With the new "Big Three" who will fill out the starting 5

[gar]

Ray and Brandon were clearly at the bottom of last years starting 5. So in addition to SG I see PF/Center minutes very much up for grabs.

[hpantazo]

I'm guessing Lee and Bass to start the season, Green and Bradley later on in the season and the playoffs.

[nickagneta]

Etched in stone as far as I am concerned. When Bradley started and everyone else was healthy, KG/Bass/Pierce/Bradley/Rondo was far and away the best starting lineup defensively in the league and as good defensively, even better in some metrics, as the 2008 squad.

Bradley at SG. Bass at PF. Given health for everyone on the squad.

[gar]

Now that Rondo is officially part of the "Big Three" and assuming that Bradley or Lee replace Ray it remains to be seen if Brandon Bass will be able to hold on to his starting role. He played gutsy minutes; but he was vulnerable in the playoffs. Wilcox runs the floor and finishes at the rim better than Bass and Sullinger is better than either in the post and perhaps the best rebounder of the bunch (perhaps).
So who starts.

[snively]

Etched in stone as far as I am concerned. When Bradley started and everyone else was healthy, KG/Bass/Pierce/Bradley/Rondo was far and away the best starting lineup defensively in the league and as good defensively, even better in some metrics, as the 2008 squad.

Bradley at SG. Bass at PF. Given health for everyone on the squad.

The problem is, it's hard to consider KG and maybe even Pierce this year full-time members of a big 3 when KG is on the 5-5-5 plan and Pierce is no longer capable of sustaining two-way energy for more than 35 mpg. 

I think we need to transition to a pretty big 4 or a significantly above average 5 instead of a big 3 model.  Thus I'm hoping for a decent sized jump from Bradley and/or Green, or an awesome year from Sully to make our starting 5 a bit more than the Big 3 + role players squad it was last year.

[gar]

Was supposed to be a poll; but I must have done something wrong.

see: Who will join KG and PP in the starting frontcourt?

Great point about the impact of Bradley and Bass with the new big three. Bradley was amazing; but I am not so sure about Bass. Both Wilcox and Sullinger are better rebounders and both could let KG play more at PF.

I am not convinced that KG at center for an 82 game season makes any sense. Yes statistically it may; but too much wear and tear (yes let's avoid the tear part if at all possible).

[indeedproceed]

Rondo/Terry
Lee/Terry/Christmas
Pierce/Green
Bass/Sully/Green
KG/Wilcox/Collins/Melo

That's what I see before Bradley gets back.

Rondo/Terry
Bradley/Lee/Terry

Once Bradley gets back

[gar]

Etched in stone as far as I am concerned. When Bradley started and everyone else was healthy, KG/Bass/Pierce/Bradley/Rondo was far and away the best starting lineup defensively in the league and as good defensively, even better in some metrics, as the 2008 squad.

Bradley at SG. Bass at PF. Given health for everyone on the squad.

The problem is, it's hard to consider KG and maybe even Pierce this year full-time members of a big 3 when KG is on the 5-5-5 plan and Pierce is no longer capable of sustaining two-way energy for more than 35 mpg. 

I think we need to transition to a pretty big 4 or a significantly above average 5 instead of a big 3 model.  Thus I'm hoping for a decent sized jump from Bradley and/or Green, or an awesome year from Sully to make our starting 5 a bit more than the Big 3 + role players squad it was last year.

TP

Yes, is a new era to be sure and since you seem to be hedging a bit on our remaining dynamic duo, you seem to be dodging the question. If the question is, who is on the floor at the end with the game on the line, then KG probably does end up at Center with Green or Bass at PF. However I still think that Wilcox's ability to run the floor, rebound and save KG from having to bang underneath will mean that he starts a fair share of the games.

Why else would Danny tell Sullinger he would have to play Center if he wanted to get minutes when he was first introduced as a Celtic with Fab standing right next to him.
 

[gar]

Ok so somehow this poll got separated from the discussion

see:     
With the new "Big Three" who will fill out the starting 5

Perhaps they can be re-combined?

[SHAQATTACK]

Lee and Bass start ... get pushed out by Bradley and Green after Xmas.
 

I expect Wilcox and Sully to be a solid bench backups by the seasons end .

[pearljammer10]

Theres no way that Bass doesnt start for us.

[pearljammer10]

Lee and Bass start. I see Bradley starting when he comes back if strong. I see Green coming off the bench the entire year but getting the minutes in the 4th quarter.

[LooseCannon]

Who finishes is more important than who starts.  Those two roles may end up going to different players. 

It is possible that at the beginning of the season Collins is starting and playing less than 15 minutes per game before losing those minutes to other players as the season progresses and Doc gains confidence in the rest of his roster.  People bring up rebounding and offense, but I wouldn't be shocked if Doc prefers going with the best defensive configuration to lead off games.

[pp34isthe1]

I can see Collins, Wilcox, Green, Lee and Avery all starting on differnt occasions during the regular season. Doc will be experimental. Also hopefully KG and PP only play about 65 games.

[pp34isthe1]

I am just so happy that next year we will actually have options and fresh legs. It is a great problem to have.

Last 6 min of the game in the playoffs (probably Miami) I think Doc will go with Green over Bass. The 2 guard is just a toss up, I can see either Avery/Jet/Lee playing in different scenarios.