Welcome to Virtual Boston, Juhann Begarin!

[Dogen]

Begarin is on the 12 player roster to play Lithunia tomorrow (6:30PM here in France, substract 6 hours to get Boston time) with his teammates Toupane and Kamagate. Should he enter the game, that will be his first game for the senior team. This will also be Wembanyama's national team debut. Get hyped !

As an aside, Kamagate who I was advocating for in the draft thread last year, has been the second best player in the french league this year. I guess the Nuggets really know how to pick those draft and stash centers.

So that was you on the Kamagate patrol. I think Hal liked him too. Would be nice to bring in more Rob insurance/Al replacement.

Kamagate or Kabengele? Neither would get many minutes now but who is the better long term?

[Dogen]

I'm sorry but it is a ridiculous comparison. The Batum one is not much better. Their games are completely different. Nobody would make those connections if they didn't share a nationality but that has no impact on their basketball ability.

Begarin's best attributes: athleticism, good slasher and defensive switchability
Batum's best attributes: length, shooting and feel for the game
Diaw's best attributes: feel for the game, leadership and strength

If you want to make a comp for Begarin that Celtics fan will relate too, just pick early career Jaylen. Now obviously early Jaylen was in a different tier as a player and was a better shooter and Begarin probably has a better feel for the game but at least we are talking about players in a similar mold.

I see some JB in him too. That would be a pretty nice add, to have JB be able to come off the bench for JB.

[djFan71]

I'm sorry but it is a ridiculous comparison. The Batum one is not much better. Their games are completely different. Nobody would make those connections if they didn't share a nationality but that has no impact on their basketball ability.

Begarin's best attributes: athleticism, good slasher and defensive switchability
Batum's best attributes: length, shooting and feel for the game
Diaw's best attributes: feel for the game, leadership and strength

If you want to make a comp for Begarin that Celtics fan will relate too, just pick early career Jaylen. Now obviously early Jaylen was in a different tier as a player and was a better shooter and Begarin probably has a better feel for the game but at least we are talking about players in a similar mold.

I see some Sexy Pants in him. Not because he's French, tho, I just think he and Poirier have similar games.

[31to6]

I'm sorry but it is a ridiculous comparison. The Batum one is not much better. Their games are completely different. Nobody would make those connections if they didn't share a nationality but that has no impact on their basketball ability.

Begarin's best attributes: athleticism, good slasher and defensive switchability
Batum's best attributes: length, shooting and feel for the game
Diaw's best attributes: feel for the game, leadership and strength

If you want to make a comp for Begarin that Celtics fan will relate too, just pick early career Jaylen. Now obviously early Jaylen was in a different tier as a player and was a better shooter and Begarin probably has a better feel for the game but at least we are talking about players in a similar mold.

I see some Sexy Pants in him. Not because he's French, tho, I just think he and Poirier have similar games.

Really? I see that too, but the guy he REALLY reminds me of -- and, like you, of course not at all because he's from France -- is Rony Turiaf. And Jerome Moiso crossed with Tony Parker served in a ranghdu RAHNge sauce

[Smart2Nesmith43]

So that was you on the Kamagate patrol. I think Hal liked him too. Would be nice to bring in more Rob insurance/Al replacement.

Kamagate or Kabengele? Neither would get many minutes now but who is the better long term?

Just to be clear, Denver has Kamagate's draft rights so I don't how Stevens would manage to bring him to Boston.

I like Kamagate better. He's bigger, longer and just as mobile as Kabengele. I'm a bit concerned by the amount of times ballhandlers have been able to attack Kabengele and finish right through him. I don't think people will have as much success doing that against Kamagate (even accounting for the difference in athleticism between french league and NBA ballhandlers).

Kamagate is also 4 years younger so there's probably more upside there. The one thing Kabengele has over Kamagate is that he can make a three, I just don't think that he makes enough to really scare NBA defenses. Kamagate can make midrange jumpers so he might be able to extend his range in time too. Kamagate can also pass a little unlike Kabengele who is probably exclusively a dribble hand off guy with the ball in his hands at the NBA level.

In the end I don't think either evolve past rim protector/rim runner archetype that can eat a bunch of minutes in the regular season but that still has value. Kamagate seems like a safer bet to stick around for a while. Kabengele's best case scenario is probably sticking somewhere as a backup. The best case scenario for Kamagate would probably be a Capela like career. His numbers actually compare pretty favorably to what Capela put up at Chalon before getting drafted.

[Hal14]

Begarin is on the 12 player roster to play Lithunia tomorrow (6:30PM here in France, substract 6 hours to get Boston time) with his teammates Toupane and Kamagate. Should he enter the game, that will be his first game for the senior team. This will also be Wembanyama's national team debut. Get hyped !

As an aside, Kamagate who I was advocating for in the draft thread last year, has been the second best player in the french league this year. I guess the Nuggets really know how to pick those draft and stash centers.

So that was you on the Kamagate patrol. I think Hal liked him too. Would be nice to bring in more Rob insurance/Al replacement.

Kamagate or Kabengele? Neither would get many minutes now but who is the better long term?

