Before their first preseason tip, Joe Mazzulla warned not to infer too much from their starting lineup. Instead, throughout training camp so far, the head coach has stressed the strength of their versatility and how multiple players — “we have eight, nine starters” — could open the game.
“I think we have to have a level of flexibility in order for us to maximize our roster on both ends of the floor. And I think flexibility and malleability and the ability to go to different matchups has to be a strength of ours,” Mazzulla said. “So, there will be a time where we say, ‘this is what we’re doing,’ but we have to be as open-minded as possible to play in those different ways.