Celtics Off-Season - the Quest for AD

[Gman]

The debate of Brandon Clarke vs grant and Edwards will rage on for a while.

They all look like players.

 

[The Q]

The Celtics really need to get a guy like Bertans from Washington.

Bears salary made it easier. So not sure how to do it now.

 

[LogicMan]

@The Q
@LogicMan

I've followed the Celtics during Summer League for a few years... not everyone gets to watch as closely as I do, so I'll share my take on what I saw.

First of all, the C's... (even without top draft pick Romeo Langford due to an injury)... had a relatively talented roster compared to their competition. So yes: they won most of their games... but they should have and better have given their talent.

Final scores mean almost nothing, regardless. Here's what I noticed from the players:

Carsen Edwards - Natural born scorer. Has plus 3 point range, hit mid range shots and runners, got to the basket and finished, hustled away from the ball to get open... Edwards was wildly impressive. This kid is gonna get minutes with the main roster this season, that's my prediction.

Defensively, it is what it is. Edwards hustles and is built well for his height, but he is never gonna be a plus defender. What'll be interesting to watch is...

... Edwards is the epitome of a 'score first PG.' Is he gonna have the same green light at the top level to play his game, especially at first? You don't play this kid unless you give him free reign. The C's could potentially run a very similar style offense with either Kemba or Edwards on the floor... which is intriguing for a team that has been prone to scoring lulls without a lead dog on the floor.

Tacko Fall - I was impressed with how athletic and fluid Tacko is for a man of his height. I was expecting a total side show stiff... but Tacko is better than that. He was even able to mirror a little and move his feet on defense.

That being said: I just didn't see "NBA player" out of what I saw. Getting up and down the court is always gonna be a chore for the big man, Tacko brings no shooting whatsoever (foul shooting is abysmal, too), and Tacko struggled to create a position in the post. Too often Fall was not able to shield his defender from an entry pass or was unable to corral quick passes sent his way in traffic.

I don't see it.

Robert Williams III - I was modestly pleased with what I saw out of the athletic center. Second year for Time Lord so he should be showing some positive things... and he did flash here and there. RWIII moves extremely well for a guy his size, showed some touch around the basket, and showed some passing skills that I hadn't seen previously.

That being said: I still saw some of the rough spots in his game, particularly when it comes to defense. Williams still does not always take the best position when forced to move and adjust and read the opposition, and he has a terrible habit of biting on pump fakes. On offense, he is also a little soft around the rim outside of his patented lob throw downs.

I did see slow progress. Williams was a little better. But to ultimately earn minutes and be what we need him to be, RWIII needs something to "click" on defense in his head.

Tremont Waters - My expectations out of the late 2nd round pick were little to none, but Waters can play a little. He was in control and often ran the Celtics offense when he was on the floor. Waters showed a functional 3 pt shot and also made a couple of crafty floaters. He also flashed on defense, showing the skills that made him DPY in the SEC last year... Tremont anticipates and has a nose for steals.

But... dude is 5'11". At that height, you have to be elite in terms of quickness and skill in order to carve out a niche at the top level. And I didn't see elite quickness out of Waters. He'll be a D league project, but I am pessimistic about him developing into a NBA minutes guy.

Grant Williams - Last but not least, let's talk husky Grant. Theoretically, Grant Williams has perhaps the greatest opening to earn playing time in the upcoming season because of the weird depth chart the Celtics have at the traditional 4 spot.

So I was glad to see so many good things out of Williams in Summer League.

The top concern coming in was 3 pt shooting... but Grant showed off a developing stroke from beyond the arc, and he was willing to take his opportunities there. It seemed to me that this is a skill that Williams can develop with time and practice, I am optimistic on this front.

Beyond that, I was also impressed with Grant Williams from a defensive point-of-view. Not that Grant is a monster at that end or anything... but what I saw was him maximizing his potential on that end by consistently making good reads/decisions. I was a little worried about his lateral quickness, but Williams showed the ability to mirror and slide his big body.

Finally, husky Grant can pass the ball and handle the ball fairly well. On more than one occasion, Grant was able to corral a defensive rebound and then push the ball up the floor himself with a surprising burst of speed. That took me by surprise a little. He was steady and in control in these scenarios.

Being able to crack the line up for real minutes is gonna depend on that 3 pt shot, though. If that develops a little bit more, Williams could become a bench player as early as this season.

GMAN. I think you did a great job summarizing the yutes.

The biggest impression I had/could feel good about was Edwards. I am convinced he will be a scorer immediately. His range is far far beyond the 3 arc. His release is crazy fast. I would suggest teams who picked below the top 15 are going to really regret this one.

with regards to Grant I cannot get too excited. he seems to me to be a decent bench player, but more than that?

If Romeo gets healed then getting Edwards and watching Romeo fall due to his thumb is a good draft.

Now we just need to get the center position figured out.....................by the trade deadline

 

[The Q]

GMAN. I think you did a great job summarizing the yutes.

The biggest impression I had/could feel good about was Edwards. I am convinced he will be a scorer immediately. His range is far far beyond the 3 arc. His release is crazy fast. I would suggest teams who picked below the top 15 are going to really regret this one.

with regards to Grant I cannot get too excited. he seems to me to be a decent bench player, but more than that?

If Romeo gets healed then getting Edwards and watching Romeo fall due to his thumb is a good draft.

Now we just need to get the center position figured out.....................by the trade deadline

Edward should be Eddie house.

And I’m worried about pf. Centerfield they have so many specialists they can mix and match and make it work

 

[LogicMan]

Edward should be Eddie house.

