Don't be shocked if Fabulous Melo starts

[MJohnnyboy]

I wouldn't be shocked. I'd be TERRIFIED. For Fab Melo to get minutes, let alone START, we'd have to have injuries to KG, Wilcox, Sullinger, AND Collins all at the same time. Let's pray this doesn't happen.

People, the Jason Collins signing indicates that the Celtics don't think Melo is capable of serious minutes yet. But that's ok, because we have enough depth on this squad to allow Melo to wait his turn when the time comes.

Also please don't tell me we're nicknaming Fab "Fabulous". I will stop following the Green if this happens.

[vl819]

TP to the OP. It takes guts to post a ludicrious basketball idea in front of so many knowledgeable celtics fans.

[317]

Here's my super bold prediction:

Fab Melo will get more minutes as a Boston Celtic this season than Jared Sullinger.

do you have Sullinger getting traded before the all star game? wait what am i saying, Sullinger will play more minutes before the all star game then Melo will all season

[syfy9]

I honestly don't think Doc doesn't like playing rookies. If we had a rookie that excelled playing defense, like maybe a rookie Bruce Bowen or AK47, they're going to get minutes.

If Melo can prove that he can play good defense - enough to suffice KG, then Melo starting is very realistic.

[dark_lord]

the only way melo would start would be if we are hit hard with the injury bug <knocks on wood>

[Celtics18]

Here's my super bold prediction:

Fab Melo will get more minutes as a Boston Celtic this season than Jared Sullinger.

do you have Sullinger getting traded before the all star game? wait what am i saying, Sullinger will play more minutes before the all star game then Melo will all season

I promise not to gloat . . . too much.

[bfrombleacher]

I honestly don't think Doc doesn't like playing rookies. If we had a rookie that excelled playing defense, like maybe a rookie Bruce Bowen or AK47, they're going to get minutes.

If Melo can prove that he can play good defense - enough to suffice KG, then Melo starting is very realistic.

AB D:

But if I were in Doc's place, I wouldn't have played AB either. Too unproven.

Catch 22 though.

[Cman]

I would be utterly utterly shocked if Fab Melo starts in anything other than a Red Claws game next year.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Very few seem to realize how little ability it takes for an athletic 7 footer to get PT. Definitely not a starter, but the guy is going to see the rotation. You don't scoop up Hollins mid-season the year prior and not give Fab mins this year. He can literally be terrible at basketball and very effective for us defensively. He doesn't even need to know or understand schemes... his job is to get to big bodies early in possessions, lean on them, rotate quickly, and take charges/block/foul. That's it. He can learn that on the fly. A monkey could do what we will ask him to do this year.

[blink]

I agree with some of this post.  were we desperate last year to play Hollins?  Yes absolutely.  Is Melo better than Hollins right now?  I would say yes to that as well.  I don't think he will be starting, but I say he will be picking up some rotation minutes by the middle of the year.

I agree that we don't need a lot from a backup center.  Run the floor, hustle on D, get the def rotations down.  Give 100% at both ends and when rondo gives you the lob, throw it down.  Melo is already more athletic and quicker than JO and Hollins from last year.  I don't think the sky is falling if he ends up getting 10 min a game in the rotation

Very few seem to realize how little ability it takes for an athletic 7 footer to get PT. Definitely not a starter, but the guy is going to see the rotation. You don't scoop up Hollins mid-season the year prior and not give Fab mins this year. He can literally be terrible at basketball and very effective for us defensively. He doesn't even need to know or understand schemes... his job is to get to big bodies early in possessions, lean on them, rotate quickly, and take charges/block/foul. That's it. He can learn that on the fly. A monkey could do what we will ask him to do this year.

[fitzhickey]

I would be STUNNED if he started, but he's a 7 footer with hops so he might get little mins

[arambone]

melo, kg, green, bradley, and rondo is the best defensive unit in the nba, at least by new years anyway.

Melo garnett could be best defensive frontcourt in the league.

[Jon]

Not a chance. 


KG is the starting C. 


I could see Sullinger eventually taking over as starting PF over Bass, but not Melo.  To much of a project.

Essentially this, plus more. 

Even if we entertain the idea that Melo is a contributor this year, it just doesn't make much sense to start him. 

First, KG has proven to be an elite center and a big mismach problem for other centers.  We lose a lot of that if he goes back to facing more mobile power forwards. 

Second, too much of this team's talent is focused at the PF spot.  We have Bass, Sullinger, and Green who could all use minutes there.  Putting KG there just eats into that time when he could be playing next to them, not instead of them. 

I think if Melo proves that he's ready for action, he should be the backup center.  That'd still get him about 20 minutes a game and frees up the PF minutes to allow Bass, Green, and Sullinger to get PT there. 

[birdwatcher]

Not only does Doc hardly ever play rookies, Fab Melo has 0 basketball IQ at this point. He doesn't even understand the game yet. He's just tall.

[Celtics4ever]

Not going to happen, period.... Unless the injury bug goes off big time.