(DGA Productions)By: Greg Payne
I love talking Celtics with my buddies from school. The conversations are intelligent, passionate and sometimes respectfully heated. A lot of these guys will appear on my on-campus Celtics radio talk show (appropriately re-titled "Celtics Circuit" for this coming year) where we aren't shy about voicing our opinions in front of the entire campus.
But yesterday, I was discussing the state of our second unit via text with a friend who will remain nameless, when he said: Rasheed Wallace should start over Kendrick Perkins!
I exploded. Resentment and anger coursed through my veins and shot down my arms, through my hands and into my thumbs and my texting barrage was savage and fierce, like a barbaric blitzkrieg. Where do I even begin?
I'm going to write the rest of this piece with the angle that I'm right about this one: Kendrick Perkins should start over Rasheed Wallace. If you agree with my buddy, please, let me know about it in the comments section. This could spawn some serious debate, but I only ask that you keep it clean.
His argument was essentially that with Wallace in the starting lineup we easily have the best first five in the NBA, and arguably one of the most talented starting fives in NBA history.
I shot back with, yes, you would be correct in both instances, but the same facts hold true even with Perkins there in place of Wallace. This is the same starting five that won a championship together two seasons ago. The chemistry between these five guys flows so serenely, it's like they were all magically placed together on E-Harmony.
Okay, he said, but imagine KG and 'Sheed on the court together at the same time. Imagine what that will be like!
And I said, yes, it's going to be something to watch for sure, but you're still going to see that scenario in a number of circumstances. But KG and Perk patrolling the paint is arguably even more effective. When it comes to stopping the top centers/paint roaming big men in the NBA, Perkins is sitting pretty around the top of the list. I understand Wallace is an excellent defender in his own right, but KG and Perk have come to form such a formidable presence in the paint. And what's more is that Perk rarely, if ever, strays to the perimeter, which means when KG is fifteen feet out shooting jump shots, we'll still have a burly 7-footer (okay, 6'11), banging inside grabbing rebounds.
My main concern with KG and 'Sheed together is what's going to happen when they both extend themselves to the perimeter? Who's going to battle for offensive rebounds and putbacks? What if, on the defensive end, they're both dragged out, with KG covering a pick-and-roll and 'Sheed keeping tabs on another big capable of stretching out our defense?
I then kept my foot on the gas pedal. In my eyes, it's very simple: Rasheed Wallace can do much more for the second unit than Kendrick Perkins can. I'm not bashing Perk in any way, but he's simply a much better fit with the first unit. What works so well for the Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Garnett-Perkins starting five is that each player's respective game plays a dynamic role in the overall state of the unit itself.
But, with Wallace's diversity on the offensive side of the ball (he can shoot outside, bang inside, hit a mid-range jumper...he can basically do it all), his prominent skills defensively, his leadership, his ability to stretch the defense and his high basketball I.Q., it all adds up to him being the perfect candidate to be the floor general of the second unit. I'm not sure what plays the C's will run yet this season, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the ball runs through Wallace when the second unit is in the game.
If you stuck Perk in there, would it work? Sure, it could work. Especially with the other improvements we made to the bench (retaining Eddie House and Glen Davis, bringing in Marquis Daniels (where is he?) and Shelden Williams) this offseason. But that scoring punch, that All-Star presence that is Wallace - it will earnestly help carry the second five and make it one of the best the NBA has to offer. With 'Sheed, the configuration seems much more complete. And thorough. And effective.
In my eyes, I won the argument with my buddy, but I'm sure he'll have some gleeful retort for me later on today.
Stay Tuned.
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6 comments:
Greg, I agree with you fully. I cannot stand the thought of Perk going to the bench. It would hurt team chemistry. Our starting five are one of the most cohesive unit's in the league. Sheeed will be an AMAZING lift off the bench.
Last year, Doc could not play the second unit without having Ray or Paul in the game w them bc the offense would come to a hault. He won't face that issue this year as Baby has grown into an offensice force and Sheed can be the anchor of the second unit.
A similar debate was raised when Walton joined the team. Should Bill start over the Chief. KC Jones said NO and the C's won there second championship in three years.
I think Doc will say NO this season and we can only hope the result is our 2nd championship in three years!
If it isn't broken dont fix it. Need a scorer off the bench. Sheed is just that. Sheed will get his starter like minutes either way.
Great points, cannot argue.
People forget how good Perk was last year. With rather have him play his tender shoulder after warming up than cold off the bench anyway
Wonder if Doc will ever play Perk, Sheed and KG all at the same time. KG might be one of the few that could actually cover some of the SF out there.
Hope he does not do try that too often though
Well writen article as always
Thanks for the comments guys. I agree whole heartedly with all of you. Great point about the '86 team, too, Nick. I've read a few books and you're absolutely right.
I just can't wait for October 27th.
See Red's own theory of the sixth man and it's clear Sheed should be number six this year.
Yeah I think if all goes according to plan, Rasheed should definitely be in contention for 6th man of the year. I really can't see anyone checking in ahead of him, unless there's frequent foul trouble.
And if you think about it, if Doc and co. plan on limiting KG's minutes due to health or preservation for the playoffs or anything like that, Wallace is the perfect candidate to jump in.
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