Did (and should) KO just lose his starting C gig

[OhioGreen]

I know I, amongst many here on CB, have been hoping for more minutes for TZeller.  Well, last nite he got them, and he sure made the most of them!  He's never gonna be an all star, but he just plays the game hard and the right way.  He's got great hands and is incredible at scoring once he gets the ball inside!  He's also a very good passer.  Don't know if I've ever even seen him take a jump shot, and his perimeter offense will never come close to KOs', but I'll take what he gave last night, every night!
I don't know what everyone else thought, but despite KO's foul trouble, I had the feeling BS was a little PO'd at Kelly last night!  The guy just won't shoot the ball!  It's like a riddle: What do you call a great shooter that won't shoot!?  We can get anyone to stand out there and just pass the ball as soon as they catch it!
Maybe if Kelly comes off the bench, it'll keep him out of early foul trouble so much.  That should help, but I don't know what to do about his reluctance to shoot!
Thoughts?

[Smartacus]

2 things I see that might support this argument. Coming into the league you could argue that Zeller was considered a better prospect than KO and while Zeller operates well with Rondo and KO can probably produce similar production playing with the second unit.

The players are very close I think this could be a rare case where moving Kelly to the bench would not be an indictment on his ability.

[hagar55voa]

Zeller should play 25 - 30 minutes per game...I don't know why they aren't setting him up for some 15 - 20 jump shots because he can hit them consistently...The problem so far has been defense around the rim...Zeller helps out on defense, but no one helps him out by blocking out his man that he left to help out...

[pearljammer10]

I would not be opposed to starting Zeller and using KO as the first guy off the bench. It isnt really a demotion to KO it is more of a fit for the system. Zeller is a better defender, plays very well with Rondo, and KO alongside Sully just doesnt work out for our interior defense. I could see KO getting the same amount of minutes and putting up the same numbers, just doing it as the focal point of the second unit.

[footey]

2 things I see that might support this argument. Coming into the league you could argue that Zeller was considered a better prospect than KO and while Zeller operates well with Rondo and KO can probably produce similar production playing with the second unit.

The players are very close I think this could be a rare case where moving Kelly to the bench would not be an indictment on his ability.

You are comparing apples to oranges. 

[Pvictor11]

That needs to happen. It would create some balance in our units, the first unit has great offense, but no defense, and the second unit has ok defense, but no offense, serious, our second unit offense is horrible, Turner shot selection is awful, pressey can't score at all.
KO would be our second unit go to guy, every possession should pass by him, he would only need to focus on score, defending a second unit guy should be easier for him as well.
Zeller starting would benefit our interior defense and rondo, because he plays near the rim, and can give rondo an option when driving to the basket.
And I think this is how we need to play against the 76ers. They are a weak team and is easier for a new lineup to succeed, we absolutely can't lose to the 76ers, and we absolutely need to hold them under 100 points. This 76ers game can be a early turning point for us!

[OhioGreen]

2 things I see that might support this argument. Coming into the league you could argue that Zeller was considered a better prospect than KO and while Zeller operates well with Rondo and KO can probably produce similar production playing with the second unit.

The players are very close I think this could be a rare case where moving Kelly to the bench would not be an indictment on his ability.

You are comparing apples to oranges. 

Your apples to oranges comment makes a ton of sense, but probably in another way you weren't even thinking about:

TZeller is a true Center
KO is really a pass first Point Guard in a seven footers body!

[slamtheking]

TBH, the only person on the team I regard as an actual starter is Rondo.  Everyone else is a role player that could/should be backing up a better player starting ahead of him but due to our lack of starting-caliber players, we have to start 4 role players with Rondo.

Whether it's KO or Zeller starting at center isn't a big deal since I anticipate (hope) that the person starting at center next year for us isn't on our current roster

[CFAN38]

This is not a knee jerk reaction to this game. I have felt KO is best suited as a 6th man for a while. There are 96 minutes at the PF/C positions in a game. Play Sully 30, KO 30, Zeller 25 and Bass 11. When match-ups dictate it get Bass more time but really try to trade him he has earned it. If DA can move Bass then give his 11 min to Wallace, increase one of the tops 3s time if earned, or play Green at more 4 and open up wing minutes.

I think a second unit lead by KO and Smart has alot of potential. 

[Rosco917]

It's not like Zeller is old, he's what 24. He still has an up side. He will eventually be a nice back up center.
Give him more minutes coach.

I like KO he's a good guy, he works hard, but he's not a center. I fact he's a terrible defender. When he gets in foul trouble his defensive energy disappears, then he's really weak. He could be a valuable piece as a back up stretch 4 scorer/facilitator. He has value, and will get better.

And yes, I also heard Zeller has a nice jump shot at around 15' Let's see it.

[Evantime34]

I don't think so, bad last night was a terrible match up for him. More often than not when KO is on the court he is guarding the 4 and Zeller/Sully are covering the 5. Last night he was stuck guarding the Morris Twins who are 3/4's and worlds too quick for him to cover.

In games where he is mismatched like this he either needs to pound the offensive glass or shoot the lights out, neither happened last night.

[manl_lui]

Zeller should be our starting Center and not Kelly. Kelly should continue having his minutes but should not be a starter next to Sully.

[CelticsFanFromNYC]

Just happened to be a good matchup in Zeller favor.. at the same time, he needs not to be on the court if rondo isn't present. Zellers game thrives off a Point guard

[MBunge]

In games where he is mismatched like this he either needs to pound the offensive glass or shoot the lights out, neither happened last night.

Or his coach needs to exploit the mismatch by feeding him the ball early and often.  Did they ever try to post up KO last night?

Mike

[Celtics4ever]

KO has had some nice offensive nights, last night was not one of them.   Zeller is superior in a running game to him.  Against a slow plodding team, Sully and KO is the better combination.