Top five defenders on the Celtics

[KG Living Legend]

1- Marcus Smart
2- Jae Crowder
3- Amir Johnson
4- Aver Bradley
5- Jordan Mickey

[jpotter33]

1- Marcus Smart
2- Jae Crowder
3- Amir Johnson
4- Aver Bradley
5- Jordan Mickey

Pretty crazy that Bradley is number four on our team given that he was once a 2nd team All-Defense.

I think I pretty much agree, though I think 2-4 could be interchangeable. Any list has to start with Smart, though. Even as a rookie, his defensive instincts and team defense was just light years ahead of where most NBA rookies are at. Also, Mickey's blocks were obviously noticeable in summer league, but I also saw a lot of potential in both Rozier and Hunter defensively.

[KG Living Legend]

 Jpotter, 300th tp to you. Your a solid blogger here.

[max215]

1- Marcus Smart
2- Jae Crowder
3- Amir Johnson
4- Aver Bradley
5- Jordan Mickey

Can't argue with this list.

[KG Living Legend]

 Hey thanks Max, TP.

[Greyman]

1- Marcus Smart
2- Jae Crowder
3- Amir Johnson
4- Aver Bradley
5- Jordan Mickey

Pretty crazy that Bradley is number four on our team given that he was once a 2nd team All-Defense.

I think I pretty much agree, though I think 2-4 could be interchangeable. Any list has to start with Smart, though. Even as a rookie, his defensive instincts and team defense was just light years ahead of where most NBA rookies are at. Also, Mickey's blocks were obviously noticeable in summer league, but I also saw a lot of potential in both Rozier and Hunter defensively.

This, defence is coming along better than some areas and provides a fair foundation for this team. Hope Johnson is going to provide a bit of what was missing last season.

[Csfan1984]

1a Smart
1b. KO
3. AJ
4. AB
5. Mickey

[BornReady]

1. Smart
2. Johnson
3. Bradley
4. Crowder
5. Mickey

For me it was a toss up between Johnson , smart and Bradley
Johnson is coming off a poor season, smart is good but can have trouble against faster PG, Bradley has trouble against bigger SG

[2short]

1. Smart
2. Crowder
3. Bradley
4. Johnson
5. 

[Eddie20]

1. Smart
2. Bradley
3. Johnson
4. Crowder
5. Rozier

[KG Living Legend]

Crowder fourth seems rough. Dude is a beast.

[dreamgreen]

1. Smart
2. Crowder
3. Bradley
4. Johnson
5. 

This.

[Joe Green]

Bradley is a little overrated as a defender since he is only really suited to cover PG. This means he is putting pressure on our PG to cover SG. Luckily, we have Smart who is a BEAST - but otherwise defense would suffer when he is on the court.

[chilidawg]

1- Marcus Smart
2- Jae Crowder
3- Amir Johnson
4- Aver Bradley
5- Jordan Mickey

Put one of KO/Zeller/Lee/Sully in there for Mickey and that's your starting lineup.

[sofutomygaha]

Mickey is not our 5th best defender off the boat. He'll get there fast, but I guarantee you that if started the season playing David Lee half the game and Jordan Mickey half the game, team Mickey would allow more points.

I support the consensus that Smart, Bradley, Johnson, and Crowder are our four best defenders, though I don't think Crowder has an entirely decisive edge over Jerebko or Turner.

I think Kelly Olynyk is our 5th best defensive player, and no I'm not joking. He is a pushover down low, no question, but he has been our most disruptive big in terms of getting steals and keeping opponents from penetrating. He's also been about as effective a shot blocker as anyone we have. That's faint praise, but he's not terrible; he's much more effective than any rookie could possibly be.