Could this potential Celtics starting 5 beat the Warriors?

[chambers]

Starting five

IT
Jimmy Butler
Kevin Durant
Jae Crowder
Dwight Howard

Bench:
Smart
Olynyk
Mickey
Jerebko
veteran big
veteran big

Would have to avoid some very possible injuries to Durant and Howard but that is a brutally tough team and is almost championship favorites with Stevens coaching.

[jpotter33]

I don't think we'd be able to keep Jerebko in this situation if we're signing both Durant and Howard with cap space.

But that is an interesting lineup. I just fear their small-ball-death lineup with Green at the 5 with this group, because then Howard is ultimately ineffective.

[Csfan1984]

Voted no because Warriors still have edge in spacing and team play. Then when they go small the team would struggle.

Curry>>IT
Thompson>Butler
Green<Durant
AI=Crowder
Bogut=<Howard

Only real edge is KD over Green. And team spacing isn't great for that C's team. Smart off the bench is a good addition to have but Warriors bench is more proven.

[Timdawgg]

Voted no because Warriors still have edge in spacing and team play. Then when they go small the team would struggle.

Curry>>IT
Thompson>Butler
Green<Durant
AI=Crowder
Bogut=<Howard

Only real edge is KD over Green. And team spacing isn't great for that C's team. Smart off the bench is a good addition to have but Warriors bench is more proven.

\\I have Butler better than Thompson...Thompson is a better shooter but Butler is the better overall player...

[sofutomygaha]

I don't think Thompson is a better player than Jimmy Butler. I'm not at all sure about it, but Butler has had months-long stretches, particularly last season, where he looked like the MVP of the East.

[Vermont Green]

I voted yes but Crowder would never start in that line-up.  They would find an actual PF to play there and Crowder would be awesome off the bench playing multiple positions.

You could plug in Jordan Mickey and that team would still be great (albeit not very realistic).  I understand in theory it is possible we trade for Butler and also sign probably the best two FAs but you could add Butler, Durant, and Howard to any team, even the Sixers, and make the same case.

[loco_91]

I voted yes: the question was whether they "could" beat the Warriors, and I'd say definitely they could. Would they be favored on a neutral court? Maybe not; the Warriors are just that good. But no doubt this would be an awesome lineup that would be heavily favored to make the Finals.

Also, I agree with most other posters that Butler is better than Thompson. I actually don't think it's close - Thompson is the only player on the entire GSW team that is overrated, and he might not be their third best player.

[D Dub]

No, because Dwight still can't hit foul shots. 

[droopdog7]

The whole is more than the sum of its parts.  One thing to compare player to player but that's mostly useless.  Clearly, the Warriors have a certain chemistry that makes them great; maybe the greatest ever.

To expect a team to come together, regardless of talent, and have that same chemistry is wishful thinking at best.

So the vote pretty much has to be no.

[TheSundanceKid]

So you got Butler for Bradley, Rozier and picks? Unless thats all the Brooklyn picks then I think it unlikely. If by some miracle we managed it then I think that line-up would still struggle. Too many people who want the ball. I'd almost be happier not trading for Butler in that scenario and keeping Bradley at the 2 as a 3+D guy

[celticsclay]

Voted no because Warriors still have edge in spacing and team play. Then when they go small the team would struggle.

Curry>>IT
Thompson>Butler
Green<Durant
AI=Crowder
Bogut=<Howard

Only real edge is KD over Green. And team spacing isn't great for that C's team. Smart off the bench is a good addition to have but Warriors bench is more proven.

Sorry I don't really get how one can put Bogut as close to equal to Howard. If you are concerned about Howard's health, Bogut has had just as many issues. If you are concerned about Howard's athleticism,Bogut is older and losing it just as quickly. Obviously Howard is more athletic to start, but as we saw with Perkins, moving from lower athleticism to none can be devastating. AI is also not as good as Crowder and if he is, he will be even worse next season (turning 33) while crowder is clearly still improving.

[Surferdad]

Nice hypothetical, but I don't see how this could possibly happen.  That's 3 max players and not giving up anyone in trade.

[Mattybriand]

Time to give up on the durant dream, unless OKC collapses

[Greyman]

I said 'no' due to the team being greater than its parts. With the other four players mentioned, as much as I love IT, I would want a different guard - scoring wouldn't be the problem it is now.

[Csfan1984]

Voted no because Warriors still have edge in spacing and team play. Then when they go small the team would struggle.

Curry>>IT
Thompson>Butler
Green<Durant
AI=Crowder
Bogut=<Howard

Only real edge is KD over Green. And team spacing isn't great for that C's team. Smart off the bench is a good addition to have but Warriors bench is more proven.

Sorry I don't really get how one can put Bogut as close to equal to Howard. If you are concerned about Howard's health, Bogut has had just as many issues. If you are concerned about Howard's athleticism,Bogut is older and losing it just as quickly. Obviously Howard is more athletic to start, but as we saw with Perkins, moving from lower athleticism to none can be devastating. AI is also not as good as Crowder and if he is, he will be even worse next season (turning 33) while crowder is clearly still improving.

You can be sorry all you want Howard I'd a shell of his former self and mails it in a lot of games. Bogut=<Howard. If Howard is focus then you get the < if he is his avg self =.