Who's the starting center?

[mmmmm]

I'm surprised Olynk isn't an option here. To me it really comes down to he and Humphries. That decision will tell us a lot about our goals this season too because Humphries is probably the win now option.

If Olynyk is in the game in favor of Humphries, then the center will actually be Sully.

Why do you say that? And wouldn't that be more or less predicated on the matchup?

What he's saying makes sense though.

The 'PF' vs 'Center' distinction is a bit dubious in the modern NBA.

What is more relevant for most teams is 'stretch' versus 'low-post'.

If Olynyk is in the game, he is going to play 'stretch big'.  Whether you want to call him the PF or the Center is irrelevant.

And if Hump is not in the game, (i.e., Olynyk being in the game 'in favor' of him) with Olynyk, then Sully is a likely low-post complement for him.

Whether you want to call them centers or power forwards, we have bigs that can play the two roles:

Stretch:  Olynyk, Sully, Fav, Bass

Low post:  Sully, Hump, Olynyk, Fav, Fab

Faverani is not quite as good an outside shooter as Olynyk, Sully or Bass, but he can start his offense from the outside with P&R and P&P.

[slamtheking]

probably Humphries by default.  he's a PF but he's the tallest one we have that has enough NBA experience to possibly not be totally outclassed in the spot

[nickagneta]

You know, I am not sure Brad Stevens even knows the answer to that question at this point. How any of us could be certain beyond a semi-educated guess would be rather forward of us, IMHO.

My guess is probably Sully. Though we will see. New coach changes everything. Well, except for the fact that Danny can't seem to bring in a normal good starting center or players other than those that play small ball.

[kozlodoev]

You know, I am not sure Brad Stevens even knows the answer to that question at this point. How any of us could be certain beyond a semi-educated guess would be rather forward of us, IMHO.

My guess is probably Sully. Though we will see. New coach changes everything. Well, except for the fact that Danny can't seem to bring in a normal good starting center or players other than those that play small ball.

I don't even think Sullinger will be ready to start the season. My best guess? Olynyk begins the season in the starting lineup next to either Bass or Humphries. Not going to go into sorting out who plays what.

[nickagneta]

You know, I am not sure Brad Stevens even knows the answer to that question at this point. How any of us could be certain beyond a semi-educated guess would be rather forward of us, IMHO.

My guess is probably Sully. Though we will see. New coach changes everything. Well, except for the fact that Danny can't seem to bring in a normal good starting center or players other than those that play small ball.

I don't even think Sullinger will be ready to start the season. My best guess? Olynyk begins the season in the starting lineup next to either Bass or Humphries. Not going to go into sorting out who plays what.

His back rehab. Forgot about that though, reports I have seen say he will be back for the start of the season.

[PhoSita]

I expect Humphries to begin the season as the starting center.

He could average something like what JJ Hickson did in Portland this past season -- 12 pts 10 reb and garbage defense for 30 minutes a night.

[TheGreenMonster]

 Greg Oden ?   

[Tr1boy]

Sullinger. Easy choice. Best rebounder in the lineup, will pin or man handle his man, high iq and motor. Proved himself as a starter imo

I dont get how hump gets the nod over sully. Both are 6'9 , sully has actually a longer wingspan, higher iq, skills, better rebounder. Hump is a little quicker and jumps higher but thats it

[Eja117]

KO

[BudweiserCeltic]

Sullinger. Easy choice. Best rebounder in the lineup, will pin or man handle his man, high iq and motor. Proved himself as a starter imo

I dont get how hump gets the nod over sully. Both are 6'9 , sully has actually a longer wingspan, higher iq, skills, better rebounder. Hump is a little quicker and jumps higher but thats it

People mentioning Humphries, like me, are probably implying that Sully is our starting PF.

So this is not about getting a nod over Sully.

[Neurotic Guy]

I expect Humphries to begin the season as the starting center.

He could average something like what JJ Hickson did in Portland this past season -- 12 pts 10 reb and garbage defense for 30 minutes a night.

I agree.  And if Humphries gets back to averaging a double-double in 30 MPG we have ourselves a very nice trade chip at deadline if Danny wants to trade that $12M.   I think 12/10 is a very reasonable projection. He'll work hard and he's only 28 -- a young seasoned veteran.

Got to play KH and got to play Wallace. 

[Tr1boy]

Sullinger. Easy choice. Best rebounder in the lineup, will pin or man handle his man, high iq and motor. Proved himself as a starter imo

I dont get how hump gets the nod over sully. Both are 6'9 , sully has actually a longer wingspan, higher iq, skills, better rebounder. Hump is a little quicker and jumps higher but thats it

People mentioning Humphries, like me, are probably implying that Sully is our starting PF.

So this is not about getting a nod over Sully.

With hump at c and sully at pf there is little to no balance upfront. Both guys do their damage under the basket.  Where is the skill from mid perimeter going to come from? Thats why imo sully at c and olynyk at pf is ideal. I could be wrong and both or one ends up being ideal guys off the bench. But better risk to give them a try bc no way we will go anywhere with hump or bass being starters

[Tr1boy]

I expect Humphries to begin the season as the starting center.

He could average something like what JJ Hickson did in Portland this past season -- 12 pts 10 reb and garbage defense for 30 minutes a night.

I agree.  And if Humphries gets back to averaging a double-double in 30 MPG we have ourselves a very nice trade chip at deadline if Danny wants to trade that $12M.   I think 12/10 is a very reasonable projection. He'll work hard and he's only 28 -- a young seasoned veteran.

Got to play KH and got to play Wallace.

Remember danny stating we are not tanking?

Basically by showcasing hump and wallace without them deserving to start is tanking 101.

[clover]

Sullinger. Easy choice. Best rebounder in the lineup, will pin or man handle his man, high iq and motor. Proved himself as a starter imo

I dont get how hump gets the nod over sully. Both are 6'9 , sully has actually a longer wingspan, higher iq, skills, better rebounder. Hump is a little quicker and jumps higher but thats it

I agree, a lot of similarities, these differences are minuscule, but KH is 1/2" taller w/o shoes, and he's got an inch higher standing reach.

My hope is that JS and KO are the starting combo, Humphries and Bass the second team--if they really can't get rid of Bass, especially.

Also, Humphries rebounded at a better rate in college, is more proven as an NBA rebounder.

[Tr1boy]

Sullinger. Easy choice. Best rebounder in the lineup, will pin or man handle his man, high iq and motor. Proved himself as a starter imo

I dont get how hump gets the nod over sully. Both are 6'9 , sully has actually a longer wingspan, higher iq, skills, better rebounder. Hump is a little quicker and jumps higher but thats it

I agree, a lot of similarities, these differences are minuscule, but KH is 1/2" taller w/o shoes, and he's got an inch higher standing reach.

My hope is that JS and KO are the starting combo, Humphries and Bass the second team--if they really can't get rid of Bass, especially.

Yup. And sully has 7'2 wingspan and hump has 7'0. Ppl think sully is like 6'7 and hump is 6'10. Its not true

Sully looks short but is def 6'9 per pre draft measurements.