Brad Stevens should change the rotation - make it functional

[Csfan1984]

I'd leave it as is for the starters but the rotation needs to get away from small ball. I like going rotation options of

PG- Walker, Smart, Wanna, Edwards
SG- Brown, Smart, Hayward, Green
SF-Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Semi
PF-Tatum, Theis, Timelord, GW
C- Theis, Kanter, Timelord, VP

Keep decent size in each spot. Commit to a tighter 9 rotation with starters Walker, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Theis and bench Smart, Timelord, Kanter, Wanamaker. We don't need to see 10 mins of Green, GW, Edwards, or VP unless we have a 20 pt lead.

[Androslav]

I'd leave it as is for the starters but the rotation needs to get away from small ball. I like going rotation options of

PG- Walker, Smart, Wanna, Edwards
SG- Brown, Smart, Hayward, Green
SF-Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Semi
PF-Tatum, Theis, Timelord, GW
C- Theis, Kanter, Timelord, VP

Keep decent size in each spot. Commit to a tighter 9 rotation with starters Walker, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Theis and bench Smart, Timelord, Kanter, Wanamaker. We don't need to see 10 mins of Green, GW, Edwards, or VP unless we have a 20 pt lead.

I'm not a fan of tight rotations in the preseason (regular season).
Brad needs to get sample sizes on different lineups for meaningful games (playoffs and about 10 regular season games).
If we knew we'd be 17-7 after 24 games we'd all sign that on the dotted line, now folks want playoff rotations in December.
We won't catch Milwaukee regardless. Let's keep the correct long term approach.

[BitterJim]

I'd leave it as is for the starters but the rotation needs to get away from small ball. I like going rotation options of

PG- Walker, Smart, Wanna, Edwards
SG- Brown, Smart, Hayward, Green
SF-Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Semi
PF-Tatum, Theis, Timelord, GW
C- Theis, Kanter, Timelord, VP

Keep decent size in each spot. Commit to a tighter 9 rotation with starters Walker, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Theis and bench Smart, Timelord, Kanter, Wanamaker. We don't need to see 10 mins of Green, GW, Edwards, or VP unless we have a 20 pt lead.

I'm not a fan of tight rotations in the preseason (regular season).
Brad needs to get sample sizes on different lineups for meaningful games (playoffs and about 10 regular season games).
If we knew we'd be 17-7 after 24 games we'd all sign that on the dotted line, now folks want playoff rotations in December.
We won't catch Milwaukee regardless. Let's keep the correct long term approach.

Getting the rookies experience off the bench now also helps if anyone goes down this year, and in the future as they develop

[Csfan1984]

I'd leave it as is for the starters but the rotation needs to get away from small ball. I like going rotation options of

PG- Walker, Smart, Wanna, Edwards
SG- Brown, Smart, Hayward, Green
SF-Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Semi
PF-Tatum, Theis, Timelord, GW
C- Theis, Kanter, Timelord, VP

Keep decent size in each spot. Commit to a tighter 9 rotation with starters Walker, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Theis and bench Smart, Timelord, Kanter, Wanamaker. We don't need to see 10 mins of Green, GW, Edwards, or VP unless we have a 20 pt lead.

I'm not a fan of tight rotations in the preseason (regular season).
Brad needs to get sample sizes on different lineups for meaningful games (playoffs and about 10 regular season games).
If we knew we'd be 17-7 after 24 games we'd all sign that on the dotted line, now folks want playoff rotations in December.
We won't catch Milwaukee regardless. Let's keep the correct long term approach.

Tighter rotation leads to better chemistry developing and better chance that all roles are solidified before playoffs (or rest period at end of season). I still see far too little full team offense and system plays for my liking. Asking things to run more smoothly is what we need. Too much is still based on the defense creating offense.

[Csfan1984]

I'd leave it as is for the starters but the rotation needs to get away from small ball. I like going rotation options of

PG- Walker, Smart, Wanna, Edwards
SG- Brown, Smart, Hayward, Green
SF-Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Semi
PF-Tatum, Theis, Timelord, GW
C- Theis, Kanter, Timelord, VP

Keep decent size in each spot. Commit to a tighter 9 rotation with starters Walker, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Theis and bench Smart, Timelord, Kanter, Wanamaker. We don't need to see 10 mins of Green, GW, Edwards, or VP unless we have a 20 pt lead.

