What Bigs Suited to a Smallball Lineup Are Possible Targets For Next Season

[LooseCannon]

If Doc loves smallball so much, Danny Ainge should try to give Doc bigs who fit into that style.  Or fire Doc, but I don't think that is happening, nor do I want it to happen.

I think DJ White and Shavlik Randolph have skill-sets that could function in that role, so I'd like to see them get time for a proper audition in that role.

Looking towards next season, one name stands out to me.  I'm not sure if the Celtics will even have the full MLE available and I think he can get more than the MLE, especially from his current team, but the ideal guy would be Elton Brand, a defender/enforcer who has experience as a smallball PF/C.

Carl Landry is another player with smallball experience.  He has a player option and is probably interested in declining it if he can get a long-term deal somewhere, though it sounds like Golden State would be his first choice.

If Doc Rivers wants a big who is intelligent enough to understand the defense, capable of defending a stretch four out to the perimeter, and preferably able to stretch the floor a little by being able to score occasionally away from the basket, who's available?  If you're thinking trade, a pupu platter of Jason Terry, Fab Melo, and an un-guaranteed Chinese All-Star will allow you to bring back someone making about $9.3m.  Jordan Crawford and 2/3 of the China Three would allow you to take back around $5m.

[CelticG1]

Birdman probably haha, 

[CelticConcourse]

Drummond or Monroe

[wdleehi]

None.


Get this team big.  When Doc has actual NBA size, he plays with NBA size.




There is no NBA size out there right now.  Only KG is at the level, but he is out with injury.





Why not start "Doc likes to play without a PG" since he is since Rondo is out?

[Who]

Tyrus Thomas -- in a trade straight swap for Bass.

[nickagneta]

Doc isn't married to small ball but when he is given a team without size or an offensive post presence and with strength at the wing and guard positions, small ball must be played.

Just get Doc some bigs. Then let him decide which lineups to use and which types of basketball to play. Give him more options on the type of way to handle matchups.

From 2008-2010, Doc could play either traditional lineups or small ball lineups when he needed to run and get back in a game from down double digits. He coached best when he had multiple options and weapons to use off the bench to combat the styles of other teams. He hasn't had that since Perk was traded and the Shaq/JO combo of bigs decided to be forever injured.

[Chief]

[LooseCannon]

Why not start "Doc likes to play without a PG" since he is since Rondo is out?

I wouldn't start that thread because I think the team is better with Rondo.  I started this thread because I like the theoretical concepts behind smallball.  I believe Ainge should try to give Doc the personnel that gives him the option to put a defensively sound smallball unit on the floor.  I think having a mid-range jumper is more important than a couple of extra inches in trying to fill out the roster.

[wdleehi]

Why not start "Doc likes to play without a PG" since he is since Rondo is out?

I wouldn't start that thread because I think the team is better with Rondo.  I started this thread because I like the theoretical concepts behind smallball.  I believe Ainge should try to give Doc the personnel that gives him the option to put a defensively sound smallball unit on the floor.  I think having a mid-range jumper is more important than a couple of extra inches in trying to fill out the roster.

They need size. 

[Chris]

None.


Get this team big.  When Doc has actual NBA size, he plays with NBA size.




There is no NBA size out there right now.  Only KG is at the level, but he is out with injury.





Why not start "Doc likes to play without a PG" since he is since Rondo is out?

Agreed. 

I think Danny should be redoubling efforts to get a guy like Gortat this summer to compliment KG and Sully. 

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

None.


Get this team big.  When Doc has actual NBA size, he plays with NBA size.




There is no NBA size out there right now.  Only KG is at the level, but he is out with injury.





Why not start "Doc likes to play without a PG" since he is since Rondo is out?

Agreed. 

I think Danny should be redoubling efforts to get a guy like Gortat this summer to compliment KG and Sully.

This.

[Celtics4ever]

DEATH to SMALL BALL, it's failed!

[chambers]

I would try & get millsap in free agency. Hopefully he doesnt cost too much but he's almost been an allstar a few times on that terrible Jazz team whilst sharing the paint with Al Jefferson. He is also one of the most productive, if not the most productive players against the current miami heat squad. They have no answer for him and if you had pierce, Millsap and gteen on the floor at the same time we'd give them night mares.
Put KG and Millsap together and youve got a tandem that would be very powerful.
Millsap also brings rebounding and KG could cover Millsaps defensive lapses.

If KG goes, Josh Smith and Millsap would be a nice small ball paint tandem.
Rondo
Green at SG
Pierce
Smith
Millsap

Or Green at SF and Bradley at SG. Very powerful defensive squad.
Would still rather KG in there for 1 or 2 years next to Smith or Millsap though.
I

[Celtics18]

Brandan Wright?