Give or Take – Marquis Daniels and Glen Davis

With the same type of injury (thumb) and the same length of time away from the game (6-8 weeks) it would only be appropriate for them to be staggered so we never have a complete lineup until February, which we will hopefully have. Well I guess that isn’t too bad of a deal. It sure would be hard to have both great bench players out of the lineup for almost 2 months. Therefore, for the first give or take, I would give up having them both out of the lineup for 6-8 weeks to have 1 out for 6-8 weeks followed by the next (aka the situation the Celtics are currently in). It would be hard for the Celtics to cover the backup position of a big and a guard. The bench would be very shaken up. The C’s think it is tough playing Shelden and Scal extensive minutes, just imagine Shelden and Scal, plus all of the combo’s there could be to fill Daniels time. With that, the bench we hoped to lift us, would instead likely bring us down.

GIve or Take- Big Baby being out for the 6-8 weeks he was out, or exchange them with the 6-8 Daniels will be out? This is a little unfair, as we have been able to see what the Celtics can do without Glen through this portion of the schedule. However, it is not as easy of a decision as it may seem. We have to look forward. Do we need bigs off the bench agaisnt these teams we are about to play, or guards / small forwards? I would have to say we need smaller players, instead of a power forward in Glen Davis. Therefore, I would give up Glen Davis’ early season injury, for him to instead, take the time off Daniels is about to. In these upcoming couple of months, the Celtics face a lot of teams that are quicker and play up tempo games. The Suns, Hawks, and Mavs are quicker teams that use their guards and perimeter game well. The Magic have big men, but we have the starting lineup, as well as backups (without Davis) who stay right with them perfectly. Orlando beats us with their jump shooting game. So for these games that Marquis is going to miss, I would rather he be in, and Baby out for this portion.

Obviously I would rather have neither of them out. I know the Celtics are 17-4 without Davis and with Daniels. The thing is, I think they could still be that if the players flip flopped the games they missed. With that, it is more crucial for THESE games in the next couple months, that the C’s to have a reliable back up guard-forward, than it is for a big player. Really though, I dont think it too much matters. The Celtics are so well rounded that they can put together a lineup on any night to compete with the different opponents who are good at different things. I just think it would be easier if the players missed the games opposite to the ones they are actually missing. It is unfortunate either player has to miss any time.

Glen Davis (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Marquis Daniels (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)