2012-2013 Situationals

[AB_Celtic]

With a deep roster like the one Ainge has built for this year, we find ourselves in the fortunate position of being able to discuss situationals. We have 8 start-able players in Rondo, Bradley, Terry, Lee, Pierce, Green, Bass, Garnett, and some fringe players like Sullinger and Wilcox.

My question is, assuming Doc makes use of this deep roster (let's assume he does for the sake of conversation), who starts against the Heat? The Lakers? The Thunder? The Bulls?

[bfrombleacher]

Rondo...Rondo...Rondo...and...Rondo

[AB_Celtic]

Rondo...Rondo...Rondo...and...Rondo

That much is clear.

I'm thinking more along the lines of...
Lakers: Quality bigs in Gasol and Bynum/Howard; start Wilcox and Garnett at the 4/5
Thunder: Fast, young team; start Green in place of Pierce
Heat: Need shutdown defense at the 2/3; some combo of Bradley, Lee, Green, Pierce
Bulls: need to keep up offensively; Rondo, Lee, Pierce, Bass, Garnett

...and so on.

[Who]

I think the starting lineup is a constant.

The rotation beyond that will be flexible though. Jeff Green seeing more time at PF against Miami in small-lineups. Jason Collins seeing time against Bynum and LA. Oklahoma should be service as normal.

However, I would like to see Doc change his starting lineup against Miami and choose Jeff Green to start over Bass. Bring Bass off the bench against Haslem.

I thought Doc should have done that last year with Pietrus or Pavlovic (against Battier) but he choose not to. Jeff Green is obviously a step up on those guys ... but I am wondering if Doc is just uncomfortable switching his starters. Many coaches are. Phil Jackson was like that.

[CelticG1]

We wont switch our starting lineups just the substitution patterns and minutes.

Wilcox and Collins may get more min against lakers where green and Bass will get more against Miami.

Who knows though the game dictates what you do. The lakers may struggle against our small line up and may need to change or Miami could struggle against a bigger lineup of ours. It depends on how the players are playing and who is "on" or "off"

[AB_Celtic]

I think the starting lineup is a constant.

The rotation beyond that will be flexible though. Jeff Green seeing more time at PF against Miami in small-lineups. Jason Collins seeing time against Bynum and LA. Oklahoma should be service as normal.

However, I would like to see Doc change his starting lineup against Miami and choose Jeff Green to start over Bass. Bring Bass off the bench against Haslem.

I thought Doc should have done that last year with Pietrus or Pavlovic (against Battier) but he choose not to. Jeff Green is obviously a step up on those guys ... but I am wondering if Doc is just uncomfortable switching his starters. Many coaches are. Phil Jackson was like that.

Well put, well thought-out. TP.

[Chris]

I thought Doc should have done that last year with Pietrus or Pavlovic (against Battier) but he choose not to. Jeff Green is obviously a step up on those guys ... but I am wondering if Doc is just uncomfortable switching his starters. Many coaches are. Phil Jackson was like that.

Yeah, I think Doc is afraid of messing with the chemistry by fiddling with the starting lineup in anything other than special circumstances.  He figures if there is a matchup issue that arises, he can alway make a change.  But you should always go into a game trying to play your game.

[FrDrake]

Agreed that the starting lineup will stay the same, injuries aside.  That will almost certainly be KG/Bass/PP/Lee until Bradley comes back/ and Rondo.

But they could do some very interesting mixing and matching with the rotation:

Small Ball (mostly) 2nd unit - KG / Green / Lee / Bradley / Terry

Bombs Away unit - KG / Bass / PP / Lee / Terry

Defensive Big unit - KG / Wilcox / Green / Bradley / Rondo

Young and learning unit (i.e. 4th quarter blowouts) - Melo / Sullinger / Joseph / Bradley / Christmas

[wdleehi]

Last time Ainge built up some talent depth, he used to make two huge trades.




Don't be surprised if he tries again.

[FrDrake]

Last time Ainge built up some talent depth, he used to make two huge trades.




Don't be surprised if he tries again.

For who?  D-Wight Howard?  No thanks.  He's a walking soap opera.  I don't think Chris Paul is going anywhere and most other of the stars have signed long-term deals in the last couple of years. 

Probably the next big fish to become available will be Kevin Love and we all know that Kahn is impossible to deal with (see most recent Batum fiasco with Portland).  Kahn will probably have to get fired with a new management team in place in Minny before they make a move. 

Can't we just enjoy having a deep bench for a few weeks before we blow it up on the CB forum?   

[AB_Celtic]

Last time Ainge built up some talent depth, he used to make two huge trades.




Don't be surprised if he tries again.

For who?  D-Wight Howard?  No thanks.  He's a walking soap opera.  I don't think Chris Paul is going anywhere and most other of the stars have signed long-term deals in the last couple of years.  

Probably the next big fish to become available will be Kevin Love and we all know that Kahn is impossible to deal with (see most recent Batum fiasco with Portland).  Kahn will probably have to get fired with a new management team in place in Minny before they make a move.  

Can't we just enjoy having a deep bench for a few weeks before we blow it up on the CB forum?  

KEVIN LOVE

Haha, just kidding. We should enjoy what we have, but I agree with wdleehi. Something could be in the making to bolster that starting lineup.

Out of curiosity, what would get Love to Boston? Bass, Bradley, and a couple picks? Or not enough?

EDIT: I didn't even check if the salaries match there, so there's probably a lot more to it.

[Jon]

Last time Ainge built up some talent depth, he used to make two huge trades.




Don't be surprised if he tries again.

I do think that's the ultimate plan.  It's a good one too, because trading quantity for quality is always a good move in the NBA.

However, I don't know if he does it this year.  I think he'd like to build up some players a bit more, see what he has, and then either the trade deadline or summer of 2014, I think he tries to make a move.  The three year deals of Pierce, KG, and Bass would all only have a year (or a year and change) left on them.