SQ#53--Flash Forward

Summer Quandaries #53
September 23--4 days to camp

Flash Forward

March 11, 2011 Philadelphia
Tonight the Boston Celtics brought the full force of their lengthened and strengthened roster into play. Facing the dismal 76ers, Doc Rivers gave his two oldest big men, Garnett and Shaquille, the night off as the C’s approach the last month of the regular season. Kendrick Perkins played 20 minutes in his longest outing since game six of the finals last June. Turkish rookie Semih Erden played another 24. The final eight minutes of the game found three rookies on the floor with Perkins at center, Erden at PF, Harangody at SF, Bradley at SG, and Delonte West manning the point. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen played only 15 minutes each, mostly in the first half. Tony Gaffney, a long shot to make the roster at all, turned in his most extensive and probably best performance playing 30 minutes, mostly at the three. He made the squad on the strength of his long-armed, active defense and where better to show it than against Philly where three of their best five players all play small forward. With such a strong showing from the bottom of the bench expect to see pairs of the aging stars in street clothes for one game in most of the remaining back-to-backs, say NJ on 3/14, NO on 3/19, and Washington on 4/8. This team is tuning up for the post season and look to arrive there fresh and feisty.