While the star laden Celtics have set the standard in recent memory for accepting acquiescing and subordinate roles, it appears that more than Miami will try to emulate that this season.
Who else, you ask? Why, the Dallas Mavericks…of course.
According to Jeff Caplan of the Dallas Mavericks Blog on ESPN, it appears that Shawn Marion will be asked to come off the bench for the first time in his career to start the season, and coach Carlisle won’t be having any pouting about it.
“And look, it’s very possible we’re going to have some guys coming off the bench that are not accustomed to doing that.”
Carlisle wasn’t smiling when he suggested that he’ll have limited patience for players who place their personal interests ahead of team goals.
“Anybody that presents themselves with that kind of selfishness isn’t deserving of being in a Maverick uniform. That’s my feeling about it. I know it’s Mark’s feeling about it,” Carlisle said. “This ain’t going to be about role definition. It’s going to be about role acceptance.”
And this…
The team has sent signals that they’d like to start Caron Butler at small forward instead of at shooting guard as he did last season, which would bump Shawn Marion to the bench, a role he’s never played before.
Dirk Nowitzki is already trying to assuage feelings and head off any controversy….
“Looking at it, you can’t have hurt feelings on a good team, we’re beyond that,” Nowitzki said. “If you want to win a championship, you can’t be running around being mad all the time at the coach or at the situation. I think we’re all in this together.”
Celtic fans already know the power of “Less is More” and how it helped a team of stars find a way to submerge egos for the betterment of the team. It has led to one NBA title, 2 Finals appearances and a Conference Semi-Finals.
Miami must do the same and now a talented Dallas team must cross that river if it really expects to improve its chances of being more than another team the Lakers stepped on along the road to a third Finals appearance in a row.
With Caron Butler beginning the season with the Mavs, it should help Coach Carlisle utilize Butler to his best potential.
That means the Dallas bench will be more potent with Marion leading the way in tandem with former 6th man of the year Jason Terry and Tyson Chandler. J.J. Barea and Rodrigue Beaubois are the other 2 potential members of the 2nd five.
Celtics Have Similar Problem… and a strong Bench
With Shaq expected to be coming off the bench for the first time in his career and Glen Davis worried about his role a bit, the Cs will need the same attitude from both to help the Celtics challenge for another NBA title.
The Celtic bench is also being tabbed as a strength this season if all accept their roles. Right now they would have Shaq, Glen Davis, Marquis Daniels, Delonte West, and Nate Robinson as their second unit. That is perhaps as talented a second unit as there is in the league.
It also suggests a good balance with 2 three point shooters in Nate and Delonte, two mid range shooters in Davis and Daniels and a solid low post presence in Shaq. Defense and rebounding may present some problems, but this unit should score against any other second unit in the league.
If Tony Gaffney or Luke Harangody show something, the Cs could slot in Gaffney for defensive purposes and Harangody for outside shooting and keeping the defenses honest.
The possibilities for the Celtic bench are better than they have been in a while. That would be a crucial move forward so that Doc can get the starters more rest as they inch closer to that old folks home in the country.
When they sit in their rocking chairs, they want to have 2 trophies sitting on their laps. One to sip soup out of and the other to sip warm milk from. The bench can help them get there.
