Kristaps Porzingis has appeared in only 32 of the Celtics’ 66 games this season. With his fluctuating availability, Boston has struggled to create a rhythm with him in the lineup. The Celtics are now in the home stretch, looking to build momentum for the playoffs.
Could Boston profit from moving Kristaps to the bench? Nate, Nirav, and Oliver present their case:
Nate’s reasons for starting Al Horford Holiday/White/Brown/Tatum/Horford has a great 121.4 offensive rating, an excellent 101.9 defensive rating, and a league-best 19.4 net rating, among 5-man partnerships with at least 200 minutes.
The Holiday/White/Brown/Tatum/Horford lineup boasts a great 121.4 offensive rating, an excellent 101.9 defensive rating, and a league-best 19.4 net rating among 5-man partnerships with at least 200 minutes played. Their net rating is 3.1 points higher than the next closest on the list. The counter-argument—and one I’ve debated with myself—is that if you go back to last season, Porzingis over Horford generated a more productive starting lineup. This is a sufficient reason to be patient and let the unit reestablish its chemistry. The problem is that these lineups have been unrecognisably terrible this year, and while Kristaps may not be the driving force, the numbers do not look good.
With Holiday, White, Brown, and Tatum on the court, Boston’s net rating is 7.18. When Porzingis is added to the equation, the value lowers to a sad -1.64.
A sage once advised: “Abandoning this unit so quickly is an overreaction and works against the purpose of the regular season.
” This wise man was me, in January. While I still feel the assertion is true, Porzingis’ illness has significantly hampered their ability to establish a rhythm. Meanwhile, Horford made his annual pilgrimage to the fountain of youth and is poised for another deep playoff run. It may be time to prepare for the possibility that Mazzulla’s preferred starting lineup may not recover to their level of play from last season.
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