Welcome to Virtual Boston, Yam Madar!

[Shak_Celts]

Read on Twitter

I don't like you anymore. This sent me down a rabbit hole of Kanter saying he's being blackballed. Apparently, it's not because of his defense.

Spoiler:

jk, it's all love!

[Hal14]

Look at the filthy behind the back pass out of the pick n roll, hitting the roll man right in stride, leading him to the basket for the bucket at 3:58

Watch on YouTube

[Hal14]

Is it just me or does Yam look more buff/jacked in this video?

Watch on YouTube

This is his team's latest game, 2 days ago.

Looks like he's bigger now, while not losing any of his quickness/bounciness.

[Parliament10]

When's this Kid coming over, to start practicing for the Summer League?

[Scoonie]

New video from 6/11:

Watch on YouTube

[Dogen]

New video from 6/11:

Watch on YouTube

Thanks for sharing. As the Celtics went to the finals, I've cooled off on the idea of bringing in Madar and Begarin a bit, in lieu of Brad bringing in some vet help to get over that final hump.

OTOH, we've had Yam's rights for two years. I think for some of these overseas guys, the deal sort of "goes stale" if it's not acted on. So I could see the team making a few changes and needing to reload the end of the roster.

If that is the case, maybe it's time to get him some NBA experience. He's 21 now, getting into his "man bones". Some have said that he's still not strong enough for the NBA, but when I look at this clip and think of what his body type reminds me of, he looks like a young Steph Curry (NOT COMPARING HIM TO CURRY HERE, just the body).

Anyway, he looks like a ball mover. Better passer/penetrator than Pritchard, but not as good a shooter. Why not have both of them next year?

Edit: that move at :30? Not sure if he can get that off against good NBA teams like Bucks or Warriors, but that high off the glass move -- I would have loved to see the Celtics have that in the arsenal this year. It would have helped opened up the floor at certain times.

[Hal14]

New video from 6/11:

Watch on YouTube

He looks really good in this video, obviously. Looks smooth, looks skilled. Yeah he's small but he has clearly gotten stronger physically than he was a year ago.

I think the only path for him to join the team this season is if Pritchard is traded. I don't think Udoka wants to carry too many little guys on the roster.

Now, there are some Pritchard trade rumors these past couple of days. So if he is moved, that really opens things up for Madar.

Yam could potentially be a solid backup PG in this league.

Either way, look forward to seeing how he plays in summer league. I think he was really nervous last year, was putting a ton of pressure on himself to try and make the team, first time playing at that level in the US. Plus he was playing a backup role to Pritchard last year, often playing at the same time as Pritchard, with Yam at the 2 (where he's not as comfortable). Then got hurt after only 2.5 games.

I think he'll play much better this summer. Pritchard is not expected to play this year. As of now, Madar is the only PG on the summer league roster so he'll be the guy running point, so I think he'll be able to get in more of a rhythm.

Remember, he's still only 21 - he's gonna get better and he's gonna get stronger.

[Floody100]

Why are you guys so intrigued about a guy who’s never going to play for us ? lol

[Garbanzo]

Why are you guys so intrigued about a guy who’s never going to play for us ? lol

Because he fits here better than Pritchard, and there is a small possibility we will see him play for Boston.
As someone who have watched him a lot, even live a few times, he really has potential to be a good NBA player.

Some players just have "it".
Yam was as good as Deni Avdija when Israel under under 20 won the first place in Europe under 20 tournament.
But as Avdija was the "do it all" type of guy, the leader was Madar.

Now, I know it is not a good indicator, as many great European prospects don't make it in the NBA..
But Yam Madar has "it". He was best when the lights were the brightest.

He really reminds me of Goran Dragic.
Not because they have similar style of play.. but the fact they are going to be as smart as anybody on the court and find a way to outplay you.

[Half-Full]

Why are you guys so intrigued about a guy who’s never going to play for us ? lol

"Never going to play for us" - You may be right, but that prediction is far from a certainty. I see a young player who has improved (who was pretty good to begin with). Why not be optimistic about his chances? Anyway, looking forward to seeing him in Summer League.

[ThePigeon]

He won't play in SL.
Going to represent Israel in the Eurobasket instead.

It is a better stage and competition than SL.

