Appreciation Thread, Anton Watson (Boston/Maine) – (Waived March 2, 2025)

[Fencer reregistered]

What is wrong with this guy that I don’t know? He has a hook-shot from every angle, floater, fadeaway, midrange, take you off the drible, thunderous dunks, and cant hit the three! He has touch and knows how to use the glass. He can pass and knows how to position himself and direct his teammates on offense! Sets screens. Can roll! He’s not fast but has a quick first step. Gives excellent passing angles for his guys to get him the ball! He is tough, goes through folks chest without being knocked off square! Looks like he just KNOWS what to do offensively like a big PG without the body. He’s always moving! Then he’s a switchable defender, who steals the ball like someone took it from his mother! Edit: not a dunker but has some nice ones that look easy.

He seems like an offensive beast! Wth am i missing?! I was impressed with his D potential but man this dude is an offensive sleeper!!! I deadass kept saying, “oh, thats in his bag too?!” He’s so versatile, he could have had more offensive responsibilities! Every shot he takes is easy/smooth make or miss! He is never rushed! He has solid handles!

I must be going crazy?!! I’m actually shocked.

I see what you see, but I also note that the highlight videos don't show any missed shots.

[Fierce1]

Another pick that's hard to believe that fell all the way to #54.

[Fencer reregistered]

My favorite sequence from the video was around 2:30, when he blocked a shot on the perimeter and then immediately stripped the opponent who caught the loose ball.

Well, it was a strip to an out of bounds change of possession rather than a breakaway transition score, but that only diminished it a little.

[Shak_Celts]

What is wrong with this guy that I don’t know? He has a hook-shot from every angle, floater, fadeaway, midrange, take you off the drible, thunderous dunks, and cant hit the three! He has touch and knows how to use the glass. He can pass and knows how to position himself and direct his teammates on offense! Sets screens. Can roll! He’s not fast but has a quick first step. Gives excellent passing angles for his guys to get him the ball! He is tough, goes through folks chest without being knocked off square! Looks like he just KNOWS what to do offensively like a big PG without the body. He’s always moving! Then he’s a switchable defender, who steals the ball like someone took it from his mother! Edit: not a dunker but has some nice ones that look easy.

He seems like an offensive beast! Wth am i missing?! I was impressed with his D potential but man this dude is an offensive sleeper!!! I deadass kept saying, “oh, thats in his bag too?!” He’s so versatile, he could have had more offensive responsibilities! Every shot he takes is easy/smooth make or miss! He is never rushed! He has solid handles!

I must be going crazy?!! I’m actually shocked.

I see what you see, but I also note that the highlight videos don't show any missed shots.

They do. He misses and gets the putback or his teammate does and he gets right back in prime position to score. He can cut, just smart cutting! He never stops moving and directing on offense. He cuts so often because he keeps moving they always lose track of him. Footwork. Out there with the turnaround fadeaway. Not just moving to move either, methodical/purposeful! Offensive rebounds. He has a nose! Smart asl!

[ConstableGeneva]

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[ConstableGeneva]

Odd coincidence... Celtics played the Pacers in the ECF. Andrew Nembhard kinda led them esp after Haliburton sat. Andrew Nembhard's younger brother Ryan, was teammates with BOTH Baylor Scheierman in Creighton and Anton Watson in Gonzaga, the two guys that just got drafted by the Celtics, who played the Pacers in the ECF. Andrew Nembhard kinda led them esp after Haliburton sat. Andrew Nembhard's younger brother Ryan, was teammates with BOTH Baylor Scheierman in Creighton and Anton Watson in Gonzaga, the two guys that just got drafted by the Celtics, who played the Pacers in the ECF. Andrew Nembhard kinda led them esp after Haliburton sat. Andrew Nembhard's younger brother Ryan, was teammates with BOTH Baylor Scheierman in Creighton and Anton Watson in Gonzaga, the two guys that just got drafted by the Celtics, who played the Pacers in the ECF. Andrew Nembhard kinda led them esp after Haliburton sat. Andrew Nembhard's younger brother Ryan, was teammates with BOTH Baylor Scheierman in Creighton and Anton Watson in Gonzaga, the two guys that just got drafted by the Celtics, who played the Pacers in the ECF. Andrew Nembhard kinda led them esp after Haliburton sat. Andrew Nembhard's younger brother Ryan, was teammates with BOTH Baylor Scheierman in Creighton and Anton Watson in Gonzaga, the two guys that just got drafted by the Celtics.

[Memokerobi]

Here’s your hour long highlight video

https://youtu.be/QjAJuamIlsA?si=xK_27DQu6qLsWUbw

[lon3lytoaster]

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Pacifo is a decent beer, good for him. Much better than Taco Bell.

Feel like I'm losing my mind watching highlights from a 54th pick at 5:30-6am but first observation is he has really great hands. Those finishes and the floaters around the rim are tough.

[ConstableGeneva]

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[Hal14]

I see his role on offense similar to what Aaron Gordon's is, living in transition, easy cuts, and passes to the dunkers spot.

Good comp. I hadn't thought of that one.

Obviously he doesn't have the athleticism/bounce of early career Aaron Gordon. But Nuggets version? Yes, I would say that if pretty much his ceiling - and that's obviously a very good ceiling - especially for a guy picked as late in the draft as 54..

Nuggets version Aaron Gordon and Celtics version Horford and Tillman.he should study that crap out of those guys - Kyle Anderson too.

Luckily, he has 2 of them as teammates who he can learn from up close everyday.

