Welcome to Virtual Boston, Yam Madar!

[cloverleaf]

Celtics will be very fortunate if Yam Madar can legitimately make the 15 man roster. I will be rooting for him

I'm sold. I've got him in as the 3rd PG. If the C's want to bring in another PG, then Smarty has to go!

[ICeeYou]

Celtics will be very fortunate if Yam Madar can legitimately make the 15 man roster. I will be rooting for him

I'm sold. I've got him in as the 3rd PG. If the C's want to bring in another PG, then Smarty has to go!

Not sure how what happens with their 3rd string PG has to do with Smart.

Not saying Smart is on the level with Jrue, but I think people should put some respect on Smart and realize that elite defenders can have a huge impact on winning when they have two legit top tier guys to carry the mantle offensively.

[Parliament10]

Celtics will be very fortunate if Yam Madar can legitimately make the 15 man roster. I will be rooting for him

I'm sold. I've got him in as the 3rd PG. If the C's want to bring in another PG, then Smarty has to go!

Not sure how what happens with their 3rd string PG has to do with Smart.

Not saying Smart is on the level with Jrue, but I think people should put some respect on Smart and realize that elite defenders can have a huge impact on winning when they have two legit top tier guys to carry the mantle offensively.

Celts17Pride -- Yeah, I'm confused too. You talking about bringing in a 4th PG?
I don't think Smart is going anywhere, for awhile.

[ParticleMan]

I wouldn't be upset to roll with Smart, Pritchard, Madar. If one of the latter somehow step up in a big way, Smart can play the 2 as well.

I'd give that rotation a shot under Udoka before deciding what to do. Lots of potential there, yes even Smart if Udoka can rein him in.

[cloverleaf]

Celtics will be very fortunate if Yam Madar can legitimately make the 15 man roster. I will be rooting for him

I'm sold. I've got him in as the 3rd PG. If the C's want to bring in another PG, then Smarty has to go!

Not sure how what happens with their 3rd string PG has to do with Smart.

Not saying Smart is on the level with Jrue, but I think people should put some respect on Smart and realize that elite defenders can have a huge impact on winning when they have two legit top tier guys to carry the mantle offensively.

I didn't say it did. But they're not pushing Pritchard back to 3rd string and fielding a competitive vet and Smart ahead of him IMO. Smart is also more of an elite defender at the 2/3 position than the 1.

[ICeeYou]

I'm sold. I've got him in as the 3rd PG. If the C's want to bring in another PG, then Smarty has to go!

Not sure how what happens with their 3rd string PG has to do with Smart.

Not saying Smart is on the level with Jrue, but I think people should put some respect on Smart and realize that elite defenders can have a huge impact on winning when they have two legit top tier guys to carry the mantle offensively.

I didn't say it did. But they're not pushing Pritchard back to 3rd string and fielding a competitive vet and Smart ahead of him IMO. Smart is also more of an elite defender at the 2/3 position than the 1.

Pritchard struggled to find a spot in the rotation late in the year. I really like the kid, but I don’t think he’s going to be handed anything. He needs to prove he can defend and create off the dribble at an NBA level still.

[Celts17Pride]

I'm sold. I've got him in as the 3rd PG. If the C's want to bring in another PG, then Smarty has to go!

Not sure how what happens with their 3rd string PG has to do with Smart.

Not saying Smart is on the level with Jrue, but I think people should put some respect on Smart and realize that elite defenders can have a huge impact on winning when they have two legit top tier guys to carry the mantle offensively.

Celts17Pride -- Yeah, I'm confused too. You talking about bringing in a 4th PG?
I don't think Smart is going anywhere, for awhile.

There is no guarantee Yam Madar will be on the Celtics this year. People need to cool the jets. The Celtics don’t even know if Madar can play in the NBA. They will get a better idea in Summerleague.

Very good chance the Celtics send Madar back to his own league for another year

[ICeeYou]

Not sure how what happens with their 3rd string PG has to do with Smart.

Not saying Smart is on the level with Jrue, but I think people should put some respect on Smart and realize that elite defenders can have a huge impact on winning when they have two legit top tier guys to carry the mantle offensively.

