Who's the starting center?

[D.o.s.]

I don't know that anyone actually thinks that, but the NBA habit of measuring with shoes on is bogus anyway--w/o shoes is what's legit.

Measuring with shoes is just fine. And Sullinger's problem is not his size or wingspan, it's his nonexistent vertical.

Coincidentally, Olynyk's vertical was even worse, IIRC, so this front court can be one for the ages.

edit: Of course, Sullinger measured just fine at the combine, so here's to hoping that his quite evident lack of lift last season is attributable to the back condition he had.

Having back problems really does a number on your verticality.

To be fair, its not the jumping part that gets difficult with a bad back, its the landing part. After landing after jumping enough times on a bad back, you tend to jump less high to cushion the blow.

Painfully aware of that truth.

[BleedinGreen417]

Olynyk

Yep

[itsthatbradguy]

I think it all depends on what the goal for next season is.

Tank/Development: Fab & Vitor need to be getting the lion's share of minutes at C with Olynyk battling Sully & Bass for minutes at PF (as Stevens said, people won't just be given minutes, so KO will need to earn them).

Playoff Push: I say start Humph at C and have KO as his back up with Fab/Vitor getting spot duty. Sully & Bass hold it down at PF. This is putting your best players on the court the most.

[Clench123]

Wasn't Sully our center last season before getting injured?

[mmmmm]

Wasn't Sully our center last season before getting injured?

Pretty much.

When on the floor with KG, Sully played in the low post and KG played stretch big on offense and high paint defense..

Which one you want to call the 'center' and which you want to call 'power forward' seems arbitrary.

[lightspeed5]

KG was our center. KG hasnt played PF for years.

[itsthatbradguy]

KG was our center. KG hasnt played PF for years.

This. KG hasn't played PF regularly since the O'Neals were here. Sully was definitely the starting PF.

[clover]

I think it all depends on what the goal for next season is.

Tank/Development: Fab & Vitor need to be getting the lion's share of minutes at C with Olynyk battling Sully & Bass for minutes at PF (as Stevens said, people won't just be given minutes, so KO will need to earn them).

Playoff Push: I say start Humph at C and have KO as his back up with Fab/Vitor getting spot duty. Sully & Bass hold it down at PF. This is putting your best players on the court the most.

I think KO earns minutes so clearly that he starts at the 4.  Humphries is probably starting at the 5, maybe until he's traded at midseason.  Sully could be the first big off the bench once he's healthy or take Humphries' spot if he gets traded.

Then again, if Danny decides he wants to resign Humphries, they may limit his minutes no matter what.

[mmmmm]

KG was our center. KG hasnt played PF for years.

Doesn't that depend on the dubious definition of what is a 'center' versus what is a 'power forward'?

Just because he was the taller player on the floor, does that mean he was the 'center'?

Is he the 'center' when he's playing offense out near the top of the key?  Is he the 'center' when he plays most of his defense along the free throw line?

FWIW, according to his positional splits at 82games.com, KG spent 4% of his minutes last year at power forward.  And in the 2011-12 season he spent a third of his minutes at power forward.

Not that their definitions are likely any more dubious.

[lightspeed5]

KG was our center. KG hasnt played PF for years.

Doesn't that depend on the dubious definition of what is a 'center' versus what is a 'power forward'?

Just because he was the taller player on the floor, does that mean he was the 'center'?

Is he the 'center' when he's playing offense out near the top of the key?  Is he the 'center' when he plays most of his defense along the free throw line?

FWIW, according to his positional splits at 82games.com, KG spent 4% of his minutes last year at power forward.  And in the 2011-12 season he spent a third of his minutes at power forward.

Not that their definitions are likely any more dubious.

did you watch our games? KG was planted in the paint the whole time defensively.

[LooseCannon]

When on the floor with KG, Sully played in the low post and KG played stretch big on offense and high paint defense..

Which one you want to call the 'center' and which you want to call 'power forward' seems arbitrary.

I think of position in terms of defense.

[mmmmm]

KG was our center. KG hasnt played PF for years.

Doesn't that depend on the dubious definition of what is a 'center' versus what is a 'power forward'?

Just because he was the taller player on the floor, does that mean he was the 'center'?

Is he the 'center' when he's playing offense out near the top of the key?  Is he the 'center' when he plays most of his defense along the free throw line?

FWIW, according to his positional splits at 82games.com, KG spent 4% of his minutes last year at power forward.  And in the 2011-12 season he spent a third of his minutes at power forward.

Not that their definitions are likely any more dubious.

did you watch our games? KG was planted in the paint the whole time defensively.

Do you really think I don't watch the games?

KG was used the way he's almost always been used.  He played man on the best offensive big man of the other team but otherwise roamed the high paint along the free throw line.

He's arguably still the best high-paint defender in the game the NBA, with his ability to take away passing lanes and his hedge on the P&R.

[Surferdad]

I think it all depends on what the goal for next season is.

Tank/Development: Fab & Vitor need to be getting the lion's share of minutes at C with Olynyk battling Sully & Bass for minutes at PF (as Stevens said, people won't just be given minutes, so KO will need to earn them).

Playoff Push: I say start Humph at C and have KO as his back up with Fab/Vitor getting spot duty. Sully & Bass hold it down at PF. This is putting your best players on the court the most.

Well Stevens already said they are not tanking so I'll take his word for it. 

Humph is the only logical choice to start at center.  It will be very interesting to watch Sully battle Bass for the PF spot.  If he comes back strong he will move ahead of Bass for good. Then there is a big trade line deal with Humph's expiring deal traded away along with Crawford, Lee, and/or Bass for Amare. 

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

me


NEXT QUESTION

[gar]

Olynyk should be on the floor for his shooting. He pairs well with Humphries or Sullinger. Bass will need to alternate with him to keep a shooter on the floor. Not sure where Faverani fits yet, but hopefully he could pair with Bass when Olynyk sits. Humphries is very useful for small lineups paired with wallace and brooks all high flyers - should be fun.