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Irish Coffee: A brief Kevin Garnett lesson on chemistry and evolution 12.20.12 at 10:44 am ET
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Celtics coach Doc Rivers rolled out his sixth different lineup in 25 games when he again flip-flopped Jason Terry and Courtney Lee while inserting Jason Collins into the spot normally reserved for Brandon Bass alongside mainstays Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in Wednesday night’s victory against the Cavaliers.

While the C’s ended a three-game losing streak, Garnett didn’t exactly sound pleased with the constant change.

“It’s a process,” said KG. “Chemistry is something else. It’s not something that’s just going to happen. I think it’s just something that’s going to evolve. The quicker, the better, with this lineup thing, so we can establish who we are and what we’re going to be. Doc has a vision of what he wants, and until he has it this is what it’s gonna be.”

Here’s how those six lineups have performed this season (record-wise): plus-minus per 82games.com.

  • Rondo, Terry, Pierce, Bass, Garnett (9-4): plus-35 in 197.0 minutes
  • Rondo, Lee, Pierce, Bass, Garnett (0-5): minus-9 in 57.9 minutes
  • Rondo, Lee, Pierce, Jared Sullinger, Garnett (2-1): plus-13 in 33.9 minutes
  • Terry, Lee, Pierce, Bass, Garnett (1-1): plus-16 in 39.1 minutes
  • Leandro Barbosa, Terry, Pierce, Bass, Garnett (0-1): sample size too small
  • Rondo, Terry, Pierce, Bass, Collins (1-0): sample size too small

One thing we know for sure is that Lee shouldn’t be starting. The only reason Rivers inserted him back into the lineup in Chicago was to get Terry readjusted to playing off the bench, but the former Sixth Man of the Year attempted just two shots against the Bulls, so the Celtics should keep starting him until Avery Bradley‘s return.

Doc Rivers (AP)

“One of our key guys has not played yet, and Avery is not Bill Russell, but with that plus all the different changes, guys buying into different roles, it does take time,” Rivers told WEEI in his weekly radio interview Thursday morning. “Did I think it would take this much time? I didn’t. It also takes time for us as a staff to figure out the right combination – not just the rotations, but the right group of guys to play every night and the right group of guys that can be consistent together every night — and I still think we’re searching for that.”

Of course, switching the starting lineup every few nights doesn’t exactly lend itself to consistency, but Rivers would argue he doesn’t know what he’s getting from his players in any given game. “”Every night,” he said, “there’s one or two guys that don’t do their jobs.” Here’s looking at you, Jeff Green.

The hope is, as we discussed in this space on Wednesday, Bradley provides that consistency, even if that means a seventh different starting lineup.

“Honestly, Avery had a practice the other day in Chicago, and half the team was asking, ‘Why is he not playing tomorrow?’ He was that good in practice,” said Rivers. “But we can’t forget it wasn’t one shoulder. It was both shoulders, and there’s a timeframe that [Celtics trainer Eddie Lacerte and team physician Dr. Brian McKeon] won’t go under, so I think we have to be patient with him.

“The practice was really important, because they wanted to find out if he could take hits, and he did. It was a very physical practice, and he came out looking great, but I do know that’s a big factor: They want to make sure those shoulders are strong enough to not only take one hit but to take continual hits.”

As Garnett said, “the quicker, the better.”

(Have a question, concern or conception for the next Irish Coffee? Send a message to @brohrbach on Twitter.)

Read More: Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • SoxFaninNC

    WHY? didn’t the Red Sox get a real closer when Papelbon left?

    • Azaratef

      needs thumb surgery…. 

  • Azaratef

    they should sign Mike Gonzalez, put Bard as CP and Aceves SP
    Rotation: Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Doubront, Aceves
    Bullpen: Hill, Albers, Padilla, Morales, Melancon, Mike Gonzalez, Bard (Closer)

  • Jpag99

    how about Jonathan Papelbon…

  • droofus

    How is this even a question?  Melancon actually did a great job in limited opportunities last year in Houston.  I figured he was always the backup plan if something happened to Bailey.

    • Tim wing

      Melancon did a descent job.  20 of 25 saves.  Aaron Cook is a proven starting pitcher and has had a good spring(much better than Bard).  There was a reason why Bard was switched from starter to reliever in the minors.  He had control problems with his other pitches.  Whats been his problem this spring so far??? His control!  Walks too many batters.  Put him back in the pen and let him close, and put Aaron Cook in the rotation.  

      • Semperfi24

        Not to say you are wrong about Bard in regard to his control issues, but do you really want to bring in a closer (with control issues) when there are 2 outs in the 8th, and the bases are loaded, and ask him to get you 4 outs??? 

  • NYSteve

    Bring back Schilling to close; he seem to know all about the team. Plus the drama with Valentine and the players will be more entertaining than the mediocre product on the field this year

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/FBKTCBSBW2SBGGUK2PYVZMWEHM Nicholas Kotsatos

    pedro martinez

  • Douchey McDouche

    Charlie Sheen is available, he was pretty damned good in that Major League movie.  I bet he’d work for coke and hookers too.

    • Zach Biller

      heidi watney already left for LA. lol so no hookers

  • trollhunter

    na na na na    na na na na   hey hey  goodbye

  • mg

    Bill should be embarrassed for signing this turd. The amount of time wasted on this stiff could have been put to better use. Should have kept the draft pick and packaged it for a future no.2!!
    sarc.

    • mikepatriot

      This is little more than a temporary lapse in the usually cool, cerebral talent evaluation of BB giving way to charm, flattery and conviviality in his association with this guy.

  • Biz

    Great piece, CP! I feel badly for him as a pro receiver with rust mounting. Another year older and instead of trying to hook on to a contender at this stage of his career, Chad Johnson displays a total disregard for the offensive playbook.

    Never mind that it was in New England for a moment and forget about “the patriot way.” I don’t see how he gets on the field anywhere if can’t read a playbook. This guy should be trying win a ring and what does he do? He squandered a great opportunity. 

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ZVFM2HRNC5CTO2OUXD4XTX65O4 Dennis

     To protect their investment, the Pats have to “sit on” Gronk. He seems the type who could get into off field trouble real fast. 

  • Arjun biju

    He should go to the ravens

  • trollhunter

    so much talent soooooo dumb ! adios amegos.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VKUWSGCEFNRNK6FRLALF4TCHVA Don

    Who cares where he goes?  How much information can he give a team about a system he wasn’t able to learn?  I feel bad for the guy.  Screwing up at work and getting canned must be bad enough without the general public watching and discussing the whole thing.  No one ever said he didn’t work hard at it, he just didn’t fit in.  I don’t get the feeling he’s an idiot like TO or Moss who got canned over bad attitude.  I hope it works out for him somewhere, in another division.

  • Billy O’Brien

    Why is this even relevant. The guy sucks. 

  • Paul Murphy

    you are a Dink OBJ

  • http://twitter.com/wwalterp Walter Palmer

    If you don’t earn Tom Brady’s trust and you’re a receiver?? Goodbuy is all I can say 

  • theshaggyshow

    It’s a business, get over it. That’s all there is to it. Far more reward at this point to a long term deal for Gronkowski as opposed to Welker.

  • Joseph C.Vara III

    Hey Christopher, do you think the Browns should be in the Running seeing as they are extremely young at wideout, wow get with the program !!

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