Bass Should Start

[LooseCannon]

Until teams respect Rondo's jump shot more, I think the starting lineup's offense is better with a PF who has a jumpshot range like that of Bass instead of a PF with post-up offense, unless that post-up offense is dominant enough that you want to pound the ball inside even against above-average post defenders.

If the team can afford to do without him, I wouldn't mind sending Sullinger to Maine and asking him to see if he can develop a 3pt shot.

[crimson_stallion]

Is it just me, of has Sully been dramatically more CONSISTENT than Bass?

Bass has had a couple of really nice games where he's hit every shot he's taken, and he's had bad games (like today) we he's really struggled and given us almost nothing.

Sully on the other hand has been maybe our most consistent player after Pierce.  Pretty much every night he's given us 8-14 points and 5-8 rebounds (3 offensive).

So far Sully has given my huge confidence in his game because I know exactly what were going to get from him every night. That's a very impressive feat for a rookie,but I guess we'll see if he's able to do the same in the regular season when it counts.

[lightspeed5]

sully had the team high in rebounds today actually

[bfrombleacher]

Is it just me, of has Sully been dramatically more CONSISTENT than Bass?

Bass has had a couple of really nice games where he's hit every shot he's taken, and he's had bad games (like today) we he's really struggled and given us almost nothing.

Sully on the other hand has been maybe our most consistent player after Pierce.  Pretty much every night he's given us 8-14 points and 5-8 rebounds (3 offensive).

So far Sully has given my huge confidence in his game because I know exactly what were going to get from him every night. That's a very impressive feat for a rookie,but I guess we'll see if he's able to do the same in the regular season when it counts.

Bass was taken out, playing less than 14 minutes, because he was injured (not a serious injury apparently).

He had one game where he was bad this preseason, trying to get to the rim and do too much.

Otherwise he's been good, better than last season even, I'd say. His offensive skill set seems to have expanded.

No doubt Sully is great but Bass can defend the pick and roll with his speed.

Edit: not saying Bass should start but just saying you shouldn't overlook Bass.

[SHAQATTACK]

Sully is a natural playing with KG inside game.  And they have only begun to get used to each other.  This really confuses the defense, doubling on KG will get Sully a bucket around the rim or JET/ LEE a open jumper.  Bass has raised his game , and seems like he is trying to be more aggressive on the boards than last year.

Seems obvious from last nights game Sully should start, and Bass should come off the bench with Green and Darko.

[Greenbean]

Is it just me, of has Sully been dramatically more CONSISTENT than Bass?

Bass has had a couple of really nice games where he's hit every shot he's taken, and he's had bad games (like today) we he's really struggled and given us almost nothing.

Sully on the other hand has been maybe our most consistent player after Pierce.  Pretty much every night he's given us 8-14 points and 5-8 rebounds (3 offensive).

So far Sully has given my huge confidence in his game because I know exactly what were going to get from him every night. That's a very impressive feat for a rookie,but I guess we'll see if he's able to do the same in the regular season when it counts.

Bass was taken out, playing less than 14 minutes, because he was injured (not a serious injury apparently).

He had one game where he was bad this preseason, trying to get to the rim and do too much.

Otherwise he's been good, better than last season even, I'd say. His offensive skill set seems to have expanded.

No doubt Sully is great but Bass can defend the pick and roll with his speed.

Edit: not saying Bass should start but just saying you shouldn't overlook Bass.

Bingo. Bass proved to be a pretty good help defender last year after going through some growing pains. Until Sully proves he can be equally as effective there is no reason to start him.

[arambone]

Until teams respect Rondo's jump shot more, I think the starting lineup's offense is better with a PF who has a jumpshot range like that of Bass instead of a PF with post-up offense, unless that post-up offense is dominant enough that you want to pound the ball inside even against above-average post defenders.

If the team can afford to do without him, I wouldn't mind sending Sullinger to Maine and asking him to see if he can develop a 3pt shot.

Sully can shoot jumpers very well, and will only get even better. Sully can spread the floor if asked, andd even shoot the 3 respectably. 40% last year in college.

You just arent familiar with his full skillset. Dleague? Ha.

[rondohondo]

Is it just me, of has Sully been dramatically more CONSISTENT than Bass?

Bass has had a couple of really nice games where he's hit every shot he's taken, and he's had bad games (like today) we he's really struggled and given us almost nothing.

Sully on the other hand has been maybe our most consistent player after Pierce.  Pretty much every night he's given us 8-14 points and 5-8 rebounds (3 offensive).

So far Sully has given my huge confidence in his game because I know exactly what were going to get from him every night. That's a very impressive feat for a rookie,but I guess we'll see if he's able to do the same in the regular season when it counts.

Bass was taken out, playing less than 14 minutes, because he was injured (not a serious injury apparently).

He had one game where he was bad this preseason, trying to get to the rim and do too much.

Otherwise he's been good, better than last season even, I'd say. His offensive skill set seems to have expanded.

No doubt Sully is great but Bass can defend the pick and roll with his speed.

Edit: not saying Bass should start but just saying you shouldn't overlook Bass.

Bingo. Bass proved to be a pretty good help defender last year after going through some growing pains. Until Sully proves he can be equally as effective there is no reason to start him.

since Sullinger isn't as good of a pick and roll/help defender, wouldn't make more sense to start him with KG so he can have sully's back on defense ?

