, there is likely to be plenty more average 
minutes to keep 10 guys happy, with 8 guys very happy. 

The above scenario assumes Bremer won't play as a rookie 
for Obie (like Forte and Kedrick last year). Or Bremer 
could chip away at Sham or Delks' minutes.

Also Ruben Wysiwig is presumed to be a regular DNP. 

If Sundov and McCarty also sit, you'll see even more 
steady minutes for the 8-man rotation. 

And a chance for excellent team chemistry to brew.

So IMO there are two fairly notable things:

1) Kedrick Brown can finally count on 20+ minutes per 
night EVEN under the expected scenario where EWill 
remains the coach's pet and Pierce rarely sits. 

2) Vin Baker can still get his 30 minutes a night every 
game, without taking away from Battie's usual minutes.

(whether Vin Baker will get 30 minutes worth of touches 
is a matter yet to be determined.)

As for Kedrick (a big year for him), I think the only way 
he has to sit again this year (barring injury, knock on 
wood)is if Delk somehow earns 40 freaking minutes a 
night, or Walter McCarty plays "6th Man" type minutes. I 
doubt either will happen. 

Our hopes need to be reasonable, but Kedrick is the 
team's biggest wild card this year. 

He is the only one with uncharted upside, he is the guy 
who reduced Joe Johnson to a DNP-CD in Boston by mid-
season. Now Johnson is getting nearly as much hype in 
Phoenix as any player in the lottery. We'll have to see 
which guy turns out better and can help his team win, 
Kedrick or JJ.

Joe H.


-------------------
L'e-mail gratuit pas comme les autres.
NOMADE.FR, pourquoi chercher ailleurs ?