I'm not a fan of tight rotations in the preseason (regular season).
Brad needs to get sample sizes on different lineups for meaningful games (playoffs and about 10 regular season games).
If we knew we'd be 17-7 after 24 games we'd all sign that on the dotted line, now folks want playoff rotations in December.
We won't catch Milwaukee regardless. Let's keep the correct long term approach.

Getting the rookies experience off the bench now also helps if anyone goes down this year, and in the future as they develop

Player development is usually biggest in the offseasons. They won't improve much no matter how much we play them this year.

[Moranis]

I'd leave it as is for the starters but the rotation needs to get away from small ball. I like going rotation options of

PG- Walker, Smart, Wanna, Edwards
SG- Brown, Smart, Hayward, Green
SF-Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Semi
PF-Tatum, Theis, Timelord, GW
C- Theis, Kanter, Timelord, VP

Keep decent size in each spot. Commit to a tighter 9 rotation with starters Walker, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Theis and bench Smart, Timelord, Kanter, Wanamaker. We don't need to see 10 mins of Green, GW, Edwards, or VP unless we have a 20 pt lead.

I'm not a fan of tight rotations in the preseason (regular season).
Brad needs to get sample sizes on different lineups for meaningful games (playoffs and about 10 regular season games).
If we knew we'd be 17-7 after 24 games we'd all sign that on the dotted line, now folks want playoff rotations in December.
We won't catch Milwaukee regardless. Let's keep the correct long term approach.

Getting the rookies experience off the bench now also helps if anyone goes down this year, and in the future as they develop

Player development is usually biggest in the offseasons. They won't improve much no matter how much we play them this year.

That isn't true.  Players generally make the biggest improvement when they have consistent minutes and roles.  That said, I see no reason to "develop" late 1st round picks and 2nd round picks on a team that has solid playoff aspirations as none of those guys are going to turn a playoff series, either now or in the future.  You play the players that are best suited to help you win and if it is a young guy (like Timelord) so be it.

[BitterJim]

I'd leave it as is for the starters but the rotation needs to get away from small ball. I like going rotation options of

PG- Walker, Smart, Wanna, Edwards
SG- Brown, Smart, Hayward, Green
SF-Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Semi
PF-Tatum, Theis, Timelord, GW
C- Theis, Kanter, Timelord, VP

Keep decent size in each spot. Commit to a tighter 9 rotation with starters Walker, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Theis and bench Smart, Timelord, Kanter, Wanamaker. We don't need to see 10 mins of Green, GW, Edwards, or VP unless we have a 20 pt lead.

I'm not a fan of tight rotations in the preseason (regular season).
Brad needs to get sample sizes on different lineups for meaningful games (playoffs and about 10 regular season games).
If we knew we'd be 17-7 after 24 games we'd all sign that on the dotted line, now folks want playoff rotations in December.
We won't catch Milwaukee regardless. Let's keep the correct long term approach.

Getting the rookies experience off the bench now also helps if anyone goes down this year, and in the future as they develop

Player development is usually biggest in the offseasons. They won't improve much no matter how much we play them this year.

I agree, but getting guys like Williams and Edwards minutes now is important if/when we need to play them in the playoffs. You may improve as a player more in the offseason, but you also need to get experience in lower pressure situations (aka the regular season) before getting thrust into the spotlight

This team is not deep enough to have out rookies not be ready to step up if needed

[MichiganAdam]

Rest, experience, player development, continuity, chemistry, talent evaluation, lineup fit, etc.  These are warring concepts, and they all get thrown out the window when injuries happen.  Hayward and smart missing significant time among others has meant more PT for the semi, GW, Edwards, JG type players.  Has hurt chemistry but give time for evaluation and development.  Given the youth of the roster developing the bench is a big part of their PO and future successes.  Tough balancing act on this team.

[mmmmm]

Larry for 3

I'm just flabbergasted you identified Marcus Smart as the one having shot selection issues last year. Just think about the shot selection of the players below last year!

Jayson Tatum
Marcus Morris
Terry Rozier
Kyrie Irving
Jaylen Brown (at the start of the year and when first coming off the bench)

Marcus took the least shots of ANY rotation player on a per possession/minute basis. Semi/Baynes got up shots at a higher rate than him for goodness sake. He had the lowest usage of the entire team among regular rotation players, only Semi/Timelord had lower usage.

And when he did take shots he had a career high offensive rating, TS% and 3PT%!!!

Minor quibble:  Jaylen Brown altered his shot selection profile a few games _before_ he injured his back and then came back on the bench.  Not after.  And it's probable his shot selection prior to that point was affected by his hand injury.

