Romeo Langford Thread

[CelticsPride18]

I was watching high school highlights of his senior season in HS and he’s wearing a wrap on his thumb. I think it’s possible that he was playing with an injured thumb for the last 18 months.

[radcot]

Given how well Ainge and the brain trust did with picks 22, 33, 51, and >60 (i.e. Tacko), I have full confidence that they knew what they were doing at pick 14. Time will tell of course, as it always does.

[jmr07019]

We have a glut of wings perhaps... but not a lot of ballhandlers. Tatum and Brown aren't ballhandlers. Horford is gone. Semi Ojeleye isn't that deep into the rotation, and he's completely incapable of a dribble. Once Romeo has gotten some technical polish shooting and passing out of the pick and roll, you'll have room for him to see the floor in Boston.

Smart/Hayward are the big roadblocks for minutes. Pretty easy to see them absorbing all the back-up wing minutes, even with a pretty significant dose of small ball.

Kemba (34)/Carsen(10)/Smart(4)
Jaylen (24)/Smart (24)
Tatum (20)/Hayward (20)/Brown (8)
Hayward (12)/Tatum (12)/ Semi-Grant-Theis platoon (24)
Kanter (24)/ Poirier-RWIII platoon (24)

This would include the occasional use of Romeo (or Wanamaker) in place of Carsen during those 10 minute stints (since Smart would be the main ballhandler in either case), with both of them ending up with Terry Rozier/RWIII type rookie years.

The only way other than injury or trade to open up more time is to move one of Hayward or Tatum to full time PF which I don't think Brad will do. This is the same guy that pretty much refused to play Gerald Wallace or Jeff Green at the 4. If he does, then that would open up a nice 15-20 mpg wing role that I think Romeo would do well in.

Brad almost always plays 11 guys and often 12 to 13 guys especially early in the season. People regularly complain Brad has too many guys in the rotation and I generally agree. I think Romeo will get his shot. Take 2 mins from all of Kemba, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Hayward and you got 10 minutes for Romeo.

[Slartibartfast]

Given how well Ainge and the brain trust did with picks 22, 33, 51, and >60 (i.e. Tacko), I have full confidence that they knew what they were doing at pick 14. Time will tell of course, as it always does.

It will be interesting to see how quickly he can garner Brad's trust. Carsen should have little trouble - he will pick up at 94 feet and Brad has always given bombers an unlimited greenlight. Grant is an every coach dream type of player and plays at a huge position of need (a guy with PF heft and high-level, team-oriented offensive skill).

Romeo in many ways fits the profile of Tatum and Jaylen, who had little problem getting Brad to believe in them, but they also had way less competition. Jaylen only had Gerald and James Young as competition for Crowder's back-up minutes and then the Irving trade and Hayward injury opened up a ton of minutes.

I think Romeo's best chance is us going crazy small ball. If we play Hayward as a full-time 4, he'll only have to beat Semi for a 15-17 mpg role spot in the rotation.

[Slartibartfast]

We have a glut of wings perhaps... but not a lot of ballhandlers. Tatum and Brown aren't ballhandlers. Horford is gone. Semi Ojeleye isn't that deep into the rotation, and he's completely incapable of a dribble. Once Romeo has gotten some technical polish shooting and passing out of the pick and roll, you'll have room for him to see the floor in Boston.

Smart/Hayward are the big roadblocks for minutes. Pretty easy to see them absorbing all the back-up wing minutes, even with a pretty significant dose of small ball.

Kemba (34)/Carsen(10)/Smart(4)
Jaylen (24)/Smart (24)
Tatum (20)/Hayward (20)/Brown (8)
Hayward (12)/Tatum (12)/ Semi-Grant-Theis platoon (24)
Kanter (24)/ Poirier-RWIII platoon (24)

This would include the occasional use of Romeo (or Wanamaker) in place of Carsen during those 10 minute stints (since Smart would be the main ballhandler in either case), with both of them ending up with Terry Rozier/RWIII type rookie years.

