The Celtics Found Their Starting Lineup Last Night

[jpotter33]

There's just so many different possibilities.

I go back and forth with IT starting due to his size and mismatch possibilities, but if it stops getting us in big holes early it might be worth it. I also think maybe replacing Crowder with JJ in that group would open up the lane a little bit more for IT.

And I'd like to see how Turner and Bradley coexist first, because it doesn't seem like they share the court together much. I think a bench of Turner, Bradley, Crowder, KO, and Lee still wipes the floor with the opposing bench most nights, especially given KOs recent play.

[esel1000]

Been saying it since the start of the season before injuries. Glad Brad finally did it. Best mix of scoring, defense, pick and roll play, etc. AB as 6th man with KO, Lee, Turner, JJ another good defense/scoring mixture. Truth is we don't have any real scoring with our starters unless IT starts and we can't constantly start the game's in a rut relying on our bench to dig us out...

[PhoSita]

I don't know if that group has to start, but they do need to play major minutes as a unit together.

I agree.  At a minimum, we need to use this year getting that unit a lot of minutes together.  Establish some stability and continuity.

but less than 32+ minutes, right? 

I mean, sure, very few 5 man units actually spend 32 minutes a game together.

[PhoSita]

maybe move Smart to the 6th man until we make a trade? Also, IT isn't as bad on D as people make it seem. I watch for it every game. I'm shocked teams dont pick and get a big on him an post up every play, bu it happes almost never.

It seems like some players are smarter than others in taking advantage of IT's size.

The first time the Celts played the Pacers, I noticed that Monta Ellis did a really good job bullying Isaiah with post-ups and losing him around picks.


As for benching Smart, that's a possibility, I guess, but it's not ideal in my mind for a couple of reasons.

First, Smart is the future for this team right now.  He's got to get development time.  I don't care about what the effect is on the team's record.

Second, Smart's size compared to Bradley is important to have at off-guard so that IT can be hidden on whichever opposing guard is smaller and/or less aggressive.

[Edgar]

Nice game Huh

Hola!

I am back!!!

[SHAQATTACK]

I think Marcus should just stay out , till he is healed .   He has came back too early for the foot / toe and I don't see how he can shoot with tape  all over his fingers ....ugh.....I REMEBER Sully screwed up his fingers and his shooting was way off for a long time .....or about as long as he worn that tape .

I see how you can feel the ball correct with tape on your fingers , it is goi g to release and slide different than from your skin.   It would really mess me up anyways.

I'm not looking for Smart to get his stroke back till his fingers heal up .

[Jon]

I agree that this might be our best starting 5.  And when I hear talk about trying to find the best combinations for starters and the bench, I think one big solution for the C's problems might also be shortening the rotation and to some extent Stevens seems to be doing that by playing the starters bigger minutes.  You have to worry a lot less about what the best mix is for the "starters" and the 'bench" when you're only rotating 3-4 bench players onto the court at a time and leaving 1-2 starters on the floor at all times. 

[ssspence]

Nice game Huh

Hola!

I am back!!!

Whoa -- long time no see

[Neurotic Guy]

I'd feel better about IT starting if anyone else in the lineup could reliably make a shot.  Then again, take IT out and no one can reliably make a shot (except when AB is 'on').   Consider KO in a starting role.   Er,  every starting lineup is flawed.  It might be that the one from last night gives the C's the best shot to come out of the first quarter without a deficit.

[CelticPride2016]

I don't see why the team has to start each game with the same players. But in general, yes, that is our best lineup or close. Last night was a great game for the Olynyk fan club. And it might have been only one game, and I only have one set of eyes, but he looked almost KG-esque on defense. I guess James Young will become great any day, while a guy like Kelly will be lucky to carve out a Scalabrine role. 

[PhoSita]

Nice game Huh

Hola!

I am back!!!

Awesome!

[PhoSita]

I agree that this might be our best starting 5.  And when I hear talk about trying to find the best combinations for starters and the bench, I think one big solution for the C's problems might also be shortening the rotation and to some extent Stevens seems to be doing that by playing the starters bigger minutes.  You have to worry a lot less about what the best mix is for the "starters" and the 'bench" when you're only rotating 3-4 bench players onto the court at a time and leaving 1-2 starters on the floor at all times.

Good points all.  I agree.

[Celtics18]

I like that starting lineup, but the biggest advantage the Celtics have is their depth.  If they go into games with the philosophy that "our top five will beat your top five," they'll be outclassed on most nights.  That just is what it is.

I still think we can be a really good team if we rely on our strengths, which is mixing and matching, and being able to have a better overall unit on the floor for the full 48 minutes.  We have to take advantage of when the other team starts going to their bench.

I don't have the numbers on this, but it seems to me that the trio of Turner, Jerebko, and Olynyk have a very nice synergy when they are out there together as a bench unit.  RJ has looked good with that group as well when he's been out there. 

I expect Brad to continue to experiment with lineups all season, though, confounding some of us in the process.  It just seems to me that this is what this season's Celtics will be all about. 

It's not easy to try to build a winning NBA team this way, but if I trust anyone to pull it off, it's Brad Stevens.  He's a smart, creative dude, and the players seem to have absolute trust in him.

Hope it continues. 

[Csfan1984]

I agree with Smart coming off the bench it may be better. I still like IT, AB, JJ, AJ as starters. Center is tough though. KO and Sully have been decent. Zeller hasn't been good but he hasn't had a lot of minutes. I prefer KO right now.

[hwangjini_1]

Nice game Huh

Hola!

I am back!!!

EDGAR!!!  Bienvenido de vuelta. Estoy feliz de verte.