Celtics Central

We will start the new year with some holiday meditations on the recent state of the Celtics from Celtics Town‘s Jay King. Another Celtic starter gets some unplanned but necessary rest. Jay gives his thoughts on the situation. Be sure to check out Jay’s site when you get a chance.

What’s that sound? Could be opportunity knocking for some players buried deep on the bench.

by Jay King

Rajon Rondo has now joined the long list of Celtics down with injury.  Against Toronto on Saturday, he’ll sit the game out along with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Marquis Daniels.

With the injury list growing longer every day, it finally looks like the young guys might get their chance (J. R. Giddens is apparently slated to start against Toronto).  If you ask me, though, their opportunity should have come a long time ago.

With four of their rotation players out with injury last game, including two of their stars, I thought Doc Rivers would finally give Bill Walker, Lester Hudson, and J.R. Giddens an opportunity to play.

And he did… for a combined 16 minutes of garbage time at the end of a blowout.

So why is Doc still not giving the young guys a chance, even with an old, injury-ravaged roster?  It comes down to one of two things:

1) Doc might not have any faith in the young guys on this roster, or…

2) Doc might not have any faith in any young guys, period.

I think it’s more likely answer number two.  For years, Doc has kept young players glued to the bench.  Ryan Gomes, Glen Davis, Leon Powe, Rajon Rondo… the list goes of players who have paid their dues earning splinters on the bench before finally earning the role they deserve goes on and on.  Doc has been set against using young players ever since… well, ever since a group of predominantly young players helped lead him to a 24-58 record.  (Wouldn’t you be against young players, too, if you had watched Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green and co. almost get you fired?)

Still, it’s time the young guys get a shot.  If you’re like me, you want to see the young ‘uns get a chance for a couple reasons:  First of all, they can give the vets a rest.  How many times have you seen Ray Allen register a 40-minute night, as you sit at home wondering, “Doc, why is Allen still in the game?  There are five minutes left, the Celtics are up by 30 points, and he’s already played 43 minutes…”

I know Doc wants to keep his veterans in rhythm by playing them at least a certain amount of minutes every game, and I understand that completely.  But it isn’t like I’m asking for Ray to play 20 or 25 minutes a game… I just want him to play a few minutes less than the 36.1 mpg he’s played so far this season.  Maybe it’s just me but, if I’m Doc, I don’t want my 34-year old shooting guard leading my team in minutes.  I just don’t.

The second reason for giving the youngster’s a chance?  They might actually be good.  If Doc’s string of keeping good young players stapled firmly to the bench holds true, Hudson could be the next Rondo, Giddens could be the next Gomes, and Walker could be, well, hopefully anybody but Gerald Green.  (On the other hand, Hudson could be the next J.R. Bremer, Giddens could be the next Kedrick Brown, and Walker could be the next, well, Gerald Green.)

The point is, we don’t know.  Granted, I don’t know what happens in practice.  I don’t know how poorly or how well the young guys play when I can’t watch on t.v.  But with injuries mounting like snowflakes during a Nor’easter, it’s time to give them a chance to prove during a game situation whether or not they deserve minutes.

If Doc plays the young’uns, who knows?

Maybe he’ll unearth a diamond in the rough.