Remind us why Amir starts.

[Dino Pitino]

I have a hard time believing we're better with Amir starting than even Kelly or, schucks, even Zeller, or hell, even Yabusele ( lol, but maybe actually, look... http://youtu.be/RJwStYx85iY ) ...is Amir really worth it defensively? Because on offense he has to be one of the most limited players in the league at this point. Remind everyone with whatever metrics say Amir is our most valuable option in the starting lineup, and explain those metrics if you can, because I don't get it, he looks awful, worthless, less than worthless, a drag.

[saltlover]

According to Basketball Reference, the Celtics outscore their opponents by 8.6 points per 100 possessions when he's playing, and gets outscored by 0.8 when he's not.  Only one time in the last ten seasons did Amir's team perform worse when he was on the court than when he was off.

I'm going to hazard a guess and say that over 10 seasons and 16000 minutes, it's not a coincidence that good things happen when he's playing.

[Denis998]

He plays good defense, and is rather dependable around the rim. Starting lineup doesnt really need extra scoring and keeping KO on the bench gives it a much needed offensive boost when the starters sub out.

[2short]

I have thought this myself.  But Amir plays good defense, sets very good screens, is a shot blocker and able passer.  He doesn't really play starters minutes.  Kelly has been super effective in short minutes so who knows?

[mctyson]

As saltlover said, his on-court net rating is ~ +9 per 100 possessions. 

[Dino Pitino]

As saltlover said, his on-court net rating is ~ +9 per 100 possessions.

And that's not a byproduct of spending all his time oncourt with the team's four best players?

[Ilikesports17]

As saltlover said, his on-court net rating is ~ +9 per 100 possessions.

And that's not a byproduct of spending all his time oncourt with the team's four best players?

a lot of it is for sure, but Amir's rating is higher than anyone elses on the team.

[Dino Pitino]

As saltlover said, his on-court net rating is ~ +9 per 100 possessions.

And that's not a byproduct of spending all his time oncourt with the team's four best players?

a lot of it is for sure, but Amir's rating is higher than anyone elses on the team.

It still sounds like "Because it's got electrolytes" to me, circular reasoning with the stats. I still don't get it.

[saltlover]

As saltlover said, his on-court net rating is ~ +9 per 100 possessions.

And that's not a byproduct of spending all his time oncourt with the team's four best players?

Not completely, no.  Because he only plays 24 minutes a game or so, the starters tend to be on the court for 10-15 minutes a game without him, and the team as a whole performs worse on average during that time when he's off, even when most of the other starters are playing.

[max215]

He's a really underappreciated defender and remarkably efficient (be it low volume) scorer.

[Dino Pitino]

As saltlover said, his on-court net rating is ~ +9 per 100 possessions.

And that's not a byproduct of spending all his time oncourt with the team's four best players?

Not completely, no.  Because he only plays 24 minutes a game or so, the starters tend to be on the court for 10-15 minutes a game without him, and the team as a whole performs worse on average during that time when he's off, even when most of the other starters are playing.

Is he not getting to start with the four best starters when the starters are at their freshest, at tipoff and starting the second half? Would that not explain it, maybe?

[PhoSita]

Because Horford doesn't want to be the nominal starting center.

[SHAQATTACK]

Cause CBS says so? 


I hate trick questions 

[mctyson]

As saltlover said, his on-court net rating is ~ +9 per 100 possessions.

And that's not a byproduct of spending all his time oncourt with the team's four best players?

I could argue that the team's best players' on-court net rating is a byproduct of playing with Amir.  Then what would you do?

[saltlover]

As saltlover said, his on-court net rating is ~ +9 per 100 possessions.

And that's not a byproduct of spending all his time oncourt with the team's four best players?

Not completely, no.  Because he only plays 24 minutes a game or so, the starters tend to be on the court for 10-15 minutes a game without him, and the team as a whole performs worse on average during that time when he's off, even when most of the other starters are playing.

Is he not getting to start with the four best starters when the starters are at their freshest, at tipoff and starting the second half? Would that not explain it, maybe?

He has the team's best 4th quarter net rating (not counting Demetrius Jackson's 15 minutes of garbage time action), so no, not really.