Celtics '23'24 - Are We Topped Out?

[The Q]

I caught the first Celtics (vs Miami Heat) Summer League game on replay. Here are my thoughts:

• The Heat had Jacquez Jr on their roster... which was kinda unfair. He was a man among boys out there.
• Scheierman was often matched up vs Jacquez Jr, and looked slight by comparison. Kid is gonna have to hit the weight room.
• Scheierman was respectable, though. He shot a couple of bricks early (looked like nerves), but settled in and hit multiple threes and made some decent passes.
• Jaden Springer played well, as he should (as someone with relatively more real NBA experience). Springer also hit multiple threes, which was nice to see.
• JD Davison has some scoring chops. He shot the ball well. That said, he looked out-of-control at times, too... he's just not fully polished yet.
• Jordan Walsh had a miserable game. He took a lot of tough shots, and missed almost all of them. It looked like he was pressing on both ends of the floor... trying to do too much.
• Neemias Queta gets too cute around the basket. Too often he tries to finesse in shots rather than use his big body and go in strong.
• I liked the way 2nd round pick Anton Watson moved on the floor... he looked fluid, and had one real nice block on Jacquez Jr when they got matched up.

Here's the box score for the game:

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Jul 13, 2024 Box Scores

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Jul 13, 2024 player box scores including video and shot charts

www.nba.com

Anton Watson block:

That was Watson’s specialty on d at gonzaga

I like him that late

Baylor js a guy who I wasn’t sure about

Guys that old have a tough track record and Jacquez is basically a 99% result for guys that old in the draft

So that’s what you’re hoping for with him

 

[Gman]

I just saw our 2nd Summer League game (vs the Lakers). Here are my thoughts:

• Our best player (Jaden Springer) sat this one out... I think he had a mild injury in the first game and they were playing it safe with him.
• The Lakers didn't have a decent big on their roster, so Neemias Queta feasted.
• Jordan Walsh continues to frustrate. He made several good plays on defense, but his offense (and shot in particular) continues to be off. He's not uncoordinated, but it seems like he can't get his long limbs in sync too often. He doesn't seem ready for NBA minutes to me.
• Scheierman's shot was off, but he didn't play badly. He seems controlled and made several good passes. He's still gonna have to hit the weight room.
• Anton Watson again played low-key well... he's not trying to do too much out there, just playing solid ball on both ends.
• Bronny James hustles on defense, but aside from that he appears to suck. A lot. I also didn't realize he was as short as he is. Simply put: guys his height have no place in the NBA unless they have way above average PG skills... which Bronny doesn't have anything close to.

Box score:

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Jul 15, 2024 Box Scores

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Jul 15, 2024 player box scores including video and shot charts

www.nba.com

 

[LogicMan]

I just saw our 2nd Summer League game (vs the Lakers). Here are my thoughts:

• Our best player (Jaden Springer) sat this one out... I think he had a mild injury in the first game and they were playing it safe with him.
• The Lakers didn't have a decent big on their roster, so Neemias Queta feasted.
• Jordan Walsh continues to frustrate. He made several good plays on defense, but his offense (and shot in particular) continues to be off. He's not uncoordinated, but it seems like he can't get his long limbs in sync too often. He doesn't seem ready for NBA minutes to me.
• Scheierman's shot was off, but he didn't play badly. He seems controlled and made several good passes. He's still gonna have to hit the weight room.
• Anton Watson again played low-key well... he's not trying to do too much out there, just playing solid ball on both ends.
• Bronny James hustles on defense, but aside from that he appears to suck. A lot. I also didn't realize he was as short as he is. Simply put: guys his height have no place in the NBA unless they have way above average PG skills... which Bronny doesn't have anything close to.

Box score:

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Jul 15, 2024 Box Scores

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Jul 15, 2024 player box scores including video and shot charts

www.nba.com

No progression from Walsh frustrating

Bronny thing could become a PR headache for LA if he does not show some signs of being a round 2 player

 

[The Q]

No progression from Walsh frustrating

Bronny thing could become a PR headache for LA if he does not show some signs of being a round 2 player

Even more when you can aggregate salaries to deal him

 

[Gman]

I just caught our 3rd SL game (vs the Hornets)... here are my thoughts:

• No Springer or Queta in this one.
• Overall team shooting and offense was lousy... not uncommon in Summer League.
• Jordan Walsh's struggles on offense continued. So far, he can neither shoot nor finish. It's important to remember the kid is just 20 yo old, though... he's just not ready for the big leagues yet. Walsh has added some muscle to his frame, and with those long limbs he could be a terror on defense. But it's a work-in-progress and only time will tell.
• By contrast: Anton Watson shined. He's an older guy coming out of college, and it shows... Watson stays within himself and has consistently played solid ball throughout SL. Watson made multiple triples, and if he develops that shot he could develop into a NBA role guy.
• Scheierman again didn't have a good shooting night. But (again) he didn't play badly otherwise... he is self-possessed and has a nose for the ball (I can see why he had above-average rebounding numbers in college despite pedestrian athletic ability).
• JD Davison looks like a guy who is above average in SL, but not ready for prime time in the NBA. He's fast and athletic and has a good build... but his total game just isn't tight enough yet.

