Draftees 2016 – Brown, Yabusele, Žižić, Jackson, Nader

[GreenFor3]

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Who needs Boogie or Blake, really

Wish he played in a more legitimate league, hope he plays in Europe next season if he doesn't come over. Has he had any big games against fringe NBA players?

I think he's going to end the year in the D-League. It depends when he gets back, but I remember that being mentioned before the season started, that he could play in China and get the money and then come back and learn our system in Maine.

[Celtic King]

Dancing Bear highlights from latest game.

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Seriously, how could anyone suggest that this could could be a bust!!

[return2glory]

just my opinions of course, but he is a d-leager at age 23. I like him and think he will make the league and has rotation potential, but not likely that he is better than Brown or Crowder.

When you say he is a DLeaguer at 23 you are only seeing the obvious. If you do any type of research of Nader and who he is as a player, you will see that there is a lot more than the obvious there.

You will find a lot of hard work and determination in his story. He has the It factor. A lot of youngs get to the NBA and are happy to just be there. From the stories I've read and heard about Nader, he isn't the type of player to be happy to get to the league.

Ok...when he is starting for the Cs come back and tell me "I told you so"

What's the point of that?

I'm happy Danny got a player in the second round that not only has multiple skills and is an elite athlete but also has to have a strong inner game.

[gocelts]

Regarding Yabs...I'll try to be optimistic but I can't assume anything based off his competition.

Is there a way we can get him over here this season? Is this league he's playing in the same league that guy Shav Randolph played in before he signed with us mid season?

[Homerclease]

Regarding Yabs...I'll try to be optimistic but I can't assume anything based off his competition.

Is there a way we can get him over here this season? Is this league he's playing in the same league that guy Shav Randolph played in before he signed with us mid season?

No, it would burn up a year of his rookie contract, Celtics aren't gonna do that

[shackles10]

I like Yabs and always check out this thread for his highlight videos, but the more I watch the more I can't help but notice he drags that pivot foot almost every time he takes someone off the dribble. He doesn't seem to have high turnover numbers, so China doesn't call it, but that quick first step might not be so quick if it comes with a lot of whistles.

I'll be optimistic though and say he's just taking advantage of loose officiating and it won't be a problem in the big boy league.

[Parliament10]

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Who needs Boogie or Blake, really

Wish he played in a more legitimate league, hope he plays in Europe next season if he doesn't come over. Has he had any big games against fringe NBA players?

I think he's going to end the year in the D-League. It depends when he gets back, but I remember that being mentioned before the season started, that he could play in China and get the money and then come back and learn our system in Maine.

Yeah, that's the same way I understood it. That Yabusele can join the D-League (G-League) once his China season was over.

[djFan71]

Shanghai Sharks 132, Zhejiang Lions 135

Guershon with 20 points (6/10, 2/3 from 3), 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks.

Jimmer Fredette with 73 points (25/49, 10/18 from 3).

I still think it was a bad idea to sign in China for Yabs. At least, Zizic is playing at a high level in Euroleague.
Even former NBA center Hamed Haddadi has a triple double 37pts/19rbs/12assists.

It's tough because you can't really look at the numbers. What you have to look for is what skills that he possesses will translate to the NBA. At worst, I see a high level Marreese Speights. At best, maybe Millsap. He can shoot, he rolls to the basket hard and with that filled out frame he has, he can finish with contact. Certainly couldn't handle the ball in space against NBA defenders but filling a lane shouldn't be a problem. Looks like he can handle a little and make a play from the high post. Obviously can shoot from distance. His biggest adjustment is going to be what those videos don't show a lot of, and that's defensive rotations. Knowing where to be and when to be there may take some time. But there is definitely "clay" to build with there.

Good comp from what I've seen. If he can be a better defending mo buckets, that ain't too shabby.

[Celtsfan1980]

Let's say Zizic ends up producing, and LeVert(picked at 20 by the Nets) ends up being injury-prone(like he was in college) or a bust. We'll say Ainge got lucky(partially correct), but do we become critical of other GM's the way we are with Ainge?

[24istheLAW]

I like Yabs and always check out this thread for his highlight videos, but the more I watch the more I can't help but notice he drags that pivot foot almost every time he takes someone off the dribble. He doesn't seem to have high turnover numbers, so China doesn't call it, but that quick first step might not be so quick if it comes with a lot of whistles.

