Who Should START in Celtics Season Opener + Neemias Queta = 3rd BIG?

CLNS Media Sports Network

Al Horford discussed the prospect of potentially coming off the bench for the Celtics, emphasizing, "With the type of team that we have, we have a lot of depth. We have a lot of players." He noted the importance of this flexibility, allowing the Celtics to adapt their lineup based on the matchup, whether going big or small.   Additionally, Neemias Queta's impressive performance, scoring 12 points on a perfect 6-6 FG and securing 7 rebounds against the Hornets, has been noteworthy.   Bobby Manning of CLNS Media explores the question of who will be part of the starting lineup on opening night, sharing insights gathered from The Auerbach Center following the Celtics' practice on Friday.  FanDuel Sportsbook, the exclusive wagering partner of the CLNS Media Network. NEW customers can bet $5 and get $200 in BONUS BETS – GUARANTEED. Now is the best time to join FanDuel! The app is easy to use and you can be on everything from spreads to player props and more! So, visit https://FanDuel.com/BOSTON and kick off the NFL season with an offer you won’t wanna miss. (21+ and present in MA. Hope is here. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. GamblingHelpLineMa.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support. Play it smart from the start! GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234.)  With HelloFresh, you get farm-fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and seasonal recipes delivered right to your doorstep. Go to https://HelloFresh.com/CLNS50 and use code CLNS50 for 50% off plus FREE SHIPPING!  ODDS-R! Ever wished you could navigate the betting field with the confidence of a pro? Enter OddsR. They're not a sportsbook, but they're the sports betting advisor you've always needed. It's like having a playbook for smarter bets right in your pocket.Get a 30-day free trial! Elevate your game day and join the smart betting revolution! Go get it at https://oddsr.com/celtics  Visit https://factormeals.com/NEWSFEED50 to get 50% off your first box! Factor is America’s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Kit, can help you fuel up fast with ready-to-eat meals delivered straight to your door.

Transcript

00:00 The Garden Report is brought to you by FanDuel, the exclusive wagering partner of the CLNS

00:04 Media Network.

00:05 Hey, Bobby Manning here.

00:08 Welcome to a practice edition of the Garden Report.

00:11 Week three, wrapping up here at the Auerbach Center.

00:16 Preseason finished yesterday and Al Horford spoke after sitting out that final preseason

00:22 game, said he was glad to do it, happy to get the rest, stayed home here in Boston,

00:27 as the Celtics cruised through the Hornets.

00:30 And our biggest conversation in training camp continued, where the Celtics will go with

00:36 their starting lineup.

00:37 And as convinced as I've been that Holliday could come off the bench Wednesday when the

00:42 Celtics begin their season against the Knicks, Horford's showing more willingness, openness,

00:49 and indication that he could be coming off the bench here.

00:53 Debate on the postgame show, everyone across the board, Holliday, White, now Horford, have

01:00 shown that desire to come off the bench if necessary.

01:03 Joe Mazzullo continues to point to a starting lineup by committee.

01:08 And Horford today talked about why he's willing to come off the bench now, when a couple years

01:14 ago when he returned to Boston for the first time, he felt it was important to start games.

01:20 Here's what he had to say today.

01:21 Yeah, no, no.

01:22 It was definitely fun.

01:23 And it's something that, you know, with our group, we're going to be with many lineups

01:31 and different things out there.

01:33 And it's just continuing to find ways to impact the game.

01:36 You know, we're all looking at the same thing, trying to accomplish the same thing.

01:41 And it's, you know, in that particular day was obviously to win the game.

01:46 And that's our focus.

01:48 So for me, it's seeing how I can impact winning, that's always my focus.

01:52 Does your preparation and just sort of routine change when you're in that role coming off

01:56 the bench?

01:57 No, not really.

01:58 No, I keep everything the same.

01:59 And it's just, for me, it's just a different perspective.

02:03 You know, when I step into the floor with what needs to be done at the time, but my

02:09 routine is still the same.

02:10 For you, a couple years ago, we talked to you about maybe coming off the bench and it

02:11 seemed like something that you were not about.

02:12 You just, you wanted to win.

02:13 It was important to you.

02:20 What's changed now where you would be?

02:23 Well, I mean, I just think that, you know, the type of team that we have, you know, we

02:28 have a lot of depth, we have a lot of talented players.

02:32 And one of our strengths is our versatility as a team.

02:35 So there's going to be times that we're going to have to go a certain way.

02:38 There's other times that we're going to, we got to, you know, play big, play small, like

02:43 things like that.

02:44 That's just the way it is.

02:45 And, and I'm in a position right now that, that I feel like we all can impact the game

02:52 in a positive way.

02:54 And, and sometimes the best thing for a group right now is to play in that way.

02:59 And, and there will be times that we'll play big and we'll do things like that.