Box Score:

Boston Celtics vs Charlotte Hornets Jul 17, 2024 Box Scores

Boston Celtics vs Charlotte Hornets Jul 17, 2024 player box scores including video and shot charts

www.nba.com

 

[Gman]

Our last Summer League game wasn't televised on NBA Network... so I couldn't watch it. Going by the box score:

• We sat a whole bunch of guys... many of our better players. The motley crew left over conceded over 100 pts in the L.
• Jordan Walsh was 0 for 10 from downtown. If this SL was one's only experience watching him play, that person might suspect that if Walsh were stuck on a raft in the middle of the ocean, he'd have trouble throwing a ball in the water.
• Scheierman hit a few 3's
• Anton Watson looked to have another solid performance... he had a couple of 3's in his stat line too, along with a couple of blocks.

We went 2-2 overall... I'm not sure if that qualifies for any additional games.

Box Score:

Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Jul 19, 2024 Box Scores

Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Jul 19, 2024 player box scores including video and shot charts

www.nba.com

 

[The Q]

Our last Summer League game wasn't televised on NBA Network... so I couldn't watch it. Going by the box score:

• We sat a whole bunch of guys... many of our better players. The motley crew left over conceded over 100 pts in the L.
• Jordan Walsh was 0 for 10 from downtown. If this SL was one's only experience watching him play, that person might suspect that if Walsh were stuck on a raft in the middle of the ocean, he'd have trouble throwing a ball in the water.
• Scheierman hit a few 3's
• Anton Watson looked to have another solid performance... he had a couple of 3's in his stat line too, along with a couple of blocks.

We went 2-2 overall... I'm not sure if that qualifies for any additional games.

Box Score:

Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Jul 19, 2024 Box Scores

Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Jul 19, 2024 player box scores including video and shot charts

www.nba.com

Again, if Walsh could shoot he would’ve gone in the lottery

But it’s such a swing skill for him

 

[Gman]

I missed this news yesterday...

Report: Celtics and Sam Hauser agree to contract extension

Hauser and the C’s agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension, according to the report.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Good for Hauser... dude has turned into a decent role player with one special talent (shooting) who has worked hard to overcome his one biggest weakness (defense).

 

[The Q]

I missed this news yesterday...

Report: Celtics and Sam Hauser agree to contract extension

Hauser and the C’s agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension, according to the report.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Good for Hauser... dude has turned into a decent role player with one special talent (shooting) who has worked hard to overcome his one biggest weakness (defense).

Yup

Let the new owners decide how to break up this team

 

[redskinsfan1963]

jeff bezos is said to be really intrested in buying the Celtics.

 

[logic]

jeff bezos is said to be really intrested in buying the Celtics.

Maybe he can move them to Seattle

 

[redskinsfan1963]

Maybe he can move them to Seattle

bigfoot will be found before that happens.

 

[LogicMan]

I missed this news yesterday...

Report: Celtics and Sam Hauser agree to contract extension

Hauser and the C’s agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension, according to the report.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Good for Hauser... dude has turned into a decent role player with one special talent (shooting) who has worked hard to overcome his one biggest weakness (defense).

Yup

Let the new owners decide how to break up this team

Lonnie Walker a great insurance pick up. Puts a lot of pressure on a few in the 8 to 12 spot

 

[The Q]

Lonnie Walker a great insurance pick up. Puts a lot of pressure on a few in the 8 to 12 spot

I think he’s mostly just good injury insurance during the regular season

They also need to dial back jrue minutes since he’s getting up there


And no guarantees springer will deliver anything

Trading the 41st pick for him not looking good so far

 

[Gman]

Woah... we got Lonnie Walker IV?

Not too shabby for an end-of-bench, regular season minutes guy.

Brad Stevens playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers again.

 

[LogicMan]

Woah... we got Lonnie Walker IV?

Not too shabby for an end-of-bench, regular season minutes guy.

Brad Stevens playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers again.

Wise pick up. Puts pressure on the rooks and even Pritchard

 

[The Q]

Woah... we got Lonnie Walker IV?

Not too shabby for an end-of-bench, regular season minutes guy.

Brad Stevens playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers again.

Wise pick up. Puts pressure on the rooks and even Pritchard

Sounds like he may not even start on the main roster .


Which...is fine.

They need to cut tax somewhere (trading 41 for Springer basically tripled their tax bill on that roster slot.....)

My guess is that he starts in the G League and gets called up later in the year when his cost to be on the roster will be lower.

It's a shame they can't aggregate salaries as I think they could've easily created room for him otherwise.