Joe Mazzulla Sheds Light on Plans for Celtics' Starting Lineup

The Celtics have the best top six in the NBA. After day one of training camp, Joe Mazzulla discussed its impact on his plans for their starting unit.

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Monday, at Celtics media day, Brad Stevens, who has long wished Boston could find a way to acquire Jrue Holiday, including while he was still this organization's head coach and didn't have the authority to pursue him, conveyed the following about this franchise being the one who won the bidding war for the two-time All-Star.

"There's a list of guys in the league that you always think you'll never have a real chance to get that you think are perfect fits that you'd love to be a Celtic, and Jrue was one of those guys."

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Now that he'll don Kelly green, Holiday will share the backcourt with fellow All-Defensive guard Derrick White. But Boston also has the best top six in the NBA.

So, while the closing lineup may not prove to be as flexible when everyone's available, the starting five will shapeshift when appropriate.

Tuesday, on the heels of day one of training camp, head coach Joe Mazzulla expressed the following to Inside The Celtics about Boston adjusting its starting unit at times based on the matchup.

"Yeah, I mean, I think we have to have a level of flexibility in order for us to maximize our roster on both ends of the floor. And I think flexibility and malleability and the ability to go to different matchups has to be a strength of ours. And so there will be a time where we say this is what we're doing. But I think (that) we have to be as open-minded as possible to play in those different ways."

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Fortunately for the Celtics, as Kristaps Porzingis hit on during media day, this is a team comprised of players prepared to sacrifice individual success for the bettering of the team in pursuit of the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

So, while Derrick White, who's not on an expiring deal but is eligible for a contract extension until the start of the regular season, would naturally prefer to start every game he's active for, he's also as selfless a teammate as one will find.

The same applies to Al Horford, who will likely have to sacrifice the most opportunities in the starting and closing lineups.

And when a matchup calls for Boston to open the game with Porzingis and Horford on the floor, Mazzulla's plenty willing to make that adjustment.

It helps knowing how well those most affected by his tinkering will handle it.

Further Reading

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Brad Stevens Sheds Light on Jrue Holiday Trade: 'Wondering If Portland Was Going to Get Someone Who They Would Then Move'

Celtics ‘Eager’ to Extend Jrue Holiday

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