I know it's very early, but assuming the C's don't get much talent as far as big men, I think starting Brandon Bass could be a way to maximize talent.
Now before I explain my rationale, I do fully realize that this situation is not ideal; however, neither is our salary flexibility.
Assuming we only get scrubs to play center who are really third string caliber, we're left our only "good" big men as KG, Bass, JO, and hopefully JaJuan. You could probably throw Green in there for at least 5-10 mpg too. The problem is JO is the only legitimate center on the team. So your two options become this:
1) Start JO and play the scrubs when he's not in the game.
2) Start KG at center with Bass at the 4, and use JO as the backup. Then, backup Bass with ideally JaJuan Johnson, or worst case, Jeff Green.
Does option #2 leave us undersized? A bit. But not as much as you might think, as KG is taller than most centers in the league. Furthermore, what team would actually punish us for doing this?
Against Chicago, Noah really isn't a scoring option and Boozer is about as undersized as Bass.
Against Miami, KG could still guard Bosh and Bass could guard whatever scrub they trot out a center.
Against the Knicks KG would still guard Amare and Bass could hang with Turiaf.
And even if you think that any of those teams could "exploit" Bass, I'd love to see the Knicks run their offense through Turiaf instead of Amare and Carmelo.
The worst thing we can do is overreact about not having a legitimate big man and play scrubs 20 mpg at the position. All that will do is hurt us offensively and defensively as a player who shouldn't on the court is out there.
So assuming we can't get a decent backup center. I'd start KG at the 5 and Bass at the 4. Bring JO off the bench. However, I'd work the minutes (about 30 mpg for all) so that KG would still still finish the games with JO, giving us the formidable defense that made us a contender all of these years.
Thoughts?
