Official Celtics 2021-22 Season Thread

[flintsky21]

Not sure how anyone can watch Nesmith and Langford and be like "yup, we're all set on the wing. Spoon-feed them big minutes."

That is, if you actually want to win NBA games.

Nesmith still looks really wild out there. He's all over the place and not necessarily in a good way. Last year I thought it was all due to nervous energy (since he was also airballing 3s and missing FTs). Not sure what to make of it now but hopefully he'll get better.

I kinda liked what I saw from Langford. It's apparent that Mazulla's point of emphasis on him is to be more of a playmaker. He did have 4 assists and still looked to be the most capable penetrator out there but he also had a few turnovers. The good thing is his outside shot looks good. He's quite the opposite of Nesmith. He always looks calm, collected, and almost non-chalant. He may not be the scorer we expected of him when he was drafted but he could be a nice Swiss knife type of player.

I agree though that these 2 shouldn't be locks for the backup wing spots in the 2nd unit. If we get a guy like Schroder, it slides either Smart or Richardson down to the 2nd unit, and Langford and Nesmith will have to fight over 1 backup wing spot.

[BleedGreen1989]

Not sure how anyone can watch Nesmith and Langford and be like "yup, we're all set on the wing. Spoon-feed them big minutes."

That is, if you actually want to win NBA games.

Think about the available minutes we have at the wing this year -- assuming Jaylen and Jayson stay healthy there really aren't that many to go around. There are 144 mpg at the 2-4 position and Tatum and Brown will take probably 70 of them. That leaves 74 mpg to divide up between:

Nesmith, Romeo, Richardson, Grant Williams and Smart/Pritchard (who will likely play together some). If Richardson gets ~26 mpg that leaves 48 mpg for the others. Let's say Smart/Pritchard take 10 mpg at the 2 and Grant (or some other big) gets 10 mpg at the 4. Now you're looking at 28mpg to divide up between Nesmith and Romeo. That's pretty far from "spoon-feeding them big minutes".

They're both 21 years old and have shown enough to warrant an opportunity to see what they can do in a role on the team. Post-all star game, Nesmith was pretty decent in a ~15 mpg role. Shot 46%, 38% from 3pt, played tough defense, rebounded and moved the ball. Romeo flashed a little in the playoffs. They are both 21 years old.

Not sure what the issue is unless there's an injury to Tatum or Brown. I'd much rather have a roster where our young 1st round picks have a chance to play and see if they can develop into good rotation players under Udoka than throw more journeymen (like Richardson) onto the team and see if we can scratch our way to a 5 or 6 seed.

Certainly a defensible position, I just see it getting really ugly at times this year where there's neither which Ime really "wants" to play, but won't have a choice.

Maybe that's best for the long run, but I would really feel more comfortable with a competent veteran wing thrown into the mix (ala Garret Temple type).

[Hal14]

Not sure how anyone can watch Nesmith and Langford and be like "yup, we're all set on the wing. Spoon-feed them big minutes."

That is, if you actually want to win NBA games.

has anyone said that ever?

why would anyone say we're all set on the wing with nesmith/langford when we have tatum/brown/richardson on the wing, plus smart (can play 1 or the 2) ?

why would anyone jump to any crazy conclusions based on 1 meaningless summer league game anyways?

[BleedGreen1989]

Not sure how anyone can watch Nesmith and Langford and be like "yup, we're all set on the wing. Spoon-feed them big minutes."

That is, if you actually want to win NBA games.

has anyone said that ever?

why would anyone say we're all set on the wing with nesmith/langford when we have tatum/brown/richardson on the wing, plus smart (can play 1 or the 2) ?

why would anyone jump to any crazy conclusions based on 1 meaningless summer league game anyways?

Yep, sure have.

I've made statements about wanting to add another wing and am met with quite a bit of "we're fine, Romeo and Nesmith can have those minutes".

[hugepatsfan]

Wanting to give Romeo/Nesmith minutes makes sense. But there has to be an acknowledgement of what a huge risk that is and the possibility that both of them are flops.

Romeo's defense seems super legit and you'd like the believe the innate offensive skills he supposedly came to the NBA with will eventually manifest themselves. You'd like to believe that the injuries have held him back but it's possible he's just trash on offense.

Nesmith showed some encouraging signs late last year. But he was hardly anything special. It does feel to me like a good bet that he will be acceptable on both ends to have a rotation role, but to date I only think you can say that in terms of a backend role. He hasn't shown himself to be any sort of core piece though.

[Hal14]

Not sure how anyone can watch Nesmith and Langford and be like "yup, we're all set on the wing. Spoon-feed them big minutes."

That is, if you actually want to win NBA games.

has anyone said that ever?

why would anyone say we're all set on the wing with nesmith/langford when we have tatum/brown/richardson on the wing, plus smart (can play 1 or the 2) ?

why would anyone jump to any crazy conclusions based on 1 meaningless summer league game anyways?

