Doc is just kidding with this whole "Jason Collins is the starting center" thing, right?
In an effort to shake things up after a 3 game losing streak, Doc Rivers decided to start Jason Collins at center on Wednesday night. It looks like Collins is going to get the nod again tonight. While I understand Doc's desire to try something new, he can't really be serious about this as a long term plan. Jason Collins is not a very good NBA basketball player. There's a reason he's only averaged 12.6 minutes per game over the last 5 years. In the best season of his career (2004-05 with the Nets) he managed to get on the floor for 31.8 minutes a night. But even then he only averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Looking to find a compliment for Collins after Wednesday's victory, Doc was able to say "He just clogged the middle up." Paul Pierce had similar praise, adding "He really fills up the lane." Seriously? That's what we're supposed to be happy with? Collins' stats consisted of 23 minutes, 2 rebounds, a steal, a block, 1 point, and 6 fouls. I don't care how you look at it, if the amount of fouls exceeds the total of all the other the other numbers in the box score combined, it's not a good game. Doc won't be able to justify Collins simply being "a big body in the paint" after a few more stat lines like that one.
Looking to find a compliment for Collins after Wednesday's victory, Doc was able to say "He just clogged the middle up." Paul Pierce had similar praise, adding "He really fills up the lane." Seriously? That's what we're supposed to be happy with? Collins' stats consisted of 23 minutes, 2 rebounds, a steal, a block, 1 point, and 6 fouls. I don't care how you look at it, if the amount of fouls exceeds the total of all the other the other numbers in the box score combined, it's not a good game. Doc won't be able to justify Collins simply being "a big body in the paint" after a few more stat lines like that one.
Jared Sullinger, Brandon Bass, Chris Wilcox, and Jeff Green are all better basketball players than Jason Collins. In order to win in the long run you want to have your best players on the floor as much as possible. Wasting minutes on Collins just doesn't make sense.
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