Should Smart start at SF over Crowder?

[Smart457]

I really hope I'm wrong and Crowder has a great game but if I'm Stevens, I'm not taking any chances. Let Smart start. He can shut down Korver better. Can step over all the screens better. He's also giving us more on offense.

What is everyone else's thoughts on this?

I think Crowder on a normal basis could and keep up with Korver, his ankle injury is hampering his ability to really do anything. But I agree with you, in this case, if we want to win, some adjustments must be made. Starting Smart at SF won't be entirely too bad. Crowder really isn't giving us much on offense not to mention his health isn't 100%. What do we REALLY have to lose?

IT/Turner/Smart/Jerebko/Amir looks to be an energetic bunch to start the game.

Good post. Crowder normally would be able to contain Korver and get around those screens but he looks like he's lagging behind much of them due to his injury.

[Smart457]

The question isn't really who has been playing better (yes, Smart has been better). Both guys are getting tons of minutes either way. But I think that Crowder should continue to start because you need to have a primary ballhandler coming off the bench. When you have 3 primary ballhandlers in your rotation, it's a waste to put all 3 of them on the floor at the same time.

Smart can come out at the 5 minute mark. IT can finish out the quarter and Smart can come back in to start the second quarter while IT rests.

It's not really a problem.

[Celtics18]

The question isn't really who has been playing better (yes, Smart has been better). Both guys are getting tons of minutes either way. But I think that Crowder should continue to start because you need to have a primary ballhandler coming off the bench. When you have 3 primary ballhandlers in your rotation, it's a waste to put all 3 of them on the floor at the same time.

That's a good point.

[Smart457]

The question isn't really who has been playing better (yes, Smart has been better). Both guys are getting tons of minutes either way. But I think that Crowder should continue to start because you need to have a primary ballhandler coming off the bench. When you have 3 primary ballhandlers in your rotation, it's a waste to put all 3 of them on the floor at the same time.

That's a good point.

I just don't buy that as a valid reason.

Look at the post above yours.

I think you can stagger their minutes and overlap their rotations.

[CFAN38]

No,


we saw this fail to work in the reg season when croweder was hurt.

[LGC88]

What has made the difference is who makes shots.
So far, only the home team shots decently.
Jerebko at the 4 is required since we have nobody else who can stretch the floor right now.
Feed Amir and feed Jerebko. If the ball falls in, as a results, Thomas will have a heck of a night.
Let's go Celtics!

[Smart457]

No,


we saw this fail to work in the reg season when croweder was hurt.

Here is a valid counter to your valid concern.

Smart was struggling at the time but he's put together some decent games in the post season now. His play has been better. The other is that we were playing OKC. Covering Korver will be much easier than covering Durant.