Training Camp Thread, 2019-20 -- Strus, Gates & Maten Waived

Turgon · Post #321 » by **Turgon** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 6:10 pm

You know guys, there is this take where Tacko gets a spot in the roster and gets to contribute as a niche player, to be used very sparingly and only for short bursts. For situations like end of quarter plays.

He doesn't need to be a game changer nor be there just for the marketing. He can impact the game in very limited minutes, which is more than can be said for most of the guys we've had on those spots.

I mean, think about it: what use are guys like Wanamaker? He's got Kemba, Smart, Edwards and Waters ahead of him. Wouldn't you rather have Tacko practicing with the team?

Post #322 » by **Darth Celtic** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 6:21 pm

cloverleaf wrote:Rob and Tacko need more game time, obviously. But I think they'll both contribute this season and should play every game from the start. Yes, it makes sense to push Kanter back with the otherwise very inexperienced bench, while Rob can probably adapt quickest and is most complementary with the starters. That starter mix, like last year, may be an issue. I think Rob and Smart in there on D could fairly quickly make up for Kemba's weakness there. But I don't think Edwards and Jaylen are ready to be a backcourt as a second unit. Maybe Smart and Kemba can start, but mostly be staggered? I also think the second string should be pretty defensive competent--if correctly schemed around Kanter, if/when he's with them. Smart, Semi, Grant, Tacko, Edwards and Green I think will be able to hold their own around Kanter.

Last game was mad scientist brad with rotations. He'll get it right. Kanter off the bench playing with Williams (grant, not rob) would be great if he has scorers around them to keep the middle open.

Smart/Edwards/(one of JT or Hayward from the starters) williams/Kanter should be our normal bench. Langford will need to prove it and Theis will need to outplay williams.

Kemba
JB
Hayward
JT
Timelord (better get his act together, he was terrible at rotating defense and being out of place)

Smart
Edwards
G Willaims
Kanter

9 man rotation. Brad likes to go 10. As long as Semi and wanamaker aren't in the rotations, i'm ok either way.

Andrew McCeltic · Post #323 » by **Andrew McCeltic** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 6:21 pm

Gant wrote:
ddb wrote:My guy told me that T Waters is currently beating out Wanamaker in camp. They really like Waters.

Waters has been so impressive on both ends. He's a real point guard, and the team goes right into sync when he runs the show. On defense he's amazingly effective.

If Waters does make the actual 15 man roster and Wanamaker becomes superfluous, that creates some flexibility as Tacko and Javonte Green both are proving themselves.

Wanamaker/Semi for Ntilikina is my dream trade - Frank becomes the new Smart, who can’t shoot and has to learn to run an offense, but can guard 1-3 at a high level.

Waters was super impressive against Charlotte - especially for his size. Quick but never rushed, under control, not intimidated by NBA (preseason) defenders. Has Bogues/Boykins/Watson vibes.

Post #324 » by **Darth Celtic** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 6:23 pm

Turgon wrote:You know guys, there is this take where Tacko gets a spot in the roster and gets to contribute as a niche player, to be used very sparingly and only for short bursts. For situations like end of quarter plays.

He doesn't need to be a game changer nor be there just for the marketing. He can impact the game in very limited minutes, which is more than can be said for most of the guys we've had on those spots.

I mean, think about it: what use are guys like Wanamaker? He's got Kemba, Smart, Edwards and Waters ahead of him. Wouldn't you rather have Tacko practicing with the team?

Tacko is better than wannamaker. Waters is better than both of them right now. I think some changes need to be made and Green and Tacko make the roster. WE can trade semi during the season if we need Waters on the roster. Right now Edwards/Smart/Kemba is enough ball handlers.

Bostonic33 · Post #325 » by **Bostonic33** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 6:38 pm

ddb wrote:My guy told me that T Waters is currently beating out Wanamaker in camp. They really like Waters.

I am not surprised. I knew he was special during the NCAA playoffs. If he makes it to the roster instead of G League, I would be absolutely thrilled.

Gant · Post #326 » by **Gant** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 7:03 pm

Read on Twitter

Gant · Post #327 » by **Gant** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 7:06 pm

It sounds like they're strongly leaning toward Kanter off the bench. Theis, Williams, and Poirier could all have a shot at the starting spot.

Read on Twitter

Gant · Post #328 » by **Gant** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 7:08 pm

Theis, who might have the inside track on starting at center when the season tips off in a two weeks, played the whole practice according to Stevens, as did Langford.

“I thought (Langford) did a lot of good things,” Stevens said. "It was encouraging. In some ways maybe it’s good to watch for five days and get your feet wet that way.”

Stevens said the Celtics need continuity and improvement, so any available player will likely get minutes against the Orlando Magic on Friday.

“Obviously if anybody has any issues at all, they won’t play Friday,” Stevens said. “Anybody that’s cleared to go, we need to play. We need to keep improving, get a little bit better.”

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2019/10/boston-celtics-injuries-romeo-langford-returned-to-action-robert-williams-out-with-groin-strain.html

Post #329 » by **Shak_Celts** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 7:12 pm

Gant wrote:

Read on Twitter

Don’t think i said it but of our bigs he looked the most comfortable last game. I know he’s not going to give more than a roll man on offense but his defense seems like the way to go if no one else steps up. We have enough offense with the starters, we NEED defense!

MagicBagley18 · Post #330 » by **MagicBagley18** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 7:20 pm

I have indigestion already just from the thought of having to watch theis get significant minutes this season and possibly start

Post #331 » by **Darth Celtic** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 7:24 pm

MagicBagley18 wrote:I have indigestion already just from the thought of having to watch theis get significant minutes this season and possibly start

His rookie year he was THE IS, but last year he wasn't even THE. Probably to do with coming back from knee surgery the last year. Near the end of the year he had some better games. I'm hoping he has more lift this year. I bet we find out Friday as he probably will start with Timelord having groin issues.

