There appear to still be several people here clinging to traditional, short-range-shooting C's (Joel, Pitt...Birdman, Darko) as our 5th starter. I won't make this a discussion on the effectiveness of playing Bosh at C, or at least needing a player there who can hit 15+-footers, but I just wanted to show everyone who is still plugging Joel there why that won't happen.
For context, this article was written after Joel had been replaced by Turiaf in the starting lineup, a "demotion" not related to any sort of injury or particular matchup concern. Here is an excerpt from the article:
"We have a handful of players that would really prefer to come off the bench," Spoelstra said. "That's the role they like. To get to my second layer of the rotation, there were some things I wanted to move. Ultimately, we always envisioned Joel to be a game-changer off the bench."
Anthony had no problems with returning to the bench. He was a reserve last season before becoming a starter midway through the season. Even then, Anthony said he felt more comfortable playing with the second unit.
"It's not that I was uncomfortable," Anthony said. "It just wasn't what I was used to. I was coming off the bench and then you have to change things up. You just make the adjustment … I think it's a good role for me. I like coming off the bench with that second unit."
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-04-04/sports/fl-miami-heat-news-0405-20120404_1_joel-anthony-bench-ronny-turiaf
As the writer indicates, we'd heard this before from Joel, its been expressed several times by him. This, combined with the Heat's oft-stated new goal to start 5 players who represent some sort of offensive threat, should close the case on Joel. Say what you will about the benefits of starting some sort of C not named Bosh, but even if that happens, it won't be Joel.
Maybe Harrellson plays fantastically and gets himself in there, but I'd think they'd prefer to stay quick and keep him coming off the bench.
Pittman makes little sense starting, and he along with Gladness and Varnado, who aren't even locks to make the team, have so far given us no reason to believe they can start.
Some have said start Haslem at C, which is actually starting him at PF (or you can call them dual 4.5's, switching off matchups like LeBron and Battier each playing 3.5 during the playoffs).
Really not trying to push the "Bosh as starting C" agenda here, as there's already a thread for that. Just trying to help everyone see Joel needs to be scratched off their list.