[Hal14]

Heck of a game today for Madar. 24 pts, 7 rebs, 7 assists.

Watch on YouTube

Yes, it was vs a college team, Auburn. But they are a good college team, ranked no. 16 in the country preseason I believe. And Madar hasn't played a single NBA game yet. Most players, prior to their rookie season in the NBA, are facing college competition. Not to mention that age 21, Madar is still the age of a college kid himself..

Obviously not as impressive as if he had done this against a good pro team, but still impressive nonetheless. Auburn has more athleticism than a lot of the euoropean teams Madar faces too..

Here are the full game highlights, rather than just Madar's highlights:

Watch on YouTube

Look at the sick touch pass by Madar at 12:35

[sam_I_am]

I’m not impressed. Deni was a lottery pick and is an NBA player. Madar is 21 yo. Yes he played well and I like the way he plays…..I just don’t see him having the minimum required NBA talent. Is there a player on Auburn even projected to be drafted?

[themoneyteam2]

Why are you guys so intrigued about a guy who’s never going to play for us ? lol

Because he fits here better than Pritchard, and there is a small possibility we will see him play for Boston.
As someone who have watched him a lot, even live a few times, he really has potential to be a good NBA player.

Some players just have "it".
Yam was as good as Deni Avdija when Israel under under 20 won the first place in Europe under 20 tournament.
But as Avdija was the "do it all" type of guy, the leader was Madar.

Now, I know it is not a good indicator, as many great European prospects don't make it in the NBA..
But Yam Madar has "it". He was best when the lights were the brightest.

He really reminds me of Goran Dragic.
Not because they have similar style of play.. but the fact they are going to be as smart as anybody on the court and find a way to outplay you.

Wait what? Pritchard is so much better than him it’s not even funny lol.

You see Pritchard as the now 10th man and essentially pushed out of the playoff rotation if the roster is healthy and Yam at best case would be the water boy on this team

[cl2117]

If Pritchard was included in a KD deal Yam feels like he'd be a solid option as a developmental 3rd PG.

I don't want a KD deal to happen but if it were to, we'd need to fill in some roster spots for whatever players are heading in the other direction. Yam/Begarin could be good options on the super cheap to fill out the roster (assuming it's an uneven deal with us sending more guys than we take back).

He's still raw but he's got some talent. Ceiling probably isn't that high but that's to be expected with non high 2nd round pick. I think Payton is going to get squeezed out of rotations when we're fully healthy with Brogdon in the fold now but that same role as 3rd string ball handler is a decent fit for a prospect like Yam.

PP I think gets underrated around here and deserves a larger role with how he's played but the minutes just aren't there (assuming we stay healthy), so moving him for better depth elsewhere and replacing him with Yam isn't a bad shout.

[Hal14]

I’m not impressed. Deni was a lottery pick and is an NBA player. Madar is 21 yo. Yes he played well and I like the way he plays…..I just don’t see him having the minimum required NBA talent.

Um, ok. Deni was a top 10 pick and Madar was pretty much just as good as Deni was in this game. How is that not impressive. These are their stat lines:

Madar: 24 pts, 7 rebs, 7 assists
Deni: 25 pts, 7 rebs, 6 assists

Deni also fouled out with like 3 mins left and Israel up by 7. If Madar and everyone else on Israel was such trash (as you imply) and if Deni is so much better than his Israeli teammates (as you imply) then why did Israel increase their lead after Deni fouled out? Israel won by 9.

And what does Madar being 21 have to do with it? Some of Auburn's players are older than him.

Is there a player on Auburn even projected to be drafted?

It's still very early, draft is very far away - too soon to tell. But as of now, I'd say Yohan Traore from Auburn is likely a 1st round pick and Allen Flanigan has a shot at 2nd round. 1 or 2 others who could be UDFA.

That doesn't even matter that much, though. UNC went to the NCAA title game last year and didn't have anyone drafted. UNC was a better team than Duke (beat Duke twice, including in the final four) even though Duke had 5 dudes get drafted.

[sam_I_am]

I’m not impressed. Deni was a lottery pick and is an NBA player. Madar is 21 yo. Yes he played well and I like the way he plays…..I just don’t see him having the minimum required NBA talent.