A combo of sully and KG works better than sully and Darko off the bench because they are both low post bangers and there won't be enough shooting on the floor. Putting Bass with Darko off the bench is a much smarter move IMO letting bass space the floor while Darko plays inside, just like KG and Sully for the starters .

Once Bradley gets back Sully's defense with the first unit will not be an issue because he will have so many great defenders protecting him (Rondo, Bradley, KG and even PP)

[RJ87]

Until teams respect Rondo's jump shot more, I think the starting lineup's offense is better with a PF who has a jumpshot range like that of Bass instead of a PF with post-up offense, unless that post-up offense is dominant enough that you want to pound the ball inside even against above-average post defenders.

If the team can afford to do without him, I wouldn't mind sending Sullinger to Maine and asking him to see if he can develop a 3pt shot.

Sully can shoot jumpers very well, and will only get even better. Sully can spread the floor if asked, andd even shoot the 3 respectably. 40% last year in college.

You just arent familiar with his full skillset. Dleague? Ha.

Exactly.

Sully is already a good jumpshooter, especially from midrange. He also has NCAA 3pt range, and has the mechanics to become a decent NBA 3pt shooter.

Sully basically has Bass' skillset + elite rebounding potential. Oh, and he's a good and willing passer. I'm not trying to knock Bass, because I like the guy. But if Bass' jumper isn't falling, he tends to fade away in a game. With Sully, if the jumper's not falling you still have a guy who's gonna hit the boards hard, get the team some second chance opportunities and make smart plays around the basket.

[mctyson]

It's not about who starts but about who plays with what rotation.

I couldn't care less if Sully or Bass starts.  What I do care about is Sully getting touches on the block, since we need that presence and he is that kind of player.  I think he fits best with KG on the floor in this regard, since KG can spread the floor and take away whatever shot-blocking big that may harass Sully in the paint. 

Conversely, with Bass on the floor, KG has to be in the paint more (not necessarily a bad thing, though he doesn't like it) - we learned many times last year that we can't rely on jumpshots to propel the offense.  KG can be an All-Star on the low block but we need to preserve him, especially against centers.

So my preference is Sully + KG more than Bass + KG.  Does this mean that Sully starts?  I don't know, but I guess so.

[tonyto3690]

Brandon Bass is not a starter on an NBA championship team.

Is Sully? I don't know. But Brandon Bass absolutely is not.

Completely untrue.  If the Lakers can win championships (plural) with Derek freaking Fisher, we can win with Bass.  Bass is a great role player.  I thought last year he would have been better off the bench behind KG at the 4, but now it's apparent he's earned a starting role.

At the end of the day this team will live or die by Rondo's production.  Bass works with Rondo a heck of a lot better on offense and is a heck of a lot better on defense than Sully.  Doc expressed last year how it was the first time in the KG era that we could rotate the 3-4 on pick and rolls thanks to Bass.  Our pick and roll defense is the bread and butter that makes our defense great.

[CelticG1]

Im not sure who should start or how much it matters.

A couple things I like with Sully starting is that it probably helps him play with better players a little more than bass. Bass is a vet who knows his role and doesn't need the constant communication that think Sully will need and get playing with Rondo KG and Pierce.

His role is more defined as a starter too, being more of an opportunistic scorer and scrapper where as on the second unit maybe he'd be asked to be a little more aggressive which could make things more difficult for him.

I also think that with him as a rookie and getting that ref treatment its better to have Bass come in for him than to have added pressure of worrying about fouling if Bass were starting and came out due to foul trouble.

Basically I think Sully would better with the starters than with the second unit and I think Bass would be better than Sully with the second unit.

[nostar]

Bass should start. We are deep at PF and need to look into trading Bass so relegating him to the bench wouldn't be in our interest or his. Even if Bass starts and only plays 15 minutes a game that is better than him being on the bench. Few things can kill a guys trade value faster than being pushed to the bench by a rookie.

A less crass way of making this case is to say that Bass has earned a starting role by stepping up last year when JO went down and playing very solid basketball in the playoffs last season. I'm not a fan of the "incumbent starter" system but I also see the value in playing Bass as the starter. He knows the NBA, he knows his role and he's proven he can play his position against tough competition.

[MJohnnyboy]

Is it just me, of has Sully been dramatically more CONSISTENT than Bass?

Bass has had a couple of really nice games where he's hit every shot he's taken, and he's had bad games (like today) we he's really struggled and given us almost nothing.

Sully on the other hand has been maybe our most consistent player after Pierce.  Pretty much every night he's given us 8-14 points and 5-8 rebounds (3 offensive).

So far Sully has given my huge confidence in his game because I know exactly what were going to get from him every night. That's a very impressive feat for a rookie,but I guess we'll see if he's able to do the same in the regular season when it counts.

Four assists isn't too bad, especially when you've got the nickname "No-Pass Bass"

[MJohnnyboy]

As for the matter at hand, Sully looks like he's proving himself to be worthy of starting as long as he starts to get the defense more and more. Last night we played great D against what is supposed to be a very potent offense in the Nets. If Sullinger can improve from his defensive inefficiencies/The Celtics can mask them, I'm all for him starting. Did anyone see him rip Brook Lopez apart last night? Man that was really encouraging for him and really discouraging for Nets fans.

As for Bass, he showed he can be a consistent punch whether he's starting or off the bench. Sullinger is better offensively than him, so I'm all for Bass coming off the bench now.

HOWEVER, trading him would be dumb. He brings a dimension to the table. I seriously love our depth and Bass is instrumental in that.