Horford starting at C tonight, 3 other starters announced

[RJ87]

Completely uneducated guess: Theis starts this one.

And I have no issue with Marcus starting, I think he's earned the opportunity quite frankly. He's no our best perimeter defender and longest tenured - let him set the tone on that end.

[jambr380]

I think Jaylen will the start once the season rolls around but he has to earn it. Marcus, right now, is the more reliable, better player. I only think it's for the pre-season or the start of it. Marcus would be better coming off the bench but we'll just have to see how much he has improved this off-season. If he's on Avery Bradley level then all yours, Marcus!

Jaylen starting and Marcus off the bench makes all the sense in the world (as long as Jaylen is mostly ready), but if Jaylen isn't starting pre-season games, then he isn't starting to open up the season. The pre-season is a thing so that coaches can work out their rotations and game plans; it wouldn't make much sense to totally deviate from once the real games roll around.

[GreenWarrior]

ughh smart's starting....

[saltlover]

Celtics just announced a starting lineup of

Kyrie
Brown
Hayward
Horford
Baynes

So I guess this thread was wrong.

Boston Celtics @celtics
Tonight's staring lineup against Charlotte:
Kyrie Irving
Jaylen Brown
Gordon Hayward
Al Horford
Aron Baynes
5:46 PM · Oct 2, 2017

[jpotter33]

http://twitter.com/Scott_Souza/status/914970444121411584

Stevens says Baynes to start until Morris arrives.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

ughh smart's starting....

Nope. Brown is. CBS said Smart is needed off the bench.

[crimson_stallion]

I do expect Smart to be starting this year at the SG spot. 

While an argument can be made for both players, I think that Smart's knowledge of Brad's system (as the longest tenured Celtic) makes him a very important piece in that starting five. 


Throw in his ability as a defensive stopper on the perimeter (which I feel this starting lineup really needs) and his general hustle, and I think he clearly makes the most sense at that position. 

Especially with Kyrie, Hayward and Horford on the court, that gives us at least three guys out there who can all score, shoot, handle the ball and make plays - the perfect lineup for hiding Smart's offensive weaknesses.

Meanwhile if we start Brown then out bench would consist of Rozier, Smart, Tatum, Theis and Baynes - that's nowhere near enough offensive production off the bench, with Tatum being pretty much the only guy in that unit who can score consistently (rozier when he is on) .  Starting Smart allows Brown to go to the second unit, which is much more balanced with Rozier, Brown, Tatum, Theis and Baynes. 

[GreenWarrior]

ughh smart's starting....

Nope. Brown is. CBS said Smart is needed off the bench.

thank god! can't stand seeing 2 PG's in the back court... hate it!

[keevsnick]

I do expect Smart to be starting this year at the SG spot. 

While an argument can be made for both players, I think that Smart's knowledge of Brad's system (as the longest tenured Celtic) makes him a very important piece in that starting five. 


Throw in his ability as a defensive stopper on the perimeter (which I feel this starting lineup really needs) and his general hustle, and I think he clearly makes the most sense at that position. 

Especially with Kyrie, Hayward and Horford on the court, that gives us at least three guys out there who can all score, shoot, handle the ball and make plays - the perfect lineup for hiding Smart's offensive weaknesses.

Meanwhile if we start Brown then out bench would consist of Rozier, Smart, Tatum, Theis and Baynes - that's nowhere near enough offensive production off the bench, with Tatum being pretty much the only guy in that unit who can score consistently (rozier when he is on) .  Starting Smart allows Brown to go to the second unit, which is much more balanced with Rozier, Brown, Tatum, Theis and Baynes.

Using smart to start doesn't make the best use of each players strengths. Smart is best with the ball in his hands as a passer, as a starter Horford, Irving and Hayward are all better at that than him and he provides no floor spacing. Offensively as a starter he is useless. Browns weakness's is his ball handling, as a starter he doesn't have to do that and get focus on spotting up and cutting. We saw he played better with the starts last year and he's perfectly capable of guarding SG's, he did well on Reddick last year. Smarts defense is almost more important on the bench were Rozier, Tatum, and Yabu all will get minutes and none are well regarded defensively right now. As for the bench lacking offense that wont be a big issue because one of Irving/Hawyard are gonna play with the bench anway.