Kamagate probably has higher upside, since he's about 4 yrs younger and about 1" taller. Kabangele is a better shooter, though.

Probably a moot point though. Nuggets own Kamagate's draft rights - I doubt the celtics would bother trading for a 21 yr old big man who was a 2nd round pick, has zero NBA experience and is currently being stashed overseas by a different NBA team..

[Dogen]

I'm sorry but it is a ridiculous comparison. The Batum one is not much better. Their games are completely different. Nobody would make those connections if they didn't share a nationality but that has no impact on their basketball ability.

Begarin's best attributes: athleticism, good slasher and defensive switchability
Batum's best attributes: length, shooting and feel for the game
Diaw's best attributes: feel for the game, leadership and strength

If you want to make a comp for Begarin that Celtics fan will relate too, just pick early career Jaylen. Now obviously early Jaylen was in a different tier as a player and was a better shooter and Begarin probably has a better feel for the game but at least we are talking about players in a similar mold.

I see some Sexy Pants in him. Not because he's French, tho, I just think he and Poirier have similar games.

I just want to see Bergarin and Davison coming off the bench together next year for our Avatar + Predator fourth quarter blowout backcourt. Going to the cup e-v-e-r-y time, throwin' up the lob to Kabengele, swingin it back out to Sam or Pritch for three, gettin Marcus jumpin off the bench.

[djFan71]

I'm sorry but it is a ridiculous comparison. The Batum one is not much better. Their games are completely different. Nobody would make those connections if they didn't share a nationality but that has no impact on their basketball ability.

Begarin's best attributes: athleticism, good slasher and defensive switchability
Batum's best attributes: length, shooting and feel for the game
Diaw's best attributes: feel for the game, leadership and strength

If you want to make a comp for Begarin that Celtics fan will relate too, just pick early career Jaylen. Now obviously early Jaylen was in a different tier as a player and was a better shooter and Begarin probably has a better feel for the game but at least we are talking about players in a similar mold.

I see some Sexy Pants in him. Not because he's French, tho, I just think he and Poirier have similar games.

I just want to see Bergarin and Davison coming off the bench together next year for our Avatar + Predator fourth quarter blowout backcourt. Going to the cup e-v-e-r-y time, throwin' up the lob to Kabengele, swingin it back out to Sam or Pritch for three, gettin Marcus jumpin off the bench.

Co-signed. That will be fun.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Solid game today from Juhann. 18 points on 6/11 shooting (2/4 from three, 4/7 from the line) with 4 boards (2 offensive), 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 0 turnover.

Boxscore: https://www.lnb.fr/elite/game-center-resume/?id=25166

[Kalela]

Solid game today from Juhann. 18 points on 6/11 shooting (2/4 from three, 4/7 from the line) with 4 boards (2 offensive), 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 0 turnover.

Boxscore: https://www.lnb.fr/elite/game-center-resume/?id=25166

Begarin is a solid player. He can become a long term Smart replacement.

[Hal14]

Begarin up to 36.1% from 3 so far this season. Last season it was 30.9%

Also, his FT% so far this season is 72.7%, up from 56.3% last season.

Dude worked on his shooting

[Hal14]

Watch on YouTube

4:42 nice baseline cut here, to get the layup

4:50 again, moves well without the ball, knows where to be with his teammate driving, sits in the dunker's spot, strong finish through contact for the and-1

5:54 nice skip pass here. This might seem like a basic play. But it's little things like this that help you get minutes and help win games. He caught the ball on the wing and was able to very quickly scan the floor to figure out what he wanted to do with the ball, and then immediately zipped the pass cross court to the open shooter for a 3. Not an easy pass to make from that far away and throw it over the top of all those players, but he put it right on the money and with some good zip on the pass, which means the pass gets their quicker and his teammate is able to get the shot off before the defender can close out

6:47 love the chase down block here. Shows good hustle, speed and athleticism to make the play.

7:05 nice move with the dribble here to create the space. He sold the drive, had the defender playing him for the drive and made a nice step-back 3. His handle looks solid on this play

Overall, he looks good out there. looks like he's in good shape, playing with good energy. Still only 20 years old - looks like a dude who could eventually be a solid wing off the bench for us.

[zoyathedestroya]

Begarin makes an appearance on this short list...

Read on Twitter

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Rough shooting game for Begarin during this week's EuroCup game gainst Buducnost Voli: 3/10 overall(1/4 from three, 5/12 from the line) for 12 points. He did find other ways to contribute with 3 offensive boards and 3 steals which is always a good sign. 3 straight wins for Paris now.

Begarin makes an appearance on this short list...

Read on Twitter

Kamagate really should be on there ahead of near 30 years old who probably won't ever come across. I feel kinda bad for him because he's better than last year when he won DPOY in the french league but he won't sniff the trophy this time because of Victor. At least they got it right with Begarin.

[sam_I_am]

Rough shooting game for Begarin during this week's EuroCup game gainst Buducnost Voli: 3/10 overall(1/4 from three, 5/12 from the line) for 12 points. He did find other ways to contribute with 3 offensive boards and 3 steals which is always a good sign. 3 straight wins for Paris now.

Begarin makes an appearance on this short list...

