Opening Night Starting Line Up

[RJ87]

Rondo
Bradley
Green
Sully
Humphries

All indications have been that Rondo will be ready opening night, no need to speculate otherwise until we hear of a setback or change in schedule. For SG, I almost went with Brooks because of his offense and how badly we're gonna need that but I think Bradley will ultimately edge him out if his shot makes a cameo of any sort at training camp. For the bigs, if Sully is cleared medically he should start - he's more of an all around player than Bass. Humphries is our best option at center.

[SparzWizard]

Rajon Rondo
Avery Bradley
Jeff Green
Jared Sullinger
Kris Humphries

[LosAngelesCeltic]

I think the opening game starting line up will be:

Courtney Lee PG
Avery Bradley SG
Jeff Green SF
Gerald Wallace PF
Kelly Olynyk C
This line up affords the maximum opportunity to run at the opening tip, not having Rondo out there. I don't think Pressey will make the opening roster and be sent to Maine. Probably to be called up when a trade is made to free up further roster room. I think Nolan Smith will make the roster, and Brooks, Sullinger, Bass, and Humphries will be next in the game, filling out the ten man rotation. Randolph, Melo, Faverani and Crawford will fill out the bench.
Seems like a return to small ball, but Stevens put out a book on small ball, so he is something of an expert at it. And Wallace did play PF for Charlotte and averaged 10rpg. If we are really getting destroyed on the boards we can then insert the bigger guys. Rondo comes back and ready to go, he starts in place of Lee, and Lee pushes Brooks back.

 

[nostar]

I expect Wallace and Hump to come off the bench. I HOPE Bass is traded in preseason but I doubt it.

AB/Pressy
Lee/Brooks
Green/Wallace
Sully/Humphries
KO/Melo

I see Bass and Crawford falling out of the rotation. Randolph probably gets cut during training camp (toward the end) and Vitor will end up in the D-League. Maybe he can supplant Melo, who knows. Oh yeah and Bogans falls asleep on the deep end of the bench.

God I almost forgot about Rondo. He wont be back until Christmas.

Predictions are fun

[BoulderMike]

My hypothesis is:
- Sully won't be ready (or they will be cautious)
- They will want to avoid starting a rookie in first game

Should be interesting!

[Edgar]

Moe, Larry, Curly, Shemp and Curly Joe

Joe Besser off the Bench-!

I refuse not havin Sister Mary-Mengele off the bench

[CelticsFan9]

Rondo
Bradley
Green
Sullinger
Olynyk

Why not?

[Edgar]

Rondo
Bradley
Green
Sullinger
Olynyk

Why not?

Why not?

[CelticsFan9]

Rondo
Bradley
Green
Sullinger
Olynyk

Why not?

Why not?

Let's say Rondo is ready for opening night (reports say that he will) and he comes back at least at 90% of what he used to be (realistic because he only partially tore his ACL).  90% of Rondo is an All Star-level PG who does a great job of getting guys the ball where they want it and wreaks havoc on defense.  He also rebounds the ball and dictates the tempo.  In short, a top-flight PG.

Let's say Bradley's shooting improves by playing next to Rondo (During the latter half of the lockout year, when these two were starting together, Bradlet shot very well).  I don't expect him to repeat nor maintain those percentages, but I think he's a good cutter who can spot-up.  Most importantly, he doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective.  Defensively, Bradley is a pest who can use pressure to disrupt the rhythm of the other's team offense.

Let's say Green averages 19/6/2/1/1 on 48/35/81 shooting.  That's not bad, right?  Borderline All Star in an Eastern Conference filled with good wings (LeBron, Melo, Pierce to name a few).  Green is great in the open court and has shown he can be a good defender on the perimeter.  Offensively, he has a refined game, and has flashes of great driving ability.  Overall, a very good wing to put next to Rondo.

Let's say Sullinger comes back from injury and is fine (Danny has said the surgery was supposed to help Sullinger's back now and for the rest of his career, so this is a fair assumption to male.).  Sullinger is a monster on the glass, and is very smart.  Offensively, he's a garbage man; however, he will get more touches in the post this year, where his strength and smarts will help him get good looks at the rim.  He can also pass the ball very well for a big man.  Defensively, he needs a lot of work.  If he can learn to move his feet like Baby did (especially with taking charges), Sullinger could become a very good team/help defender.  I look forward to his development next year.

