Poll: C's starting frontcourt

[CelticsFan166]

So, I recently started a poll on who people thought would start at the 1 and 2 on opening night this season. The majority seemed to think it would be Smart-Bradley. Now, I want to know who our PF and C will be to start the season. This seems to be a hotly contested topic, so I'm curious to know what you guys think. I'll be doing another one for small forward later this week.

[walker834]

I voted for Sully and Zeller with Lee and Amir off the bench.  KO as the 5th big with Lee sliding to center. Maybe KO will surprise and beat out Zeller for the starting center spot.

[SCeltic34]

Amir and Lee.

Amir is our best defensive big and therefore gets the start by default.  Lee for his offensive versatility, ability to finish around the basket, and make solid passes.

The problem is once Amir goes out there will be a drop-off defensively, as no combination of Zeller, Lee, Sully, or Olynyk is ideal.  I don't expect Mickey to contribute much this year, especially early in the season.  But I guess that we've been dealing with a poor defensive frontline for so long that we could suffer through it for a bit longer.

You might argue that bringing Lee off the bench would be a great option however, especially if he's coming in with IT.  That's a serious pick and roll threat.  Or alternatively starting IT if Lee is in the starting unit.  But that puts more defensive responsibility on Amir since that's two subpar defenders in the starting lineup. 

Choices, choices.

[CelticsFan166]

Amir and Lee.

Amir is our best defensive big and therefore gets the start by default.  Lee for his offensive versatility, ability to finish around the basket, and make solid passes.

The problem is once Amir goes out there will be a drop-off defensively, as no combination of Zeller, Lee, Sully, or Olynyk is ideal.  I don't expect Mickey to contribute much this year, especially early in the season.  But I guess that we've been dealing with a poor defensive frontline for so long that we could suffer through it for a bit longer.

You might argue that bringing Lee off the bench would be a great option however, especially if he's coming in with IT.  That's a serious pick and roll threat.  Or alternatively starting IT if Lee is in the starting unit.  But that puts more defensive responsibility on Amir since that's two subpar defenders in the starting lineup. 

Choices, choices.

I think Lee and Amir would make a perfect offense-defense combo but who's going to cover for Sully's deficiencies on the second string? The cool part is that our starting unit last year is mostly gonna be our second unit now.

[MJohnnyboy]

Amir and Lee unless someone outplays them so embarrassingly in practice that Brad has no choice. They are the most proven out of all of the guys we got, and both are playing for their next contracts. They both have started and given really good production on good teams, and even if they aren't the future, they'll keep the Celtics relevant this year.

I think our next line of defense will be Sully and Zeller. Zeller may not be a rim protector but he's passable on D (atleast for a big off the bench), and Sullys out to prove he's worth keeping. I do wonder what the Celtics are going to do because they have decent bigs up the wazoo on the roster. Lee/Johnson/Sully/Zeller/Olynyk/Jerebko/Mickey. No one of that 7 is a scrub or atleast doesn't excite me.

Something tells me it will not stay like this as the season progresses.

[dreamgreen]

One would think Lee & Amir would be the logical choice. This will be one of the fun things to watch in preseason to see what bigs not only play well but who plays well with who.

[BitterJim]

I think it's gotta be either Sully/Amir or Lee/Amir, but I went with Sully because I think it's his spot to lose.  If he comes into camp out of shape or Lee clearly outplays him in camp, then Lee will get the nod, but otherwise I think it's Sully

[Csfan1984]

I picked AJ and Zeller. Crowder would be my SF.

[slamtheking]

interesting results so far.  no one thinks KO will start and the most popular choice to start is Amir. 

also, Lee's only picked to start if paired with Amir (as opposed to both Sully and Zeller who've been picked in another combo) and it's the most popular selection

[jambr380]

Definitely Amir and either Sully/Lee. I went with Sully because there is no reason why he should lose his starting job to an incoming aging expiring player, but crazier things have happened. I like what Lee brings to the table, but we literally got him for the corpse of Gerald Wallace. If Brad doesn't continue to develop our young bigs, I will be disappointed.

[Smartacus]

Probably most curious to check out the Mickey/Zeller line with Isiah running the point.

That's a mean, athletic, attack minded bench unit.

[Celtics18]

Wow!!

I'm kinda surprised somebody else voted for Olynyk and Johnson as well.

[Smartacus]

interesting results so far.  no one thinks KO will start and the most popular choice to start is Amir. 

also, Lee's only picked to start if paired with Amir (as opposed to both Sully and Zeller who've been picked in another combo) and it's the most popular selection

Hey, Amir started for a playoff team last year at one of the most competitive positions in the league, maybe we're getting some new raptor fans on this board.

They all speak highly of him on Realgm.

[Jon]

I'm actually more intrigued with the rotation. Some people think that Stevens will try to play all 5 guys; I don't think there's really a reason to go beyond 4 guys and I very well think Tyler Zeller may be the odd man out.

[2short]

Two best bigs are lee and Amir.  My vote however went to Amir and jj.  Amir gives solid defense, rebounding and size.  Jj gives good defense, speed, rebounding and spreads the floor.

I think that combo makes a good team.  Our bench unit has lee and it