I'll be optimistic though and say he's just taking advantage of loose officiating and it won't be a problem in the big boy league.

The last thing in the galaxy I would worry about is NBA refs calling a travel

[Gomes3PC]

Biggest concern I have with the highlights of Yabs is that in the halfcourt, all his motions with the ball are super mechanical. There's nothing fluid about the way he handles the ball. To succeed he's going to have to get by his man from the perimeter, as he's too small to just shoot over or post up guys easily as a PF.

Also, I don't think he's learning remotely anything defensively playing over in China right now. I'm not sure the NBDL would be better, but Zizic is definitely getting more coaching at that end during his time away from Boston.

[shackles10]

Spoiler:

I like Yabs and always check out this thread for his highlight videos, but the more I watch the more I can't help but notice he drags that pivot foot almost every time he takes someone off the dribble. He doesn't seem to have high turnover numbers, so China doesn't call it, but that quick first step might not be so quick if it comes with a lot of whistles.

I'll be optimistic though and say he's just taking advantage of loose officiating and it won't be a problem in the big boy league.

The last thing in the galaxy I would worry about is NBA refs calling a travel

[

He'll be a rookie so that won't help, and I've seen much more a focus on those kinds of travel called. Seems like the only ones they call really, but either way I don't expect him to be put in this type of position much anyways. I was more just saying I think his "quick first step" is deceiving as it's as much of a dribbling violation than anything.

[Jingles]

Let's say Zizic ends up producing, and LeVert(picked at 20 by the Nets) ends up being injury-prone(like he was in college) or a bust. We'll say Ainge got lucky(partially correct), but do we become critical of other GM's the way we are with Ainge?

This will never happen. We already have years and years of evidence of other GMs being far worse than Ainge at every aspect of the job, but our guy will always be judged more harshly than the rest simply because he's our guy.

[Gomes3PC]

The only guy I've seen so far who I regret passing on after Yabu/Zizic were picked is Pat McCaw, and I don't remember much of anyone fawning over him here. Brogdon is a nice rotation player but I don't know how he fits with this roster.

[Coolwhip]

If Yabs does come to the Dleague, does anyone have an estimate on how many games hed play there?

[Parliament10]

If Yabs does come to the Dleague, does anyone have an estimate on how many games hed play there?

Not so sure, but the Red Claws ony have 14 games left in the Regular Season.
Playoffs are three Rounds, Best of 3 each.

[Elrod is Back]

This is from Bulpett's Herald article posted today:

There is every expectation that Ante Zizic, the No. 23 overall pick last June, will be a part of next season’s Celts. That he’ll be on a rookie scale contract is a bonus.

There was question whether the 6-foot-11 20-year-old would be able to handle the move from Croatia to tougher competition in Turkey, but the reports have been more than encouraging.

We checked in with former Celtic Gigi Datome, who is playing for another Turkish club, and, while there is obviously still work to do for such a young player, he believes Zizic is ready to contribute in the NBA.

“He is a big body who moves well for his size,” Gigi told the Herald. “Not very quick lateral movements, but he runs well the floor and he’s pretty quick on post moves. He has feeling for the game.”

Datome noted that Zizic’s new club, Darussafaka, is a solid Euroleague club coached by former Cavaliers leader David Blatt, and that Zizic “didn’t take too long to impact the team and to get into a new system. He plays hard and shows desire to compete. He has good feeling and position for offensive rebounds.

“I like him,” Gigi added. “He is very young, and usually big men develop later. He plays like an experienced player despite his young age. He is also reliable on free throw line.”

Datome took into account the clear step up in class from the European game to the NBA, but said, “I think he can be in the rotation. He can definitely play.”

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2017/02/bulpett_celtics_plan_to_go_big_or_sit_tight_at_nba_trade_deadline

[ConstableGeneva]

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[London2Boston]

I hope the people that meltdown when Hayward and Griffin both stay where they are in Free Agency keep in mind that Fultz/Ball and Zizic would be one hell of an off season regardless.

#TrustTheProcess

[neno]

I hope the people that meltdown when Hayward and Griffin both stay where they are in Free Agency keep in mind that Fultz/Ball and Zizic would be one hell of an off season regardless.

#TrustTheProcess

Then Danillo Gallinari will be walking through the door