i feel bad for zeller

[Boris Badenov]

Two of the running stories this fall have been:

1. A Johnson needs to play with IT to run the pick and roll.
2. Smart has gotten better with the ball in his hands.

My thinking though is that if Smart's better, why cant he play with Johnson?

And aren't Lee and Zeller decent P&R guys in their own rights?

So why not move Johnson into the starting lineup? Isn't he our best big guy overall, especially on defense?

Maybe I'm wrong about all this. Happy to be educated if so.

[zubi.anaba]

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=79699.msg1953053#msg1953053

I remember the above thread and someone mentioning that Zeller was better then Henson.

I would like Henson if the Bucks are swimming in bigs.  But what's a fair price to give up for Henson, would Zeller and pick(s) have to go back the other way?

why the F would you trade Zeller and picks for Henson when Zeller is already better then Henson?  Let's not sleep on Zeller here.

Not sure how you can say Zeller is better than Henson. Zeller is a 7 ft center that cant even protect the rim. Zeller has no above average NBA skill

Henson on the other hand is athletic, mobile 7ft that protects the hell out of the rim. I would take Henson over Zeller any day

You can bet Cs fans would trade Zeller for Henson in a heart beat now. Bucks on the other hand wouldnt do that trade in a million years

[PhoSita]

Two of the running stories this fall have been:

1. A Johnson needs to play with IT to run the pick and roll.
2. Smart has gotten better with the ball in his hands.

My thinking though is that if Smart's better, why cant he play with Johnson?

And aren't Lee and Zeller decent P&R guys in their own rights?

So why not move Johnson into the starting lineup? Isn't he our best big guy overall, especially on defense?

Maybe I'm wrong about all this. Happy to be educated if so.

I'm with you. 

I think Lee and Zeller can work well together but I'm not sure this team can field a lineup with enough shooting 1-3 to allow them to do so. 

As things stand, I'd probably move Amir into the starting lineup and then bring either Lee or Zeller off the bench at the 5 to run the floor with IT.


Bottom line for me, Brad can't keep playing 5 bigs.  These guys need to settle into consistent roles.

[fairweatherfan]

Two of the running stories this fall have been:

1. A Johnson needs to play with IT to run the pick and roll.
2. Smart has gotten better with the ball in his hands.

My thinking though is that if Smart's better, why cant he play with Johnson?

And aren't Lee and Zeller decent P&R guys in their own rights?

So why not move Johnson into the starting lineup? Isn't he our best big guy overall, especially on defense?

Maybe I'm wrong about all this. Happy to be educated if so.

I think this will be happening soon enough.  Wouldn't surprise me if we just moved both Lee + Zeller back to the bench; they've easily been our two worst bigs. 

I'm hoping we start Amir and Olynyk - Sully's been better than Oly but he can't spread the floor like Kelly can, and seems more effective in shorter stints against bench guys.  Let Lee and Zeller run P+R with IT, and mix em in with starting units from time to time.

[Tr1boy]

Zeller is a backup center that should not be starting

No need to feel bad for him. He needs to play for his contract life right now

[Celtics4ever]

Zeller is a solid back up.   Guys get a shot, they either thrive, do ok or falter.   When they thrive they become starters/stars, when they do ok, they are pegged as role players, when they falter, they either improve or they are out of the league.   I think Zeller is a role player.

[Tr1boy]

Zeller is a solid back up.   Guys get a shot, they either thrive, do ok or falter.   When they thrive they become starters/stars, when they do ok, they are pegged as role players, when they falter, they either improve or they are out of the league.   I think Zeller is a role player.

and with this I don't get why CBS is starting him.  CBS needs to get it together also

Amir should easily be starting. Unless he doesn't trust Zeller with KO

[Jon]

I'd also add that no one needs to feel badly for anyone who is making millions of dollars per year to play a game. 

And I'd double down again that none of these big men have any gripe to feel shortchanged about anything.  All have talents, but there are no dominant forces in the front court.  No one is "stuck" behind anyone.  With the way some people talk about people being blocked on this team, you'd think we had a young Tim Duncan being blocked by McHale and Parish in their primes. 

If anyone wants big minutes, he should just earn it.