Boston Celtics: 3 lineups that could see high usage in the postseason

High usage unit No. 3: honing in on interior defense

• PG – Kemba Walker
• SG – Jaylen Brown
• SF – Jayson Tatum
• PF – Daniel Theis
• C – Robert Williams III

In order for the Boston Celtics to have a legitimate shot at an NBA title in 2020, they’re likely going to need to figure out a gameplan to best the Eastern Conference title favorites, the Milwaukee Bucks, in a seven-game series if they are fortunate enough to meet them at some point this postseason.

More importantly, the team is going to need to concoct a plan to stop the likes of reigning league MVP — and likely recipient of said award this season — Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Hard? Sure, but as the 2019 Toronto Raptors proved, it’s not an impossible feat to accomplish.

The Raps went about taking out Milwaukee last season by throwing their best on-ball defender, Kawhi Leonard, on Giannis, exuding ample energy in his efforts to force him to shoot. When he would get past his defender — because who can completely “lockdown” Giannis — and head towards the rim, Toronto had their two biggest presences in Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol waiting down-low, forming somewhat of a makeshift wall to prevent an easy basket at the rim, like the “Greek Freak” is accustomed to doing.

Obviously, the Boston Celtics do not have a Kawhi Leonard, Serge Ibaka, or Marc Gasol in tow. However, what they could do is cast Jayson Tatum in for the role of Kawhi, Daniel Theis as Ibaka, and the Time Lord himself, Robert Williams III as Gasol.

Look, before you go on and say “but Marcus Smart is our best defender“, I have to say: you’re right. However, in regard to matching up to a guy like Giannis Antetokounmpo (6-11), Tatum, what with his length (6-8 with a 6-11 wingspan) and defensive progressions this season, is simply the most ideal candidate to take on this task.

Having Theis slide back up to power forward — where many believe to be his best-suited position — and tossing in the defensive-minded/ athletic Williams at center is the major key for this lineup as, again, they’d be the building blocks for the aforementioned “wall” that served Toronto quite nicely last season against the Bucks.

Obviously their presence is mainly for defensive purposes, but their inclusion within this unit by no means stagnates their offense. Though Hayward’s specialties on that side of the ball may be missed when this lineup goes out but, with Theis’ ability to stretch the floor and Williams’ ability to thrive in the pick & roll, things should be just fine on that front.

Not only could this unit be serviceable against Milwaukee, but also against the towering lineup of their likely first-round opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers where, in theory, Brad Stevens could try out Theis at the four and Williams at five in, say, game-one (often referred to by Stevens as a “test game”) and see how things go.

Like Daryl Morey saying beating the Golden State Warriors is “the only thing” the Rockets think about, Boston needs to have a similar mindset, only in reference to the Milwaukee Bucks.

This lineup could be one experiment the Celtics should wind up giving a try this postseason to, ultimately, help them on their quest for banner number 18.