Summer League 2023, Multi-Game Thread – Celtics (2-3) in Vegas, July 7-17

[Smart2Nesmith43]

The Celtics are undefeated against the Lakers in the Jordan Walsh era

It's pretty unlikely that the entire scoring package translates at the NBA level right away but for a guy that was supposed to be strictly a defender he showed some nice versatility when putting the ball in the basket (a couple threes, a mid range pull up, drives, cuts, scoring in transition).

Balcerowksi reminds me of Theis a little bit. They don't necessarily have the same game but he also comes in, does the dirty work with minimal fuss and pretty effectively even if there's nothing flashy about it.

Banton would be a really intriguing player if he didn't brick everything. Hopefully it's just rust from a guy coming back from a finger injury, but in the wider context of his career there's no reason to be super optimistic about his shooting improving much.

Can't say that I'm much of a fan of the shoot first second and third type of players like Scrubb but in fairness he displays a lot more activity on the defensive end than you would expect from a guy in that mold.

[snowman]

Balcerowski is fundamentally sound, and he's a better rebounder and defender than Kornet. But he's not going to leave the Spanish league for a two-way.

Agree. I thought of Theis when I first saw Balcerowski, mainly because he is a tall, tatted big from overseas. However, now I see that Balcerowski is a MUCH better rebounder, shot blocking inside / low post player. That's what you gt going from Theis at 6'9 verses Balcerowski at 7'1. We need to go ahead and lock him up with a contract. Since he has 0 years of NBA play, he can be signed for the rookie minimum. He can be offered a contract starting at 1,119,563.00 if he'll take it, just like Walsh. Very good 4th or 5th big.

[snowman]

I wonder what has happened to Valerio-Bodon. He was supposed to be the big scoring forward from overseas. I haven't seen him play at all. Any news on him?

[Larry_Russell]

Good win.

After a decent 1st half, Walsh took over the game in the 3rd quarter, on both ends of the floor. I loved the passion he was playing with. Not just his energy, but the passion to win.

Scrubb had a really good 1st half to keep us in the game. Then he made two nice passes for assists in the final minutes of the game to close it out.

Through 3 games, Walsh and Scrub have been our best players.

Scrubb should get a 2way.

I see shades of Jamal Crawford from him.

[snowman]

Good win.

After a decent 1st half, Walsh took over the game in the 3rd quarter, on both ends of the floor. I loved the passion he was playing with. Not just his energy, but the passion to win.

Scrubb had a really good 1st half to keep us in the game. Then he made two nice passes for assists in the final minutes of the game to close it out.

Through 3 games, Walsh and Scrub have been our best players.

Scrubb should get a 2way.

I see shades of Jamal Crawford from him.

Pretty sure that neither Scrubb nor Azubuike can get a 2-way. They both have played games in 3 different seasons in the NBA, so they have 3 years of NBA "service". Champagnie only has 2 years of service, so he can go back on a 2-way. I have a feeling that is why his contract has not been guaranteed for this coming season as of yet.

[Larry_Russell]

Good win.

After a decent 1st half, Walsh took over the game in the 3rd quarter, on both ends of the floor. I loved the passion he was playing with. Not just his energy, but the passion to win.

Scrubb had a really good 1st half to keep us in the game. Then he made two nice passes for assists in the final minutes of the game to close it out.

Through 3 games, Walsh and Scrub have been our best players.

Scrubb should get a 2way.

I see shades of Jamal Crawford from him.

Pretty sure that neither Scrubb nor Azubuike can get a 2-way. They both have played games in 3 different seasons in the NBA, so they have 3 years of NBA "service". Champagnie only has 2 years of service, so he can go back on a 2-way. I have a feeling that is why his contract has not been guaranteed for this coming season as of yet.

That makes sense.

I would rather Jay than Justin.

[Curmudgeon]

Champagnie has been lackluster IMHO. He is average at everything and not good at anything. Scrubb can put the ball in the basket, so apart from who can sign a 2-way and who can't, I'm much prefer to have Scrubb in my bag of tricks.

[31to6]

Scrubb should get a 2way.

I see shades of Jamal Crawford from him.

Pretty sure that neither Scrubb nor Azubuike can get a 2-way. They both have played games in 3 different seasons in the NBA, so they have 3 years of NBA "service". Champagnie only has 2 years of service, so he can go back on a 2-way. I have a feeling that is why his contract has not been guaranteed for this coming season as of yet.

That makes sense.

I would rather Jay and Justin.

I have mild interest in Azubuike making the big roster. He’s got an amazing body and mostly knows what to do with it. I realize he’s not a modern NBA style player, but I love lumber and he is that!

[Larry_Russell]

Champagnie has been lackluster IMHO. He is average at everything and not good at anything. Scrubb can put the ball in the basket, so apart from who can sign a 2-way and who can't, I'm much prefer to have Scrubb in my bag of tricks.

Me too.

Justin is a NG contract, drop him and sign Scrubb as his replacement.

Give me skills on the team that are great to elite. Scrubb can SCORE, at times that is VERY NEEDED.

[31to6]

Champagnie has been lackluster IMHO. He is average at everything and not good at anything. Scrubb can put the ball in the basket, so apart from who can sign a 2-way and who can't, I'm much prefer to have Scrubb in my bag of tricks.

Champaigne is working hard but so very average-GLeaguer-at-best, I’d give his roster spot to anyone and keep either him or Scrubb on a 2-way if possible.

Scrubb has a little fire in him, and an ability to drive and finish that might possibly translate to the NBA (doubt it, but possibly).

