Current Celts + '86 Celts: What's Your Rotation?

[Roy H.]

I saw a similar debate over on the RealGM forums, and I wanted to see what folks over here thought.

If you could supplement this year's team with guys from the 1986 squad, what would your team / lineups look like?  Assume that guys wouldn't throw a big stink if they were asked to come off the bench.

I'd go with:

C:  Parish / Perk / Walton / Shaq
PF: McHale / KG / BBD
SF: Bird / Pierce
SG: Ray / Ainge / Marquis
PG: Rondo / DJ / Delonte

Toughest decisions:

McHale over KG.  I think '86 McHale was probably a better player than '10 KG, and he would give this team a dominant post presence.  McHale was also a dominant defender.  This one is ultra-close, though, and I can see people preferring KG for his leadership, passing, and team defense.

Pierce as sixth man.  I think Bird over Pierce is a no-brainer, but it would be easy enough to get Pierce into the starting lineup.  He could be moved to SG, or KG could slide to center with Bird at PF.  However, KG isn't a fan of playing center on defense, and Parish / McHale or Parish / Garnett is a better defensive pairing than KG / Bird.  Pierce would also have a bit of a disadvantage guarding SGs, and I really like Pierce as a facilitator off the bench.  I still anticipate him playing 30+ minutes per game.

Rondo over DJ.  This one is a toss up.  Rondo is a better facilitator, but would the starting lineup need his passing skills with Bird in there?  Both were great defenders and leaders.  I give Rondo the nod due to his athleticism, and because I'd prefer to keep the chemistry between Rondo / Ray and DJ / Ainge.

Shaq / Marquis / Delonte over Sichting or Wedman.  I've got a soft spot for Shaq, and I like the defense and versatility of Marquis and Delonte.

What's your team look like?

[wdleehi]

I would start KG over Mchale just because he has shown to be so effective off the bench.  Then I would use a three man rotation of bigs with Perk playing spot minutes.


I would start Pierce over Ray.  Go big.  Again, three man rotation with Ainge playing spot minutes. 


Wedman over Shaq.

[Fafnir]

Hmmm, at first thought I'm actually thinking about going with McHale/KG/Bird/Pierce/Rondo.

I'm not sure though, let me ponder. Either way I think McHale would end up playing a lot of C for my team, just so both he and KG could get enough minutes to impact the game.

[Who]

Walton over Perk

[Roy H.]

Hmmm, at first thought I'm actually thinking about going with McHale/KG/Bird/Pierce/Rondo.

I'm not sure though, let me ponder. Either way I think McHale would end up playing a lot of C for my team, just so both he and KG could get enough minutes to impact the game.

Interesting.  I like the look of the McHale / KG combo, but the one reason I wouldn't do it is because it leaves the team thin at backup PF (not that it would matter, since the starters would build a 20 point lead every night).

Similarly, putting Pierce in the starting lineup hurts the bench at SF.  Also, I don't like his mobility guarding SGs as much.

However, maybe a lineup of:

McHale
Bird
Pierce
Ray
Rondo

That would be a pretty crazy lineup, and probably the most talented one you could put together overall while still making good basketball sense.  (I like McHale at center better than I like KG there at this stage in KG's career.)  It still leaves the team weak at backup SF (Marquis, I guess?) but otherwise the team is unbeatable.

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

"Bird over Pierce" isnt gonna be so easy to say any more if he gets a couple more rings. Same for KG and Mchale

[wdleehi]

"Bird over Pierce" isnt gonna be so easy to say any more if he gets a couple more rings. Same for KG and Mchale

Yes, it is.


Bird in 86, top 5 player of all time.

[BballTim]

"Bird over Pierce" isnt gonna be so easy to say any more if he gets a couple more rings. Same for KG and Mchale

Yes, it is.


Bird in 86, top 5 player of all time.

  Arguably top 1.

[greenpride32]

KG over McHale; Kevin used to come off the bench earlier in his career so he's accustomed to that role.

Bird over Pierce for sure.  Bird was an MVP candidate, top 3 player for most of his career.  Pierce's resume doesn't quite stack up to that. 

Parrish/KG/Bird/Allen/Rondo

[Roy H.]

"Bird over Pierce" isnt gonna be so easy to say any more if he gets a couple more rings. Same for KG and Mchale

KG and McHale is debatable, regardless of rings.  Bird and Pierce isn't, and won't be, in my opinion.

[Fan from VT]

I was thinking
McHale
Kg
Bird
Ray
Rondo

then

Parish, Pierce, DJ, Ainge, Walton filling in where needed.

[Moranis]

Rotation with projected minutes

PG - Rondo 30, Johnson 18
SG - Pierce 20, Allen 22, Ainge 6
SF - Bird 35, Pierce 13
PF - McHale 30, Garnett 18
C - Garnett 12, Parish 25, Walton 11

Total Minutes
Bird 35
Pierce 33
Rondo, Garnett, McHale - 30
Parish 25
Allen 22
Johnson 18
Walton 11
Ainge 6
Perkins, Davis - dress but mop up

Shaq, Robinson, Daniels - Suits

[Who]

Start Kevin Garnett alongside the Big Three. Have him defend the two spot.

[winsomme]

I think the toughest decision would be Ray vs. PP at SG.

I'd eliminate the McHale vs. KG problem by starting them both.

Rondo
Pierce
Bird
McHale
KG

DJ
Ray
Perk
Parish

[Roy H.]

Start Kevin Garnett alongside the Big Three. Have him defend the two spot.

Have KG defend SGs?  I love the guy, but 2010 KG can't defend shooting guards. 

Of course, other teams couldn't defend him, either.