Who should start at SG

[KG Living Legend]

Let's project that we are at the All Star break and Schroder is the starting PG. Brown is playing SF 35 minutes per night as is Tatum at PF.

 Horford and Timelord are manning the middle and we just need that perfect fit at off guard to compliment the starters.

 That player could easily be Smart but something about a Schroder and Smart backcourt doesn't sit right. Lack of shooting and Would prefer Smarts playmaking off the bench.

 Nesmith could be perfect if he develops consistency.  Knock down shooting,  great energy and hustle,  good defense,  and his weaknesses fit the starting unit. Ball handling and passing.  We don't need that from him yet.

 Finally Josh Richardson.  The most well rounded option of the three. Size, Very good defender, playmaker, solid handles, okay shooting

 What's the ideal scenario for the celtics off guard position this year.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I don't know the configuration, but one thing I know is that I'd rather Brown start as a SG. One of his biggest strengths is his size for that position, so I'd rather not lose that.

[KG Living Legend]

I don't know the configuration, but one thing I know is that I'd rather Brown start as a SG. One of his biggest strengths is his size for that position, so I'd rather not lose that.

 Richardson is almost the same size as Brown.  6'5" with a 6'10" wingspan

[Celtics2021]

I think your entire premise is wrong with Schröder starting.  Barring further trades, I would be surprised if Smart and Richardson were not the starting backcourt when everyone is healthy.

[tstorey_97]

Schroder
Brown
Tatum
Horford
Robert

Look at that frontcourt why don't cha! When did we have that size and talent up front? (Pipe dream, Robert is hurt all the time)

Jaylen Brown in the back court? Yes.

Smart
Richardson
Nesmith
Are they going to get Markkannen? Could use another big.

That's a very good team, good defense, new coach, look out.

[Who]

I think your entire premise is wrong with Schröder starting.  Barring further trades, I would be surprised if Smart and Richardson were not the starting backcourt when everyone is healthy.

I worry about where Pritchard's minutes are going to come from if we are giving Smart minutes at PG. Those minutes along with Schroder's minutes leave little to nothing for Pritchard to get any minutes at PG.

Which means Pritchard either plays as an two guard or does not play and I do not want to see him play as an off guard again next season. Nor do I want to see him glued to the bench. After Tatum, Jaylen, Schroder and Horford; Pritchard is probably our next best offensive player.

[liam]

Nesmith should be the shooting guard because he can shoot.

[Who]

That player could easily be Smart but something about a Schroder and Smart backcourt doesn't sit right. Lack of shooting and Would prefer Smarts playmaking off the bench.

One of the things that bother me about Smart & Schroder in the backcourt is that they both need the ball. As does Tatum and Jaylen. And to a lesser degree with Horford as a facilitator.

Schroder is a pretty high usage guy alongside Tatum and Jaylen. I feel like a low usage player would be ideal next to him.

Smart is not really a low usage player. He is not an off-ball shooter. He needs some time on the ball to be a secondary ball-handler and playmaker to fully utilize his offensive skill-set. But if Smart needs the ball, who are you taking it from?

I worry that there are too many guys that need the ball. That a lower usage guy is what is needed. I am not sure Josh Richardson is that player either as he struggled in that role in Dallas and has played his best basketball when more involved in the offense. That leaves me with Nesmith at SF with Jaylen at SG (since Jaylen is quicker and can defend SGs).

Or leaving Schroder in that super-scorer bench role.

Which gives two possibilities. Smart & Josh Richardson together as our best defensive five. Or Pritchard starting alongside either Smart or J-Rich in order to get more shooting & team offense on the floor. Pritchard could even be a 20mpg type starter (low minute starter, part time starter) with Schroder taking the other 28mpg.

I do worry about Pritchard being left out in the cold if Smart starts at PG since Schroder will take most of the remainder and there will be little or no minutes left at PG for Pritchard.