The only way other than injury or trade to open up more time is to move one of Hayward or Tatum to full time PF which I don't think Brad will do. This is the same guy that pretty much refused to play Gerald Wallace or Jeff Green at the 4. If he does, then that would open up a nice 15-20 mpg wing role that I think Romeo would do well in.

Brad almost always plays 11 guys and often 12 to 13 guys especially early in the season. People regularly complain Brad has too many guys in the rotation and I generally agree. I think Romeo will get his shot. Take 2 mins from all of Kemba, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Hayward and you got 10 minutes for Romeo.

Or to follow-up on my last post to radcot, how about something like this:

Kemba (34)/Carsen(10)/Smart(4)
Jaylen (24)/Smart (24)
Tatum (27)/Romeo (15)/Brown (6)
Grant (12)/Hayward (30)/Tatum(6)
Kanter (24)/ RWIII (20)/ Grant (4)


Of course that will fluctuate due to Brad's experimentalism, with guys like Wanamaker and Semi and Theis and Poirier getting their shots, but I think we could settle on that.

Carsen/Smart/Romeo/Hayward/RWIII (or Poirier or Theis depending on which of them defends, rebounds and screens best) would be an interesting bench 5. Lots of ball-handling. A decent amount of shooting. Pretty good defensive versatility on the perimeter. Very vulnerable defensively in the frontcourt, but you'd hope most benches wouldn't be able to exploit that as much.

[Half-Full]

Smart/Hayward are the big roadblocks for minutes. Pretty easy to see them absorbing all the back-up wing minutes, even with a pretty significant dose of small ball.

Kemba (34)/Carsen(10)/Smart(4)
Jaylen (24)/Smart (24)
Tatum (20)/Hayward (20)/Brown (8)
Hayward (12)/Tatum (12)/ Semi-Grant-Theis platoon (24)
Kanter (24)/ Poirier-RWIII platoon (24)

This would include the occasional use of Romeo (or Wanamaker) in place of Carsen during those 10 minute stints (since Smart would be the main ballhandler in either case), with both of them ending up with Terry Rozier/RWIII type rookie years.

The only way other than injury or trade to open up more time is to move one of Hayward or Tatum to full time PF which I don't think Brad will do. This is the same guy that pretty much refused to play Gerald Wallace or Jeff Green at the 4. If he does, then that would open up a nice 15-20 mpg wing role that I think Romeo would do well in.

Brad almost always plays 11 guys and often 12 to 13 guys especially early in the season. People regularly complain Brad has too many guys in the rotation and I generally agree. I think Romeo will get his shot. Take 2 mins from all of Kemba, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Hayward and you got 10 minutes for Romeo.

Or to follow-up on my last post to radcot, how about something like this:

Kemba (34)/Carsen(10)/Smart(4)
Jaylen (24)/Smart (24)
Tatum (27)/Romeo (15)/Brown (6)
Grant (12)/Hayward (30)/Tatum(6)
Kanter (24)/ RWIII (20)/ Grant (4)


Of course that will fluctuate due to Brad's experimentalism, with guys like Wanamaker and Semi and Theis and Poirier getting their shots, but I think we could settle on that.

Carsen/Smart/Romeo/Hayward/RWIII (or Poirier or Theis depending on which of them defends, rebounds and screens best) would be an interesting bench 5. Lots of ball-handling. A decent amount of shooting. Pretty good defensive versatility on the perimeter. Very vulnerable defensively in the frontcourt, but you'd hope most benches wouldn't be able to exploit that as much.

I believe Carsen will see more than 10 minutes, and that most of his minutes will come with him playing SG. Point guard minutes will largely be split between Kemba and Brad Wanamaker. Poirier and Theis? They will see some minutes. With Poirier, we have no idea at this point, but I wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be a capable player who can contribute. Just looking at his highlight videos it is apparent that he is an athletic, mobile big that has skills. Here is a pretty comprehensive scouting report on Poirier.

https://basketballscouting.wordpress.com/2019/07/08/vincent-poirier-scouting-report/

[Gomes3PC]

Man, while I really like Romeo's potential, I am already starting to wonder if we missed the boat on Brandon Clarke.

