When most people think of the Boston Celtics’ possible starting lineup, they think of their All-Star four of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and the recently acquired Jrue Holiday. Most people believe the main debate is whether forward Al Horford or guard Derrick White will take the final position.
However, Holiday came off the bench in the team’s first preseason game, the only one in which all six possible starters were present.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe reacted to Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla’s choice to bring Holiday off the bench on “The Lowe Post” podcast.
“I don’t think this was a one-off. I don’t think this was a let’s see how this looks,” said Lowe. “He may end up starting a ton of games. Injuries, nights off, matchups, just being so good that we have to start him. I think this has some legs potentially.”
Lowe believes that using Holiday as the sixth man allows the Celtics to still have an effective lineup when Tatum is off the floor, something that Boston has consistently struggled with.
“I think they like the look and feel of having two All-Star perimeter ball handlers,” said Lowe. “Neither of them is a point guard by any means, one of them with sometimes the yips with the dribble, that’s Jaylen Brown. Both are All-Star, All-NBA-level players…let’s see if they can prop up the offense along with Porzingis and good spacing.”
Despite Lowe’s breakdown of why Mazzulla may bring Holiday off the bench, it would be the wrong decision for the Celtics.
The Celtics have a very thin big man rotation, with Porzingis and Horford the only two traditional bigs expected to get major minutes. Additionally, Horford, who is entering his age-37 season, will likely sit out most back-to-backs. In order to best stagger Porzingis and Horford and try to keep some lineup continuity, Horford should be the sixth man instead of Holiday
In the end, who is on the court at the end of the game is more important than who starts. The minutiae of who starts and who comes off the bench are inconsequential as long as Holiday is closing games for the Celtics and is happy with his job.
