When the Miami Heat come to TD Banknorth Garden, the only lineup question for opening day is: "Who will be starting at center?"
The Celtics' two major offseason pickups were Jermaine and Shaquille O'Neal. The acquisitions were virtual necessities to shore up their height problems that may have cost them the NBA Championship last June.
Both player, regardless of clearly having an all-for-team mentality, want to start. The decision is up in the air, but does it really matter?
Any reasonable coaching staff utilizes the skills of his players to put the best team on the court, at any given point in the game. Yes, sometimes it is for rest, but that is not what I am talking about—you start a player because you believe he is the best guy you can put out at the beginning of the game.
When it come to two comparable players on a team and who gets the start, it may be that the staff likes their intensity leading off in a game; it may also be because they are playing a more physical team or a fast-paced team. This is the philosophy Head Coach Doc Rivers and the Celtics staff will use regarding the O'Neal's.
In this scenario, it ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Zachary Stanley
Boston Celtics Lineup Decisions: The Choice Between Two O’Neals
September 16th, 2010 by Zachary Stanley Leave a reply »
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