03:02 But for me, I'm, I'm in a good position where I'm at and just staying locked in and ready

03:07 to go.

03:08 The CLNS Media Network is powered by FanDuel.

03:10 Sign up at fanduel.com/boston and get in on the action with $200 in bonus bets guaranteed.

03:17 When you place a $5 bet, that's $200 in bonus bets.

03:22 Win or lose.

03:24 So Horford well positioned to play off the bench after a successful outing on Tuesday

03:30 against the Knicks.

03:31 Surprised me how comfortable, energetic and effective he played in that spot.

03:36 Given his 14 games of his career spent off the bench.

03:40 Starter all the way back to his Florida days.

03:42 You look at even those couple of seasons at Florida there.

03:46 Mostly a starter.

03:47 So an adjustment for sure.

03:49 Said his routine doesn't change all that much though.

03:52 And that given the roster and the combinations they have here, he has that desire and that

03:59 willingness to do it now.

04:01 To win a championship.

04:02 They all have the same goals.

04:03 They all have that sacrifice mindset here in camp.

04:06 Which is a good thing.

04:07 That won't be a problem.

04:08 That won't be a story for much longer here.

04:10 Depending on how they manage it and how they do in these rotations.

04:14 So could it be holiday starting?

04:16 Horford off the bench on Wednesday?

04:17 I won't rule it out.

04:18 Probably not the way I would go.

04:20 I like the double big mix.

04:22 But they're going to play a little bit bigger at times.

04:24 Smaller at times as Horford said there.

04:27 And that small lineup did look great the last two games.

04:30 So that's a development for sure.

04:32 The development today.

04:33 Winnie and Gabriel waived by the Celtics.

04:35 As I wrote yesterday, it was likely to happen given the Mace Cato's emergence on the backup

04:42 spot on the two way deal.

04:43 He'll probably stay on the two way deal.

04:45 But teammates impressed.

04:47 Mazzullo gave him that extra run last game.

04:49 And he made great use of it going 6 for 6.

04:52 12.7 rebounds.

04:54 Super strong outing for him that pretty much solidified his role as that depth big alongside

05:00 Luke Cornett.

05:01 Two different games.

05:02 I'm sure they used both of them in different spots here.

05:05 But definitely a huge win for Cato who spoke earlier to us in Quincy saying that he's still

05:10 taking it one day at a time.

05:12 It's a long season.

05:13 So he's not celebrating any achievement yet here and breaking through.

05:18 Spent most of that time in Sacramento with their G League team.

05:21 And still could here.

05:22 No pressure again to put him on their active roster.

05:25 It would be a cap hit, tax hit, all the rest.

05:28 And they can leave that roster spot open and still use him for 50 games here today.

05:32 Horford said the game just looks like it comes natural to Cato.

05:36 And certainly a big addition given that Sacramento waived him and they were just able to pick

05:41 him up on that two way deal for free effectively.

05:44 So another win for Stephens.

05:46 Brad Stephens this month, this offseason.

05:50 And putting together a team that can play a lot of different ways.

05:53 And we'll see how they start on Wednesday when they play the next couple more practices

05:57 to go here in Boston.

05:58 And then we will be in New York for opening night.

06:01 Celtics next.

06:02 Getting excited.

06:03 Waiting to see what's real and what isn't here.

06:05 And Cato, starting lineups, the combinations and rolls.

06:09 Among the things we haven't gotten a great grasp on here in camp so far.

06:13 And Celtics will have to decide on by Wednesday night.

06:17 I'm Bobby Mann.

06:18 This has been a practice edition of the Garden Report.

06:20 We'll talk to you again on Sunday.

06:22 HelloFresh makes it really, really, really easy to make sure that you're maintaining

06:26 and eating real food as opposed to just reaching into the cupboard and grabbing whatever you

06:31 can on the go.

06:32 And it's terrific.

06:33 And again, if you don't have the time to shop and to do all of the prep work, HelloFresh

06:37 is the way to go.

06:38 Go to HelloFresh.com/CLNS50.

06:42 That's HelloFresh.com/CLNS50.

06:44 Use the code CLNS50.

06:45 50% off plus free shipping.

06:47 It's a really good deal.

06:49 Once again, America's number one meal kit.

06:54 Ever wish you could navigate the betting field with the confidence of a pro?

06:58 Enter OddsR.

06:59 They're not a sports book, but they're the sports betting advisor you always needed.

07:04 It's like having a playbook for smarter bets right in your pocket.

07:08 I've been absolutely loving the experience and I think you will too, especially since

07:12 Celtics all access listeners get a 30-day free trial.

07:16 Elevate your game day and join the smart betting revolution.

07:19 Go get it at OddsR.com/Celtics.

07:22 It's OddsR.com/Celtics.

07:26 [music]

Category

Transcript

Recommended