Tom Thibodeau spoke about the current bench, including praising Jericho Sims' “elite” rebounding after Precious Achiuwa injured his hamstring and threw a wrench in the expected rotation.
“We have more than enough,” Thibodeau said, repeating a familiar Chivism. “Then the next guy can go in there and get the job done. I love the depth of our team.”
Achiuwa, who is expected to be the first frontcourt player off the bench, will be sidelined for at least two to four weeks due to the strain he sustained in Friday's final preseason game.
Sims, a fourth-year center, and rookie Ariel Hukporti are currently the only natural backup centers/power forwards on the roster.
Sims had some tough times in the preseason and was pulled by Thibodeau after making a mistake in the second quarter on Friday.
However, the coach emphasized Sims' rebounding, which included 15.7 rebounds per 36 minutes in five games played.
“There were some good things, obviously good things.” [he] We can do better,” Thibodeau said. “His rebounding was off the charts and that was huge for us. … It's elite. So he brings the rebounds, he brings the defense, he brings the athleticism, he puts pressure on the rim, he sets great screens. And in many cases, the stats don't reflect anything other than helping the team perform well. He has the ability to play very well because of his athleticism. So, playing the ball, staying under the rollers, getting back, making decisions in the limit, those are things that are hard to measure, but because of his athleticism, that's what he's good at. is.”
One or both of Sims and Hukporti will likely play in Tuesday's season opener.
Thibodeau declined to comment on the number of players in the rotation.
“Whatever it takes. Again, you have to look at your opponent and ask yourself, 'What's the matchup going to be like?' Thibodeau said. “That's a big factor. Some teams play eight games, some teams play eight-and-a-half games, some teams play nine games. Very few players play 10 games. If they have their starters playing 36, 37 minutes, we're probably going to match up with them.”
Coach Thibodeau dismissed the perception that he is too biased toward starting pitchers.
“That seems to be your bias. Last time I checked, I think it was Jalen [Brunson] Josh played 35 minutes per game last year. [Hart] “I played at 33 years old, so why let the facts get in the way,” Thibodeau said, smiling and joking with reporters.
It's true that Thibodeau saw increased playing time throughout last season, but injuries meant he was limited to starting for much of the second half of the season.
Since Feb. 1, Hart leads the league in total minutes played, with Donte DiVincenzo fifth.
Both avoided injury until Hart suffered an abdominal strain near the end of the playoffs.
Mikal Bridges was asked Monday why he changed his shooting form after hitting a high 38 percent from 3-point range in his NBA career.
“It's just smoothness. That's pretty much it,” Bridges said. “Each year, I always feel like I shoot well, but I always feel like I can make it smoother, and I try to make it smoother. … I know I shoot pretty good, but it's just more I keep getting better and leveling up.”
Bridges was flat in the preseason, shooting 11 percent from treys, including going 0-for-10 in the final game.
Bridges then revealed his seven-year quest to rediscover his flawless shooting form at Villanova, which he said led him to change his form again before this season.
If he gets his shot in Boston, all the trouble will be forgotten.
“We'll have another chance tomorrow, but right now it's 0-0,” Bridges said.
