Boston Celtics: Who Will Man the Starting Frontcourt On Opening Night?
When Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were traded to the Brooklyn Nets, a wonderful era in Boston Celtics basketball was officially over. The long-term goals of general manager Danny Ainge seem clear–the young talent and surplus of draft picks he has added to the roster should make Celtics’ fans feel good about the future of the team, but what about 2013-14? While the team seems to have the perimeter starting positions all but locked up with Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley and Jeff Green, the Celtics have an array of frontcourt players with varying skill sets and experience all vying for just two starting spots. Let’s take a look at each of the candidates and assess who is most likely to man the Celtics’ starting frontcourt to start the 2013-14 NBA season.
Jared Sullinger worked his way into the starting lineup before injury derailed his rookie season. Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule
Jared Sullinger wasted no time showing that he has what it takes to compete at the NBA level and before a lingering back issue brought his rookie season to a premature end, Sullinger had just earned himself a starting position, no mean feat for a rookie under former coach Doc Rivers. Sullinger is an extremely gifted rebounder, an area of weakness for the Celtics over the past few years and the skill that will be his calling card throughout his career. With inconsistent minutes last season (less than 20 per game on average) Sullinger averaged a respectable six points and 5.9 rebounds. It was, however, when he was given extended playing time that Sullinger really shone through and the reason he may be the front-runner for a starting position on opening night. In games where he played more than 25 minutes, of which there were 10, Sullinger averaged a double-double with 13.9 points and 10 rebounds, cementing himself as one of the league’s elite young rebounders with his strength, positioning and tremendous hands. While he is coming in to just his second season, Sullinger already appears to be taking on a leadership role within the young Celtics. He was playing the role of assistant coach for the team at the Orlando Summer League and has become an extremely popular figure in Boston despite playing just 45 games in his rookie year. There are still some question marks over how he returns from back surgery and whether he will be at the ideal playing weight by opening night, but Sullinger appears to be the front-runner for a starting spot in the Celtics new frontcourt.
Brandon Bass has been a regular in the Celtics’ starting lineup for the past two seasons, starting in 108 of his 140 appearances in green. His reliable mid-range jump shot, mobility and defense on stretch power forwards has been a valuable asset for the team and he is an experienced playoff performer on a team that just lost an immeasurable amount of veteran leadership. Last season Bass put up 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds, which was a significant drop off from the career-high 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds he put up in 2011-12. With his ability to space the floor and run the court, Bass is a good complement to point guard Rajon Rondo and is one of the few players on the team familiar with Rondo’s game. Bass is still signed to a long-term deal and at 28 years old, he does not seem to fit with the rebuilding project currently underway in Boston. The Celtics may wish to give Bass significant time early in the season to build his trade value, as will be the case with a number of the veterans on the team. If the younger guys struggle to adjust, Bass could provide a steady influence and reliable contribution from a position he is more than familiar with as the starting 4.
Kris Humphries has the size to play either frontcourt position for Boston. (Photo by Braxton/Flickr.com)
The first of the new faces in Boston, Kris Humphries and his huge expiring contract were a key component in the Brooklyn Nets’ trade and will be a valuable asset for general manager Danny Ainge in 2013-14. A nine-year veteran, Humphries saw a significant cut in his playing time last season and despite starting in 21 of his 65 games, he put up just 5.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 18 minutes per game. This was an enormous drop off for the 28-year-old Humphries, who started 62 games in 2011-12, averaging an impressive 13.8 points and 11 rebounds. Humphries had actually averaged a double-double two seasons running until his drop from the rotation last season. One of the league’s best rebounders, Humphries has the ability to play the power forward and center position with his size and strength. With an expiring deal, Humphries will likely retain a high level of trade value right up until the deadline, so it is unlikely the team will need to force-feed him minutes in order to move him. Another player who likely doesn’t fit into the long-term plans of the team, Humphries’ rebounding and ability to play the 5 could actually see him start a significant amount of games if the younger players take some time establishing themselves.
At first glance, 31-year-old Gerald Wallace on a huge three-year deal is the epitome of the wrong fit on this young rebuilding roster, but could he be a surprise addition to the starting lineup? Wallace is coming off the most disappointing season of his storied career, averaging just 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists, even though he started all 69 games he played. Wallace had trouble fitting with the isolation-heavy offense of the Nets and was often relegated to being a spot-up shooter, resulting in a .397 shooting percentage for the season. However, Wallace may not be finished, as some have predicted, and the former All-Star who has career averages of 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals could bring welcomed intensity and versatility to the Celtics’ roster. Wallace has started nearly 600 games in his career and has the ability to play either forward position. While Jeff Green has the starting small forward position all but locked up, Wallace could provide an interesting pairing in small ball situations and give the Celtics the ability to run the fast break, switch defensively and match up against many of the stretch fours in the league. Playing alongside Rondo could rejuvenate Wallace, allowing him to relentlessly attack the rim and finish with authority as we had become a accustomed to seeing from him. Probably an unlikely starter, but if Ainge wanted to try and rebuild some trade value as well as playing a fast, up tempo style offensively, Wallace could definitely be an option as an undersized power forward.
Gerald Wallace brings experience, intensity and versatility to the Celtics’ front court. Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule
Kelly Olynyk
The rookie 7-footer who shone for the Celtics in the Orlando Summer league and displayed the offensive versatility that forced Danny Ainge to trade up for him in the draft, Kelly Olynyk could be thrown into the deep end with a starting role from Day 1 of his NBA career. Olynyk was tremendous in Orlando, where in just 24 minutes a game he averaged 18 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals. Even more impressive was his efficiency, Olynyk shot .578 from the field despite being the No. 1 option for the team and displayed the ability to score inside as well as extend his range to the NBA 3-point line. His shooting touch and high-level passing ability would appear to make him a solid fit alongside players like Rondo and Green, who are better when they attack the rim. With the loss of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the Celtics will have some huge struggles on the offensive end of the floor and this is where Olynyk seems set to make a significant contribution. As a rookie, there will obviously be an adjustment for Olynyk and one of the major concerns prior to the draft was his ability to handle the length and athleticism of the NBA’s big men. If he can hold his own defensively and avoid getting outworked on the defensive glass, Olynyk could see himself as a starting big man at some stage during his rookie year.
Vitor Faverani
The mystery man on the Celtics’ roster and the dark horse for the starting center position, Vitor Faverani is possibly the only true center in the Celtics’ rotation (assuming Fab Melo is still a work in progress) and has the size and strength to battle with the starting 5s in the NBA. Faverani is 25 years old and has a significant amount of international experience. He has tremendous size, is a solid rebounder and has surprising range on his jump shot. He has good hands around the rim and would seemingly be able to convert the easy opportunities Rondo would create for him inside, as well as having the range to spread the floor on the break. There are certainly a number of question marks around Faverani; having never played in the NBA, we do not know how he will adjust and he does appear to be relatively slow-footed for an NBA athlete. Faverani had not been starting for his team, Valencia in Eurobasket, so it seems unlikely he would be immediately inserted into the starting lineup in the NBA. If the undersized lineups prove be to a problem and Faverani shows he can compete at the top level, he could see a surprise jump into the starting lineup.
So, after all that where do we stand? There’s such a vast array of experience, size, skills and youth in the Boston front court and this is without even taking into account how these players will mesh together. If healthy, Sullinger seems the most likely lock for a starting position on opening night and while Kelly Olynyk will likely work his way into the lineup sooner rather than later, I would assume either Kris Humphries or Brandon Bass will bring some experience to the starting front court, at least until the rookie adjusts to the NBA.