Welcome to Boston, Xavier Tillman!

[Smart2Nesmith43]

It has been months but I still don't understand how/why the league let the Celtics acquire and resign Tillman for peanuts.

[Fencer reregistered]

It has been months but I still don't understand how/why the league let the Celtics acquire and resign Tillman for peanuts.

Because the Celtics are the elephant.

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

[redslastlaugh]

I’ve come to the unpleasant conclusion that the Celtics have broken Xavier Tillman as a functioning NBA player.
In 2022-23 Tillman played 1200 minutes in Memphis as a burly but switchable defender with a high defensive IQ. He shot 5% of his attempts as 3PTA. On offense he moved the ball well out of the short roll.
In 2024-25, Tillman is attempting 56% of his attempts from 3PTA, at the coaches’ insistence. He is converting <20% of those attempts. He’s not utilized as a passer in the short roll. His PER is under *3* as a big man.
Obviously, he may have health, or other issues, but he is completely broken as a player.

We’ll always have game 3, tho. We’ll never forget you, X-man

[phincsfan]

I’ve come to the unpleasant conclusion that the Celtics have broken Xavier Tillman as a functioning NBA player.
In 2022-23 Tillman played 1200 minutes in Memphis as a burly but switchable defender with a high defensive IQ. He shot 5% of his attempts as 3PTA. On offense he moved the ball well out of the short roll.
In 2024-25, Tillman is attempting 56% of his attempts from 3PTA, at the coaches’ insistence. He is converting <20% of those attempts. He’s not utilized as a passer in the short roll. His PER is under *3* as a big man.
Obviously, he may have health, or other issues, but he is completely broken as a player.

We’ll always have game 3, tho. We’ll never forget you, X-man

There’s definitely a different coaching philosophy going on. Although Memphis has had a bunch of injuries the last few seasons, Jenkins put an emphasis on spreading minutes out. Seemed to work the players skills into the system rather than work the system into the player.

Looking back to XMans first year, it seemed players who got in 50+ games played over 15mpg. That’s a lot of minutes for a 10th or 11th guy.

I think X is a good player who just needs to get back to playing regularly. Unfortunately it seems like it won’t happen in Boston. He’s not a 3pt shooter the way AL is. He’s a paint filler who can grab some rebounds, make a pass or two and make a put back or two. Give the regulars a rest during the game. Jenkins trusted him enough and Memphis had a winning record his first 3 seasons in the league so something good was happening.

If he can pass a physical after the season he’ll be a serviceable big someplace in the league.

[165bows]

I’ve come to the unpleasant conclusion that the Celtics have broken Xavier Tillman as a functioning NBA player.
In 2022-23 Tillman played 1200 minutes in Memphis as a burly but switchable defender with a high defensive IQ. He shot 5% of his attempts as 3PTA. On offense he moved the ball well out of the short roll.
In 2024-25, Tillman is attempting 56% of his attempts from 3PTA, at the coaches’ insistence. He is converting <20% of those attempts. He’s not utilized as a passer in the short roll. His PER is under *3* as a big man.
Obviously, he may have health, or other issues, but he is completely broken as a player.

We’ll always have game 3, tho. We’ll never forget you, X-man

Damn this is extremely well put and expresses perfectly my feelings about Tillman. I wish I had written this post lol.

Don’t have anything else to add even other than hopefully it clicks here for him but my optimism has been fading.

Hopefully he and Leon Powe can get a podcast together someday if not.

[31to6]

I’ve come to the unpleasant conclusion that the Celtics have broken Xavier Tillman as a functioning NBA player.
In 2022-23 Tillman played 1200 minutes in Memphis as a burly but switchable defender with a high defensive IQ. He shot 5% of his attempts as 3PTA. On offense he moved the ball well out of the short roll.
In 2024-25, Tillman is attempting 56% of his attempts from 3PTA, at the coaches’ insistence. He is converting <20% of those attempts. He’s not utilized as a passer in the short roll. His PER is under *3* as a big man.
Obviously, he may have health, or other issues, but he is completely broken as a player.

