Who starts at PF?

[hpantazo]

I see it as a first unit of

Amir, Horford, Crowder, Bradley and IT

second unit of

Rozier, Smart, Brown, Jerebko, KO

with Green and Zeller getting some minutes depending on matchups

[SHAQATTACK]

I imagine Amir ......until KO returns to top form.

The best lineup if KO is at full power is him and Horford.

[clover]

I imagine Amir ......until KO returns to top form.

The best lineup if KO is at full power is him and Horford.

This.

[KG Living Legend]

I think the combo of Amir and Horford will be best. The defense should be improved over last year, and offense will be a bit more consistent. KO and JJ will add their own personal touches.

One area of concern is who will deal with the 300 pound centers that like to camp out around the basket. Both Amir and Al lack the strength and stance of Sully in this reference.

This is a spot where Sully did a nice job of denying really bigs off their favorite spots. Hopefully someday we get a true center that can give meaningful minutes when we play Horford at the 4.

 We can deal with it for 1 year, Yabu dabu Du, will be hear next year.

[jambr380]

I agree that Amir will probably start (and I love his effort), but we were willing to let him walk this summer, while KO was at the Durant meeting. One has to assume that KO is looked upon more favorably within the organization.

Also, Horford/KO and Amir/JO is a lot more balanced than just KO and JJ in the 2nd unit. I am a big fan of KO's advanced defensive stats, but even I understand that it isn't necessarily the best thing for the 2nd unit to have those two fighting it out against other stronger front courts.

[tarheelsxxiii]

I agree that Amir will probably start (and I love his effort), but we were willing to let him walk this summer, while KO was at the Durant meeting. One has to assume that KO is looked upon more favorably within the organization.

Also, Horford/KO and Amir/JO is a lot more balanced than just KO and JJ in the 2nd unit. I am a big fan of KO's advanced defensive stats, but even I understand that it isn't necessarily the best thing for the 2nd unit to have those two fighting it out against other stronger front courts.

Really good point. I hope that's what we see by all-star break.

Amir and Horford would make for a solid defensive frontcourt too, though. That'll be fun to see.

[Surferdad]

I agree that Amir will probably start (and I love his effort), but we were willing to let him walk this summer, while KO was at the Durant meeting. One has to assume that KO is looked upon more favorably within the organization.

Also, Horford/KO and Amir/JO is a lot more balanced than just KO and JJ in the 2nd unit. I am a big fan of KO's advanced defensive stats, but even I understand that it isn't necessarily the best thing for the 2nd unit to have those two fighting it out against other stronger front courts.

Really good point. I hope that's what we see by all-star break.

Amir and Horford would make for a solid defensive frontcourt too, though. That'll be fun to see.

I think we will see all those combinations not by the AS break, but right away.  Likely starters are Horford/Amir, but expect them to be rotated out a different points (partly depending upon if Amir is back at full strength).

[KGs Knee]

Amir and AL are our two best front court players, and hypothetically, they should mesh well.

Amir and Horford will be able to seamlessly switch on defense, as needed, with Amir likely defending the rim and Al staying out on the perimeter more. I think that is clearly the pairing with the highest defensive ceiling.

Offensively, I'd imagine Horford/Olynyk will be a more potent pairing, due to the spacing, passing, and versatility of both their games. But Amir is a better garbage player around the rim and would bring a bit more toughness. I'd rather set the tone early on defense, and then bring in a bit more offense off the bench.

[BDeCosta26]

I really hope it's KO by mid-season. He was clearly making steps forward before his injury last year as a potent offensive weapon who could drill 3's at a high rate, take guys off the dribble, and has a vast array of moves to beat guys around the rim. He's a decent defender, and would pair perfectly with Horford, as I expect Brad to play him closer to the rim than he did last year.

Our defense is going to be very, very good regardless, and adding KO to the starting line up could make our offense a really potent threat, the kind it wasn't last year. There's questions about scoring from the 2nd unit, but I think Smart/Rozier/Brown is going to be better offensively than people would think. Plus, having JJ/Amir in the back-court provides spacing, defense and rebounding,

[Celtics4ever]

I reckon there will be an injury this year as well.   Some guys are soft and injury prone and KO seems to be one of them, I would love for him to prove me wrong in that regard.

[dreamgreen]

I reckon there will be an injury this year as well.   Some guys are soft and injury prone and KO seems to be one of them, I would love for him to prove me wrong in that regard.

I'd like that too, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[otherdave]

Old habits are really hard to break - I ask myself these kinds of questions all the time.  But the guy (CBS) who is going to decide who starts at PF doesn't even frame the question that way.  He sees basketball as a collection of ball handlers, wings, swings and bigs.  So he is thinking in the moment "does this situation/matchup call for one big or two?" and so on ... "what 5 guys complement each other and can provide what we need now" be that offense, defense, whatever.
Basically he is in a whole different place than us old timers.

I hate to admit this, but I have no idea how Brad differentiates between wings, swings and bigs.

Is it:

1 = ball handler
2 and 3 = wings
3/4 hybrid = swing
5 = big

or is it:

1 = ball handler
2 = wing
2/3 hybrid = swing
4 and 5 = bigs

How Brad sees things is not obvious to me.
What do you all think?

[LooseCannon]

I'd think of it as:

Ball handlers - mainly PGs, but theoretically someone who could fill a point forward role
Wings - 2s and 3s who can't function as a PF
Swings - SFs who can sometimes play PF or PFs who can sometimes play SF
Bigs - PFs and Cs who can't play SF

[2short]

I'm still on the JJ train. I just love the versatility and all-around game that he brings to the table for us at the 4 spot. Also, it puts KO and Amir together on the bench unit, which is excellent for us.

My vote and thoughts.  I think it has less to do with JJ being the best player than that gives the c's versitility for 2 groups, both starters and subs.  I think Amir and Horford anchor the lineups and fit players around them

[tarheelsxxiii]

I agree that Amir will probably start (and I love his effort), but we were willing to let him walk this summer, while KO was at the Durant meeting. One has to assume that KO is looked upon more favorably within the organization.

Also, Horford/KO and Amir/JO is a lot more balanced than just KO and JJ in the 2nd unit. I am a big fan of KO's advanced defensive stats, but even I understand that it isn't necessarily the best thing for the 2nd unit to have those two fighting it out against other stronger front courts.

Really good point. I hope that's what we see by all-star break.

Amir and Horford would make for a solid defensive frontcourt too, though. That'll be fun to see.

I think we will see all those combinations not by the AS break, but right away.  Likely starters are Horford/Amir, but expect them to be rotated out a different points (partly depending upon if Amir is back at full strength).

I hope so, imagined KO's involvement to be contingent upon his rehab from shoulder surgery. From what I've read thus far, he appears to be on-schedule for the beginning of the season. Hopefully no setbacks or complications.