[Slartibartfast]

Man, while I really like Romeo's potential, I am already starting to wonder if we missed the boat on Brandon Clarke.

I'd the hope he turns into the next Marion? Hard for me to get past his 2guard wingspan.

[PtruthP34]

I am really excited to see Romeo play in green. I haven't seen much of him outside of highlight videos, but I get a very Pierce-like vibe from him: smooth, highly skilled big guard with deceptive athleticism and a nose for attacking the rim and drawing fouls.

He needs to show improvements in his shooting form, consistency from 3, better activity off-ball, and earn his spot in the rotation by proving himself on defense first.

[cloverleaf]

Brad almost always plays 11 guys and often 12 to 13 guys especially early in the season. People regularly complain Brad has too many guys in the rotation and I generally agree. I think Romeo will get his shot. Take 2 mins from all of Kemba, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Hayward and you got 10 minutes for Romeo.

Or to follow-up on my last post to radcot, how about something like this:

Kemba (34)/Carsen(10)/Smart(4)
Jaylen (24)/Smart (24)
Tatum (27)/Romeo (15)/Brown (6)
Grant (12)/Hayward (30)/Tatum(6)
Kanter (24)/ RWIII (20)/ Grant (4)


Of course that will fluctuate due to Brad's experimentalism, with guys like Wanamaker and Semi and Theis and Poirier getting their shots, but I think we could settle on that.

Carsen/Smart/Romeo/Hayward/RWIII (or Poirier or Theis depending on which of them defends, rebounds and screens best) would be an interesting bench 5. Lots of ball-handling. A decent amount of shooting. Pretty good defensive versatility on the perimeter. Very vulnerable defensively in the frontcourt, but you'd hope most benches wouldn't be able to exploit that as much.

I believe Carsen will see more than 10 minutes, and that most of his minutes will come with him playing SG. Point guard minutes will largely be split between Kemba and Brad Wanamaker. Poirier and Theis? They will see some minutes. With Poirier, we have no idea at this point, but I wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be a capable player who can contribute. Just looking at his highlight videos it is apparent that he is an athletic, mobile big that has skills. Here is a pretty comprehensive scouting report on Poirier.

https://basketballscouting.wordpress.com/2019/07/08/vincent-poirier-scouting-report/

I expect Smart to play the most PG minutes behind Kemba, on O at least, while Carsen could get the main defensive PG coverage assignment behind Kemba, next to Smart (with Carsen at the 2 on O). I see Wanamaker getting a little more time this season, but not much more, as he is still largely the 3rd string PG. Poirier with some minutes, but largely the 3rd-string C, and Theis mainly the backup 4 unless and until Grant takes that from him.

[LewisnotMiller]

I was watching high school highlights of his senior season in HS and he’s wearing a wrap on his thumb. I think it’s possible that he was playing with an injured thumb for the last 18 months.

Well...if you're willing to tell me he was personally tanking just so he'd drop to where the Celts could pick him, I'm willing to make him my binky.

[hickfromfrenchlick]

His team lost a bunch of games and his 3 was trash, but I wouldn't classify his year as all that disappointing. He scored well, showed strong defensive potential, hit a couple game winners and didn't get into any serious on or off court drama.

Disappointing would be Cam Reddish or Nas Little.

I think his season was more like Jaylen's at Cal, in fact less disappointing. Jaylen's shot was poor, he looked out of control and badly underskilled in the half court and his team underwhelmed.

I guess Jaylen's explosive athleticism made him more exciting.

As for his spot in the rotation, his competition is pretty intense. Shouldn't be any shame in starting out behind two recent top 5 picks with great resumes, a recent max fa signing and an all-D teamselection who sees most of his minutes at the 2.

He just stumbled into one of the league's best and most overcrowded wing rotations.

Most sites out there had him as a top 5 or near top 5 pick before the start of the college season. I think it’s fair to say he didn’t live up to initial expectations, whether due to injury or not.