Celts17Pride -- Yeah, I'm confused too. You talking about bringing in a 4th PG?
I don't think Smart is going anywhere, for awhile.

There is no guarantee Yam Madar will be on the Celtics this year. People need to cool the jets. The Celtics don’t even know if Madar can play in the NBA. They will get a better idea in Summerleague.

Very good chance the Celtics send Madar back to his own league for another year

Well, there is some smoke of course. Yam has been trying to get out of the “last year” of his deal. And the Celtics are bringing him over for Summer League, which is no guarantee of anything.

He’s a solid summer league away from having a strong chance to make the team. But he could still have a strong summer and go back to playing overseas, if day, Patty Mills is in the plans for free agency.

[cloverleaf]

Celts17Pride -- Yeah, I'm confused too. You talking about bringing in a 4th PG?
I don't think Smart is going anywhere, for awhile.

There is no guarantee Yam Madar will be on the Celtics this year. People need to cool the jets. The Celtics don’t even know if Madar can play in the NBA. They will get a better idea in Summerleague.

Very good chance the Celtics send Madar back to his own league for another year

Well, there is some smoke of course. Yam has been trying to get out of the “last year” of his deal. And the Celtics are bringing him over for Summer League, which is no guarantee of anything.

He’s a solid summer league away from having a strong chance to make the team. But he could still have a strong summer and go back to playing overseas, if day, Patty Mills is in the plans for free agency.

Patty and Smart would be a bad combo as a starting backcourt, and I don't see either Patty or Pritchard designated as 3rd string. That would just be bad roster management. Madar as 3rd string, however, could be perfect if he really does wow them this summer, which I am of course somewhat betting on here.

A buyout, if they decide they want Yam over here this season, would be chump change for the C's--particularly since it doesn't impact their cap or direct payroll at all. You could be right and he could still be a year away. I'm just saying I think they'll decide he's ready to be on the deep bench over here this season instead.

[ICeeYou]

There is no guarantee Yam Madar will be on the Celtics this year. People need to cool the jets. The Celtics don’t even know if Madar can play in the NBA. They will get a better idea in Summerleague.

Very good chance the Celtics send Madar back to his own league for another year

Well, there is some smoke of course. Yam has been trying to get out of the “last year” of his deal. And the Celtics are bringing him over for Summer League, which is no guarantee of anything.

He’s a solid summer league away from having a strong chance to make the team. But he could still have a strong summer and go back to playing overseas, if day, Patty Mills is in the plans for free agency.

Patty and Smart would be a bad combo as a starting backcourt, and I don't see either Patty or Pritchard designated as 3rd string. That would just be bad roster management. Madar as 3rd string, however, could be perfect if he really does wow them this summer, which I am of course somewhat betting on here.

A buyout, if they decide they want Yam over here this season, would be chump change for the C's--particularly since it doesn't impact their cap or direct payroll at all. You could be right and he could still be a year away. I'm just saying I think they'll decide he's ready to be on the deep bench over here this season instead.

Again, I don’t think Pritchard has exactly earned a guaranteed spot in the rotation. Forcing him to compete with Smart and Mills is a good problem.

I don’t have any real issue with a Mills-Smart backcourt if they are moving on from Fournier, though I’d prefer to have more size. So that would leave the door open for Pritchard as the backup PG.

[Hal14]

Not sure how what happens with their 3rd string PG has to do with Smart.

Not saying Smart is on the level with Jrue, but I think people should put some respect on Smart and realize that elite defenders can have a huge impact on winning when they have two legit top tier guys to carry the mantle offensively.

Celts17Pride -- Yeah, I'm confused too. You talking about bringing in a 4th PG?
I don't think Smart is going anywhere, for awhile.

There is no guarantee Yam Madar will be on the Celtics this year. People need to cool the jets. The Celtics don’t even know if Madar can play in the NBA. They will get a better idea in Summerleague.

Very good chance the Celtics send Madar back to his own league for another year

Based on what?

Just because he hasn't played in the NBA yet? That's the case for any player who hasn't played in the NBA yet - there's always some level of risk/uncertainty but that doesn't stop NBA teams from giving valuable minutes to rookies who earn those minutes every year since 1946.

