Tristian Thompson should start in the playoffs

[Ogaju]

Because of his experience and penchant for offensive rebounds TT should start in the playoffs. It will also enable PMP to play more minutes with Timelord. Those two play well together.

[Moranis]

Williams grabs a higher percentage of offensive rebounds than Thompson does.

[blink]

matchups will probably dictate who starts in the playoffs

[PAOBoston]

I think TT should be starting period. He’s more reliable and he’s played very good basketball for this team since he’s returned from his covid absence. Personally, I think Timelord should be coming off the bench. He’s oft injured and better suited to playing link to d minutes so he can be managed that way.

[nickagneta]

I prefer Williams come off the bench, but he doesn't necessarily have to play the least minutes. And Thompson, just because he is starting, doesn't necessarily have to finish. I want Timelord's energy and enthusiasm to be injected into the game if the starters come out listless, like they are prone to do.

Also, if Nesmith's continues to play like he has the last two games, and yes, that might be a big if, let him start. That infectious urgency and defense is better to begin games, without missing to much offense. And also have him close games.

Starters: Kemba, Nesmith, Brown, Tatum, Thompson

Rotation bench: Pritchard, Smart, Fournier, Timelord

Closers: Smart, Nesmith, Brown Tatum, Timelord with Kemba replacing either Smart or Nesmith if the offense seems to be stagnating late. But if the team needs defense late stay with what I have.

Situational minutes, bench players: Grant, Parker, Kornet. These guys could be used for very short spurts, maybe at the end of quarters so the rotation players don't pick up a bad foul. Or maybe as injections of energy, defense or offense in small minute spurts only.

[footey]

Our team is much more dynamic with Rob on the floor, on both ends. 

Tristan Thompson is too slow when he gets the ball on the post.  Our offense becomes way too predictable, and susceptible to gumming up.

Rob also gives us better rim protection. Teams don't drive against us as much with him in the paint.

Rob starting will increase chance of more minutes with him on the floor. 

We are 9-2 with Rob starting. 21-18 with TT starting.

Start Rob, not Thompson.

One exception would be vs Sixers. I could see starting Thompson. 

[Chief]

Id start Williams. I like his rim protection. I think it motivates TT too. Come off the bench, outplay the starter, and close the game.

[Vermont Green]

They have both played about the same minutes on average for the season and especially so as the season has progressed.

Our starters or core players, Tatum, Brown, Walker, Smart to me are best suited to play with Thompson (or maybe more accurately, Thompson is more suited to play with them).  Based on what I see, I want RWilliams to still get his 20-24 minutes but I want Thompson on the court at crunch time (and to start).  Some match ups may change this but this is my default.

I checked the 5 man line ups at NBA.com.  Core 4 + Thompson is -8 in 58 minutes (-5.0 per 36) and core 4 + RWill is +3 in 111 minutes (+1.0 per 36) so a statistical edge to Williams.  I think this is a little skewed as Thompson had a lot of line up minutes with Theis and then missed games after Theis was traded.  FWIW, the Core 4 + Theis was +13 in 79 minutes (+5.9 per 36).

This is not directly related to Thompson vs. Williams but the Celtics have used about 650 different 5 man units this season in 64 games (3,072 minutes).  The highest used 5 man unit was .T. Thompson, .K. Walker, .J. Brown, .J. Tatum, .D. Theis for 131 min and +13 (+3.6 per 36).  Just randomly checking some other teams and the amount of minutes for their top units:

Phoenix          676
Philly              516
Milwaukee       425
Utah               593
Brooklyn         192

Teams that are stable in terms of defined roles and injuries can play their best line up together more.  The Celtics have had injury issues and one of their core doesn't play back-to-back games but we also did trade one of our top line up players.  Our most used non-Theis line up is Core 4 + RWill at 111 minutes.  This stat of time played by top units is not going to correlate directly to wins but I think it is telling in terms of the affect of injuries in relation to ability to have continuity with the core line up.  I did not check every team but the two surprise teams (Utah and Phoenix) are at the top of the ones I did check.

[ETNCeltics]

Our team is much more dynamic with Rob on the floor, on both ends. 

Tristan Thompson is too slow when he gets the ball on the post.  Our offense becomes way too predictable, and susceptible to gumming up.

Rob also gives us better rim protection. Teams don't drive against us as much with him in the paint.

Rob starting will increase chance of more minutes with him on the floor. 

We are 9-2 with Rob starting. 21-18 with TT starting.

Start Rob, not Thompson.

One exception would be vs Sixers. I could see starting Thompson.

Was going to post this exact thing. We seem a more active team with Rob out there. Just a step quicker. I'd start him against everyone but Philly.

[Somebody]

Because of his experience and penchant for offensive rebounds TT should start in the playoffs. It will also enable PMP to play more minutes with Timelord. Those two play well together.

Who's PMP?

[Ogaju]

Because of his experience and penchant for offensive rebounds TT should start in the playoffs. It will also enable PMP to play more minutes with Timelord. Those two play well together.

Who's PMP?

Payton Michael Pritchard AKA The Rusty Nail.

[Ogaju]

Our team is much more dynamic with Rob on the floor, on both ends. 

Tristan Thompson is too slow when he gets the ball on the post.  Our offense becomes way too predictable, and susceptible to gumming up.

Rob also gives us better rim protection. Teams don't drive against us as much with him in the paint.

Rob starting will increase chance of more minutes with him on the floor. 

We are 9-2 with Rob starting. 21-18 with TT starting.

Start Rob, not Thompson.

One exception would be vs Sixers. I could see starting Thompson.

Was going to post this exact thing. We seem a more active team with Rob out there. Just a step quicker. I'd start him against everyone but Philly.

Playoff games are a totally different animal. TT has tons of playoff experience.