Poll: Does playing C or PF wear out KG more?

[bfrombleacher]

I've seen people argue that KG won't last at the C...

But whether you're talking about stamina-wise or durability/injury-prevention-wise, I think KG benefits from playing a center more.

In today's NBA, defending PFs means a lot more running and jumping than defending a center since true bigs barely even exist.

Defending the more bruising, low post centers certainly would exhaust KG. But in comparison, with the far decreased need for mobility overshadows the strength required in low post defense.

Plus, very few teams have a good center. I'd be a bit concerned about Bynum and might switch up KG to someone else...but after that...

Dwight, the supposed next best center had his tail between his legs, running home crying when KG manned him up.

Sure, a team can play small-ball or do some weird crap like that...but they'd be hurting just as much, if not more, on their own defensive end.


Verdict: I personally don't agree with the idea that playing C would hurt KG. In fact, I think it might even benefit him.

With the center being a generally weaker position, KG has less need to exert himself.

KG's value is his understanding of defense, getting people into position, kind of like Rondo on offense...KG is a defensive general.

By defending the weaker position, by not having to run and jump as much, he'd be able to do so more effectively.

Forget theoretical basketball. Just from the standpoint of common sense. Since PFs have to run and jump more, KG would lose his knees at a higher rate that way.





Am I wrong?

[Lightskinsmurf]

I agree with you. KG should play center with bass playing PF. I've been thinking about how our team would look tho if we started KG at PF and wilcox at center moving bass to the bench. 

[Surferdad]

Sort of disagree but not strongly.  KG is an athletic PF who can run with any other PF in the league.  He is not geriatric and is certainly not going to wear out doing what he does best.  What WILL wear him out is trying to defend big immovable centers who have a weight advantage on him.

Doc moving him to center was a brilliant move for the team but in terms of wearing him out, I would think KG would manage better at his natural PF position.

[Celtics4ever]

He plays better at this point at C.  Look at last year.   He has an advantage athletically on most C but not PF.  He can stretch the floor with his jumper.  He plays better at C flat out.   His age is what is wearing him out not the position.

[KJ33]

"Verdict: I personally don't agree with the idea that playing C would hurt KG. In fact, I think it might even benefit him."

Not only might it benefit him, it clearly did last year.  The C's don't make the run in the 2nd half all the way to Game 7 of the ECF if KG wasn't playing center.  The Celts would be foolish to abandon this, and anyone who thinks they are going to is not paying attention. 

There seems to be some sentiment that KG "won't play center" or doesn't want to play center, and perhaps he doesn't completely.  But he is smart enough to see how much better both he and the team played when he did.  For everyone who keeps insisting the lineup with KG and Bass doesn't do this or that, are they forgetting that that is the lineup that made it to Game 7 of the ECF?  Even without Bradley and a hobbled Ray and Paul. 

They will have some size off the bench in Wilcox, maybe Melo, and maybe another vet, but they are not going to change what worked effectively enough to make it farther in the East than all but one team, regardless of people's perceived deficiencies with the lineup of KG and Bass starting together.

[cman88]

moving to Center extended KG's career by 2-3 seasons...same reason Tim Duncan is playing C

KG due to age no longer has the speed advantage that he once had on most PF's and it was evident in his play before moving to center...heck, there were people here calling for him to retire.

Once Kg moved to center though he was phenominal...there are really no good centers in this league, and now KG finds that he is faster and better than 90% of them he dominated.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I hope Doc see that light and plays Wilcox with the starters. Not anything to do with KG, but because he's better in that role than Bass is (plus he's low utility guy, and more solid defensively).

That said, KG will be in a strict minute regime, I don't think it'll matter what position he plays in regards to "tiring out".

[Who]

Agreed -- playing PF will put KG through more wear and tear on his knees. More worried about that than physical requirements of him playing center.

[bopna]

His minutes will be heavily monitored and he would continue his 5-5-5 routine so in effect it does not actually wear him out even while playing as a C or PF...I believe Wilcox will se action quite early to preserve KG...its an 82 regular season schedule so i am also thinkn KG wil have his annual10 games lost to "injury"  in mid january  to preserve him for the playoffs

[fairweatherfan06]

Center generally, but the problem is KG wears himself out (saw this in the playoffs) playing C but roaming like a linebacker the way he did as a PF which defeats the purpose.  If he's gonna be center he either needs somebody to play next to him at PF that will defend the rim or roam the perimeter (why Bass was great next to him offensively but KG wore himself out defensively) but he should not be doing both. Not to mention playing with Bass he takes on the lion share of the rebounding.    Might be a case for Wilcox starting so KG will feel comfortable taking on less of a burden defensively.

[Celtics18]

Center generally, but the problem is KG wears himself out (saw this in the playoffs) playing C but roaming like a linebacker the way he did as a PF which defeats the purpose.  If he's gonna be center he either needs somebody to play next to him at PF that will defend the rim or roam the perimeter (why Bass was great next to him offensively but KG wore himself out defensively) but he should not be doing both. Not to mention playing with Bass he takes on the lion share of the rebounding.    Might be a case for Wilcox starting so KG will feel comfortable taking on less of a burden defensively.

Being able to carry that burden defensively is what makes KG the player that he is.  To me there is no point asking him to take less defensive responsibility to save his body. 

The day KG can't step out and guard the perimeter on the pick and roll and recover to make plays on the interior is the day he's no longer a top player in this league.  His ability to cover ground defensively is by far the most important thing he does out there. 

Keep him at center.  KG will be fine there.  He's stubborn about being called a power forward, but I think that he might even slowly be starting to realize how good this move is for himself and the team.   

[Finkelskyhook]

Wouldn't it be easier to just ask him?

[Jon]

I think the point is really moot. Regardless of which wears him out more and regardless of which he's better at, the way this team is currently constructed, he will be getting most, if not all, of his minutes at the center position.

[fairweatherfan06]

Center generally, but the problem is KG wears himself out (saw this in the playoffs) playing C but roaming like a linebacker the way he did as a PF which defeats the purpose.  If he's gonna be center he either needs somebody to play next to him at PF that will defend the rim or roam the perimeter (why Bass was great next to him offensively but KG wore himself out defensively) but he should not be doing both. Not to mention playing with Bass he takes on the lion share of the rebounding.    Might be a case for Wilcox starting so KG will feel comfortable taking on less of a burden defensively.

Being able to carry that burden defensively is what makes KG the player that he is.  To me there is no point asking him to take less defensive responsibility to save his body. 

The day KG can't step out and guard the perimeter on the pick and roll and recover to make plays on the interior is the day he's no longer a top player in this league.  His ability to cover ground defensively is by far the most important thing he does out there. 

Keep him at center.  KG will be fine there.  He's stubborn about being called a power forward, but I think that he might even slowly be starting to realize how good this move is for himself and the team.   

I agree but we were at our best defensively when we had a Perk or (for a short time) Shaq to guard the rim while he roamed.  Don't necessarily need to be a bruiser like Perk or Shaq but a rim protector (like Steamer) helps utilize KG the best way doing both is not the best use of his skills. He's better showing on pick and rolls and as a weakside blocker.

[Prof. Clutch]

Here's what KG has to say about it: (begins to discuss it at 1:26)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKMl1JbIMtQ&feature=youtu.be&t=1m26s

His biggest issue with playing the 5 appears to be the lack of versatility at the Center spot.