National Basketball Association

Building Boston's All-Offense Lineup

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Assembling the best possible offensive lineup on the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics pride themselves on their defense, but managed to become one of the highest scoring teams in the league last year. Brad Stevens had them playing in a system that did wonders in terms of making up for their poor shooting, and 105.7 points per game was enough to be the fifth highest scoring team in the league.

Danny Ainge did a great job this offseason by giving Isaiah Thomas another great offensive threat and that is the first step in getting the Celtics out of the bottom of the league in terms of shooting percentage.

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The Celtics should finally have the floor spacing they need from their front court, and they have multiple young players that will be looking to finally break out as shooters. The Celtics have an opportunity to be one of the most balanced teams in the league.

Making sure their defense is no longer making up for their offense could be the biggest step in becoming a true contender in the Eastern Conference, but their lineup will inevitably feature suspect offensive players that will need to be made up for.

Even in their starting lineup, they will not have their best possible offensive options, but this combination of five will certainly be used by Stevens when he is looking for an offensive boost.

Apr 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) is fouled by Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guard: Isaiah Thomas

Point guard is an easy and obvious choice. Thomas did everything and anything on the offensive end for the Celtics last year. He set the tone and is the reason Stevens’ system was ale to be optimized. He pushed the pace and was tied as the most aggressive player in terms of drives to the rim.

He found a truly unique balance between scoring, passing and ball protection as the only player with at least 22 points per game, at least six assists per game and no more than 2.7 turnovers per game. The Celtics need an efficient and effective player that could make quick and effective decisions, and that is exactly what Thomas did last season.

He was already cemented as their best scorer, but they needed more passing. His response was then to become the team’s leading passer. Thomas has done everything the Celtics have needed from him and he will continue to look to improve.

Thomas could see his usage rate go down with more talent around him, but that could be the difference in improving his only blemish from last year, shooting percentage. Thomas was not a bad shooter, but he is still one of the players that needs to improve. At 42.8 percent last year, Thomas was below his career average. It was not unacceptable, but it is the area where Thomas needs to be the most improved.

Even if more talent takes some shooting responsibility away from Thomas, he is still the tone setter on offense. He will remain the primary ball handler and there is no doubting that the Celtics’ offense cannot be at their best without him.

Feb 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) reacts after his three point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime at TD Garden. Celtics defeated the Clippers in overtime 139-134. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guard: Avery Bradley

While Avery Bradley does not do much in terms of play making or distributing, their best offensive lineup desperately needs his shooting. They helped their shooting depth at the guard position with Gerald Green, but Bradley has established himself as one of the only trusted offensive players on the team.

He is an aggressive shooter who will not pass up open opportunities. That may lead to more mid range shots than the team would like, but he is effective enough to continue to shoot in that area. Bradley did a great job shooting 36.1 percent from three, making him one of the lone trusted shooters from beyond the arc on the team. Bradley also proved to be effective closer to the rim. Over 70% within three feet of the rim makes him incredibly underrated in the paint, and 40% between three and nine feet is a testament to his mid range game.

The Celtics need shooting and that means they need Bradley in their All-Offense lineup. Green presents similar three point shooting and an added boost with his athleticism, but Bradley has figured out how to optimally play off the ball. The impact he had as a scorer in the first quarter alone was huge for the Celtics last year, and now he can work on being more consistent.

Bradley is one of the top beneficiaries of the great ball movement. He knows where he needs to be in order to be available to his teammates. As the team’s floor spacing improves it will become even easier for Bradley to attack.

Bradley is one of the true two way players on the Celtics. His defense is his strength, but his offense would also be vital to their All-Offense lineup.

Mar 23, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jonas Jerebko (8) dribbles the ball past Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forward: Jonas Jerebko

While Jae Crowder did a great job improving as a shooter last year and would be more effective driving to the rim, he simply cannot compete with Jonas Jerebko’s near 40 percent from three point range. Jerebko is no where near the player Crowder is but Jerebko has separated himself as one of the best three point shooters on the team.

Crowder did a great job improving and hit 33.6% from three point range and 70 percent at the rim puts him near the top of the team. That being said, Jerebko shot 39.8 percent from three point range, and there is only one other player on the team that can top that.

Jerebko has also proven that these kind of percentages are no fluke. He shot right around the same mark, with a three point percentage of 40.6 the season before. Jerebko has been at his very best while with the Celtics and he can be trusted as a three point shooter.

The Celtics have been searching for top shooting and great floor spacing, and they need Jerebko in the lineup in order to achieve that. While he may not get a high volume of shots in this lineup and would do nothing in terms of play making, his impact would still be greater than just the shots he hits.

Defenses would be forced to respect him as a shooter, certainly more so than any other potential small forward on the team. On top of that, this kind of lineup could see Jerebko improve his already great percentages. Jerebko is used to playing on a second unit with fewer offensive threats. He could do wonders in terms of creating space on the floor, and he would do a great job of taking advantage of that space.

Jan 15, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) reacts after his three point basket against the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forward: Kelly Olynyk

While playing the four would be taking Kelly Olynyk out of position, it is easy to accommodate in Stevens’ offense. The Celtics have used their forwards interchangeably and Olynyk would do just fine as a stretch four.

Olynyk is a must in the All-Offense lineup because he is their best three point shooter. He has the highest percentage at 40.5 and did that in greater volume than the next best in Jerebko. He has started to develop a shot fake which could expand his impact, but his shooting alone is crucial for the Celtics to be at their best offensively.

Olynyk is also in a great position to break out. This All-Offense lineup is definitely optimizing Boston’s shooting, but they may be lacking in the play making area. Olynyk can potentially become a play making forward on this lineup, and could contribute in many more ways than just his shooting.

Olynyk would also be the player that generates the most attention with his three point shooting. Olynyk has proven that he can be reliable and, if he gets hot, he can go on streaks that will be absolutely deadly to the opponent.

Olynyk is also in a contract year and could have a lot to prove. He has consistently improved throughout his career and that trend should continue this season. The talent around him will be better and if he continues to play well, his opportunities could actually increase. Olynyk is an easy choice for the All-Offense lineup, the only question is which position in the front court.

Apr 7, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) holds the rim after a dunk against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Center: Al Horford

Considering their problems in the interior, Al Horford may have a bigger impact on the defensive end. That being said, he will be deadly in multiple ways on the offensive end. He will certainly have an impact as a shooter, but it goes beyond that.

Ideally, Horford’s 34 percent from three will be increased thanks to great ball movement, but that is still enough to be one of the best on the Celtics. Defenders will be forced to respect him as a shooter and playing in a lineup with so many shooters will open things up for him.

Horford will also be the most dynamic option in this front court. Jerebko and Olynyk really are shooting specialists. Horford, on the other hand, can be just as impactful in the paint as he is as a shooter.

In a lineup that features the best shooting the Celtics have to offer, they need someone that can take advantage in the paint. They have multiple forwards that will be pulling defenders to the outside, and that will allow Horford and Thomas to do a lot of damage in the paint.

In the past four years, Horford has never shot below 74.5 percent from within three feet of the rim. He can be a strong finisher and he has a soft touch. Horford is easily the best interior presence the Celtics have in the front court, and that is on both ends of the court.

Horford is also the only front court player that will have to be respected in the paint. Horford’s shooting will help his teammates and his presence in the paint will help his teammates. Combine that with a decent ability and great willingness to pass, and Thomas finally has another truly dominant offensive force in the lineup with him.

Horford is arguably the greatest free agent acquisition in the history of the Boston Celtics and that is largely because of his potential to be their best and most important player on both ends of the court.

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