Punchless Bench

The bench has been up and down this year.

That's what you'd expect from the reserves. If they were better, they'd be starting. There's no Frank Ramsey, no John Havlicek, no Kevin McHale, and not even a Don Nelson on the roster. Nor is there a James Posey.

Don't get me wrong. I like our bench, especially when they are playing like this or like this or like this. I get concerned, however, when they play like they did against Indiana.

But not too concerned.

One of the local fish wraps asked Danny Ainge if he was tempted to recall either JR Giddens or Bill "Spaceman" Walker from the D-League after Tony Allen went down with an ankle injury.

"Yes, but I thought better of it," was the answer Ainge gave.

Ah, the wisdom of young Danny.

I say you leave Mssrs. Walker and Giddens down in the NBDL, and allow them to get their "reps," as Bill Simmons would say. We don't need them until later in the season, when their youthful vigor might serve to charge the batteries of KG and company after the Dog Days of Winter have arrived.

In other words, let the two kids get their playing legs under them and their confidence level up. Let them figure out how to leverage their skills and impact games at the professional level. Let them play.

Then call them up to the A-League when there's 30 games or so left in the season.

No rookie wall in a 30-game season.

Sounds pretty good to me.