[Tr1boy]

Let's project that we are at the All Star break and Schroder is the starting PG. Brown is playing SF 35 minutes per night as is Tatum at PF.

 Horford and Timelord are manning the middle and we just need that perfect fit at off guard to compliment the starters.

 That player could easily be Smart but something about a Schroder and Smart backcourt doesn't sit right. Lack of shooting and Would prefer Smarts playmaking off the bench.

 Nesmith could be perfect if he develops consistency.  Knock down shooting,  great energy and hustle,  good defense,  and his weaknesses fit the starting unit. Ball handling and passing.  We don't need that from him yet.

 Finally Josh Richardson.  The most well rounded option of the three. Size, Very good defender, playmaker, solid handles, okay shooting

 What's the ideal scenario for the celtics off guard position this year.

Should be Nesmith

You need shooters to spread the floor

[Hoopvortex]

Let's project that we are at the All Star break and Schroder is the starting PG. Brown is playing SF 35 minutes per night as is Tatum at PF.

35 minutes is way too much. The Celtics have added veteran depth and particularly a couple of wing stoppers so that The Two Jays don’t get worn down and can put their energy into what they are so very good at.

Secondly, they will both match down frequently, to take advantage of their size.

Frankly, I don’t think it’s useful anymore at the NBA level to distinguish ‘shooting guards’ from ‘small forwards’ - there are wings, some bigger and some quicker.

Horford and Timelord are manning the middle and we just need that perfect fit at off guard to compliment the starters.

Horford lets you use two-big lineups - I really don’t know if TL starts, but that would allow for big lineups like Schröder/Brown/Tatum/TL/Horford.

 

That player could easily be Smart but something about a Schroder and Smart backcourt doesn't sit right. Lack of shooting and Would prefer Smarts playmaking off the bench.

Makes sense.

Nesmith could be perfect if he develops consistency.  Knock down shooting,  great energy and hustle,  good defense,  and his weaknesses fit the starting unit. Ball handling and passing.  We don't need that from him yet.

Again, makes sense. I’m a believer. Want to see more physical defense; if he’s starting he’ll need to guard some of the best scorers on the planet.

Finally Josh Richardson.  The most well rounded option of the three. Size, Very good defender, playmaker, solid handles, okay shooting

Udoka thinks he can get his 3-pt shooting back; if so he’s probably ideal.

What's the ideal scenario for the celtics off guard position this year?

Oh, I think I just said it: Richardson with his Miami 3-pointer.

[Vermont Green]

Schroder and Smart together don’t make sense to me.  Ideally, Brown is the SG, Tatum is the SF, and then a PG and two decent bigs. If not two bigs, then Richardson.   If Nesmith or anyone else can beat out Richardson, great.

[gouki88]

I'm kinda coming around to the idea of:
Pritchard - Schroder
Smart - Richardson
Brown - Nesmith
Tatum - Parker
Horford - Williams

[footey]

I'm kinda coming around to the idea of:
Pritchard - Schroder
Smart - Richardson
Brown - Nesmith
Tatum - Parker
Horford - Williams

So Langford who started in playoffs last season doesn’t make top 10 cut?  Do you really think Ime , who wants to emphasize defense, will sit Langford behind ten guys? I know Langford has been unimpressive in summer, but don’t you think his defensive prowess displayed last season will get him some burn? I do.

[CFAN38]

I don't know the configuration, but one thing I know is that I'd rather Brown start as a SG. One of his biggest strengths is his size for that position, so I'd rather not lose that.

I agree and this is why is was hoping PBS would be able to land a big wing (Anderson, Green, Gay) to start along side the Js. Aside from that I’m not really concerned who starts. The end of the game will likely end up being Js, Smart, AL, and who ever is hot out of Shroeder, Richardson, Pritchard or Nesmith

[Goldstar88]

Where’s the poll? I vote Richardson due to his size, athleticism, and scoring ability. Smart’s a better defender, but Josh is still solid on that end and offensively, he’s more skilled than Marcus.