Lowe: C's leaning toward starting Horford at Center

[jpotter33]

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2017/09/boston_celtics_news_team_leani.html

I would absolutely love this, and I, along with several other posters, have long been arguing for this type of starting lineup change. This would most likely mean Morris starting at the 4, which would give us maximal spacing, shooting, and passing, and it would give Kyrie, Brown/Smart, Hayward, and Morris all kinds of room to take their man to the basket, along with a ton of options for PnR play.

[hpantazo]

It's about time. Considering how drastically the center position has changed the past few years, it just doesn't make much sense to start someone like Baynes or a center like him who can't hit long range jumpers.

[jambr380]

Seeing as we only have one other Center on the roster, it would have been strange to me if we were starting both of them. I fully expected Morris to be starting at PF on opening day and think he is a slightly better option than Crowder would have been at that position.

[Dino Pitino]

Where does Horford rank in the league as a center? Assume we're talking about Playoff Horford.

[jdz101]

I'm excited on the offensive end of the floor for an Irving-Brown-Hayward-Morris-Horford lineup.

That's gotta be the worst rebounding team in the league though.

[Androslav]

Where does Horford rank in the league as a center? Assume we're talking about Playoff Horford.

Playoff, winning basketballwise:
Best in the East. That looks kind of important.
As far as the West goes: AD, and probably D. Green, Gobert and KAT.
I don't see much beside those guys.

[pearljammer10]

I've always thought we'd see a Kyrie/Brown/Hayward/Morris/Horford lineup. If Tatum impresses we might see him starting at the four slot but I'd like to see Morris start the year there.

[mmmmm]

I'm excited on the offensive end of the floor for an Irving-Brown-Hayward-Morris-Horford lineup.

That's gotta be the worst rebounding team in the league though.

Well, it gives us pretty good height and athleticism at the 2 & 3, though.  So that should help.

Otherwise, yeah.

Would love it if someone like Theis or Yabusele, who both have size, wingspan and a 3PT shot, can step up and have an impact on our front court.  But I don't like having to depend on rookies when we are supposed to be a contending team.   Though, to be fair, Theis is only a 'rookie' in a technical sense, since he has several pro seasons under his belt in Europe.

[TheSundanceKid]

THEIS

[Donoghus]

Anything prohibiting Tatum from playing a small ball 4?

[playdream]

AH doesn't want to play center, so you can't just start him at center in regular season games
that being said he can close games playing the 5

[__ramonezy__]

No problem with starting him at center, but we need a legitimate big for when we play teams with stronger front court players.

Bogut is probably the best remaining option. I'll also cast a lot for Okafor as well... we need some skilled size in the front court.

[greg683x]

I'd prefer to have Morris come off the bench.  But I see the logic in starting him

[trickybilly]

Anything prohibiting Tatum from playing a small ball 4?

Lakers won it all in 1980 with Magic (rookie) and Michael Cooper (sophomore)

No pressure.

[arctic 3.0]

I'd prefer to have Morris come off the bench.  But I see the logic in starting him

Morris would be a reliable anchor on the second unit, but he is also the best fit with the starters.

I think this squad has a lot of talent at the top but our second unit is worrying.
Either untested, limited, or both...
Rosy
Smart
Tatum, semi
Theis? yabu
Baynes....

Is tatum our go to scorer on this unit? Yikes!

Inserting Morris would make this a much more potent unit but then you would need to start baynes and watch AH chase the new breed quick 4's around until he's totally gassed.