Constructing one-star lineups round Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis

For the previous two seasons, the Boston Celtics have been capable of roll out one in every of Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown with virtually each group they placed on the ground. Not often have they run lineups with each stars on the bench. It’s a luxurious not many groups across the league have.

This summer time, the Celtics added to their pool of prime shelf wealth, buying and selling for Kristaps Porzingis. He’ll be the primary true “third star” Tatum and Brown have had since Kemba Walker’s first 12 months in Boston, and at that time, the Jays had but to succeed in their full potential. (They nonetheless is probably not there, however they’re full-grown All-Stars now.)

However as tantalizing a Tatum-Brown-Porzingis trio is when sharing the courtroom, having the Latvian huge man on the town will permit the Celtics to present their different two stars some further relaxation.

So, because the offseason drags on and CelticsBlog tackles “Lineups Week,” let’s concentrate on Boston’s star energy.

With Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis main the best way, the Celtics have the chance to throw out some distinctive one-star lineups that maximize the expertise of every participant. However what in the event that they needed to create three separate five-man teams?

(Boston has 11 gamers on the roster exterior of the three stars, so we’ll add Jay Scrubb into the combination to make it a good 12.)

If Boston couldn’t use the identical participant twice in any lineup, what lineups would elevate their particular person stars probably the most? What would the teams seem like led by Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis?

Photograph By Winslow Townson/Getty Photos

Jayson Tatum

Let’s begin on the head of the snake. Tatum is recent off an All-NBA First Workforce marketing campaign that noticed him end fourth in MVP voting. He’s a bona fide celebrity able to carrying the offensive load with any group he shares the ground with.

To assist Tatum be at his finest, surrounding him with capturing and protection is vital, so these can be the priorities. On the identical time, nonetheless, his greatness would hypothetically permit the Celtics to encompass him with lesser position gamers, as his ball dominance would shine via.

Tatum’s lineup

Payton Pritchard, Dalano Banton, Jordan Walsh, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford

Jordan Walsh may very well be subbed out for Dalano Banton on this lineup, however the defensive depth the rookie brings to the ground would elevate this backcourt alongside Payton Pritchard.

Concurrently, the capturing mixture of Pritchard and Al Horford would open up the ground for Tatum to work. Walsh can’t be discounted in that class both, because the teenager shot 40.7% from deep throughout Summer time League.

Dalano Banton and Walsh is a protracted, athletic wing duo, however the query marks come up behind the arc. Fortunately, that’s what Pritchard and Horford are there for.

Tatum’s repeatedly bettering passing skills permit him to behave as the first ball-handler inside this group, evading the necessity for Derrick White or Malcolm Brogdon. Pritchard’s playmaking can be a pleasant enhance, however he might focus his efforts behind the three-point line.

Photograph by Megan Briggs/Getty Photos

Jaylen Brown

Issues get a bit trickier with Brown, although the All-NBA wing continues to be the most effective pure scorers within the NBA. His mid-range recreation is deadly, and he’s elite at attending to the basket, however Brown isn’t on the identical stage as Tatum when dealing with the ball.

Brown needs to be paired with a stable ball handler, at first, however previous that, the remainder of the lineup needs to be much like Tatum’s—three-point capturing and protection. That stated, Brown couldn’t elevate his solo-star lineups to the extent Tatum was final 12 months, so surrounding him with higher-quality supporting guys is important.

Brown’s lineup

Malcolm Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, Svi Mykhailiuk, Robert Williams, Luke Kornet

Pairing Brown with Malcolm Brogdon on the level guard provides this lineup the ball dealing with it desperately wants, as each will do their fair proportion of controlling the tempo and setting one another up for seems to be.

Robert Williams is the opposite key piece on this group, as he might play his free security position on the defensive finish, with Luke Kornet holding down the paint (to one of the best of his skill) along with his dimension at 7-foot-2.

Svi Mykhailiuk will likely be a chosen floor-spacer right here, because the one draw back to this unit is a scarcity of floor-spacing. Brogdon was the most effective shooters within the league final 12 months, and Mykhailiuk shot over 40% from distance throughout his time with the Charlotte Hornets, however Williams and Kornet aren’t going to stretch the ground a lot.

It’s a reasonably well-rounded group that would wrestle within the playmaking division, however Brogdon’s days with the Indiana Pacers confirmed he can lead an offense. That’s what he’d should do right here.

Photograph by Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe through Getty Photos

Kristaps Porzingis

Maybe probably the most fascinating of the three lineups, constructing a five-man unit round Porzingis is a thought-provoking activity. The large man was the focal point for the Washington Wizards final 12 months, in order that’s the objective of this group.

Assuming Porzingis would primarily act out of the submit or above the three-point line, pairing him with one other offensive initiator is significant. Previous that, the identical objective of defensive and three-point capturing assist stands, as that’s merely the best way the present NBA flows.

Porzingis’ lineup

Derrick White, Jay Scrubb, Sam Hauser, Oshae Brissett, Kristaps Porzingis

Having Derrick White run alongside Porzingis was a transparent alternative, as behind Tautm and Brown, they’re the next-best gamers on the roster. White’s underrated playmaking and talent to take over on any given night time make him a perfect accomplice for the large man.

The tandem of Jay Scrubb and Oshae Brissett is a bit awkward, as neither is a confirmed three-point shooter, however having Sam Hauser on the three makes up for {that a} bit. White and Porzingis are above-average shooters so the spacing wouldn’t be too unhealthy.

Scrubb and Brissett must discover a technique to impression offense with cuts and offensive rebounding, however the defensive finish is the place this lineup might shine.

White is an All-Defensive guard, Porzingis has at all times been a stable rim protector, and Scrubb’s and Brissett’s athleticism might assist them on that finish, too. Add within the Hauser Island impact, and the defensive potential of this group is obvious.

This lineup might wrestle on the offensive finish, but when Porzingis has it rolling and White can discover his footing, they need to have the ability to maintain their very own.

There’s loads of room for interpretation with an train like this. Perhaps White and Porzingis want extra expertise subsequent to them. Perhaps Brown’s playmaking requires multiple guard subsequent to him. Perhaps Tatum is able to carrying extra weight than his lineup entails.

Any lineup restricted to particular gamers will likely be imperfect, which is actually the case with every of those teams. Nonetheless, with Boston’s expertise stage up and down the roster, they will create some intriguing five-man items round every of their stars.