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NBA: The Big Question Facing Every Team In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) high fives Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) as Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) holds the ball after a Boston basket during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics

Who Gets Minutes In A Crowded Frontcourt?

The more appropriate question is probably something like, “Is this still a playoff team?” But since we’re trying to avoid that kind of obvious postseason-related question, the conundrum of what Brad Stevens does with all his 4s and 5s comes to the forefront.

With Amir Johnson, David Lee, Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller, Jonas Jerebko and rookie Jordan Mickey all competing for minutes, not to mention Jae Crowder capable of playing minutes as a small-ball 4, the Boston Celtics have far too many bigs to play them all.

Johnson is a useful rebounder and Lee is still a capable interior scorer, rebounder and passer, but if the season starts heading south with the lion’s share of the minutes going to the vets, does the rim protection of Mickey get its chance to shine? Have the Celts given up on Sullinger? Will the useful Jerebko be phased out? Are Olynyk and Zeller even worth developing? I don’t envy Stevens the task of sorting through that stack of answers.

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