11.13.2008

Bench is Up and Down

On November 7, the Celtics defeated the Bucks 101-89, aided in no small part by their bench. Overall, the bench contributed 44 points (on 17-27 shooting), 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and six steals. Individually, Tony Allen was 4-5, Eddie House was 5-7, Leon Powe was 3-4, and Glen Davis was 4-7.

The next game Tony Allen went off against Detroit, scoring 23 points by himself. Eddie House, Leon Powe, and Glen Davis also contributed.

How has the bench done over the last two games?

Last night they were 3-17 for 13 points and 6 rebounds, with negligible tallies in the other columns.

Against Toronto the bench was 4-10 for 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Last year Sam Cassell said the bench needs to contribute 20 points to be a difference maker.

This is an interesting observation.

Going back a bit further, you see in games five, four, and three that when the bench is scoring points they are doing other things, too: passing the ball, grabbing rebounds, getting steals.

Uneven contribution from the bench isn't a big surprise. It happens, in part due to uneven minutes. A problem arises, however, when low bench production is coupled with other problems, like the team shooting 11-44 from range over the last two games, and Rajon Rondo going 4-16 from the field.

This is why we've struggled.





2 comments:

FLCeltsFan said...

The bench has been up and down and Tony in particular has been up and down. The one thing that Posey gave us off the bench that hasn't been replaced is his incredible consistency. You always knew what you would get from him. He was the same game in and game out. He never had peaks and valleys but was just solid. Until we get some consistency off the bench, we are still going to miss Posey.

by the way, it says word verification below, but what kind of word is uniestri? Is that anything like ubuntu?

Lex said...

Ha!

Good one.

I hate that utility.

Half the time I can't read the letters and there is nothing wrong with my eyes!