Tatum as the starting PF

[seancally]

For what it's worth, the chatter about how Tatum can't possibly play the 4 and it will stunt his development - I don't think playing the 4 in our system means rotating between the block and high post. Guys will be all over the floor, Tatum will play at the top of the key, corner, wing, some time in the block or high post, etc. He'll match up against the opposing 4, which in many cases is not exactly a banger. Quick review of starting PFs in the east last season. I starred the names I thought were clearly "more of a traditional PF" than Tatum:

MIL: Giannis/Middleton, depending on your definition
TOR: Pascal Siakam
PHI: Tobias Harris (borderline)
BKN: DeMarre Carroll
NYK: Lance Thomas*
IND: Thaddeus Young*
DET: Blake Griffin*
CHI: Lauri Markkanen*
CLE: Kevin Love*
ORL: Aaron Gordon*
MIA: Kelly Olynyk (right..??)
CHA: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
WAS: Markieff Morris*
ATL: John Collins*


On that list, names with the asterisk - not a lot of winning teams. Orlando, Detroit, Philly and Indy were the playoff teams that featured a "more typical" PF - and still, not really. Gordon is flawed and is more of a 3/4. Thad Young is a 4, but he's 6'8". Harris was on the wing jacking threes. Blake was running the offense and also shooting jumpers.

The PF position is not what it used to be. And with defensive rotations, there aren't going to be a lot of 1-on-1 post ups where Kevin Love is feasting on Tatum in the block. Love is probably the nominal center on most lineups, for example. We need a big body/rim protector in the starting lineup, at the 5. I don't care about the 4.

[Monkhouse]

Tatum needs to gain 10-15 pounds, and bulk up... He will get destroyed against stronger bigs.

[Silky]

Tatum needs to be on the wing with the ball. Andbwhile technically, offensively at least, a pf can play outside on offense, they still need to get inside defensively.

Who on that list is tatum slowing down?

Demarre carolle maybe?

[SparzWizard]

Why can't they just pick up a true power forward and help out in the front court. Easier than just having wings play a position they're not used to.

[Monkhouse]

Why can't they just pick up a true power forward and help out in the front court. Easier than just having wings play a position they're not used to.

They did. His name is Grant Williams.

[seancally]

Tatum needs to be on the wing with the ball. Andbwhile technically, offensively at least, a pf can play outside on offense, they still need to get inside defensively.

Who on that list is tatum slowing down?

Demarre carolle maybe?

Opposing PFs are often on the perimeter, so the defender will be out there, too. I don't have the numbers but my guess is that for most teams, most lineups involved one proper big man down low and others who rotated in and out, at most.

[Boise To Boston]

Agreed.  If we went with one more traditional big, I think this lineup would be really nice:

5- Vucevic, Adams, or Bob Williams
4- Tatum
3- Hayward
2- Brown
1- Smart

With Semi, Yabu, and another PG off the bench.

I like that team.  It took PG13 about 2 years to really come back from his injury.  If Hayward can be 90% of what he was his last year in Utah and our young guys can play like we thought they should have last year - I like our chances.

Tatum needs to be on the wing with the ball. Andbwhile technically, offensively at least, a pf can play outside on offense, they still need to get inside defensively.

Who on that list is tatum slowing down?

Demarre carolle maybe?

Opposing PFs are often on the perimeter, so the defender will be out there, too. I don't have the numbers but my guess is that for most teams, most lineups involved one proper big man down low and others who rotated in and out, at most.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I think Tatum would get eaten alive as a 4.

[Walker Wiggle]

I think Tatum would get eaten alive as a 4.

I see the logic, but I think in the 2019-20 season, probably not. Not a lot of Karl Malones out there any longer.

[Irish Stew]

If Tatum, Hayward, and Brown are all here, I want them on the court together as much as possible. This is the strength of the team. Let our opponents try to match up with them.

[gpap]

I think Tatum would get eaten alive as a 4.

I agree, which is why I don't see how we enter the season with Hayward and Tatum. Both guys are small forwards and both guys need to start. Having a 6'8 power forward is a recipe for 30 point blowout losses. Maybe Danny deals Hayward for Kevin Love?

I don't know.

[gpap]

Tatum needs to be on the wing with the ball. Andbwhile technically, offensively at least, a pf can play outside on offense, they still need to get inside defensively.

Who on that list is tatum slowing down?

Demarre carolle maybe?

Maybe Caroll O'Connor

[blink]

If Tatum, Hayward, and Brown are all here, I want them on the court together as much as possible. This is the strength of the team. Let our opponents try to match up with them.

Exactly, we need to try to dictate the pace and style of game more.  If there is a big guy on Tatum, then he needs to break him down off the dribble.  That is why Tatum getting a better handle and becoming a better passer is so important to us.

Next year Tatum is going to be getting a lot of double teams because we don't have Kyrie or Horford anymore.  Unless some really good offensive center gets signed, Tatum and Brown both need to be working on their handles and their passing out of the double teams this summer.

[blink]

I think Tatum would get eaten alive as a 4.

I agree, which is why I don't see how we enter the season with Hayward and Tatum. Both guys are small forwards and both guys need to start. Having a 6'8 power forward is a recipe for 30 point blowout losses. Maybe Danny deals Hayward for Kevin Love?

I don't know.

I get your point, but would we really be better with K Love at the 4?  He isn't a good defender.  I would feel better with GH guarding a 4 than K love.

[alt]

If both Tatum and Hayward start, it will be Hayward defending the other team's bigger, slower, more interior forward (the "PF"). Tatum will be defending the more perimeter oriented one. Lots of switching. It was alreayd like this last season.

On offense, Boston will play 4out, so the distinction between forwards is meaningless.

Starting a Tatum/Hayward 3/4 combo can be fine depending on the other players, especially who is the 5.