Another Day, Another Starting Lineup

by Anthony_Bruzzese on Feb 22, 2012 12:55 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

Already down Rajon Rondo due to suspension and with Jermaine O'Neal (sprained left wrist) and Chris Wilcox (right adductor strain) nursing day-to-day injuries, the Celtics might be forced to use a 13th variation of their starting lineup Wednesday night during the pre-All-Star finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

A glance at the 12 other lineups used this season, with their record (with help from numbers maintained by Celtics' media relations):

CELTICS 2011-12 STARTING LINEUPS WITH RECORD

Games	Forward	Forward	Center	Guard	Guard	Record
3	Pavlovic	Garnett	O’Neal	Allen	Rondo	0-3
12	Pierce	Garnett	O’Neal	Allen	Rondo	6-6
1	Pierce	Garnett	Stiemsma	Allen	Rondo	1-0
1	Pierce	Garnett	O’Neal	Dooling	Rondo	1-0
2	Pierce	Garnett	Bass	Allen	Rondo	0-2
4	Pierce	Garnett	O’Neal	Allen	Bradley	3-1
2	Pierce	Bass	Garnett	Pietrus	Bradley	2-0
1	Pierce	Garnet	O’Neal	Pavlovic	Bradley	1-0
1	Pierce	Bass	Garnett	Allen	Bradley	0-1
1	Pierce	Wilcox	Garnett	Allen	Rondo	1-0
1	Pierce	Wilcox	O’Neal	Allen	Rondo	0-2
1	Pierce	Wilcox	O’Neal	Allen	Bradley	0-1

What's startling to me is that we are only 31 games in and we've seen this many lineups for a team with four definite starters. The only spot in question may be the center spot, but it has remained clear that Jermaine O'Neal is Doc's starter when healthy. From my standpoint for a completely healthy roster, I'd like to see Chris Wilcox start games with the Big-4. Having someone to run with Rondo is a necessity and this lineup would also give the second unit a bonafide defending big man in O'Neal. They haven't lost with this starting lineup yet (1-0 baby!) although it was against the D-Roseless Bulls. Wilcox needs a playmaker on the floor with him to maximize his efficiency getting to the rim and Rondo fits this bill perfectly. Why not give it a shot Doc? What do you guys think?

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Bradley and Stiemr both with winning records as starters--

—looks good to me!

What I think is important is GS is in with KG and AB is in with PP.

by clover on Feb 22, 2012 1:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions

interesting

that our primary starting line-up has been used the most by far and is only .500. tough to have a rosy outlook for the season and playoffs with that figure.

by slamtheking on Feb 22, 2012 2:03 PM EST reply actions

this is not interesting

and provides no insights whatsoever

by Tommypointz on Feb 22, 2012 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

most salient point

is that “primary” lineup 0nly 6-6
also that “primary” lineup only started 12 of 31 games.

bradley 6-3 also significant.

by lefty12 on Feb 22, 2012 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

Zero wins without with either Garnett or Pierce out (0-4). Zero losses with Allen out (4-0). And 6-3 with Rondo out., for a good measure.

Draw your own conclusions.

by kozlodoev on Feb 22, 2012 2:09 PM EST reply actions

Drawn conclusions.

I conclude that drawn conclusions as to value of any players from these numbers is useless, as they are just numbers. They don’t take at all into consideration the opponent, opponents injuries, back to backs or any of the litany of factors that could have had an impact on the game.

by ewp on Feb 22, 2012 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

This Sounds Crazy But...

The old guys (Garnett, Allen, Pierce, and JO) have been very successful with Avery Bradley. Why not start Avery? The Big Three can cover his offensive deficiencies and he puts pressure on their starting point guard. Then, have Rondo run with our more athletic bench (Pietrus, Bass, Wilcox, and Dooling). This puts Rajon in more of a creative role vs. a facilitator. There might be some concerns about his ego, but I think the kid can take it. Really, it’s more a compliment than an insult.

by wjsy on Feb 22, 2012 2:53 PM EST reply actions

Starting line up should be

Bradley
Allen
Pierce
Garnett
Steisma

Bench
Pietrus
Moore
Daniels
JJJ
Dooling
Pavlovic

So basically 1 big man coming off the bench with 2 small forwards, 2 shooting guards, and 1 point guard.

PALESTINE FOREVER

by ZM15 on Feb 22, 2012 3:01 PM EST reply actions

Uh...

Where’s Rondo?

by wjsy on Feb 22, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

I thinks it's for tonight's game only :)

by European NBA fan on Feb 22, 2012 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

Suspended

PALESTINE FOREVER

by ZM15 on Feb 22, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

IMO when I see those stats...

…the team operates better with a mix of young and old in starting and bench lineups. Bradley and/or Stiemsma gives that extra energy needed in the starting five plus their mistakes are not so noticeable when surrounded by a few vets. The right mixture of youth and experience. The best way to go for this team rather than the geriatric starting five Doc keeps insisting to throw out there on a regular basis.

by yakyakyak on Feb 22, 2012 4:18 PM EST reply actions