Yep, sure have.

I've made statements about wanting to add another wing and am met with quite a bit of "we're fine, Romeo and Nesmith can have those minutes".

oh ok. I think Langford and Nesmith have good potential but at the same time I have no problem if we add another wing, someone like Josh Hart or Nigel Hayes.

[Parliament10]

Read on Twitter

Happy Birthday Cousy!!!
___________________________________________________



OK. So we still need a Starting PG, and a Starting PF.
Some of these new guys don't seem to fit the bill.

Celtics need to make some more moves.

[Spin Move]

OK. So we still need a Starting PG, and a Starting PF.
Some of these new guys don't seem to fit the bill.

Celtics need to make some more moves.

But they won't , if stevens can get the owners to pay the tax they might get Schoreoder but that is it, and I feel that is unlikley at this point.


I don't like to be a pessimist but I don't know if we are a playoff team this season. Brad has set us up to theoretically be able to sign a max free agent next year but there are really only 2 options who won't be restricted Beal and Lavine. If we extend basically anyone we will have to use draft or player capital to move Horford's contract at that point (it might be possible to wavie and strectch him if we move some other contracts. One of Langford or Nesmith has to evolve into a reliable bench player for us to even have a shot at the playoffs. I will repeat I am not a fan of what brad has done this offseason, Even little things like having to take back Dunn's contract in the thompson trade seem like mistakes. Kemba and Fournier are now on the knicks (and i don't have an issue with not re-signing fournier) however we still have money on the books for Horford next season we only reduced the problem not eliminated it at the cost of #16 which would have turned into 2 future firsts down the road likley to be in the teens (the protections loosen on those picks the thunder got picks in a few years) which would have been perfect. If Kemba played well he would have increased his trade value and he played much better the 2nd half of last year. The bulls, heat, Hornets, Brooklyn are all better then they were at the start of last season Philly and toronto are worse but almost everyone else from the east got better and we did not. I understand why we are doing this and if it works great, but there is alot riding on 2 guys no re-upping.

[Curmudgeon]

I have no confidence in Langford. None. He did not impress me yesterday. Sure some shorts went in but he made too many mistakes for a third year guy. Right now Yam Madar is a better player.

[cloverleaf]

I have no confidence in Langford. None. He did not impress me yesterday. Sure some shorts went in but he made too many mistakes for a third year guy. Right now Yam Madar is a better player.

It's not an either or. I want them both on the team. Unless Yam or Juhann makes the team, Langford will be the youngest Celtic this season--yet again. And yeah, he was on the roster the past two years, but with injuries that limited his practice and playing time. Sure, he apparently was immature and not as dedicated he might have been while rehabbing, but he's got loads of talent, including the ability to defend and play the point some. He has a great feel for the game. He also seems to have straightened out his shot after having played on an injured wrist in his year in college. Had he not been injured, with his development thus slowed, the C's would not have been able to get him where they did. They could well use his size and court sense, even if he's still got a somewhat loose dribble and is still learning to play at this level.

Complaining about where he is as a "third-year (21yo) player" when he mostly couldn't play or practice the last 2 years doesn't really make a lot of sense.

[bisme37]

I have no confidence in Langford. None. He did not impress me yesterday. Sure some shorts went in but he made too many mistakes for a third year guy. Right now Yam Madar is a better player.

I thought his shot mechanics looked much improved. And the NBATV commenters mentioned his leadership and how much he was talking on the floor and getting guys in the right spots. So I guess I disagree with you and I do have confidence in him. (I liked Yam a lot too since that was your comparison.)

[Parliament10]

I have no confidence in Langford. None. He did not impress me yesterday. Sure some shorts went in but he made too many mistakes for a third year guy. Right now Yam Madar is a better player.

Langford, to me, is basically just finishing up his Rookie Season.
He's only played in 50 Regular Season games, across 2 years; due to injuries and illness.

Romeo showed very good signs, when he did play. Even playing in the Playoffs, both Seasons.
But, as far as actual NBA experience, he hasn't even finished his 1st year.

I'd give him a couple more years.

[Curmudgeon]

Not me. I'd trade him in a heartbeat. 4 terrible turnovers that led to Atlanta baskets. Leadership? Pritchard is the one who showed leadership.
If the commentators praised his play, it's another reason why I watch games with the sound off.

[Larry_Russell]

I have no confidence in Langford. None. He did not impress me yesterday. Sure some shorts went in but he made too many mistakes for a third year guy. Right now Yam Madar is a better player.

Langford, to me, is basically just finishing up his Rookie Season.
He's only played in 50 Regular Season games, across 2 years; due to injuries and illness.