[wdleehi]

I have seen nothing from the bench players (besides Smart) that warrants starting. 



And since the Celtics are not using Hockey style substitution patterns, I see no reason to worry about "spreading the wealth" in terms of talent on the bench. 



Now I would love to see those players develop to the point where they would be clear starters, but it just hasn't been the case in the early parts of their careers.   

[Moranis]

I have seen nothing from the bench players (besides Smart) that warrants starting. 



And since the Celtics are not using Hockey style substitution patterns, I see no reason to worry about "spreading the wealth" in terms of talent on the bench. 



Now I would love to see those players develop to the point where they would be clear starters, but it just hasn't been the case in the early parts of their careers.

I'd actually start Kanter.  I think he is more consistent than Theis, though I understand why Kanter's offense makes sense on the 2nd unit.  I just think Kanter has been, and is, a better player than Theis and I'd rather start the better player. 

[wdleehi]

I have seen nothing from the bench players (besides Smart) that warrants starting. 



And since the Celtics are not using Hockey style substitution patterns, I see no reason to worry about "spreading the wealth" in terms of talent on the bench. 



Now I would love to see those players develop to the point where they would be clear starters, but it just hasn't been the case in the early parts of their careers.

I'd actually start Kanter.  I think he is more consistent than Theis, though I understand why Kanter's offense makes sense on the 2nd unit.  I just think Kanter has been, and is, a better player than Theis and I'd rather start the better player.

I think lack of touches for Kanter with the starters would be a negative towards his effectiveness.   

[RPGenerate]

I have seen nothing from the bench players (besides Smart) that warrants starting. 



And since the Celtics are not using Hockey style substitution patterns, I see no reason to worry about "spreading the wealth" in terms of talent on the bench. 



Now I would love to see those players develop to the point where they would be clear starters, but it just hasn't been the case in the early parts of their careers.

I'd actually start Kanter.  I think he is more consistent than Theis, though I understand why Kanter's offense makes sense on the 2nd unit.  I just think Kanter has been, and is, a better player than Theis and I'd rather start the better player.

His defense would be exposed playing against starters, and his offense would be greatly diminished by playing with 4 other shot creators. Seems like a bad idea.

[Moranis]

I have seen nothing from the bench players (besides Smart) that warrants starting. 



And since the Celtics are not using Hockey style substitution patterns, I see no reason to worry about "spreading the wealth" in terms of talent on the bench. 



Now I would love to see those players develop to the point where they would be clear starters, but it just hasn't been the case in the early parts of their careers.

I'd actually start Kanter.  I think he is more consistent than Theis, though I understand why Kanter's offense makes sense on the 2nd unit.  I just think Kanter has been, and is, a better player than Theis and I'd rather start the better player.

His defense would be exposed playing against starters, and his offense would be greatly diminished by playing with 4 other shot creators. Seems like a bad idea.

It isn't like Theis can really guard the Embiid's of the world.  Kanter is actually halfway effective against those bigger guys.  He just has to stay in man.  I think his offense would only improve playing with better players and guys that create for others.  Theis is a real negative in that regard.  I think Kanter would actually help the big 4. 

[RPGenerate]

I have seen nothing from the bench players (besides Smart) that warrants starting. 



And since the Celtics are not using Hockey style substitution patterns, I see no reason to worry about "spreading the wealth" in terms of talent on the bench. 



Now I would love to see those players develop to the point where they would be clear starters, but it just hasn't been the case in the early parts of their careers.

I'd actually start Kanter.  I think he is more consistent than Theis, though I understand why Kanter's offense makes sense on the 2nd unit.  I just think Kanter has been, and is, a better player than Theis and I'd rather start the better player.

His defense would be exposed playing against starters, and his offense would be greatly diminished by playing with 4 other shot creators. Seems like a bad idea.

It isn't like Theis can really guard the Embiid's of the world.  Kanter is actually halfway effective against those bigger guys.  He just has to stay in man.  I think his offense would only improve playing with better players and guys that create for others.  Theis is a real negative in that regard.  I think Kanter would actually help the big 4.

Sure, but Theis is actually an all around good defender who moves his feel well, and plays with effort. Kanter has lead feet, and will constantly get destroyed in switches, which we do a bunch in Brad's system. Kanter may be a better matchup only 10% of the time. There's a reason he has never had a consistent starting role in his career. And I'm gonna need some numbers on Theis being a negative on offense, as I don't see that at all. Our offensive struggles seem to stem from Tatum and occasionally Kemba more than anyone.