Doc Rivers: "KG will play Center this year"

[rondohondo]

WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) - Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers isn't worried about his team's lack of depth at center. He plans on using Kevin Garnett a lot more in that role this season.

Entering his 17th season in the NBA and his fifth with Boston, the 6-foot-11 forward has been the anchor of Boston's defense since he was acquired from Minnesota. Now Rivers says he'll probably be playing the 14-time All Star at center a lot more.

The Celtics coach talked Saturday about the league's shortage of good centers after the team's second day of practice and feels as if Garnett may be one of his best options.

As trade rumors involving center Jermaine O'Neal continued to swirl around the team's practice facility, Rivers had a quick answer when asked what he plans to do.

"We'll move Kevin,'' Rivers said. "He will play the 5 this year. I honestly don't think that it'll be a problem. When he was younger it would have been a problem.''

But why now? During his career, Garnett, a 23,000-plus point scorer, has been successful against forwards, using his size to get off his solid jumper.

"He's older, bigger, stronger and can play both positions and can spread the floor from that position,'' Rivers said. "He can play the whole game at center and it wouldn't bother me at all.''

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/basketball/nba/wires/12/10/2030.ap.bkn.celtics.garnett.1st.ld.writethru.0645/

no surprise at all with the additions of West and Bass it is the only logical move to make. Still need a backup banger who can defend the low post though IMO. Kwame or Kurt Thomas would be fine with me .

[TaxiDriver2500]

KG creates matchup issues for teams at whatever position you put him at. Like Doc said his ability to spread the floor while playing the  5 is just another way to manipulate defenses. Doc has a nose for attacking what teams throw at the celtics offense

[RebusRankin]

Back when he was in Minnesota, it was speculated this might happen as he hit his mid 30's.

[cman88]

so, does our starting lineup look something like this?:

Rondo/Allen/Pierce/West/Garnett

or are we better utilized putting west on the bench and starting wilcox. I think you almost have to start west...because where is Bass going to get his minutes?

[pearljammer10]

so, does our starting lineup look something like this?:

Rondo/Allen/Pierce/West/Garnett

or are we better utilized putting west on the bench and starting wilcox. I think you almost have to start west...because where is Bass going to get his minutes?

I love that line up. Im liking the dpth chart as well...

Rondo/Dooling
Allen/Daniels
Pierce/Green
West/Bass
KG/Wilcox

Thats a pretty strong ten man rotation right there. That second unit could beat the Raptors.

[LB3533]

I very excited!

[illestmcsgt]

To think we still have the LMLE which we could use for a big center or wing of our choice. I prefer it would be a center so we can spread the minutes out. We could have KG play 20-24 mins at center. Bass and Wilcox split 12-16 mins(But, I think Bass will play most of his mins at PF behind West) at center while another center plays the remaining mins. Like a Kwame Brown? Either way we have enough players that back to backs would not tear down our bigs since we can play KG one night and give him rest another night.

[cman88]

so, does our starting lineup look something like this?:

Rondo/Allen/Pierce/West/Garnett

or are we better utilized putting west on the bench and starting wilcox. I think you almost have to start west...because where is Bass going to get his minutes?

I love that line up. Im liking the dpth chart as well...

Rondo/Dooling
Allen/Daniels
Pierce/Green
West/Bass
KG/Wilcox

Thats a pretty strong ten man rotation right there. That second unit could beat the Raptors.

thats alot of shooting on the first unit too. you could space the floor and really open up driving lanes for Rondo to drive/dish

I still think we need to sign a shooting guard...because quis probably will miss games

[33_Larry Legend_33]

Watching KG potentially getting pushed around on defense might only serve to hinder his offense.  Honestly, I don't like the sound of this one bit...  he's NOT a center...never has been.

[Junkyard Dawg]

Rondo/Dooling
Allen/Daniels
Pierce/Green
West/Bass
KG/Wilcox

Really like how that looks, if we got a kwame or a kurt thomas i would be smitten (only because sadly they're our best options), still would love to see delonte west in the mix somehow.

[KCattheStripe]

My guess is KG jumps but DWest guards the bulkier guys.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

KG is not a center.....he will be wasting all his energy playing there, covering people who will push him around..and he will then be tired on offense.....not a good idea. Come on doc..! Then he will be out of position on offense also...it will throw his whole game off.....what about murphy at center, or the new guy....play KG..what..less..?

[Brendan]

I wonder if the C's have seen anything:

1. Maybe KG actually plays really well as C
2. Maybe KG's declining health, etc - show he cannot keep up with PF in a smaller faster league?
3. Maybe the stats show his impact is better at C?
4. Maybe it will be easier to rest him and reduce minutes with him at C?

People who liked the KG/Posey front court in 2008, should like this though.

[slamtheking]

so, does our starting lineup look something like this?:

Rondo/Allen/Pierce/West/Garnett

or are we better utilized putting west on the bench and starting wilcox. I think you almost have to start west...because where is Bass going to get his minutes?

I love that line up. Im liking the dpth chart as well...

Rondo/Dooling
Allen/Daniels
Pierce/Green
West/Bass
KG/Wilcox

Thats a pretty strong ten man rotation right there. That second unit could beat the Raptors.

I like that lineup as a pretty decent starting point.  Taking JJJ, Bradley and Moore as the 3 sitting in street clothes or the D-league, I'd like to see them resign Delonte and grab a legit center to make the full 12.  C's will need a real shooter off the bench as either the PG or SG and Delonte brings that at either spot. 

If JJJ ends up going with JO for West, then they should be bringing in another athletic PF or SG.

[gotjoker?]

Ugh.  I've a hard time believing that a player who would get irked if you referred to him as a seven-footer would welcome a change to center.

If I'm Ainge, I don't make Rivers make this decision.  That is to say, find a decent starting center in free agency.