Predicting the Boston Celtics' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Predicting the Boston Celtics' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

By Derek McVay

July 14, 2015

Predicting the Boston Celtics' Starting Five Following Free Agency

Boston Celtics — Due to numerous roster transactions, injuries and level of play, the Boston Celtics used 14 different starting lineup combinations last season. Given the team's acquisitions through free agency and the draft, Brad Stevens is going to have the opportunity to once again experiment with different lineups. Here's what the starting five should look like on opening night, even if it may not be the same the entire season.

Due to numerous roster transactions, injuries and level of play, the Boston Celtics used 14 different starting lineup combinations last season. Given the team's acquisitions through free agency and the draft, Brad Stevens is going to have the opportunity to once again experiment with different lineups. Here's what the starting five should look like on opening night, even if it may not be the same the entire season.

Point Guard - Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart

Point Guard - Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart — Smart was in and out of the starting lineup last year starting in 38 games, but he will likely be the starter on opening night. He's been outstanding so far in summer league and looks ready to take the next step forward in his development. Smart will help set the tone early in games with his physical defense and relentless hustle. Isaiah Thomas is the only other candidate to start at point guard, but the Celtics like what he brings off the bench.

Smart was in and out of the starting lineup last year starting in 38 games, but he will likely be the starter on opening night. He's been outstanding so far in summer league and looks ready to take the next step forward in his development. Smart will help set the tone early in games with his physical defense and relentless hustle. Isaiah Thomas is the only other candidate to start at point guard, but the Celtics like what he brings off the bench.

Shooting Guard - Avery Bradley

Avery Bradley

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Shooting Guard - Avery Bradley

Avery Bradley — Bradley was the only constant in the different combinations of starting lineups the Celtics used last season. Though he is listed as a point guard, Bradley is much better suited as a two guard, allowing him to move freely without the ball. He's at his best coming off of screens and making cuts to the basket. Bradley is capable of handling the ball and running the offense, but he's not very comfortable doing so.

Bradley was the only constant in the different combinations of starting lineups the Celtics used last season. Though he is listed as a point guard, Bradley is much better suited as a two guard, allowing him to move freely without the ball. He's at his best coming off of screens and making cuts to the basket. Bradley is capable of handling the ball and running the offense, but he's not very comfortable doing so.

Small Forward - Evan Turner

Evan Turner

Small Forward - Evan Turner

Evan Turner — Turner was a pleasant surprise for Boston last year. He became a regular in the starting five shortly after the departure of Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green. In looking at his numbers, he was much more productive as a starter than a reserve last year. Jae Crowder is likely his only competition for the starting small forward role, but Crowder's energy is better suited coming off the bench.

Turner was a pleasant surprise for Boston last year. He became a regular in the starting five shortly after the departure of Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green. In looking at his numbers, he was much more productive as a starter than a reserve last year. Jae Crowder is likely his only competition for the starting small forward role, but Crowder's energy is better suited coming off the bench.

Power Forward - David Lee

David Lee

Power Forward - David Lee

David Lee — Despite losing his starting position last year with the Warriors, Lee will reclaim a spot in the starting five in Boston. While the Celtics have options at this position, Lee is the best choice. Offensively he is the Celtics' most gifted forward, and he's also the most talented rebounder. He won't help much on the defensive end, but he will help establish a low-post presence offensively early in games, something Boston struggled to do last year.

Despite losing his starting position last year with the Warriors, Lee will reclaim a spot in the starting five in Boston. While the Celtics have options at this position, Lee is the best choice. Offensively he is the Celtics' most gifted forward, and he's also the most talented rebounder. He won't help much on the defensive end, but he will help establish a low-post presence offensively early in games, something Boston struggled to do last year.

Center - Tyler Zeller

Tyler Zeller

Center - Tyler Zeller

Tyler Zeller — With free agent acquisition Amir Johnson a bit undersized at 6-foot-9, look for Zeller to start on opening night. He's one of only two 7-footers on the team and recorded 59 starts last year. Though it has becoming increasingly popular in the NBA, the Celtics rarely employed a "small" starting lineup last year. Only 10 times in 86 games did the Celtics use a starting lineup that didn't include one of their 7-footers in Zeller or Kelly Olynyk.

With free agent acquisition Amir Johnson a bit undersized at 6-foot-9, look for Zeller to start on opening night. He's one of only two 7-footers on the team and recorded 59 starts last year. Though it has becoming increasingly popular in the NBA, the Celtics rarely employed a "small" starting lineup last year. Only 10 times in 86 games did the Celtics use a starting lineup that didn't include one of their 7-footers in Zeller or Kelly Olynyk.

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