Doc seemed to have a hard time last year settling on a rotation. It seemed we had a different lineup every game. The problem with that is that players never develop a chemistry by knowing their role and never get that telepathy that comes from playing with each other for extended periods of time. We see teams that win play the same players game in and gamne out.

A possibility that would help Doc as well as help the players to know their roles is to play 2 complete teams. We could have a first team and a second team and substitute them in mass. Each of these teams would be used to playing with each other and would know each other's tendencies. As a result, we would see much better play and fewer turnovers. Some of the turnovers last year occurred when a player wasn't where they were supposed to be or wasn't ready for a pass. If a team of 5 was used to playing together in practice and games, I believe that it would mean fewer of these turnovers.

We could have a first team that is more of a half court team and a second team that is a fast break team. I could see Pierce, Wally, West, Al, and Ratliff starting on a half court team and Telfair (or Rondo), Tony, Gomes, Perk, and Green on the fast break team. Or we could have 2 fast break teams. Or, we could go with one big team and one small team. Either way, both teams would be used to playing together and have great chemistry. It would define roles and I believe it would me more effective.

Training camp is going to be very important this season. Pierce and probably Wally will be starters, but after that, every player will have to work and earn his spot. We have players who can play more than one position so where they play is also up for grabs. Rondo and Telfair are pure points. Ratliff and Perk are Centers. But in between, Pierce can play the 2 and 3. Gomes plays the 3 and 4. West the 1 and 2. Tony plays 1,2 or 3. Al can play 4 or 5.

Which players will start? Which players will be on the Inactive List? Which players will be sent to the D League? There are lots of questions to be answered and Doc has a lot of decisions to make. I believe that a good decision would be to set a 10-11 man rotation using 2 separate teams rather than to substitute piecemeal as Doc did last year. Doc used the 2 team system somewhat the season before last and it seemed to work when he did. 15 days till training camp and then we will find out.