Death Lineup's need to play Elite defense. Otherwise, they are just another cool-to-watch, EC lineup. We have not yet seen this lineup in action.
They kinda remind me the Pistons 2003/04, no superstar/s but a group of good to great players that will play as a real team giving their 100% every game.
The reason this is called the "death lineup" is because of defense. Four of those guys are interchangeable. Celts should be the best defensive team in the NBA. Only team I actually enjoy watching because of defensive schemes. They help the helper like nobody ever has. Unreal. Horford's value as a defensive QB is vastly underrated. Specifically in that regard, he's KG level. Rockets need Clint to evolve into that. Brad Stevens is a better defensive coach than Thibs ever was. He is more about scheming, planning and discipline than players wearing themselves out each and every possession. They typically reserve max effort for specific stretches of games.
We haven't seen it in action, but the versatility of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford is a pretty good recipe, no?
@A_3PO and @NIKEstrad I agree, it's foolish to underestimate Brad Stevens, and Horford is very good. From a purely defensive perspective, Toronto's defense has just vastly improved over last year, and Anunoby is a legit, soon-to-be Elite 3&D guy who has a 7'4 wingspan and just shot lights out from 3, 45%+ (including playoffs), for all but one dud of a month as a rookie. Sometimes talent will trump defensive scheming. Kawhi, Anunoby and Lowry will be very fun to watch as an elite perimeter defense to disrupt any "Death Lineup." Of course, I'm rooting for Toronto, because I want Kawhi to be happy and stay, for selfish Rockets fan reasons.
