Thank You for understanding basketball. Everyone is looking at Sully and K.O. as some hack of a basketball player. Sully was a 15 and 9 guy, which is great for a power forward. Yes he's not putting up Love careers season of 22 and 12. But give me a true center like a DeAndre Jordan and a true small forward like Leonard. Adding these two make more sense then Love as a team prospective. I'm not hating on Love, I just think he's not what the Celtics need, since we need other positions more. Adding the two I said our starting line up would be great.
Option A
Center - Jordan
Power Forward - Sully
Small Forward - Leonard
Shooting Guard - Bradley
Point Guard - Smart
Bench would have Thomas, Turner, K.O., Zeller, Resign Crowder and Bass, Pressey, Plus two first rounder.
Say we sign Love. Option B/C
Center - Sully or Zeller
Power Forward - Love
Small Forward - Leonard
Shooting Guard - Bradley
Point Guard - Smart
or
Center - Jordan
Power Forward - Love
Small Forward - Turner
Shooting Guard - Bradley
Point Guard - Smart
Bench would have Thomas, Turner, K.O., Zeller , Resign Crowder and Bass, Pressey, Plus two first rounder.
If you look at this any basketball fan should be able to see from a true basketball prospective not just seeing the name Love, Option A is better then Option B or C
I think ten years ago your Option A is the best. Today though, with how the league has changed over the last 18 months, I'd rather have that Option B running Steven's offense.
It's my opinion that the whole 'rim protector' thing is overblown. Sure, Deandre is an athletic freak who can block 3-4 a night. But he can't shoot, not even a lick. Therefore, on offense, he can't space the floor.
Now contrast that with teams like SA and GS. They are successful because everyone can shoot, space the floor for their guards to break down defenses. Not to take anything away from a 36 yo Tim Duncan -- but their lineups don't feature many big-time shot blockers. Look at what Golden State is doing, starting 6'7" Draymond Green at Center -- not exactly a guy striking fear into opposing guards. But, it allows them to switch everything on the perimeter and prevent the penetration in the first place. This is far more effective than getting forced into a mis-match and hoping your 7'er can challenge a shot at the rim once your defense gets exposed.
I understand you saying about the NBA is changing, but Stevens also wants to play an upbeat style. If this is the case who is more an upbeat player, someone who gets up and down the floor, and gets turnovers and gets transition points.
As for you saying Jordan can't shot for a [dang], I don't know what you're thinking this counts as. Let me just throw a stat at you. This season Jordan FG% .706 that's amazing scores 11.3 a game. He's not meant to be a scorer, he's a center, rebound, block, put back dunks, 5-10 foot jumpers. Love FG% .433, 16.5 points a game, yes not number one option, but he shouldn't be your number one scorer. I'm not hating on Love, but I'm stating he wouldn't be the best fit for Boston right now with our team going forward. What wins titles, Defense, Love plays NONE.
To your statement about Green he hardly ever starts at Center. Bogut is normally the starter. Bogut averages 1.6 blocks a game. Can be higher to being a 7 foot center. Old man Tim Duncan still averaging 1.9 blocks a game. We'll even put in Green 1.3 blocks a game. Love is barely at a .5. What do blocks and defense lead to, points and winning games. Jordan is only averaging 2.2 blocks a game, but a big centers presence a long changes the game of a team, ask any couch and person who knows basketball.
Yes, the NBA is leading to more of a guard league, but you can't teach size. What's the best FG% shot, within 5 feet of the basket and dunking the ball. Shooters can have off nights a lot more then a center missing dunks. I will admit Jordan on FT% is horrible, it's half of what Love is. But the second part to my post, was Leonard because he takes over the scorer and one of the best defenders in the game. Now with the Celtics with my lineup of Jordan, and Leonard being added to the team instead of Love.
Jordan is our rim protector, Sully good defender on bigs even though not a shot blocker but great at drawing charges and being a big body, Leonard best defender can guard 1-4 if needed, Bradley and Smart will be the best defending backcourt in the NBA.