Post#68 » by Jammer » Mon Dec 6, 2021 11:53 pm
I have re-considered my position. Although Rob and Al are clearly better Two-Way Centers than Enes, the fact of the matter is that if you want to put the Celtics strongest lineup on the floor, IF EVERYONE IS HEALTHY, then ENES should play some center.
The reasoning is that the Celtics have six strongly positive impact players:
Rob Williams III
Al Horford (noticeably better offensively as a C than a PF. Overall, slightly better as a C than a PF factoring in defense)
Enes Kanter
Jayson Tatum (effective at either SF or PF)
Jaylen Brown (much better offensively and defensively as an SF than as an SG)
Marcus Smart (can play PG or SG)
Two modestly positive impact players:
Dennis Schroder
Josh Richardson
and one player not too negative in impact (Grant Williams). Everyone else has blown to date, although the team has high hopes for "shooters" Nesmith and Pritchard (who have been abysmmal this season), and Langford offers exceptional defense while not much offense. If the intent is to feature the Top 9 players in a playoff game, and if it's a team where Kanter can actually stay on the floor, than the playoff rotation, and many regular season game rotation, would be:
C: Rob Williams III (28) / Enes Kanter (20)
PF: Jayson Tatum (24) / Al Horford (24) seems spent at higher minute levels
SF: Jaylen Brown (36) / Jayson Tatum (12)
SG: Marcus Smart (20) / Josh Richardson (28)
PG: Dennis Schroder (32) / Marcus Smart (16)
If Langford can step up his offensive game to the point of being a consistent contributor he could nab some wing minutes even if everyone else is available.
And if Enes Freedom can’t stay on the floor because he is exploited on defense, then Grant Williams will play some PF while Al Horford slides over to center.