Hardwood Houdini
Fansided

The Boston Celtics Have a Defensive Death Lineup

By Ian Riaf

BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball over Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball over Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have the offensive death lineup but the Celtics have the defensive death lineup

Defensively, the modern day NBA game is all about switching matchups. Today, offensive schemes are now designed to generate the optimal mismatch, as for example, a mismatch such as Kevin Love posting up Terry Rozier or LeBron James isolating Greg Monroe. Coaches try to hide a poor defensive player by playing him on a lesser-known offensive threat. Still, current offensive schemes, are smart enough to counteract this act of ‘hiding’.

The Philadelphia 76ers, last series, hoped to hide J.J. Redick, but to counter, the Celtics attacked him in the post with stronger and more athletic players. 

With the defensive death lineup, the Celtics do not need to hide anyone. Their guards can guard forwards and their forwards can stay with guards. So who is in this defensive death lineup?

The lineup of Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Morris and Al Horford is the Celtics switch-all lineup. Insert Semi Ojeleye for any wing and this lineup still maintains the consistent ability to switch any matchup. 

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This lineup features the two defensive leaders of this team: Smart, and Horford. 

Everyone knows by now that Smart is strong enough to hassle centers in the post. At 31 years old, Horford is somehow also able to pressure faster guards. As the defensive anchor, he can protect the rim and stay with quicker players on the perimeter. 

Due to a larger and healthier rotation during the regular season, this lineup played only five whole minutes together. In the postseason, even though the Celtics have injuries and a shorter playoff rotation, this lineup still has only played a total of seven minutes over the course of three games.

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 30: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics fights for the rebound against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 30: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics fights for the rebound against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Celtics death lineup should not discredit the defensive impact of Terry Rozier and Aron Baynes. 

Rozier is an amazing on-ball defender. His quickness and rebounding ability should not be overlooked. However, when it comes to sheer versatility, Rozier is simply unable to guard Kevin Love or LeBron James in the post.

Baynes, who gives the Celtics some muscle on the inside, is simply stuck on an island when isolated with quicker guards such as Hill or Clarkson. Baynes is not as agile as Horford. 

Again, both are extremely capable defenders, but their lack of switchability makes them a target on defense. 

Next: Celtics look inspired and united

Moving forward, Brad Stevens should consider featuring the defensive death lineup for an extended period of time. The death lineup saw four minutes of play last game as perhaps Stevens realized how this combination of players confounds the Cavaliers’ intentions to find a favorable switch. Look for the Celtics to feature the defensive death lineup sometime during game three. 

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