Romeo showed very good signs, when he did play. Even playing in the Playoffs, both Seasons.
But, as far as actual NBA experience, he hasn't even finished his 1st year.

I'd give him a couple more years.

As the 8th or 9th man on the roster he is fine. Might turn into something special, perhaps just stays a 12-15 minute a game guy.

Tatum
Brown
Smart
Horford
Rob Williams
Pritchard
Richardson
Nesmith
Romeo
Kanter
GrantW
Yam

That is who I expect top 12 guys to be.

[cloverleaf]

I have no confidence in Langford. None. He did not impress me yesterday. Sure some shorts went in but he made too many mistakes for a third year guy. Right now Yam Madar is a better player.

Langford, to me, is basically just finishing up his Rookie Season.
He's only played in 50 Regular Season games, across 2 years; due to injuries and illness.

Romeo showed very good signs, when he did play. Even playing in the Playoffs, both Seasons.
But, as far as actual NBA experience, he hasn't even finished his 1st year.

I'd give him a couple more years.

As the 8th or 9th man on the roster he is fine. Might turn into something special, perhaps just stays a 12-15 minute a game guy.

Tatum
Brown
Smart
Horford
Rob Williams
Pritchard
Richardson
Nesmith
Romeo
Kanter
GrantW
Yam

That is who I expect top 12 guys to be.

Pretty good guess at this point. Probably still a couple of tweaks before October, of course.

[cloverleaf]

Not sure how anyone can watch Nesmith and Langford and be like "yup, we're all set on the wing. Spoon-feed them big minutes."

That is, if you actually want to win NBA games.

Nesmith still looks really wild out there. He's all over the place and not necessarily in a good way. Last year I thought it was all due to nervous energy (since he was also airballing 3s and missing FTs). Not sure what to make of it now but hopefully he'll get better.

I kinda liked what I saw from Langford. It's apparent that Mazulla's point of emphasis on him is to be more of a playmaker. He did have 4 assists and still looked to be the most capable penetrator out there but he also had a few turnovers. The good thing is his outside shot looks good. He's quite the opposite of Nesmith. He always looks calm, collected, and almost non-chalant. He may not be the scorer we expected of him when he was drafted but he could be a nice Swiss knife type of player.

I agree though that these 2 shouldn't be locks for the backup wing spots in the 2nd unit. If we get a guy like Schroder, it slides either Smart or Richardson down to the 2nd unit, and Langford and Nesmith will have to fight over 1 backup wing spot.

Guys like Nesmith should spend much of their summer at a pro scrimmaging camp, where they can go against other pros, with intensive coaching. I guess in a sense that's where he is now, but maybe they should have sent a team to Utah, too.

And I still think Smart and Richardson is a bad backcourt combo. The starting lineup and overall roster still need adjustment.

[sam_I_am]

Why is there no news about Smart? Is a sign and trade in the works? Is Smart offended by offer? Is the offer just for show so the team can look good even though everybody expects Smart to seek more money on open market next year? Usually the team or the player’s representatives would leak out something by now. I find it odd.

[Curmudgeon]

The deal is Brown and Smart for LeBron. Isn't it obvious?

[sam_I_am]

The deal is Brown and Smart for LeBron. Isn't it obvious?

I think that would stymie the development of Nesmith and Langford so no thanks.

[bucknersrevenge]

Not sure how anyone can watch Nesmith and Langford and be like "yup, we're all set on the wing. Spoon-feed them big minutes."

That is, if you actually want to win NBA games.

Nesmith still looks really wild out there. He's all over the place and not necessarily in a good way. Last year I thought it was all due to nervous energy (since he was also airballing 3s and missing FTs). Not sure what to make of it now but hopefully he'll get better.

I kinda liked what I saw from Langford. It's apparent that Mazulla's point of emphasis on him is to be more of a playmaker. He did have 4 assists and still looked to be the most capable penetrator out there but he also had a few turnovers. The good thing is his outside shot looks good. He's quite the opposite of Nesmith. He always looks calm, collected, and almost non-chalant. He may not be the scorer we expected of him when he was drafted but he could be a nice Swiss knife type of player.

I agree though that these 2 shouldn't be locks for the backup wing spots in the 2nd unit. If we get a guy like Schroder, it slides either Smart or Richardson down to the 2nd unit, and Langford and Nesmith will have to fight over 1 backup wing spot.

Guys like Nesmith should spend much of their summer at a pro scrimmaging camp, where they can go against other pros, with intensive coaching. I guess in a sense that's where he is now, but maybe they should have sent a team to Utah, too.

And I still think Smart and Richardson is a bad backcourt combo. The starting lineup and overall roster still need adjustment.

I still like Nesmith working on his ballhandling and trying to take guys off the dribble in this setting. This is absolutely where you should be working skills that you're not necessarily good at.