Um, ok. Deni was a top 10 pick and Madar was pretty much just as good as Deni was in this game. How is that not impressive. These are their stat lines:

Madar: 24 pts, 7 rebs, 7 assists
Deni: 25 pts, 7 rebs, 6 assists

Deni also fouled out with like 3 mins left and Israel up by 7. If Madar and everyone else on Israel was such trash (as you imply) and if Deni is so much better than his Israeli teammates (as you imply) then why did Israel increase their lead after Deni fouled out? Israel won by 9.

And what does Madar being 21 have to do with it? Some of Auburn's players are older than him.

Is there a player on Auburn even projected to be drafted?

It's still very early, draft is very far away - too soon to tell. But as of now, I'd say Yohan Traore from Auburn is likely a 1st round pick and Allen Flanigan has a shot at 2nd round. 1 or 2 others who could be UDFA.

That doesn't even matter that much, though. UNC went to the NCAA title game last year and didn't have anyone drafted. UNC was a better team than Duke (beat Duke twice, including in the final four) even though Duke had 5 dudes get drafted.

4/5 Duke players drafted were under 20. Auburn lost its 2 best players from last year so they still have a long way to go to be a top 20 college team. I think its great that Madar played well but game was surprisingly competitive. Summer league and G league teams would all be expected to easily handle the best college teams. Not sure how Madar skipping summer league to play against this type of competition gets him ready to be a Celtic to be honest.

[Hal14]

I’m not impressed. Deni was a lottery pick and is an NBA player. Madar is 21 yo. Yes he played well and I like the way he plays…..I just don’t see him having the minimum required NBA talent.

Um, ok. Deni was a top 10 pick and Madar was pretty much just as good as Deni was in this game. How is that not impressive. These are their stat lines:

Madar: 24 pts, 7 rebs, 7 assists
Deni: 25 pts, 7 rebs, 6 assists

Deni also fouled out with like 3 mins left and Israel up by 7. If Madar and everyone else on Israel was such trash (as you imply) and if Deni is so much better than his Israeli teammates (as you imply) then why did Israel increase their lead after Deni fouled out? Israel won by 9.

And what does Madar being 21 have to do with it? Some of Auburn's players are older than him.

Is there a player on Auburn even projected to be drafted?

It's still very early, draft is very far away - too soon to tell. But as of now, I'd say Yohan Traore from Auburn is likely a 1st round pick and Allen Flanigan has a shot at 2nd round. 1 or 2 others who could be UDFA.

That doesn't even matter that much, though. UNC went to the NCAA title game last year and didn't have anyone drafted. UNC was a better team than Duke (beat Duke twice, including in the final four) even though Duke had 5 dudes get drafted.

4/5 Duke players drafted were under 20. Auburn lost its 2 best players from last year so they still have a long way to go to be a top 20 college team. I think its great that Madar played well but game was surprisingly competitive. Summer league and G league teams would all be expected to easily handle the best college teams. Not sure how Madar skipping summer league to play against this type of competition gets him ready to be a Celtic to be honest.

Exactly why number of players who got drafted does not necessarily make them a better college team.

Auburn lost their 2 best players yes, but they return all of their other rotation players from a team that was ranked no. 1 in the country at one point. Plus they added 2 good freshmen (1 of them might be the top freshman in the SEC) and a good transfer player.

This game vs Auburn is not why Madar missed summer league for us. Summer league ended awhile ago. The FIBA world cup qualifiers is the event he played in, instead of summer league.

[cl2117]

In fairness, what more do you want from Madar?

He can only play against the team in front of him and he played really well. 24/7/7 and Euroleagues are notorious for being harsher on assist stats. I'll take that as a good thing.

It's probably fair to say that him playing poorly would be far more informative than him playing well against this level of competition as that's a major red flag. Still though playing well against decent competition is a positive sign for the kid. I'm not expecting him to be averaging 30-40 points a night, he wouldn't be a 2nd round pick if he had.

[24istheLAW]

Count me among the unimpressed. Handle doesn't look very tight. Not sure what his role is going to be in the halfcourt. Needs to be a real plus offensively with his size and I'm not sure where that comes from. Pushes the ball well in transition but that doesn't seem like a role he'd fill with the Celtics/in the NBA, he's got to be the guy sprinting to the wing to take a 3.