We’ll always have game 3, tho. We’ll never forget you, X-man

Damn this extremely well put and expresses perfectly my feelings about Tillman. I wish I had written this post lol.

Don’t have anything else to add even other than hopefully it clicks here for him but my optimism has been fading.

Hopefully he and Leon Powe can get a podcast together someday if not.

I was one of the main Xavier boosters, switchable heady big body with evidence of a jump shot, but I've long since run out of steam. I argued against this at the start of the season, but maybe his knee really is **** up way more than we know. Or Red's right about the Celtics scrambling his brain in terms of how they've tried to get him to play. It's whatever. Queta has leapfrogged him by leaps and bounds in terms of developmental big prospects.

And much as I've loved Xavier, please don't conflate his Finals performance with Leon's. Xavier provided a few serviceable minutes and hit a corner 3. Leon ran the Lakers off the damn court.

[Parasite]

I made a thread on this 2 or 3 months ago. He just looks terrible whenever he’s out there. Like he doesn’t belong in the league. He looks like he should be playing in a YMCA league or something. Very head-scratching. And yes, not sure if the poster was trying to compare him with Leon, but that’s a huge slap in the face to Leon if so.

[165bows]

I’ve come to the unpleasant conclusion that the Celtics have broken Xavier Tillman as a functioning NBA player.
In 2022-23 Tillman played 1200 minutes in Memphis as a burly but switchable defender with a high defensive IQ. He shot 5% of his attempts as 3PTA. On offense he moved the ball well out of the short roll.
In 2024-25, Tillman is attempting 56% of his attempts from 3PTA, at the coaches’ insistence. He is converting <20% of those attempts. He’s not utilized as a passer in the short roll. His PER is under *3* as a big man.
Obviously, he may have health, or other issues, but he is completely broken as a player.

We’ll always have game 3, tho. We’ll never forget you, X-man

Damn this extremely well put and expresses perfectly my feelings about Tillman. I wish I had written this post lol.

Don’t have anything else to add even other than hopefully it clicks here for him but my optimism has been fading.

Hopefully he and Leon Powe can get a podcast together someday if not.

I was one of the main Xavier boosters, switchable heady big body with evidence of a jump shot, but I've long since run out of steam. I argued against this at the start of the season, but maybe his knee really is **** up way more than we know. Or Red's right about the Celtics scrambling his brain in terms of how they've tried to get him to play. It's whatever. Queta has leapfrogged him by leaps and bounds in terms of developmental big prospects.

And much as I've loved Xavier, please don't conflate his Finals performance with Leon's. Xavier provided a few serviceable minutes and hit a corner 3. Leon ran the Lakers off the damn court.

That’s what I was going to say about Torrey Craig and James Posey!!!!!!

[Parliament10]

I’ve come to the unpleasant conclusion that the Celtics have broken Xavier Tillman as a functioning NBA player.
In 2022-23 Tillman played 1200 minutes in Memphis as a burly but switchable defender with a high defensive IQ. He shot 5% of his attempts as 3PTA. On offense he moved the ball well out of the short roll.
In 2024-25, Tillman is attempting 56% of his attempts from 3PTA, at the coaches’ insistence. He is converting <20% of those attempts. He’s not utilized as a passer in the short roll. His PER is under *3* as a big man.
Obviously, he may have health, or other issues, but he is completely broken as a player.

We’ll always have game 3, tho. We’ll never forget you, X-man

Damn this extremely well put and expresses perfectly my feelings about Tillman. I wish I had written this post lol.

Don’t have anything else to add even other than hopefully it clicks here for him but my optimism has been fading.

Hopefully he and Leon Powe can get a podcast together someday if not.