Let's say Olynyk plays with the confidence he did in SL (I'm skeptical).  He showed he has a very refined offensive game can shoot for just about anywhere.  This will help open up space for Rondo to drive.  Olynyk also has crafty post moves, much like Sullinger.  Defensively, he ail; be a liability, but if he can do what Baby did (move his feet, keep his hands up, box guys out), Olynyk (like Sullinger) has the potential to be a good team/help defender.  He also needs to improve his rebounding.

I'll admit that was as optimistic as I could possibly be, but I'll ask again, "Why not?"

Let's say that happens.  We're now looking at one of the better offensive teams in the league that could turn into a havoc-wreaking team on defense (one that is lacking a rim-protector, I'll add).

I hope Stevens chooses to go with this lineup because I see it having success if given time to develop.

edit: Obviously, this could go the opposite way, with Rondo not being the same player he was, Bradley and Sullinger not being capable of starting, Green not being capable of being a #1 option on offense, and Olynyk not being able to compete against NBA-caliber players.

I'm just trying to be optimistic.

[Edgar]

Rondo
Bradley
Green
Sullinger
Olynyk

Why not?

Why not?

Let's say Rondo is ready for opening night (reports say that he will) and he comes back at least at 90% of what he used to be (realistic because he only partially tore his ACL).  90% of Rondo is an All Star-level PG who does a great job of getting guys the ball where they want it and reeks havoc on defense.  He also rebounds the ball and dictates the tempo.  In short, a top-flight PG.

Let's say Bradley's shooting improves by playing next to Rondo (During the latter half of the lockout year, when these two were starting together, Bradlet shot very well).  I don't expect him to repeat nor maintain those percentages, but I think he's a good cutter who can spot-up.  Most importantly, he doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective.  Defensively, Bradley is a pest who can use pressure to disrupt the rhythm of the other's team offense.

Let's say Green averages 19/6/2/1/1 on 48/35/81 shooting.  That's not bad, right?  Borderline All Star in an Eastern Conference filled with good wings (LeBron, Melo, Pierce to name a few).  Green is great in the open court and has shown he can be a good defender on the perimeter.  Offensively, he has a refined game, and has flashes of great driving ability.  Overall, a very good wing to put next to Rondo.

Let's say Sullinger comes back from injury and is fine (Danny has said the surgery was supposed to help Sullinger's back now and for the rest of his career, so this is a fair assumption to male.).  Sullinger is a monster on the glass, and is very smart.  Offensively, he's a garbage man; however, he will get more touches in the post this year, where his strength and smarts will help him get good looks at the rim.  He can also pass the ball very well for a big man.  Defensively, he needs a lot of work.  If he can learn to move his feet like Baby did (especially with taking charges), Sullinger could become a very good team/help defender.  I look forward to his development next year.

Let's say Olynyk plays with the confidence he did in SL (I'm skeptical).  He showed he has a very refined offensive game can shoot for just about anywhere.  This will help open up space for Rondo to drive.  Olynyk also has crafty post moves, much like Sullinger.  Defensively, he ail; be a liability, but if he can do what Baby did (move his feet, keep his hands up, box guys out), Olynyk (like Sullinger) has the potential to be a good team/help defender.  He also needs to improve his rebounding.

I'll admit that was as optimistic as I could possibly be, but I'll ask again, "Why not?"

Let's say that happens.  We're now looking at one of the better offensive teams in the league that could turn into a havoc-wreaking team on defense (one that is lacking a rim-protector, I'll add).

I hope Stevens chooses to go with this lineup because I see it having success if given time to develop.

pst.. I am with u in this one
I want to see if theyre able to carry the load

as much as the D wont be there INSIDE
i think the disturbing outside will give a couple of teams some trouble

we will see...

[chambers]

Rondo
Bradley
Green
Sullinger
Olynyk

[BudweiserCeltic]

Rondo
Bradley
Green
Sullinger
Humphries

[Celtics4ever]

Whoever earns it.  RR and Green should be locks based on talent.

[saltlover]

Rondo
Bradley
Green
Olynyk
Sullinger

If Olynyk and Sullinger are in the same lineup, I think Sully plays the 5 (although maybe KO gets to take the jump ball).  Offensively, Sully's game is more suited for down low than KO, and defensively I think Sully has the more stable base to play the post.  Neither are going to block a lot of shots.  Interior defense will be suspect, but the perimeter defense will be great, and three scorers in the front court will mitigate Bradley's offensive deficiencies, and hopefully give him better looks at the same time.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Assuming neither of our injured players are absolutely ready for opening night.  1. Lee  (in the sense he brings the ball up most possessions and handles the ball as we stick to basic offensive sets) 2. Bradley 3. Green (who nonetheless takes the jump ball) 4. Humphries 5. Faverani