Doc: KG will remain at Center

[Prof. Clutch]

Lots of good stuff from Doc & Danny this morning at the Shamrock Foundation charitable golf event.

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21229856/ainge-rondo-best-player-team

Asked if Kevin Garnett will continue to start at center after the additions of rookie Fab Melo, veteran free agent Jason Collins and most recently former No. 2 overall NBA draft pick Darko Milicic, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said, "That's a question that Doc [Rivers] will have to answer."

Well, Rivers wasted little time clearing up that inquiry.

"He'll still be a five," the Celtics coach said from a Shamrock Foundation charitable golf event at The International in Bolton. "I don't think Kevin cares as much as he says. I think Kevin just wants to win. If I told him he had to play point, and we would win the title by him doing that, he would give it a try. I just think that's who Kevin is."

While Ainge left the door open for Garnett's potential return to power forward should Melo, Milicic or Collins emerge as a reliable starter, there doesn't appear to be a better option at center for the C's at this point.

"My guess is that that's how they'll start the season, depending on how those guys play," said Ainge. "Like I said, all those names I just mentioned, one of them earns a spot, and then things could be tweaked. There's nothing set in stone."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJg7JXzr2_o&feature=youtu.be

[AshyLarry]

YAHHHHH. This is the news I've been waiting to hear all freaking summer! Yes!

To those who thought Darko was/ had a chance at starting... lol.

[fairweatherfan]

Interesting, I thought it'd go the other way and we'd look to play KG at the 4 and start whichever center looked the best, then finish games with KG at 5. 

If it does play out this way, let's hope it doesn't wear KG down as much as he says it does.

[Fafnir]

It's his best position now so good for Doc. I worry about him getting through any season at his age, position doesn't factor into it.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I thought KG hated to played at the 5.

Man, I understand that he flourished at the 5 last year, but im afraid that the wear and tear that KG will get going up against Bynum (who is in the same Division now), Howard and other Centers will eventually haunt us.

While I think it's going to happen, I really want him at the 4. Put Darko at the 5.

[kozlodoev]

I thought KG hated to played at the 5.

And when has KG shirked from doing something he hates? That doesn't mean that he won't do it, and it does't mean that he won't do it well.

[lon3lytoaster]

I thought KG hated to played at the 5.

Man, I understand that he flourished at the 5 last year, but im afraid that the wear and tear that KG will get going up against Bynum (who is in the same Division now), Howard and other Centers will eventually haunt us.

While I think it's going to happen, I really want him at the 4. Put Darko at the 5.

I don't think six total games over the entire regular season will wear KG down that much. Other than those those two guys, I'm not worried about any other center in the league. And to be honest, Dwight doesn't really even scare me much.

[Texstyles]

Any word out there from KG about playing the 5. If he knew he was playing the 5,  has he excepted it and has he changed up his workout at all to play it.  ex. work on his upper body a little more. Just curious if anyone has heard from him about playing it.

[KJ33]

Any word out there from KG about playing the 5. If he knew he was playing the 5,  has he excepted it and has he changed up his workout at all to play it.  ex. work on his upper body a little more. Just curious if anyone has heard from him about playing it.

This post and a previous one are getting it wrong. KG doesn't need to do anything to prepare to play the 5.  The beauty of last year, was that KG forced other teams into bad matchups.  He had all sorts of room on offense since bigger 5's didn't want to come out to contest his jumper.  If they did get too close, KG was taking them off the dribble to the rim.  The position change made KG look quicker and more agile.

People are totally overgeneralizing about playing the 5 means KG will have to grind it out against bigger bodies, therefore needs to bulk up, etc.  KG just needs to be KG and it will be an advantage against the bulkier 5's.  Also, I would contend chasing quicker 4's over more area of the court is more fatiguing then playing 5's who stay closer to the basket.  I am still surprised anyone thought that this wouldn't be the way it was going to be.

[Jon]

Let's also remember that in '08, KG got extensive time at center with Posey playing the 4.  Let's also not forget that whenever KG played next to BBD, he was at least somewhat playing the 5 spot as well.

So last year really wasn't the radical change that some people would make it out to be. 

[bfrombleacher]

Being a pro-KG at center person: Good. Good. Very good.

[get_banners]

also, keep in mind that KG is strong as hell. he may look skinny, but the dude has some diesel power. i remember him defending howard 1-on-1 in the post last year and not getting overpowered.

[Celtics4ever]

It's a no brainer he is a better five than four at this point!

[billysan]

I will go on record now as saying that the signing of Jason Collins and Darko Milicic were an effort to find a player who could play center next to KG. We have even seen Wilcox and Sullinger cast in the role. The only one so far who hasnt been speculated is Fab Melo.

I think that at a minimum, the first four are randomly played next to KG as centers early in the season to find a suitable player for the role.

Obviously KG will still eat plenty of minutes at the 5 this year.

[mctyson]

KG at the 5 = nightmare matchup for many teams

Sully at the 4 = will be a nightmare matchup for stretch 4's, who are everywhere now

Unlike years past, we can actually "go big" now by having Jeff Green at SF, and Pierce at SG.  Even Courtney Lee is a decent size/length upgrade for us at the 2.

We are going to see rotations we have never seen before in this era of Celtics basketball.  Doc has a lot of options.