Most of the projected lottery picks in this year's draft are only 18 or 19. Madar is 20, he has 3 years experience playing professionally overseas in a league that is better competition than the NCAA. He can break people down off the dribble, he's a true floor general, take charge, run the show type of PG who can score and distribute the ball at a high level, 3 level score, dangerous in transition, he's 6'3", very quick and athletic and is an elite defender (both on and off the ball).

Do you actually see something in this footage that tells you he's not capable of making our 15 man roster or are you just being a hater?

Watch on YouTube

Madar knows that nothing (roster spot, playing time) will be handed to him - he knows he'll have to earn anything he gets:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/14/sports/im-coming-work-yam-madar-celtics-latest-international-mystery-man-says-hes-ready-shine/

[cloverleaf]

Well, there is some smoke of course. Yam has been trying to get out of the “last year” of his deal. And the Celtics are bringing him over for Summer League, which is no guarantee of anything.

He’s a solid summer league away from having a strong chance to make the team. But he could still have a strong summer and go back to playing overseas, if day, Patty Mills is in the plans for free agency.

Patty and Smart would be a bad combo as a starting backcourt, and I don't see either Patty or Pritchard designated as 3rd string. That would just be bad roster management. Madar as 3rd string, however, could be perfect if he really does wow them this summer, which I am of course somewhat betting on here.

A buyout, if they decide they want Yam over here this season, would be chump change for the C's--particularly since it doesn't impact their cap or direct payroll at all. You could be right and he could still be a year away. I'm just saying I think they'll decide he's ready to be on the deep bench over here this season instead.

Again, I don’t think Pritchard has exactly earned a guaranteed spot in the rotation. Forcing him to compete with Smart and Mills is a good problem.

I don’t have any real issue with a Mills-Smart backcourt if they are moving on from Fournier, though I’d prefer to have more size. So that would leave the door open for Pritchard as the backup PG.

Pritchard played in more games than any other Celtic last year, at 66 in the shortened season, and was 3rd on the team to Rob and JB for TS% for Celtics playing more than 42 games. He also led the team in 3pt%, at .411, for Celtics playing over 34 games. Led the team in FT% for Celtics playing over 43 games. Plus they only scratched the surface of his lead guard potential. As a rookie.

[akidlittle]

After all of our failures and struggles with signing/trading for all-star point guards it'll be very symbolic and ironic to solve the issue with a late second round pick. Danny's last one

[ICeeYou]

Patty and Smart would be a bad combo as a starting backcourt, and I don't see either Patty or Pritchard designated as 3rd string. That would just be bad roster management. Madar as 3rd string, however, could be perfect if he really does wow them this summer, which I am of course somewhat betting on here.

A buyout, if they decide they want Yam over here this season, would be chump change for the C's--particularly since it doesn't impact their cap or direct payroll at all. You could be right and he could still be a year away. I'm just saying I think they'll decide he's ready to be on the deep bench over here this season instead.

Again, I don’t think Pritchard has exactly earned a guaranteed spot in the rotation. Forcing him to compete with Smart and Mills is a good problem.

I don’t have any real issue with a Mills-Smart backcourt if they are moving on from Fournier, though I’d prefer to have more size. So that would leave the door open for Pritchard as the backup PG.

Pritchard played in more games than any other Celtic last year, at 66 in the shortened season, and was 3rd on the team to Rob and JB for TS% for Celtics playing more than 42 games. He also led the team in 3pt%, at .411, for Celtics playing over 34 games. Led the team in FT% for Celtics playing over 43 games. Plus they only scratched the surface of his lead guard potential. As a rookie.

That’s all well and good but I think there were some pretty clear signs that he was falling victim to some of the weaknesses scouts had highlighted coming into the NBA.

He consistently struggled to create separation on his drives and could be forced to take tough shots. He also obviously struggled defending more athletic players.

I’m not sure we are going to see him dramatically improve in these areas as they seem to be pretty well tied to his physical limitations.

The idea that the Celtics should somehow avoid adding a veteran to maintain a rotation spot for Pritchard seems sort of silly to me. I think there’s a chance Madar could beat him out flat for a rotation spot. That’s not based on any irrational optimism about Yam, but moreso just a realism about Pritchard’s physical limitations.