I was one of the main Xavier boosters, switchable heady big body with evidence of a jump shot, but I've long since run out of steam. I argued against this at the start of the season, but maybe his knee really is **** up way more than we know. Or Red's right about the Celtics scrambling his brain in terms of how they've tried to get him to play. It's whatever. Queta has leapfrogged him by leaps and bounds in terms of developmental big prospects.

And much as I've loved Xavier, please don't conflate his Finals performance with Leon's. Xavier provided a few serviceable minutes and hit a corner 3. Leon ran the Lakers off the damn court.

Great player. Really helped us Win Banner 17.

I made a thread on this 2 or 3 months ago. He just looks terrible whenever he’s out there. Like he doesn’t belong in the league. He looks like he should be playing in a YMCA league or something. Very head-scratching. And yes, not sure if the poster was trying to compare him with Leon, but that’s a huge slap in the face to Leon if so.

Leon Powe still works with the Celtics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Powe

Leon Powe works as a community ambassador for the Boston Celtics. He was hired in 2014.

[Parliament10]

Damn this extremely well put and expresses perfectly my feelings about Tillman. I wish I had written this post lol.

Don’t have anything else to add even other than hopefully it clicks here for him but my optimism has been fading.

Hopefully he and Leon Powe can get a podcast together someday if not.

I was one of the main Xavier boosters, switchable heady big body with evidence of a jump shot, but I've long since run out of steam. I argued against this at the start of the season, but maybe his knee really is **** up way more than we know. Or Red's right about the Celtics scrambling his brain in terms of how they've tried to get him to play. It's whatever. Queta has leapfrogged him by leaps and bounds in terms of developmental big prospects.

And much as I've loved Xavier, please don't conflate his Finals performance with Leon's. Xavier provided a few serviceable minutes and hit a corner 3. Leon ran the Lakers off the damn court.

That’s what I was going to say about Torrey Craig and James Posey!!!!!!

We should have kept James Posey.
He helped us a great deal, as well.

[Fierce1]

I was one of the main Xavier boosters, switchable heady big body with evidence of a jump shot, but I've long since run out of steam. I argued against this at the start of the season, but maybe his knee really is **** up way more than we know. Or Red's right about the Celtics scrambling his brain in terms of how they've tried to get him to play. It's whatever. Queta has leapfrogged him by leaps and bounds in terms of developmental big prospects.

And much as I've loved Xavier, please don't conflate his Finals performance with Leon's. Xavier provided a few serviceable minutes and hit a corner 3. Leon ran the Lakers off the damn court.

That’s what I was going to say about Torrey Craig and James Posey!!!!!!

We should have kept James Posey.
He helped us a great deal, as well.

I truly believe keeping Posey would have allowed the Cs to beat the Lakers in 2010.

Letting Posey go because Wyc didn't want to give Posey that 4th year for 6m cost the Cs a chip IMO.

[darrendaye]

I’ve come to the unpleasant conclusion that the Celtics have broken Xavier Tillman as a functioning NBA player.
In 2022-23 Tillman played 1200 minutes in Memphis as a burly but switchable defender with a high defensive IQ. He shot 5% of his attempts as 3PTA. On offense he moved the ball well out of the short roll.
In 2024-25, Tillman is attempting 56% of his attempts from 3PTA, at the coaches’ insistence. He is converting <20% of those attempts. He’s not utilized as a passer in the short roll. His PER is under *3* as a big man.
Obviously, he may have health, or other issues, but he is completely broken as a player.

We’ll always have game 3, tho. We’ll never forget you, X-man

Damn this extremely well put and expresses perfectly my feelings about Tillman. I wish I had written this post lol.

Don’t have anything else to add even other than hopefully it clicks here for him but my optimism has been fading.

Hopefully he and Leon Powe can get a podcast together someday if not.