Carson Edwards is clearly ready to contribute now. I think Langford spends a lot of time in the G league working on his shot and developing more with the ball in his hands. Playing next to Waters should help him too

He was 4th in PPG among top 100 freshman recruits. 10th in win shares. Shot poorly from deep but otherwise showcased one of the best scoring profiles in the draft - PNR play, iso, inside finishing, foul-drawing, runners and floaters, pull-up jump shooting out to 3. And when you narrow down to conference play, his shooting splits were comparable with RJ Barrett and better than Culver and Reddish. And he had maybe the best overall measurables outside of THT.

The fact that I really like him is probably the worst thing he has going for him (let's hear it for Markelle Fultz!), but the guy deserves some hype.

Langford is one of the best finishers at the rim in college basketball. “Among the 388 players in Division 1 to take at least 50 shots at the basket in half-court settings, Romeo Langford ranks No. 1 in finishing efficiency at 78%,” says Synergy.

https://www.indianasportscoverage.com/romeo-langford-is-college-basketballs-most-efficient-finisher/

[Gomes3PC]

Man, while I really like Romeo's potential, I am already starting to wonder if we missed the boat on Brandon Clarke.

I'd the hope he turns into the next Marion? Hard for me to get past his 2guard wingspan.

The wingspan really did turn me off, but he wrapped up summer league putting up an absolutely dominant stat line and shot the 3 well, which was one of my other big question marks. If he can hit the 3, his athleticism is so good that the wingspan thing is less of an issue as he can be more of a SF than PF.

[Higgs Boston]

If we missed a player then would be NAW, the rest of players selected beyond the 14 position don't look like lottery picks, there are players that look good but you don't waste a lottery pick in role players.

[Wes-J]

Given how well Ainge and the brain trust did with picks 22, 33, 51, and >60 (i.e. Tacko), I have full confidence that they knew what they were doing at pick 14. Time will tell of course, as it always does.

It will be interesting to see how quickly he can garner Brad's trust. Carsen should have little trouble - he will pick up at 94 feet and Brad has always given bombers an unlimited greenlight. Grant is an every coach dream type of player and plays at a huge position of need (a guy with PF heft and high-level, team-oriented offensive skill).

Romeo in many ways fits the profile of Tatum and Jaylen, who had little problem getting Brad to believe in them, but they also had way less competition. Jaylen only had Gerald and James Young as competition for Crowder's back-up minutes and then the Irving trade and Hayward injury opened up a ton of minutes.

I think Romeo's best chance is us going crazy small ball. If we play Hayward as a full-time 4, he'll only have to beat Semi for a 15-17 mpg role spot in the rotation.

They taped a paddle to his hand my gosh I've got visions of Markelle Fultz yips in my head. Bad sign.

Can't help but think we were taking Herro.

[Homerclease]

Given how well Ainge and the brain trust did with picks 22, 33, 51, and >60 (i.e. Tacko), I have full confidence that they knew what they were doing at pick 14. Time will tell of course, as it always does.

It will be interesting to see how quickly he can garner Brad's trust. Carsen should have little trouble - he will pick up at 94 feet and Brad has always given bombers an unlimited greenlight. Grant is an every coach dream type of player and plays at a huge position of need (a guy with PF heft and high-level, team-oriented offensive skill).

Romeo in many ways fits the profile of Tatum and Jaylen, who had little problem getting Brad to believe in them, but they also had way less competition. Jaylen only had Gerald and James Young as competition for Crowder's back-up minutes and then the Irving trade and Hayward injury opened up a ton of minutes.

I think Romeo's best chance is us going crazy small ball. If we play Hayward as a full-time 4, he'll only have to beat Semi for a 15-17 mpg role spot in the rotation.

They taped a paddle to his hand my gosh I've got visions of Markelle Fultz yips in my head. Bad sign.

Can't help but think we were taking Herro.

This. I think it’s obvious they wanted Herro if you put the puzzle pieces together. Can’t blame them for going with a high upside guy in his stead though

[Slartibartfast]

Man, while I really like Romeo's potential, I am already starting to wonder if we missed the boat on Brandon Clarke.

I'd the hope he turns into the next Marion? Hard for me to get past his 2guard wingspan.

