Pssst...the celtics (part II)

[WilliamPitt]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2005/03/22/second_unit_now_first_rate/

Second unit now first-rate

With bench, Celtics get a depth charge

By Shira Springer, Globe Staff | March 22, 2005

WALTHAM -- According to Delonte West, the Celtics' reserves call themselves the "B Unit." Why such a simple nickname? "We're straight to the point," said West. "No messing around."

He has a point. Lately, the second unit has conducted itself in an entirely businesslike manner, getting the job done when called upon. With the high-scoring Ricky Davis, the resurgent Mark Blount, and the maturing Al Jefferson, Marcus Banks, and West, the Celtics have turned into one of the deepest teams in the league, which bodes well for the playoffs.

Not long ago, the sight of the reserves checking in often prompted shouting from the sidelines and hand-wringing in the stands. But while occasional miscues still raise the ire of coach Doc Rivers, the second unit now not only preserves leads but sometimes extends them. With their youth and athleticism, the bench players bring a contagious energy to the floor that inspires the starters and wears down opponents. They also play with a tremendous amount of pride.

"We had to come together," said Jefferson. "We knew we couldn't leave it all up to the starters. There's a lot of pride just to get the opportunity to get out there and get put in that situation. We thank God that Doc trusts us."

The Celtics are seeing the dividends of Rivers giving time early and often to largely inexperienced players such as Jefferson, West, and Banks. The reserves also have benefited from substitution patterns that insert them as a unit. With the exception of placing Davis on the floor at the end of close games, Rivers rarely mixes starters and reserves. They practice together and they play together. That has allowed them to build chemistry. They know each other's strengths and weaknesses.

...more...

[OneBlueSky]

1. ahhhh . . . shades of 1986 . . .

at least I think it was '86 . . . the year that the "Green Team," anchored by Bill Walton, came off the bench to relieve the starting five of Bird, McHale, et.al. . . they won the NBA championship that year, as I recall . . .

[Bluzmann57]

2. As long as Ricky Davis is on that team

they will never win the championship. You see, Davis is from Davenport, IA originally and has never really acknowleged us lowly Midwesterners ever since he dropped out of the University of Iowa. I also remember an incident when he was with Cleveland where he intentionally missed a layup just so he could get his "triple double". The coach of the Utah Jazz(the most misnamed franchise in sports btw) should have ordered a man to foul Davis hard and then if the player got fined, the team should have paid his fine. Yep, if Davis wants nothing to do with us, thats ok. Screw that selfish no defense playing ...guy anyway. Watch out for the "Baby Bulls". They probably aren't good enough to win it all yet, but will be in a year or two. They certainly are fun to watch.

[THUNDER HANDS]

3. psst...

New Jersey 1.5 games out of the playoffs. 3 games out of the 6th seed, which would mean we'd play...

BOSTON.

Want another spanking by J Kidd, do ya William?

[HuckleB]

4. ahem...

thanks for the update on the second division...