I was one of the main Xavier boosters, switchable heady big body with evidence of a jump shot, but I've long since run out of steam. I argued against this at the start of the season, but maybe his knee really is **** up way more than we know. Or Red's right about the Celtics scrambling his brain in terms of how they've tried to get him to play. It's whatever. Queta has leapfrogged him by leaps and bounds in terms of developmental big prospects.

And much as I've loved Xavier, please don't conflate his Finals performance with Leon's. Xavier provided a few serviceable minutes and hit a corner 3. Leon ran the Lakers off the damn court.

This system has little contingencies for non-shooters who aren't 7ft., worsened by the increase in iso play. This isn't necessarily a criticism, but Brad should come to terms with it in how the roster evolves in the next couple of years.

[31to6]

Damn this extremely well put and expresses perfectly my feelings about Tillman. I wish I had written this post lol.

Don’t have anything else to add even other than hopefully it clicks here for him but my optimism has been fading.

Hopefully he and Leon Powe can get a podcast together someday if not.

I was one of the main Xavier boosters, switchable heady big body with evidence of a jump shot, but I've long since run out of steam. I argued against this at the start of the season, but maybe his knee really is **** up way more than we know. Or Red's right about the Celtics scrambling his brain in terms of how they've tried to get him to play. It's whatever. Queta has leapfrogged him by leaps and bounds in terms of developmental big prospects.

And much as I've loved Xavier, please don't conflate his Finals performance with Leon's. Xavier provided a few serviceable minutes and hit a corner 3. Leon ran the Lakers off the damn court.

That’s what I was going to say about Torrey Craig and James Posey!!!!!!

I deserve that, though I’ve couched the comparison in “dream scenario” and “unlikely to have a big enough role for it to happen.”

Real ones (named djfan) know I love Posey enough I wanted him to replace Brad as coach:)

[djFan71]

I was one of the main Xavier boosters, switchable heady big body with evidence of a jump shot, but I've long since run out of steam. I argued against this at the start of the season, but maybe his knee really is **** up way more than we know. Or Red's right about the Celtics scrambling his brain in terms of how they've tried to get him to play. It's whatever. Queta has leapfrogged him by leaps and bounds in terms of developmental big prospects.

And much as I've loved Xavier, please don't conflate his Finals performance with Leon's. Xavier provided a few serviceable minutes and hit a corner 3. Leon ran the Lakers off the damn court.

That’s what I was going to say about Torrey Craig and James Posey!!!!!!

I deserve that, though I’ve couched the comparison in “dream scenario” and “unlikely to have a big enough role for it to happen.”

Real ones (named djfan) know I love Posey enough I wanted him to replace Brad as coach:)

Pure Posey passion verified. Bonus points for conflate.

[zoyathedestroya]

I would trade him for Jokic if CBA allowed it and if Nuggets were run by Rico Garrison.

[ThePigeon]

Trade deadline is over
X can now play to his full potential
Watch him burn Miami today

[phincsfan]

Trade deadline is over
X can now play to his full potential
Watch him burn Miami today

I thought that when he entered the game on Sat.

6 minutes and a -12 later my hope faded.

[Dogen]

I'm not too concerned about Tillman. Deadline has passed. He's here and settled with family. We know about the injury. Affordable contract. With Kornet and Queta we have other serviceable bigs. There is a roster spot open. Watson on 2-Way.

Comparisons to Powe are intriquing. That Lakers game from Leon is my all-time favorite Celtics role layer goose bump moment. We should recall that Powe, too, was "broken down". He put his career on the line to play through the pain and for a moment put the entire team on his back.

We don't know the full story about X, but he seems wired the same way. Even though he doesn't look that great now, I think Joe knows that he's the kind of guy you can put on the floor in a big game when you really need a rebound.

[ThePigeon]

Trade deadline is over
X can now play to his full potential
Watch him burn Miami today

I thought that when he entered the game on Sat.

6 minutes and a -12 later my hope faded.

It is as if he was the only one responsible for the -12...

He'll come through when needed