Read on Twitter

Kamagate really should be on there ahead of near 30 years old who probably won't ever come across. I feel kinda bad for him because he's better than last year when he won DPOY in the french league but he won't sniff the trophy this time because of Victor. At least they got it right with Begarin.

Like you said, most of those stashes are 27-28 years old. The fact that Begarin is in this conversation at 20 is really exciting. If he becomes the player we all hope he will be - our wing depth with Tatum/Brown/Hauser and a Tony Allen/taller Avery Bradley type wing - would be insane.

[shackles10]

Especially for his draft position and cost he’s an exciting prospect who improved a lot from one summer league to another and appears to be getting better. The question though is where does he fit in the roster. Beyond him with Davidson, Kabengele, Gallo even it becomes crowded.

Tatum, Brown, Smart, Timelord, Horford, Grant, Brogdon, White, Hauser, Gallo, Pritchard, throw in Kornet if they’re sold on him is already 12. Begarin and JD makes 14. Who are they bumping or who are we consolidating to make any of these end of bench guys more than that. Pritchard and Kornet are the most obvious candidates but then we need a 5 and probably a shooter which you can’t say JD or Begarin are either.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

4th straight win for Paris. Productive game for Begarin even though his dip in free throw shooting in recent games in slightly concerning. 17 points on 7/14 shooting (0/4 from three, 3/8 from the line). 4 boards, 6 assists, 8 fouls drawn, 1 turnover and +13 in a 8 point win.

Boxscore: https://www.lnb.fr/elite/game-center-resume/?id=25176

[31to6]

Especially for his draft position and cost he’s an exciting prospect who improved a lot from one summer league to another and appears to be getting better. The question though is where does he fit in the roster. Beyond him with Davidson, Kabengele, Gallo even it becomes crowded.

Tatum, Brown, Smart, Timelord, Horford, Grant, Brogdon, White, Hauser, Gallo, Pritchard, throw in Kornet if they’re sold on him is already 12. Begarin and JD makes 14. Who are they bumping or who are we consolidating to make any of these end of bench guys more than that. Pritchard and Kornet are the most obvious candidates but then we need a 5 and probably a shooter which you can’t say JD or Begarin are either.

experience says things always change, sometimes unexpectedly. Also: throw Gallo away

Smart/JB/JT/Al/RW
Brog/White/Hauser/Grant/Kornet?
Pritch/JD/Begarin/vonleh-blake-kabengele-whatever

Not a new thought but it wouldn't be surprising if at some point they moved someone out of the Smart/Brogdon/White overload for "a big" -- in that scenario, JD and Begarin would give them confidence that they could do so with someone cheap in the pipeline, who can put any available minutes to good use

I don't have a suggestion for who that 'big' is (I used to say John Collins, but can't really feign interest any more, maybe Olynyk is my new binky here), and think that organizationally we might love playing fast and skilled more than valuing "bigs" just for the role's sake.

Perhaps a good chunk of that depends on what Rob's health/reliability looks like from now through the offseason.

[Hal14]

4th straight win for Paris. Productive game for Begarin even though his dip in free throw shooting in recent games in slightly concerning. 17 points on 7/14 shooting (0/4 from three, 3/8 from the line). 4 boards, 6 assists, 8 fouls drawn, 1 turnover and +13 in a 8 point win.

Boxscore: https://www.lnb.fr/elite/game-center-resume/?id=25176

17, 4 and 6 in a win for a 20 year old in France's top pro league is very good. Go get em, Juhann!

[shackles10]

Especially for his draft position and cost he’s an exciting prospect who improved a lot from one summer league to another and appears to be getting better. The question though is where does he fit in the roster. Beyond him with Davidson, Kabengele, Gallo even it becomes crowded.

Tatum, Brown, Smart, Timelord, Horford, Grant, Brogdon, White, Hauser, Gallo, Pritchard, throw in Kornet if they’re sold on him is already 12. Begarin and JD makes 14. Who are they bumping or who are we consolidating to make any of these end of bench guys more than that. Pritchard and Kornet are the most obvious candidates but then we need a 5 and probably a shooter which you can’t say JD or Begarin are either.

experience says things always change, sometimes unexpectedly. Also: throw Gallo away

Smart/JB/JT/Al/RW
Brog/White/Hauser/Grant/Kornet?
Pritch/JD/Begarin/vonleh-blake-kabengele-whatever

Not a new thought but it wouldn't be surprising if at some point they moved someone out of the Smart/Brogdon/White overload for "a big" -- in that scenario, JD and Begarin would give them confidence that they could do so with someone cheap in the pipeline, who can put any available minutes to good use

I don't have a suggestion for who that 'big' is (I used to say John Collins, but can't really feign interest any more, maybe Olynyk is my new binky here), and think that organizationally we might love playing fast and skilled more than valuing "bigs" just for the role's sake.

Perhaps a good chunk of that depends on what Rob's health/reliability looks like from now through the offseason.

Even with no Gallo there’s still most of the rotation seemingly set. And as you mentioned, there’s going to be a big added even if most of the end of bench bigs from this year are gone. A consolidation would be nice but not easy either.