HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

MIAMI – Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers declined to reveal who will start at power forward in their season opener Tuesday at the Miami Heat.

Could be Jeff Green. Could be Brandon Bass. Could be rookie Jared Sullinger.

“We know,” Rivers said. “You’ll find out, but I don’t know what the rush is.”

Guards Rajon Rondo and Courtney Lee, forward Paul Pierce and center Kevin Garnett are Boston’s other starters.

Based on answers to follow-up questions, it seems like Rivers might start Sullinger, 20, against Miami. He is the No. 21 pick in the June draft, slipping out of the lottery to the Celtics because of medical concerns about his back.

It could be to his benefit. Sullinger landed with one of the NBA’s top franchises – and he has developed a relationship with Garnett and earned Rivers’ respect.

“I do trust Sullinger,” Rivers said. “I trust him a lot. He plays older than his age. But he still makes young mistakes. Most of his mistakes are more not understanding the guys he’s guarding. It’s personnel mistakes. …

“He’s probably our best rebounder. The other thing you like about him is that smaller guys can’t guard him. When you put him with Kevin, the smaller guy is going to be on him because the bigger guy is always going to be on Kevin.

“It’s more than just him being the best player,” Rivers said. “Sometimes, there’s better players, but he fits. To help him be a better player, playing him with Kevin is more important.”

Sullinger, another strong passing big man on Boston’s roster with good footwork in the low post, started five of the Celtics’ eight preseason games and averaged 10.9 points and seven rebounds.

Rivers said the Celtics will use multiple starting lineups this season, based on the opponent.

“Like I said to (the players), the lineup’s not going to be a big deal this year,” Rivers said. “We’re going to change it a lot. I think we’ll have three lineups. Bass will start. Jared will start, and Jeff Green will start.

“If we want to start small, we’ll start Jeff Green. Big – we’ll start Jared. … [For more on Celtics' Doc Rivers won't reveal starting power forward, click here.]