It will be interesting to see if Pritchard can add anything new to his repertoire. I thought he was pretty easy to defend by years end when teams starting to get the book on him.

[theman]

I wouldn't be upset to roll with Smart, Pritchard, Madar. If one of the latter somehow step up in a big way, Smart can play the 2 as well.

I'd give that rotation a shot under Udoka before deciding what to do. Lots of potential there, yes even Smart if Udoka can rein him in.

I am not sure I want to trust point guard duties to Smart, a second year play and a rookie from over seas. I wouldn't mind seeing them bring in a vet like DJ Augustin just to have some steadying force back there.

[cloverleaf]

I wouldn't be upset to roll with Smart, Pritchard, Madar. If one of the latter somehow step up in a big way, Smart can play the 2 as well.

I'd give that rotation a shot under Udoka before deciding what to do. Lots of potential there, yes even Smart if Udoka can rein him in.

I am not sure I want to trust point guard duties to Smart, a second year play and a rookie from over seas. I wouldn't mind seeing them bring in a vet like DJ Augustin just to have some steadying force back there.

Because it wouldn't be a Celtics team without at least a couple of sub-6' players.

[Hal14]

I wouldn't be upset to roll with Smart, Pritchard, Madar. If one of the latter somehow step up in a big way, Smart can play the 2 as well.

I'd give that rotation a shot under Udoka before deciding what to do. Lots of potential there, yes even Smart if Udoka can rein him in.

I am not sure I want to trust point guard duties to Smart, a second year play and a rookie from over seas. I wouldn't mind seeing them bring in a vet like DJ Augustin just to have some steadying force back there.

1) Madar is a rookie and Pritchard is a 2nd year player. But Madar is not your typical rookie - he played 3 years professionally overseas. Pritchard is not your typical 2nd year player - he played more games than anyone on our team last year and will be 24 next year which is older than most 2nd yr players

2) The Spurs did just fine with the PG combination of Tony parker (rookie), Antonio Daniels young guy who was unproven but had potential) and Terry Porter (old veteran)..

3) I think it depends what the C's think about how well madar and Pritchard could potentially be. Yeah Madar is a rookie but rookie PG's are sometimes really good - look at Lamelo Ball who was Rookie of the year. Pritchard is a 2nd year player but look at how. good some 2nd year PGs lately have been when you look at guys like Doncic and Trae Young. Not saying Pritchard or Madar will be as good as these guys, but if the team thinks that 1 (or both) of them can be really good solid players this season, then that probably influences the team's decision on whether they add another PG via trade or free agency and if so, what type of PG they choose to add. How well Pritchard and Madar look in summer league will give us a better idea, but I'm sure the C's aren't waiting until then - they're probably exploring different options in the meantime..

[sam_I_am]

Well, there is some smoke of course. Yam has been trying to get out of the “last year” of his deal. And the Celtics are bringing him over for Summer League, which is no guarantee of anything.

He’s a solid summer league away from having a strong chance to make the team. But he could still have a strong summer and go back to playing overseas, if day, Patty Mills is in the plans for free agency.

Patty and Smart would be a bad combo as a starting backcourt, and I don't see either Patty or Pritchard designated as 3rd string. That would just be bad roster management. Madar as 3rd string, however, could be perfect if he really does wow them this summer, which I am of course somewhat betting on here.

A buyout, if they decide they want Yam over here this season, would be chump change for the C's--particularly since it doesn't impact their cap or direct payroll at all. You could be right and he could still be a year away. I'm just saying I think they'll decide he's ready to be on the deep bench over here this season instead.

Again, I don’t think Pritchard has exactly earned a guaranteed spot in the rotation. Forcing him to compete with Smart and Mills is a good problem.

I don’t have any real issue with a Mills-Smart backcourt if they are moving on from Fournier, though I’d prefer to have more size. So that would leave the door open for Pritchard as the backup PG.

Mills strength is playing without the ball and making shots. He would pair very well next to JB in back court and Tatum at SF.

[Parliament10]

Removed.

[Curmudgeon]

I think Yam's nickname should be "Sweet Potato." Maybe some people can tell the difference between as Yam and a Sweet Potato, but I can't.