Top five defenders on the Celtics

[BDeCosta26]

Marcus Smart
Jae Crowder
Avery Bradley
Amir Johnson
Jordan Mickey
5B) Terry Rozier

I think a lot of folks don't realize Rozier is a really good defender. Not Marcus Smart good, but AB good I think in the future.

As JPotter said, any All-Defense list for the C's starts with Smart. He's one of, if not THE best defensive rookie I've ever seen (I'm only 24, so that's not that long, tbh.). He's so good on that end that I expect him to be a DPOY candidate going forward. He's got Tony Allen/Gary Payton level skills on D. He may not turn into a "star" in the traditional sense (But he could, IMO) but is Tony Allen with an offensive game not a star?

I think it says a lot about our new team identity that we have legitimately good-great defenders who can play multiple positions everywhere on the floor.

[Joe Green]

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.

JJ is a very underrated defender. He actually did the best job covering Lebron and he can cover SF/PF and even some Centers. I would say he is top 5 on our team.

[loco_91]

1. Smart
2. AB
3. Crowder
4. Amir
5. Zeller?

As others have noted 2-4 is a tossup. I think AB would be the clear choice if he focused as much on D as Crowder does. #5 is really up for grabs, but I disagree with putting Mickey there based on SL. He could be #5 by the end of the season, but even talented defensive rookies are usually bad at first and Mickey will probably be the same.

[Who]

Mickey can be a well above average defender in the NBA but he is not one today. His fundamentals are poor (on and off the ball) and need a lot of work. For the early stages of his career, Mickey is going to be a below average defensive player.

[Who]

Smart
Amir
Bradley
Crowder
Jerebko

Hmm ... that could actually be a five man lineup. PG/SG, SG/PG, SF, PF and PF/C.

[manl_lui]

Smart
Bradley
Crowder
Amir
Zeller

in no particular order

[jpotter33]

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

TP, back at you!

Tbh, this offseason would've been pretty boring on here without a lot of your posts and polls lol

The season needs to start already 

[tarheelsxxiii]

IT, Hunter, Young, Lee, Klynyk

[tarheelsxxiii]

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

TP, back at you!

Tbh, this offseason would've been pretty boring on here without a lot of your posts and polls lol

The season needs to start already 

If that's you in your picture, cute to boot. Let's make it 302. Cheers.

[moiso]

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

This. 

[KG Living Legend]

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

TP, back at you!

Tbh, this offseason would've been pretty boring on here without a lot of your posts and polls lol

The season needs to start already 

 Awww, I think I'm blushing lol. Thanks bro.

[Rosco917]

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

Hopefully we'll be adding in Mr. Rosier to the heap.

When this team goes small they should be able to create some havoc.
The small unit is quick, young and aggressive, and very strong defensively. Should be fun.

[Evantime34]

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

I am fine with the 5th being either Zeller or Turner. Rozier could reach this point by next year, but as of now he is a rookie who didn't play man in college so it might take a while. I don't see Mickey playing at all so I'm not sure how we would know if he is a top 5 defender.

[ahonui06]

In no specific order

Marcus Smart
Jae Crowder
Amir Johnson
Avery Bradley
Terry Rozier

[KG Living Legend]

 This thread actually has me very optimistic about the defense. A few people have Crowder 4th, and while I disagree he's are 4th best defender, you can make an argument there is three better defenders which is great news.
 And then Rozier is not even on the list and he figures to be a great defender given the chance.
 Look at this future 6 defenders to mix and match.

 Amir Johnson
 Jordan Mickey
 Jae Crowder
 Avery-Rozier
 Marcus Smart

 Future looks bright.