Poll: C's starting frontcourt

[chambers]

Amir and Sully.
Lee and Zeller  off the bench, KO sprinkled in there for 20 mins a game.
You probably need Zeller or Johnson  out there for 75% of game unless we go super small with Lee at PF and Olynyk at C.

[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.

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.

I don't think anyone is going to be able to cover Sully's deficiencies in the 2nd unit.  But then you have the same problem with both Lee and KO.

I'm a bit wary of a potential Sully + KO pairing.  Way too slow defensively.  But it's not like Lee + KO would be much better.  Zeller had some good advanced defensive stats last year if I recall correctly, but by the eye test he's mediocre at best.

So might as well go with our two best bigs in Lee and Amir to start the game.

[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

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.

not complaining, picked him to start.  I think he's the best frontcourt player we have on the roster right now.

[D.o.s.]

I would be shocked if it wasn't Johnson and Lee. Amir is one of those classically underrated NBA players -- exactly the kind of guys that a lot of people on here clamor for (and sometimes wrongly attribute others to be) -- the blue-collar defense types.

I hate the phrase 'blue-collar' in this instance, but I think we all know the kind of player that is.

[PhoSita]

I would be shocked if it wasn't Johnson and Lee.

They were brought in to be starters.  Either they put up nice numbers and entice a better team at the deadline, or they help the Celts to 40-45 wins and a shot at actually winning a playoff game this time around.

I'm not a mind reader, but that looks like the plan to me.

[SHAQATTACK]

Amir has to start with Zeller backing him or KO

I think Lee will get the start .....depending on how Sully does in pre season

So Amir and Lee ....it is

Unless Sully goes ape wild and beasts his way into starting during preseason



I do believe Sully s youth makes him now the stronger player between Lee and himself .

And Sully is capable of playing his way into the starting lineup.....he was looking better his last playoff game of last season .

Would be fun to see Hunter or Jones make a breakout.  We could use the scoring .

[ahonui06]

I'll vote for Amir & Lee.

Amir is a solid defensive player with decent offensive range and Lee is a solid rebounder, has a nice offensive game despite being a defensive liability.

[Granath]

Lee won't start.

Amir and Sullinger.

[celts55]

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.

They didn't Literally get him for the corpse of Gerald Wallace. He is still very much alive as far as I know.
Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine. I tried to let it go, but couldn't . Maybe I need help.

[Big333223]

Wow. Pretty much everyone thinks Amir will start. I do too but I'm surprised everyone seems that sure.

[Surferdad]

Wow. Pretty much everyone thinks Amir will start. I do too but I'm surprised everyone seems that sure.

Simple. He is our best center in the small-ball era.

[twistedrico]

It would be foolish not to start David Lee. If he plays 28PG, he will average 15-9 easy.  Another option that wasn't mentioned would be starting Lee and Sully

[2short]

It would be foolish not to start David Lee. If he plays 28PG, he will average 15-9 easy.  Another option that wasn't mentioned would be starting Lee and Sully

Lee is our best offensive big, but not a good defender, nba fair.  Sully took a step back on defense last year.  I'm fine with either guy starting with someone else but not each other

[MJohnnyboy]

It would be foolish not to start David Lee. If he plays 28PG, he will average 15-9 easy.  Another option that wasn't mentioned would be starting Lee and Sully

Agreed with starting Lee. He's our best bet as far as scoring goes, but pairing him with Sully would not be a good idea knowing their defensive inefficiencies.

[Big333223]

It would be foolish not to start David Lee. If he plays 28PG, he will average 15-9 easy.  Another option that wasn't mentioned would be starting Lee and Sully

Agreed with starting Lee. He's our best bet as far as scoring goes, but pairing him with Sully would not be a good idea knowing their defensive inefficiencies.

Let's not forget that Lee was benched for a good part of the season last year and might be washed up. I think he's going to be in better shape this season than he was last season and I do think he will be a big part of the Celtics rotation at the start of the season but I think its a mistake to look at it as a foregone conclusion.