It's not clear yet to Al Horford if Celtics will start big or small

NEWPORT, R.I. — One of the looming questions for the new-look Celtics during training camp is figuring out what starting lineup Brad Stevens will settle on for the upcoming season. 

There is a battle for a spot in the backcourt next to Kyrie Irving between Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, but there is also uncertainty in the frontcourt alongside Al Horford. Marcus Morris seems to be the favorite to start at power forward, especially since Zach Lowe of ESPN.com reported last month that the team is leaning toward starting an undersized 6-foot-10 Horford at center.

That shift would be a sharp change from the coaching staff’s strategy last season to prevent Horford from having to battle true centers for big minutes on a nightly basis. Horford was active for 68 regular season games in 2016-17, and Amir Johnson started next to him at center for 63 of those contests. Stevens opted for a small-ball type lineup with Jonas Jerebko over Johnson for three games, while Kelly Olynyk and Jordan Mickey filled in for an injured Johnson in two other contests.

Stevens was far more unpredictable during the postseason, as Gerald Green and Johnson each started eight games for the Celtics, while Kelly Olynyk started two. The more frequent small-ball lineups helped Horford have a phenomenal offensive postseason, averaging 15.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. He also shot an incredible 58.4 percent from the field and 51 percent from 3-point range over those 18 games.

So what direction will the Celtics go on opening night? BostonSportsJournal.com caught up with Horford after Day 1 of training camp to get his thoughts on what his role will be next season, whether he's comfortable at center all year long, and how playing power forward last year helped him during the postseason. The four-time All-Star also revealed an interesting possibility about how the starting lineup might not be set in stone on a night-to-night basis.

Q: There has been a lot of talk this year already about your spot in the starting lineup and whether you will play 4 (power forward) or 5 (center) with this new-look group. Do you have any real sense yet on how you guys will play this year?

Al Horford: I think there will be some nights that I think we'll go bigger, but it's really coach's decision. He has to decide what works for our group and how he wants to use me. I think one of my strengths is that I'm able to play multiple positions and I feel comfortable.

Q: It seemed like last year in the postseason, you guys went small more with Gerald Green in place of Amir Johnson and it really helped you to break out offensively.

Al Horford: Yeah, I think in the regular season, I played more at the 4 and it helped me (in the postseason). I was healthy and felt better when the playoffs came around, instead of taking all the time at the 5. Once the postseason came around, I was able to deal with playing the center position more and we were more explosive as a team. I think that's why coach is probably going to mix it up more in the regular season.

Q: So you think you guys might switch it up more on a night-to-night basis, depending on the matchup?

Horford: Possibly. There is a lot to figure out with our group. We have to see what works for us as far as players, the chemistry, to see what lineups are good for our group. If we have an explosive offensive group and I have to play the center spot, then that's what I'll have to do.

Q: Kevin Garnett was one guy who played here that didn't like to play the center spot because it was a heavy onus on him physically. At this stage of your career, at age 31, how much of  a burden is it for you to play the 5 consistently?

Horford: The 5 ... you ask a lot out of your 5 men. It's dirty work, it's hard, it's taxing on the body. I think I'll definitely be willing to mix it up. I like playing the 4. I feel like I have an advantage at the 4, but also at the 5. I should be able to be successful, playing the 5 too. I don't have a problem with it.