Doc continues to mix and match his lineups. The Celtics are deep enough that they have 8 or 9 starting caliber players and Doc is going to have to determine which players work the best together as the starters and which players work best together off the bench.

Marc D'Amico mentions that Doc may try to run a lineup with Pierce and Green at the 2 and 3. That's the opposite of small ball. Doc is planning to use this lineup to try to create mismatches against some teams. Although he says it wouldn't work very well against the Heat, but we could see that quite often throughout the season.

We also could see a 3 guard lineup at times with Rondo, Avery and Jet. Or maybe Rondo Avery and Courtney. Or maybe Rondo Courtney and Avery. And then again there's Avery, Courtney and Jet. Every one of those lineups would be a fast break nightmare for most teams. Plus they would be a strong defensive team, even though a bit small.


When asked about coming off the bench, Brandon Bass has this to say:

* Bass on potentially coming off of the bench this season: "I have no comment on that question. No comment. We're going to keep getting better every day. We have to get better as a team, and I think Doc will make the best decision for the team."

I do hope that Brandon's no comment doesn't mean that he's unhappy and not buying in to doing whatever is best for the team. Unhappy and disgruntled players in the preseason doesn't bode well for ubuntu. But Brandon doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would complain about doing something that would make the team stronger. Moving to the bench would be a disappointment, but if it meant that the team was stronger, then I think he would do.

The game notes on Celtics.com have Sully and Jet starting today. But I wouldn't be surprised to see Doc go with Bass and Lee, either. I'm not going to read too much into his statement. I'll concentrate on the last part of his statement where he says they have to get better as a team and that means he's a team player and would come off the bench if it makes the team better.

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