If you need to have one of them on the court at all times and they both need rest, I am still puzzled by the 2BIGZ starting lineup. Maybe we will see that less this season, we will see.
Al Horford - the Celtics' Resurrected Saviour of the Season
- Thread starter NomarsFool
- Start date
Seems like Brad is okay with trying to get one of Kabengele/Kornet/Vonleh to emerge as a 3rd guy, and then if that doesn't pan out look for someone at the deadline. I don't think GW is the answer there.
Any chance the plan is just to play big lineups at all times and have rim protection be something of a luxury that is mostly deployed against first units? They can play a bench lineup with Gallinari, Grant, and Tatum and 2 guards and be really strong defending the perimeter and good/big enough on the boards against other teams’ second units. Come playoff time, at least one of TL and Al can be on the court at all times, but they don’t need to force the issue too much in the regular season. Depth during the regular season should be a strength. I hope they find ways to take advantage of what they have and force other teams to guard 5 perimeter threats, rather than worrying about who guards the other teams backup big man.
IME will be careful/flexible with Al/TLs minutes.
If Kornet + Co fail miserably, it's something Brad can address during the season, buyout window, or trade deadline
Even usable BIGz likeTrez & Whiteside remain unsigned. There will be veteran 5s available if need be...
Everyone costs incremental big bucks at this point, so I think that they're going to wait for better options via trade or buyout. They'd have signed guys like Trez or Whiteside if they were interested.
Worst case scenario, they buy high on one of those guys later (or via trade) if Al or TL has something catastrophic happen to them.
Worst case scenario, they buy high on one of those guys later (or via trade) if Al or TL has something catastrophic happen to them.
100% correct. While it isn't "our money" & Wyc has greenlit Brad's spending spree, realistically the tax multiplier really limits full TPE use
The good news is 3rd string BIG is the one position that can easily be kicked down the road. If a "catastrophic injury" felled one of TL/Al, then an experienced, defense-first Center like Poeltl would be attractive.
PBS could start the season with 14 on the roster + 2 two-way players getting emergency minutes if need be. Thus saving a roster spot for a buyout.