Thinking about some lineups

[Chris22]

Thomas, Smart, Crowder, Johnson, and Lee.

[Celtics4ever]

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Brandon,” said Stevens. “He led by example here with his commitment to his diet and his everyday work. He committed to team play. I thought he got better. I’m a big fan of his. I texted with him the last few days. I wish him nothing but the best. He’s a great person to have around.”

Sure won't be Sully, the diet comment was aimed right at him.

I think it will be AB Smart if AB is still here.   Rozier if he is not as I think IT they will want to come off the bench since it worked last year.   Crowder is probably a shoe-in but I hope we upgrade that position.   I think the bigs will be Johnson, Lee and Jerebko though I think Jonas comes off the bench and he and KO well together.  They might start Zeller though, they did last year and he was not in games down the stretch.   I expect them to deal Sully.

[Ilikesports17]

Thomas, Smart, Crowder, Johnson, and Lee.

Any lineup with Thomas Smart Crowder and Johnson is going to be fun to watch.

In my head Id had Olynyk next to Johnson because his skillset, when clicking, would make this a pretty deadly group. However, Lee is the better player and he offers better rebounding which this group also needs.

fwiw I think thats our best lineup.

I expect Crowder and Thomas to come off the bench.

[jpotter33]

I think Rozier is either going to be used in a trade or eventually replace Bradley in the starting lineup. However, until one of those two things happen, I think the backcourt is set with Smart and Bradley.

The wing spot is interesting, because it will depend upon Smart's development whether Crowder or Turner starts there. If Smart continues to improve his playmaking ability like he's shown in summer league, then I think Crowder takes the starting spot. However, if Stevens is still unsure about Smart taking the handle of the PG position full-time, especially playing alongside the inept Bradley, I think Turner still stays there.

Who knows about the 4 and 5? There's literally like five combos that could be justifiably argued as the starters there, i.e. Lee/Johnson, Lee/Zeller, Sully/Zeller, Johnson/KO, Sully/KO, etc. I'd go with either Lee/Johnson or Johnson/KO. I think Sully is our best trade chip to try and upgrade our wing position.

Right now I expect the depth chart to be:
PG: Smart, IT, Rozier
SG: Bradley, Rozier, Hunter/Young
SF: Crowder, Turner
PF: Lee, Sully, KO
C: Johnson, KO, Zeller

Two things will have to happen: 1) we HAVE to trade one of Sully, KO, or Zeller otherwise someone is getting squeezed out of the rotation, and 2) One of Hunter or Young will almost exclusively play in the D-League this year in addition to Mickey.

[Evantime34]

I think the C's will start Johnson and Lee next to each other at the 4 and 5.  The Warriors were supposed to be looking to trade Lee to a team that would give him the opportunity to play, I don't think the C's do that deal and not start Lee. I also expect Johnson to shoot 3's for the C's so the floor should have good spacing.

Johnson
Lee
Crowder
Bradley
Smart

Crowder starts in place of Turner because he provides more defense and floor spacing. Turner's ball handling will be taken over solely by Smart. Although in the half court the offense will often run through Lee.  The defense of Johnson, Crowder, Bradley and Smart should be able to cover up for Lee (depending on how truly awful his defense is).

Thomas is better off the bench because his usage is so high and his defense is not good. I am a strong believer in starting every game by setting the defensive tone and getting everyone involved.

[Hawkeye199]

I think Rozier is either going to be used in a trade or eventually replace Bradley in the starting lineup. However, until one of those two things happen, I think the backcourt is set with Smart and Bradley.

The wing spot is interesting, because it will depend upon Smart's development whether Crowder or Turner starts there. If Smart continues to improve his playmaking ability like he's shown in summer league, then I think Crowder takes the starting spot. However, if Stevens is still unsure about Smart taking the handle of the PG position full-time, especially playing alongside the inept Bradley, I think Turner still stays there.

Who knows about the 4 and 5? There's literally like five combos that could be justifiably argued as the starters there, i.e. Lee/Johnson, Lee/Zeller, Sully/Zeller, Johnson/KO, Sully/KO, etc. I'd go with either Lee/Johnson or Johnson/KO. I think Sully is our best trade chip to try and upgrade our wing position.

Right now I expect the depth chart to be:
PG: Smart, IT, Rozier
SG: Bradley, Rozier, Hunter/Young
SF: Crowder, Turner
PF: Lee, Sully, KO
C: Johnson, KO, Zeller

Two things will have to happen: 1) we HAVE to trade one of Sully, KO, or Zeller otherwise someone is getting squeezed out of the rotation, and 2) One of Hunter or Young will almost exclusively play in the D-League this year in addition to Mickey.

you are missing jerebko who we paid five million for

[jpotter33]

I think Rozier is either going to be used in a trade or eventually replace Bradley in the starting lineup. However, until one of those two things happen, I think the backcourt is set with Smart and Bradley.

The wing spot is interesting, because it will depend upon Smart's development whether Crowder or Turner starts there. If Smart continues to improve his playmaking ability like he's shown in summer league, then I think Crowder takes the starting spot. However, if Stevens is still unsure about Smart taking the handle of the PG position full-time, especially playing alongside the inept Bradley, I think Turner still stays there.

Who knows about the 4 and 5? There's literally like five combos that could be justifiably argued as the starters there, i.e. Lee/Johnson, Lee/Zeller, Sully/Zeller, Johnson/KO, Sully/KO, etc. I'd go with either Lee/Johnson or Johnson/KO. I think Sully is our best trade chip to try and upgrade our wing position.