[sam_I_am]

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There is an element to his game that reminds me of Paul Pierce, obviously at a different level, in that he seems too slow, too earthbound and then deceptively finishes with thunder. He seems incredibly skilled and versatile and also taller than 6-8. I just hope he isn’t a taller version of Denzel Valentine who had a complete game but wasn’t up to NBA standards athletically. Either way, I think he will look great in Summer League.

[Hal14]

Feel like I'm losing my mind watching highlights from a 54th pick at 5:30-6am but first observation is he has really great hands. Those finishes and the floaters around the rim are tough.

Yeah I've seen a couple of scouting reports now that say his hands are his best attribute..on offense catching tough passes, getting to rebounds, loose balls.

And on defense having quick hands to get deflections, steals and blocks - or just bother the offensive player enough so they make a mistake, throw them off their rhythm..

[ConstableGeneva]

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There is an element to his game that reminds me of Paul Pierce, obviously at a different level, in that he seems too slow, too earthbound and then deceptively finishes with thunder. He seems incredibly skilled and versatile and also taller than 6-8. I just hope he isn’t a taller version of Denzel Valentine who had a complete game but wasn’t up to NBA standards athletically. Either way, I think he will look great in Summer League.

My first impression is post-injury Jabari Parker. Or the Jabari Parker who played for the Celtics.

[Homerclease]

What is wrong with this guy that I don’t know? He has a hook-shot from every angle, floater, fadeaway, midrange, take you off the drible, thunderous dunks, and cant hit the three! He has touch and knows how to use the glass. He can pass and knows how to position himself and direct his teammates on offense! Sets screens. Can roll! He’s not fast but has a quick first step. Gives excellent passing angles for his guys to get him the ball! He is tough, goes through folks chest without being knocked off square! Looks like he just KNOWS what to do offensively like a big PG without the body. He’s always moving! Then he’s a switchable defender, who steals the ball like someone took it from his mother! Edit: not a dunker but has some nice ones that look easy.

He seems like an offensive beast! Wth am i missing?! I was impressed with his D potential but man this dude is an offensive sleeper!!! I deadass kept saying, “oh, thats in his bag too?!” He’s so versatile, he could have had more offensive responsibilities! Every shot he takes is easy/smooth make or miss! He is never rushed! He has solid handles!

I must be going crazy?!! I’m actually shocked.

I see what you see, but I also note that the highlight videos don't show any missed shots.

They do. He misses and gets the putback or his teammate does and he gets right back in prime position to score. He can cut, just smart cutting! He never stops moving and directing on offense. He cuts so often because he keeps moving they always lose track of him. Footwork. Out there with the turnaround fadeaway. Not just moving to move either, methodical/purposeful! Offensive rebounds. He has a nose! Smart asl!

Long story short, he’s old for a draft pick

[Hal14]

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"When you're not picking in the top 5 or 10 of the draft, you're not weighing that stuff quite as strongly"

That stuff being age.

The guys who go in the top 5 or 10 picks (guys like Tatum, Brown, Luka, Trae Young, Wemby, Paolo, Anthony Edwards, Lamelo, etc.) are typically 18/19 yr old kids.

Brad is saying later in the draft, age is not as much of a factor..

But in Brad's first 3 drafts as POBO, they went 18/19 yr old kids with Begarin, JD, Walsh. So seems like a shift in strategy..

He elaborites here:

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[phincsfan]

"When you're not picking in the top 5 or 10 of the draft, you're not weighing that stuff quite as strongly"

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That stuff being age.

The guys who go in the top 5 or 10 picks (guys like Tatum, Brown, Luka, Trae Young, Wemby, Paolo, Anthony Edwards, Lamelo, etc.) are typically 18/19 yr old kids.

Brad is saying later in the draft, it's not as much of a factor..

But in Brad's first 3 drafts as POBO, they went 18/19 yr old kids with Begarin, JD, Walsh. So seems like a shift in strategy..

He elaborites here:

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Also, those stash guys like Mader and Begarin do nothing for the organization financially. Watson, Rico, JD and Walsh bring people to the bleachers in Maine.

[zoyathedestroya]

New CBA, second apron status, and being a contender are all factors in the shift in drafting strategy and even type of guys being targeted in trade/FA. Might be a while til we get a high upside guy in his teens esp since we’re not drafting in the lottery.

[Hal14]

Watson here gets interviewed by Dan Dickau, Gonzaga legend who later played for the Celtics. Dickau now does TV broadcasts of Gonzaga games.

Watch on YouTube

;t=126s

Watson comes across like a pretty chill, laid bag dude. Seems humble, easy going..

But at the same time, on the court, when the game is being played he can get pretty intense, fired up and competitive. Kind of like Time Lord in that sense..

Not loud, boisterous..doesn't say a whole lot. But seems like a nice guy..and is quiet but seems confident..a quiet confidence about him - kind of like Tatum has..

[ConstableGeneva]

Another unmentioned possible reason why Brad and co. are targetting older players could be to protect the integrity and sanctity of that locker room. Vibes and chemistry are immaculate right now. JVG said there were zero issues with the players last season. Stevens explicitly mentioned they don't intend to bring in players who could bring down that energy. Younger guys are likely less mature mentally/emotionally and could easily be distracted. Will you come to practice on time and sober? Will you be diligent in your workouts and treatment? Are you coachable? Will you watch film? Can you pick up concepts easily? Are you determined enough to work on your weaknesses? Will you let your extracurriculars get in the way of your development and your commitment to the team?

[ParticleMan]

Brad has said he values guys who are "self aware", who know their strengths and weaknesses and focus on their strengths while working to improve weaknesses. 4/5th-year guys who have played against top competition tend to be more self aware. Hauser is a good example.