Positionless Celticsball (or why Avery was expendable) (from seeroy in Reddit)

[hwangjini_1]

The problem with forwards in the backcourt is they're easily stripped of the ball by quicker guards. Saw that the other night vs. Utah.

You do need some quickness to bring the ball up. Too often it's been a forward, not DJ, bringing the ball up.

I wouldn't count on Zizic for this year, from what he has shown so far. Looks like he needs D-league time, or maybe another year abroad. Ainge is probably on the phones looking for a big with experience. No doubt Semi and probably Nader will make the team.

but doesnt this analysis assume the traditional 1-5 positions? under CBS with ball handlers, wings, and bigs thing are different. the traditional ideas of back court etc. are changed.

specific match ups become less crucial over the course of a game. being able to defend almost anyone with a variety of players become more important.

[jbp126]

AB was a cap casualty, and that's probably 100% of the answer. He's got a chance at a $100 million+ payday, and the Celts just couldn't afford him. Don't be shocked if Smart gets dealt at some point in the next year.

The cap issue was absolutely one of the factors but there were definitely others and lack of size and positional versatility were reasons.  We also needed to get someone who could legitimately play the 4.

I love the versatility and length of this roster.  It reminds me of a better version of the '07 Warriors.  You can never have enough people who can shoot and play 2-4.

[CelticsElite]

The all star game switching its format from positions to backcourt and frontcourt proves the NBA has changed.

The "trade a 2nd round pick for vucecic or drummond" crowd isn't going to like this threS

[mctyson]

Tbh I think Bradley isn't stuck between positions, he's so good on D that him guarding KD wouldn't be a mismatch

As much as I love AB, you are dead wrong here.

Bradley's biggest deficiency for his height was that he could never be the primary ball handler.  He can't run the pick-n-roll credibly (can't attack the paint / finish / draw fouls enough).  seeroy is exactly right - and this is why Marcus Smart, who is a considerably worse shooter than AB, is still a better "guard" in Brad's system than Avery.  Marcus can distribute, handle, assist, and can get to the rim (he just can't convert).  He also can defend the 6'8" 3/4s better than Avery.

[CelticsBR]

The Cs got way better.

However, the Cs overachieved last season.

Results this season may be worse than last season.

[kmart12]

Analysis like this continues to ignore that we have no "bigs". We can call it positionless basketball, but the need for guys to rebound and protect the basket still exists and we only have one player capable of playing legitimate minutes that fills that need (and only somewhat).

[DooVoo]

The Cs got way better.

However, the Cs overachieved last season.

Results this season may be worse than last season.

Can you actually show some data for this?

[SparzWizard]

The Cs got way better.

However, the Cs overachieved last season.

Results this season may be worse than last season.

The East got a lot more weaker if that is any help lol

[mahcus smaht]

The Cs got way better.

However, the Cs overachieved last season.

Results this season may be worse than last season.

The Cs got way better.

However, the Cs overachieved last season.

Results this season may be worse than last season.

Can you actually show some data for this?

We had the point differential of a 48 win team according to bball ref.

[PAOBoston]

Analysis like this continues to ignore that we have no "bigs". We can call it positionless basketball, but the need for guys to rebound and protect the basket still exists and we only have one player capable of playing legitimate minutes that fills that need (and only somewhat).

Rebounding is a collective effort. Adding one tall guy ain't going to magically fix the rebounding problem. And the Cs don't have to be a great rebounding team. They just have to be average. Adding bigger wings that can rebound will help with this.

But I do agree the big man depth is currently lacking. We'll see what DA has up his sleeve for depth.

[kmart12]

Analysis like this continues to ignore that we have no "bigs". We can call it positionless basketball, but the need for guys to rebound and protect the basket still exists and we only have one player capable of playing legitimate minutes that fills that need (and only somewhat).

Rebounding is a collective effort. Adding one tall guy ain't going to magically fix the rebounding problem. And the Cs don't have to be a great rebounding team. They just have to be average. Adding bigger wings that can rebound will help with this.

But I do agree the big man depth is currently lacking. We'll see what DA has up his sleeve for depth.

I'm not suggesting we add a tall guy; I'm suggesting we need an interior presence that we severely lack. There's a reason why a guy as talented as Robin Lopez was able to abuse us in the playoffs. Throwing out a lineup of scrawny "wings" that are long and can grab a few boards (i.e., in space; long rebounds) doesn't address the need for someone to keep opponents OFF of the boards. And Horford is simply not good enough at it as is and he shouldn't be expected to do it by himself.

Draymond Green is a big as he is a wing. He is a rebounding machine and plays as physically and with as much tenacity as any power forward in the league. In comparison, a guy like Crowder has a similar physical profile but isn't as effective. Why? Because one is a "big" in terms of their impact (Green obviously brings a tremendous amount more to the table than rebounding) and one is wing-oriented. Green boxes out and has a nose for the ball and can flat out rebound better than any player on our team. To suggest that teams like GSW or Cleveland don't have players like that is false and something that I think this Reddit post fails to address.