Can Hunter play SF?

[celts55]

I was just wondering what people thought. I personally have no idea.
They need shooting/scoring from the wing and he can certainly provide that. While he doesn't have a great handle, he appears to see the floor well and make some nice passes. He's listed at 6'6, not too bad a size.
I'm guessing his problem would be defending the wing and maybe rebounding? I don't know, so I'm asking.
From what I saw in SL, yeah I know, it's SL. But I wouldn't mind seeing him get some time on the floor, and doesn't look like there is much time available at the 2.
Thoughts?

[slamtheking]

better question is will he even be in Boston or more likely spending his time in Maine with Young and Mickey?  backcourt's loaded already with Smart, AB, IT and Turner.  Add in Rozier and that 5 bodies he's behind.

SF?  he'd already be behind Crowder, Jonas and Turner (where Turner will get a lot of his minutes) and possibly PJIII if he's on the team after training camp. 

If Hunter sees the court this year it's one of 2 reasons:
1. C's are injury-riddled and need a warm body on the bench for spot minutes.
2. Hunter blossoms into an unbelievable stud in training camp and looks like starter material.

[clover]

Eventually. Not nearly strong enough right now.

[Celtics4ever]

It is possible, he needs to work on his strength and lateral movement.

[coffee425]

Eventually. Not nearly strong enough right now.

To be fair, Matt Barnes and Tayshaun Prince have been SF defensive specialists for their whole career and they probably weigh 300 lbs combined.
Unfortunately for RJ, he's not 6'8 with 7' wingspan. Needs to beef up to 210+ lbs to be more than a rotational player

[Rosco917]

RJ weigh's 185 lb. at 6-6. That is rail thin, even on TV.

Prince is 6-9 and very long. Matt Barnes is 6-7 226 lb.

RJ would be physically over his head at SF. Maybe in 4 or 5 years, and 20 lb. he could survive there.

Now if you suggested Smart could play a little SF, that could be an option at times.

[pokeKingCurtis]

Eventually. Not nearly strong enough right now.

To be fair, Matt Barnes and Tayshaun Prince have been SF defensive specialists for their whole career and they probably weigh 300 lbs combined.
Unfortunately for RJ, he's not 6'8 with 7' wingspan. Needs to beef up to 210+ lbs to be more than a rotational player

Like the Spurs with Belinelli and Green.

[boscel33]

I think the better question is, can he play PG?  He'd be big at 6'6" and a really good shooter.  Although I like Smart, it would allow them to include him in a much larger trade for a player, such as Dmarc.

[BDeCosta26]

If Hunter comes into training camp playing the way he did at the end of SL, I think CBS' is going to be forced to find a few minutes for him.

As for playing the 3, it's certainly possible. It wouldn't surprise me to see him gets some minutes on the wing at some point this season, but only with Smart on the floor to match-up physically with opposing 3s on D. I think we'll be seeing some 3 guard line ups this season. Thomas/Smart/Hunter or Rozier/Smart/Hunter seems like possibilities. Especially if injuries hit.

Can't play it consistently unless he gets stronger though. I'm interested in his development as a passer/ball-handler. If he can do spot duty running the offense, that would be good for our future.

[aingeforthree]

He'd never see the floor with this team.  He's not good enough to beat out those ahead of him at that position.

[slamtheking]

in the future (3 years?) we may have Smart, Rozier and Hunter as are starters offering a possibly solid unit for ballhandling, passing, shooting and especially D.  high hopes

[Big333223]

Offensively, I'd say he can. Defensively, I don't think he could handle most NBA SF's who are going to be a lot stronger.

[mgent]

better question is will he even be in Boston or more likely spending his time in Maine with Young and Mickey?  backcourt's loaded already with Smart, AB, IT and Turner.  Add in Rozier and that 5 bodies he's behind.

SF?  he'd already be behind Crowder, Jonas and Turner (where Turner will get a lot of his minutes) and possibly PJIII if he's on the team after training camp. 

If Hunter sees the court this year it's one of 2 reasons:
1. C's are injury-riddled and need a warm body on the bench for spot minutes.
2. Hunter blossoms into an unbelievable stud in training camp and looks like starter material.

Great post.

Agree.

[Who]

If Hunter comes into training camp playing the way he did at the end of SL, I think CBS' is going to be forced to find a few minutes for him.

As for playing the 3, it's certainly possible. It wouldn't surprise me to see him gets some minutes on the wing at some point this season, but only with Smart on the floor to match-up physically with opposing 3s on D. I think we'll be seeing some 3 guard line ups this season. Thomas/Smart/Hunter or Rozier/Smart/Hunter seems like possibilities. Especially if injuries hit.

Can't play it consistently unless he gets stronger though. I'm interested in his development as a passer/ball-handler. If he can do spot duty running the offense, that would be good for our future.

I think Hunter can move ahead of Rozier in the depth chart.

I think the team needs a two guard with good size who can knock down shots from outside.

I think there is less of a need for another ball-handling combo guard. That Rozier has more competition and will have a tougher fight to get minutes. That Smart will start and Isaiah Thomas will get most of the rest. A large number of small backcourts with Bradley in the mix too. I.Thomas in particular. With I.Thomas as 6th man, a similar type of explosive offensive minded PG, I think it'll be hard for Rozier to get bench minutes alongside him.

I think there will be more subbing opportunities for RJ Hunter given his size and shooting ability than there will be for Rozier.

[BudweiserCeltic]

If Hunter comes into training camp playing the way he did at the end of SL, I think CBS' is going to be forced to find a few minutes for him.

As for playing the 3, it's certainly possible. It wouldn't surprise me to see him gets some minutes on the wing at some point this season, but only with Smart on the floor to match-up physically with opposing 3s on D. I think we'll be seeing some 3 guard line ups this season. Thomas/Smart/Hunter or Rozier/Smart/Hunter seems like possibilities. Especially if injuries hit.

Can't play it consistently unless he gets stronger though. I'm interested in his development as a passer/ball-handler. If he can do spot duty running the offense, that would be good for our future.

I think Hunter can move ahead of Rozier in the depth chart.

I think the team needs a two guard with good size who can knock down shots from outside.

I think there is less of a need for another ball-handling combo guard. That Rozier has more competition and will have a tougher fight to get minutes. That Smart will start and Isaiah Thomas will get most of the rest. A large number of small backcourts with Bradley in the mix too. I.Thomas in particular. With I.Thomas as 6th man, a similar type of explosive offensive minded PG, I think it'll be hard for Rozier to get bench minutes alongside him.

I think there will be more subbing opportunities for RJ Hunter given his size and shooting ability than there will be for Rozier.

If either Thomas or Rozier isn't starting, Rozier will find a tough time getting playing time.

Personally considering our current roster balance, I'd start Thomas with Smart or Bradley and go from there.

This would mean you don't start Turner, you start Crowder. Turner might be more valuable off the bench as it is if anything.

I'm a fan of Thomas off the bench though, I really like him in that role. But if I have to choose between benching Turner or keeping his ball-handling with the starters, I'd choose Thomas as a starter easily.

It'll be dependent also on how much of a playmaker Smart is developing into, so that's something to keep an eye on.