Fan Blog: Why starting ‘Quis at the 2 would have worked
(Editor’s note: This was written yesterday, before the game, and before Doc Rivers said he thought about personnel changes but likely will hold off from making them. I couldn’t publish it in time because I was out. Sorry, Nishesh.)
Props to Chris Forsberg over at ESPNBoston for the idea.
Anyway, like you all read on Celtics Town and other places, Doc is planning a lineup change. I’m fully behind replacing Ray with Quis to start at the 2. For this to happen, we need:
1. Ray to put aside his ego, and agree to become the team’s 6th man.
2. Doc to finally face the fact that we have the talent, but can’t play like a championship team
If these 2 things can happen, we’d be much better off. Paul can relax for the 1st Quarter while Quis chases Lebron, Wade, V-Carter, or Kobe. Rondo and Quis on a 2 on 1 fast break could be devastating. Our 2nd unit would be complete, with scoring, defense (sort of), and swag. Plus, Ray would get more rest, and when needed, he could step into the 3 to give Paul rest.
The only other large obstacle I see to this going down is the fact Quis can’t shoot. Realistically, we’d only have one three point threat on the floor, with Pierce for the starting unit. I don’t think this will be a problem though, because Paul and KG are going to drag out a 3 and a big, Rondo demands a double team in the paint, so Perk or Daniels will be left open. Check out the lineup with minutes below:
Rondo (30)/Nate (18)
Quis(24)/Ray (24)
Paul(28)/Fin (10)/ TA if healthy (10)/ Landry/Ray/Quis
KG(28)/Big Baby (20)/Shelden
Perk (26)/ Sheed (22)
We’d get our own Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry, or Ginobili. The 2nd unit could realistically beat some teams on its own, but right now, nothing is taken for granted, and everything should be tried.