The wingspan really did turn me off, but he wrapped up summer league putting up an absolutely dominant stat line and shot the 3 well, which was one of my other big question marks. If he can hit the 3, his athleticism is so good that the wingspan thing is less of an issue as he can be more of a SF than PF.

Sounds like a Danny Green.

[Slartibartfast]

Given how well Ainge and the brain trust did with picks 22, 33, 51, and >60 (i.e. Tacko), I have full confidence that they knew what they were doing at pick 14. Time will tell of course, as it always does.

It will be interesting to see how quickly he can garner Brad's trust. Carsen should have little trouble - he will pick up at 94 feet and Brad has always given bombers an unlimited greenlight. Grant is an every coach dream type of player and plays at a huge position of need (a guy with PF heft and high-level, team-oriented offensive skill).

Romeo in many ways fits the profile of Tatum and Jaylen, who had little problem getting Brad to believe in them, but they also had way less competition. Jaylen only had Gerald and James Young as competition for Crowder's back-up minutes and then the Irving trade and Hayward injury opened up a ton of minutes.

I think Romeo's best chance is us going crazy small ball. If we play Hayward as a full-time 4, he'll only have to beat Semi for a 15-17 mpg role spot in the rotation.

They taped a paddle to his hand my gosh I've got visions of Markelle Fultz yips in my head. Bad sign.

Can't help but think we were taking Herro.

I was similarly triggered, but seems irrational, no? Langford's shooting is reason numero uno he went from top 5 prospect to #14 pick. They want to get those percentages over 27%. And it's his team initiating the change, not him.

I just wish our shot doctor hadn't shot 29% from 3 and 65% from the line at West Virginia.

[Tiny ball]

It will be interesting to see how quickly he can garner Brad's trust. Carsen should have little trouble - he will pick up at 94 feet and Brad has always given bombers an unlimited greenlight. Grant is an every coach dream type of player and plays at a huge position of need (a guy with PF heft and high-level, team-oriented offensive skill).

Romeo in many ways fits the profile of Tatum and Jaylen, who had little problem getting Brad to believe in them, but they also had way less competition. Jaylen only had Gerald and James Young as competition for Crowder's back-up minutes and then the Irving trade and Hayward injury opened up a ton of minutes.

I think Romeo's best chance is us going crazy small ball. If we play Hayward as a full-time 4, he'll only have to beat Semi for a 15-17 mpg role spot in the rotation.

They taped a paddle to his hand my gosh I've got visions of Markelle Fultz yips in my head. Bad sign.

Can't help but think we were taking Herro.

I was similarly triggered, but seems irrational, no? Langford's shooting is reason numero uno he went from top 5 prospect to #14 pick. They want to get those percentages over 27%. And it's his team initiating the change, not him.

I just wish our shot doctor hadn't shot 29% from 3 and 65% from the line at West Virginia.

Now that is scary.

[CelticsPride18]

It will be interesting to see how quickly he can garner Brad's trust. Carsen should have little trouble - he will pick up at 94 feet and Brad has always given bombers an unlimited greenlight. Grant is an every coach dream type of player and plays at a huge position of need (a guy with PF heft and high-level, team-oriented offensive skill).

Romeo in many ways fits the profile of Tatum and Jaylen, who had little problem getting Brad to believe in them, but they also had way less competition. Jaylen only had Gerald and James Young as competition for Crowder's back-up minutes and then the Irving trade and Hayward injury opened up a ton of minutes.

I think Romeo's best chance is us going crazy small ball. If we play Hayward as a full-time 4, he'll only have to beat Semi for a 15-17 mpg role spot in the rotation.

They taped a paddle to his hand my gosh I've got visions of Markelle Fultz yips in my head. Bad sign.

Can't help but think we were taking Herro.

I was similarly triggered, but seems irrational, no? Langford's shooting is reason numero uno he went from top 5 prospect to #14 pick. They want to get those percentages over 27%. And it's his team initiating the change, not him.

I just wish our shot doctor hadn't shot 29% from 3 and 65% from the line at West Virginia.

To be fair Tatum and Brown have improved they’re shots after getting drafted.