Should Amir and Zeller be removed from the rotation?

[walker834]

Obviously guys are going to need to rest at times but with the return of KO, Crowder and Horford, I'd like to keep Marcus's minutes up and would still like to get Jaylen and Rozier time.   Only way to get KO, Crowder and Horford good minutes is to not play Amir and Zeller at all. Same with Green.  The way they've played so far I really don't have much issue with this.    I hope KO continues to start next to Horford and we play them both 30 minutes a night the way the rest of our big guys are playing. Let our guards rebound until we can do better. Play Ko and Horford a lot.  Give KO a real shot here with Sully gone.

That's 20 million sitting on the bench I think Amir is really going to need to be replaced after this year if not sooner.  Zeller could be ok but has really shown nothing.

[Monkhouse]

No. Just let them run with the bench, or play them accordingly to matchups.

Amir and Zeller are still useful players; when you use them right, which I'm sure Stevens will figure out a solution.

Just very glad KO is back, and he certainly seems in tip top shape, like he hasn't ever lost a step.

[mr. dee]

I'll give Amir more chance. You can't just count on him for more than 20 minutes. He also have good chemistry with the starters. Zeller? I wouldn't let him see the floor, unless it's garbage time because that's what he is. A garbage at this point.

[alldaboston]

This brings up a good question though: should we start Kelly alongside with Horford? or is Amir still the one with the safer spot?

[Monkhouse]

This brings up a good question though: should we start Kelly alongside with Horford? or is Amir still the one with the safer spot?

\

KO adds more dimension offensively, and he's always been labeled as a bad 1 on 1 defender, which I think is true. But will also argue he's somewhat surprisingly intelligent on team defense, and just knows when to pick the right spots, and rotations.

[walker834]

Yeah KO looked really good to me and locked in.  He played 30 minutes at full speed without m issing a beat against the knicks.

With Crowder and Horford back it's going to be tough to get everyone minutes though. Marcus really should be playing close to 30 minutes with the starters and bench.   Jaylen also should be getting 15-20 like he has been.  Rozier is a spot player somewhat. I can see using Zeller, Amir and jerebko as like a platoon. 

[walker834]

Amir could continue to start and play really short mnutes with KO coming in backing up both positions.  He looked really good though.

Isaiah
Bradley
Marcus
Horford
Crowder
KO

Should all be potential double digit scorers  for us this year though. It would be nice if KO can give us another legitament scoring threat.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I think KO is going to start. If you noticed, when Horford was playing CBS played Amir more and more with the 2nd unit. I think we play KO with the starters for REAL 3pt threats from our bigs so It4 (AB some) has more space to drive in. Amir can hit the 3 but I don't think people even think about coming out of the paint until he actually shoots because his shot is so slow, most guys in today's NBA aren't lumbering bigs so they can recover too easily. CBS may go with Amir at first but will eventually let KO.

[alldaboston]

I think KO is going to start. If you noticed, when Horford was playing CBS played Amir more and more with the 2nd unit. I think we play KO with the starters for REAL 3pt threats from our bigs so It4 (AB some) has more space to drive in. Amir can hit the 3 but I don't think people even think about coming out of the paint until he actually shoots because his shot is so slow, most guys in today's NBA aren't lumbering bigs so they can recover too easily. CBS may go with Amir at first but will eventually let KO.

Yeah, having 5 shooters in the starting lineup would be great. we just would need to make sure we stagger our starter's minutes so that theres always at least 1 or 2 shooters playing along with the second unit. cuz otherwise, that bench unit has no spacing whatsoever (except for Jonas, who is kinda inconsistent)

[myselfonline]

I think CBS is going to go with the matchups in regards to starting Amir or KO. KO was in and out of the starting lineup last year. My main problem with having Amir come off the bench is that he will have no one to create for him. He can't create his own shots and he's not a very good rebounder either, it's hard to have him be productive with the second unit.

Even with his flaws, Amir should still be productive enough to keep him in the rotation. We are still lacking depth anyway. But I wouldn't be surprised if there are nights where we just play small ball and have him play 10 minutes or so.

[BMark]

Amir Johnson is simply not an NBA player at this point.  Have you seen his effort over the last three games?  He doesn't box out, go for rebounds that don't come near him and has no value offensively.  He was supposed to be effective in the pick and roll, but I have seen little of that effectiveness this season.

Zeller, on the other hand, is a much stronger, bigger body and has a much better touch both from 15 feet and around the basket. 

I groaned during that sequence last night in the first half when the Knicks got six offensive rebounds.  Johnson and Jerebko looked completely impotent, as the Knicks pushed them around unmercifully.

I think that this year Johnson has been exposed for the weak, ineffective player that he is. 

[Who]

I worry about the 2nd unit without Olynyk in it.

That unit needs quality big man passing just like the starting lineup does (which it will get from Horford once Horford returns) + the 2nd unit needs a dependable steadying force to help inconsistent young players like Rozier and Jaylen Brown. Olynyk is very important to the overall effectiveness of the bench.

I am inclined to leave Olynyk in that bench role but have him finish games alongside Horford and the other starters.

[BMark]

I looked up Johnson's stats for the last ten games.  He is averaging 3.4 rpg and .08 blocks per game.  This is our starting center?

The bigs depth chart as I see it:

Horford
KO
Crowder
Zeller
Mickey
Jerebko
Any empty chair
Amir Johnson

[Celtics4ever]

I think Amir is getting old or injured and we do not know it.  He can still defend.

[BMark]

I haven't seen any report referencing an injury to Johnson.  As to his defense, he got pushed around last night by Noah.  On Sunday he was manhandled by Denver's bigs, then Gortat embarrassed him on Wednesday. 

He also plays no help defense.