Right now I expect the depth chart to be:
PG: Smart, IT, Rozier
SG: Bradley, Rozier, Hunter/Young
SF: Crowder, Turner
PF: Lee, Sully, KO
C: Johnson, KO, Zeller

Two things will have to happen: 1) we HAVE to trade one of Sully, KO, or Zeller otherwise someone is getting squeezed out of the rotation, and 2) One of Hunter or Young will almost exclusively play in the D-League this year in addition to Mickey.

you are missing jerebko who we paid five million for

Yep, jeez that just complicates it even more, and obviously Stevens plans on playing JJ some due to us resigning him.

[Denis998]

Interesting how AJ and Lee will play together. Can Lee shoot well?

[tazzmaniac]

I think Rozier is either going to be used in a trade or eventually replace Bradley in the starting lineup. However, until one of those two things happen, I think the backcourt is set with Smart and Bradley.

The wing spot is interesting, because it will depend upon Smart's development whether Crowder or Turner starts there. If Smart continues to improve his playmaking ability like he's shown in summer league, then I think Crowder takes the starting spot. However, if Stevens is still unsure about Smart taking the handle of the PG position full-time, especially playing alongside the inept Bradley, I think Turner still stays there.

Who knows about the 4 and 5? There's literally like five combos that could be justifiably argued as the starters there, i.e. Lee/Johnson, Lee/Zeller, Sully/Zeller, Johnson/KO, Sully/KO, etc. I'd go with either Lee/Johnson or Johnson/KO. I think Sully is our best trade chip to try and upgrade our wing position.

Right now I expect the depth chart to be:
PG: Smart, IT, Rozier
SG: Bradley, Rozier, Hunter/Young
SF: Crowder, Turner
PF: Lee, Sully, KO
C: Johnson, KO, Zeller

Two things will have to happen: 1) we HAVE to trade one of Sully, KO, or Zeller otherwise someone is getting squeezed out of the rotation, and 2) One of Hunter or Young will almost exclusively play in the D-League this year in addition to Mickey.

I agree that they'll try Smart/Bradley/Crowder initially hoping that Smart can handle the load running the offense.  I have my doubts that he can.  It would help if our schedule starts off much easier than last year.  If I'm Ainge, I'm looking to trade Bradley for a better playmaking guard (e.g. Jennings). 

[jpotter33]

I think Rozier is either going to be used in a trade or eventually replace Bradley in the starting lineup. However, until one of those two things happen, I think the backcourt is set with Smart and Bradley.

The wing spot is interesting, because it will depend upon Smart's development whether Crowder or Turner starts there. If Smart continues to improve his playmaking ability like he's shown in summer league, then I think Crowder takes the starting spot. However, if Stevens is still unsure about Smart taking the handle of the PG position full-time, especially playing alongside the inept Bradley, I think Turner still stays there.

Who knows about the 4 and 5? There's literally like five combos that could be justifiably argued as the starters there, i.e. Lee/Johnson, Lee/Zeller, Sully/Zeller, Johnson/KO, Sully/KO, etc. I'd go with either Lee/Johnson or Johnson/KO. I think Sully is our best trade chip to try and upgrade our wing position.

Right now I expect the depth chart to be:
PG: Smart, IT, Rozier
SG: Bradley, Rozier, Hunter/Young
SF: Crowder, Turner
PF: Lee, Sully, KO
C: Johnson, KO, Zeller

Two things will have to happen: 1) we HAVE to trade one of Sully, KO, or Zeller otherwise someone is getting squeezed out of the rotation, and 2) One of Hunter or Young will almost exclusively play in the D-League this year in addition to Mickey.

I agree that they'll try Smart/Bradley/Crowder initially hoping that Smart can handle the load running the offense.  I have my doubts that he can.  It would help if our schedule starts off much easier than last year.  If I'm Ainge, I'm looking to trade Bradley for a better playmaking guard (e.g. Jennings).

I think a legit defensive 5 or a scoring wing is a higher priority with a Bradley trade right now.

[BringToughnessBack]

Interesting how AJ and Lee will play together. Can Lee shoot well?

David Lee has never shot less than .507 for a season and his average since being in the league is .533. He also has averaged 9.5 rebounds a game per 31.5 minutes. FT at .775 as well. I am actually surprised the numbers were that good. In 2013-14, he was at 18.2 a game with 9.3 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game

I am excited to see him in Celtics Green and believe he will be our best scorer this coming year.

[LooseCannon]

Thomas, Smart, Crowder, Johnson, and Lee.

Any lineup with Thomas Smart Crowder and Johnson is going to be fun to watch.

Smallball lineup with those four plus Bradley?

[rollie mass]

celts intensity and grit will take it's toll of injuries--lee and johnson both had injuries last year-
isiah and smart both as durable as they seem are not immune-

[JoeyAinge]

Bradley and Turner to Cleveland for a 1st and Haywood

Rozier/Isiah
Smart/ Hunter
Crowder/ Young
Sully/ Kelly/ Jerebko
Johnson/Zeller/

If no Trade of them two... Which I see them DEF traded by years end because Turner does not fit with Isiah off the bench and he is not starting material.

This will be our opening day depth chart if they are not traded.

Smart/Isiah/Rozier
Bradley/Rozier/Hunter
Turner/Crowder/Young
Sully/Kelly/Jerebko
Zeller/Johnson

Edit: wow didn't even think of LEE... Man... We need to get rid of Bradey and Turner.

[rollie mass]

zeller getting lost in shuffle,i think he will get better next year and extend his range-the depth of celts will wear some teams down-