And I’m worried about pf. Centerfield they have so many specialists they can mix and match and make it work

Q. Yeah Eddie house is a good comparative. A little Andrew Tony too

 

[Gman]

with regards to Grant I cannot get too excited. he seems to me to be a decent bench player, but more than that?

I see Grant's upside as P.J. Tucker, only more skilled.

That would be a pretty good piece to have.

 

[shopson67]

I see Grant's upside as P.J. Tucker, only more skilled.

That would be a pretty good piece to have.

That comes down to mindset. PJ accepts his role and excels in it. Too many kids right out of college think they'll be stars.

 

[Gman]

That comes down to mindset. PJ accepts his role and excels in it. Too many kids right out of college think they'll be stars.

I agree.

Grant seems like a good kid with a good head on this shoulders... but only time will tell.

 

[Gman]

This is a couple of days old, but apparently Big Tacko got a contract of some type with the Celtics.
Still a pretty big long shot overall, but good for him... seems like a great kid.

 

[shopson67]

Elhadji? Was wondering what his real name was.

Looks like 1 year, 900K.

 

[Gman]

So... first game of the preseason for the C's tonight.

From my recent off-season reading, this appears to be "the plan":

The Celtics are often gonna roll with line-ups that feature 1 ball handler, 3 wings, and 1 big. Fast and loose.

Here is the pool of talent that I see competing for playing time:

Ball-handlers / Point Guards - Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Brad Wanamaker, Carson Edwards

Wings - Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye, Grant Williams

Bigs - Enes Kanter, Daniel Theis, Robert Williams, Vincent Poirier

Offense should be above average to very good. That end doesn't appear to be an issue. Kanter should thrive as a garbage guy inside. This team can run, too.

Defense and defensive rebounding appear to be the soft spots. There is some versatility and athleticism to switch on D, but the C's are gonna be undersized at the traditional 4 spot. The quality of the defense generated by the 5 spot is an open question, as well.

It'll be interesting to see if a mix of guys like Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye and Jayson Tatum can play the 4 for significant minutes. Maybe they can in today's NBA. Looks like we're gonna see... because that almost has to be the plan going into the season.

Looks to be a fun team. I'm excited. We'll see if Hayward is back to 100% as buzz is indicating... and we'll see how the chemistry comes together.

Let's roll.

 

[Black Adam]

So... first game of the preseason for the C's tonight.

From my recent off-season reading, this appears to be "the plan":

The Celtics are often gonna roll with line-ups that feature 1 ball handler, 3 wings, and 1 big. Fast and loose.

Here is the pool of talent that I see competing for playing time:

Ball-handlers / Point Guards - Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Brad Wanamaker, Carson Edwards

Wings - Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye, Grant Williams

Bigs - Enes Kanter, Daniel Theis, Robert Williams, Vincent Poirier

Offense should be above average to very good. That end doesn't appear to be an issue. Kanter should thrive as a garbage guy inside. This team can run, too.

Defense and defensive rebounding appear to be the soft spots. There is some versatility and athleticism to switch on D, but the C's are gonna be undersized at the traditional 4 spot. The quality of the defense generated by the 5 spot is an open question, as well.

It'll be interesting to see if a mix of guys like Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye and Jayson Tatum can play the 4 for significant minutes. Maybe they can in today's NBA. Looks like we're gonna see... because that almost has to be the plan going into the season.

Looks to be a fun team. I'm excited. We'll see if Hayward is back to 100% as buzz is indicating... and we'll see how the chemistry comes together.

Let's roll.

it's the Celtics, no one cares...

Go Lakers...

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I know its only the preseason and its only the first game but i'm surprised how much the Celtics are struggling.

The Hornets are a G-League team at best.

 

[The Q]

So... first game of the preseason for the C's tonight.

From my recent off-season reading, this appears to be "the plan":

The Celtics are often gonna roll with line-ups that feature 1 ball handler, 3 wings, and 1 big. Fast and loose.

Here is the pool of talent that I see competing for playing time:

Ball-handlers / Point Guards - Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Brad Wanamaker, Carson Edwards

Wings - Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye, Grant Williams

Bigs - Enes Kanter, Daniel Theis, Robert Williams, Vincent Poirier

Offense should be above average to very good. That end doesn't appear to be an issue. Kanter should thrive as a garbage guy inside. This team can run, too.

Defense and defensive rebounding appear to be the soft spots. There is some versatility and athleticism to switch on D, but the C's are gonna be undersized at the traditional 4 spot. The quality of the defense generated by the 5 spot is an open question, as well.

It'll be interesting to see if a mix of guys like Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye and Jayson Tatum can play the 4 for significant minutes. Maybe they can in today's NBA. Looks like we're gonna see... because that almost has to be the plan going into the season.

Looks to be a fun team. I'm excited. We'll see if Hayward is back to 100% as buzz is indicating... and we'll see how the chemistry comes together.

Let's roll.

I know its only the preseason and its only the first game but i'm surprised how much the Celtics are struggling.

The Hornets are a G-League team at best.

I’m curious how their outside shooting looks this year. They need another bump from the wings.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

That being said, that Tako fella is one tall bitch

 

[Gman]

I know its only the preseason and its only the first game but i'm surprised how much the Celtics are struggling.

The Hornets are a G-League team at best.

I’m curious how their outside shooting looks this year. They need another bump from the wings.

Yeah... the C's struggled, especially on defense.

Boston started Robert Williams at the 5... and he appeared to have the same types of mental lapses that he had last year. Which is disappointing.

On the plus side, other young guys such as Carsen Edwards and Grant Williams appeared to be viable options... they may be ready to contribute right out of the gate.

 

[shopson67]

That Anthony Davis fella looked pretty good this weekend though, why didn't the Celtics go after him?