[BK_2020]

Champagnie has been lackluster IMHO. He is average at everything and not good at anything. Scrubb can put the ball in the basket, so apart from who can sign a 2-way and who can't, I'm much prefer to have Scrubb in my bag of tricks.

He's averaging 5 offensive rebounds a game though.

[Hal14]

Who was wearing Perk's old #43 -- Banton?

Yeah

[Hal14]

Champagnie has been lackluster IMHO. He is average at everything and not good at anything. Scrubb can put the ball in the basket, so apart from who can sign a 2-way and who can't, I'm much prefer to have Scrubb in my bag of tricks.

Champaigne is working hard but so very average-GLeaguer-at-best, I’d give his roster spot to anyone and keep either him or Scrubb on a 2-way if possible.

I mean, Champagnie averaged 20 PPG last season in the g league at age 21. I honestly don't know if that's ever been done before by a player that young.

Seems like one of those guys who is a good g-league player but not quite good enough to contribute for an NBA team..

[Hal14]

Pretty sure that neither Scrubb nor Azubuike can get a 2-way. They both have played games in 3 different seasons in the NBA, so they have 3 years of NBA "service". Champagnie only has 2 years of service, so he can go back on a 2-way. I have a feeling that is why his contract has not been guaranteed for this coming season as of yet.

That makes sense.

I would rather Jay and Justin.

I have mild interest in Azubuike making the big roster. He’s got an amazing body and mostly knows what to do with it. I realize he’s not a modern NBA style player, but I love lumber and he is that!

I'm fine with bringing both Azuibuke and Balcerowski in to training camp. We can carry 21 guys at training camp, so why not?

They both offer different things. And having them at training camp allows for a more thorough, accurate evaluation than limiting it to just summer league.

[keevsnick1]

Read on Twitter

Seems like a nice kid too.

Maybe he's the one we should be signing to the supermax.

Regardless of your opinion on Brown, Tatum, Brogdon, Williams, Mazzula ect ect the one thing I think every Celtics fan will agree on is they like Jordan Walsh.

He will unite Celtics nation under one banner.

[Hal14]

I wonder what has happened to Valerio-Bodon. He was supposed to be the big scoring forward from overseas. I haven't seen him play at all. Any news on him?

He's been on the bench and in uniform for all 3 games. Him and Reggie Kissoonlal have both been DNP's each game. Coincidentally, they're both guys who played in lower tier overseas pro leagues prior to joining the Celtics. So perhaps the highlight vids made them look better than they are, and they can't quite handle the increased competition..

[31to6]

That makes sense.

I would rather Jay and Justin.

I have mild interest in Azubuike making the big roster. He’s got an amazing body and mostly knows what to do with it. I realize he’s not a modern NBA style player, but I love lumber and he is that!

I'm fine with bringing both Azuibuke and Balcerowski in to training camp. We can carry 21 guys at training camp, so why not?

They both offer different things. And having them at training camp allows for a more thorough, accurate evaluation than limiting it to just summer league.

Sure but let’s cut to the chase with it — Balcerowski is a nice player but unlikely to make an impact in the NBA, and he’s apparently got a good career going overseas. Azubuike looks — to me — like he could be a useful change-up option to have on the deep bench. Generally over the last decade+ the Celtics have not gone for this sort of player so it very well may be that their relationship with Azubuike doesn’t extend beyond Summer league — we’ll see.

[31to6]

Champagnie has been lackluster IMHO. He is average at everything and not good at anything. Scrubb can put the ball in the basket, so apart from who can sign a 2-way and who can't, I'm much prefer to have Scrubb in my bag of tricks.

Champaigne is working hard but so very average-GLeaguer-at-best, I’d give his roster spot to anyone and keep either him or Scrubb on a 2-way if possible.

I mean, Champagnie averaged 20 PPG last season in the g league at age 21. I honestly don't know if that's ever been done before by a player that young.

Seems like one of those guys who is a good g-league player but not quite good enough to contribute for an NBA team..

I hereby update my assessment to better-than-average GLeague player. I am resisting getting into GLeague stats. I think Champ and Scrubb are a coin-flip and my main point was keep one of them on a 2way (if they’ll accept it) if possible, but don’t waste a real roster spot on either of them.

[zoyathedestroya]

Seems like a nice kid too.

Maybe he's the one we should be signing to the supermax.

Regardless of your opinion on Brown, Tatum, Brogdon, Williams, Mazzula ect ect the one thing I think every Celtics fan will agree on is they like Jordan Walsh.

He will unite Celtics nation under one banner.

Hopefully more than just one banner.

[Hal14]

I have mild interest in Azubuike making the big roster. He’s got an amazing body and mostly knows what to do with it. I realize he’s not a modern NBA style player, but I love lumber and he is that!

I'm fine with bringing both Azuibuke and Balcerowski in to training camp. We can carry 21 guys at training camp, so why not?

They both offer different things. And having them at training camp allows for a more thorough, accurate evaluation than limiting it to just summer league.

Sure but let’s cut to the chase with it — Balcerowski is a nice player but unlikely to make an impact in the NBA, and he’s apparently got a good career going overseas. Azubuike looks — to me — like he could be a useful change-up option to have on the deep bench. Generally over the last decade+ the Celtics have not gone for this sort of player so it very well may be that their relationship with Azubuike doesn’t extend beyond Summer league — we’ll see.

I feel like Balcerowski might be a better deep bench big for us than Azuibuke.

-Balcerowski has more size (7'1" as opposed to 6'10")
-Balcerowski shows more potential as a passer and as a shooter
-Balcerowski seems to play more mistake-free, fundamentally sound basketball, whereas Azuibuke seems like he makes more mistakes such as moving screens, careless fouls, careless passes, less IQ, less court awareness