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StartersC - Kristaps Porzingis (2022-23)
PF - Kevin Durant (2012-13)
SF - Shane Battier (2008-09)
SG - Devin Booker (2023-24)
PG - Jason Kidd (2006-07)
BenchC/F - Serge Ibaka (2011-12)
F - Nicolas Batum (2023-24)
G - Charlie Ward (1999-00)
Rotations C - Porzingis (34), Ibaka (14)
PF - Durant (28), Ibaka (12), Batum (8)
SF - Battier (30), Durant (12), Batum (6)
SG - Booker (38), Ward (6), Battier (4)
PG - Kidd (37), Ward (11)
FGA Per PlayerThis being a Jason Kidd team, our transition game will be one of our main strengths. With Kidd cleaning the glass and orchestrating the break alongside KD, Booker, and Ibaka we're guaranteed a bunch of easy baskets every game. Porzingis and Battier trail for threes. In the halfcourt, we have Kidd as the organiser to get KD and Booker in position to wreck shop either in isolation or coming off screens. Porzingis is an elite third option, as he's not only a legit stretch 5 but has now figured out how to punish smaller defenders on switches. 2007 Kidd is just beginning to develop into a reliable spot-up shooter, hitting well into the 40s from 3 over this and the next two playoffs. Ward and Batum are solid glue guys on both ends.
Matchup- Initial defensive assignments will be Kidd-Nash, Booker-Jones, Battier-Carter, KD-AK, Porzingis-Amar'e. A big key is Porzingis who is not only an excellent pick-and-roll defender (his numbers with the Wizards were elite:
https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/01/nba-boston-celtics-zinger-fit-2/) but also a great rim protector. He can slide his feet to stick with Amar'e in the midrange, and his insane wingspan will allow him to contest those midrangers effectively while also presenting a formidable obstacle at the rim. Kidd fights through the screen to deny Nash the easy jumper.
- KD will dig down off the non-shooting AK-47 to clutter up the lane. The combined length of our big man pairing will shrink the space for Nash to pick out those pocket passes to Amar'e. Ibaka provides more of the same off the bench.
- AK on KD might work well enough individually, but it leaves flaco's help defense very compromised given that Amar'e is also being spaced out by Porzingis. Even the best one-on-one defender can only stop the KDs and Bookers of the world a certain percentage of the time; at some point they will get by their man to force help, and flaco's group will have a hard time covering the necessary ground.
Good luck flaco.