MagicBagley18 · Post #332 » by **MagicBagley18** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 7:28 pm

Darth Celtic wrote:
MagicBagley18 wrote:I have indigestion already just from the thought of having to watch theis get significant minutes this season and possibly start

His rookie year he was THE IS, but last year he wasn't even THE. Probably to do with coming back from knee surgery the last year. Near the end of the year he had some better games. I'm hoping he has more lift this year. I bet we find out Friday as he probably will start with Timelord having groin issues.

Yea his rookie year he had some good games and had flashes but I also think a lot of us didn’t expect much from him and were surprised with what we got and showed. Last year he routinely got muscled out of position on defense, rebounding and on offense he would gather instead of going straight up and blow bunnies and he always seems to be injured.

Just kind of over the theis experiment and him being in such a prominent role really speaks volumes about our big situation

Post #333 » by **Slartibartfast** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 9:59 pm

Theis will at least set solid screens and do solid work on PNR. That's more than you can say for others except maybe Poirier.

Bottom line, we need a trade for a quality role playing big. I'd be all over getting KO back.

Turgon · Post #334 » by **Turgon** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 10:46 pm

Theis will not play at the 5. I'm not sure why people don't get it but he's not suited to that position.

He will get plenty of time playing at the 4 though. I can see Brad pairing him with either Kanter or Poirier while playing some variation of zone defense - a system all three of them are much more comfortable with.

BigTrade92 · Post #335 » by **BigTrade92** » Tue Oct 8, 2019 11:38 pm

MagicBagley18 wrote:I have indigestion already just from the thought of having to watch theis get significant minutes this season and possibly start

Me too.

Was actually disappointed to see him re-signed this offseason when there was much better veteran big man depth on the market.

Hopefully his contract is used as a trade chip come February.

Curmudgeon · Post #336 » by **Curmudgeon** » Wed Oct 9, 2019 12:03 am

Theis is a good player. He will do fine as the starting center.

Elrod is Back · Post #337 » by **Elrod is Back** » Wed Oct 9, 2019 12:36 am

Curmudgeon wrote:Theis is a good player. He will do fine as the starting center.

I agree about Theis. I expect him to recover his explosion and be better than his rookie year. I like him at the 4 next to a 5 more than as a small ball 5, but Brad will use him both ways. With the new crop of monster 4-5 combos in the east, Theis has a definite role as a 4.

Post #338 » by **snowman** » Wed Oct 9, 2019 2:20 am

Turgon wrote:Theis will not play at the 5. I'm not sure why people don't get it but he's not suited to that position.

He will get plenty of time playing at the 4 though. I can see Brad pairing him with either Kanter or Poirier while playing some variation of zone defense - a system all three of them are much more comfortable with.

a big +1

Theis is 6'8 guys, he won't being playing the 5 spot. Theis is coming off a down year from a surgery and also a couple other nagging injuries. This is his bounce back year. He will excel as the back up 4.

Guys, the one thing we have not had since Brad has been coach is a big strong mobile 5. Well, I think we have one now in Poirier. I think he would be the perfect 5 to start with Kemba, Smart, Brown and Tatum. He can have an effect on the game and not demand the ball. I am ...opps sorry, (lol) He is a great finisher with the lob, (great for Kimba) and on put back rebounds. He is the overall best defensive big we have.

This will allow Kanter to play with Edwards, Haywood, G. Williams, and Theis and the main bench guys. (I'm sorry, but I feel that R. Williams is still a third stringer.....right now)

as a side note, I am looking for a trade of Wannamaker and Semi in a trade for just about anyone who will take them.

Post #339 » by **Slartibartfast** » Wed Oct 9, 2019 2:34 am

snowman wrote:
Turgon wrote:Theis will not play at the 5. I'm not sure why people don't get it but he's not suited to that position.

He will get plenty of time playing at the 4 though. I can see Brad pairing him with either Kanter or Poirier while playing some variation of zone defense - a system all three of them are much more comfortable with.

a big +1

Theis is 6'8 guys, he won't being playing the 5 spot. Theis is coming off a down year from a surgery and also a couple other nagging injuries. This is his bounce back year. He will excel as the back up 4.

Guys, the one thing we have not had since Brad has been coach is a big strong mobile 5. Well, I think we have one now in Poirier. I think he would be the perfect 5 to start with Kemba, Brown, Haywood, and Tatum. He can have an effect on the game and not demand the ball. I am ...opps sorry, (lol) He is a great finisher with the lob, (great for Kimba) and on put back rebounds. He is the overall best defensive big we have.

This will allow Kanter to play with Edwards, Smart, G. Williams, R. Williams and Theis and the main bench guys.

as a side note, I am looking for a trade of Wannamaker and Semi in a trade for just about anyone who will take them.

He's spent 80% of his minutes playing the 5. And most of his 4 minutes I'd wager were when Horford was getting counted as a 5.

Skill-wise, Theis is an undersized 5 and that's primarily how Brad plays him.

This is a Team USA style team. 2 ballhandlers, 2 swing forwards, 1 shotblocking/rebounder/roll man.

Having a guy like Horford allowed us to play 2 bigs and retain the offensive advantage. Without him, it'll be much harder to get away with.

JHTruth · Post #340 » by **JHTruth** » Wed Oct 9, 2019 5:02 am

Slartibartfast wrote:
snowman wrote:
Turgon wrote:Theis will not play at the 5. I'm not sure why people don't get it but he's not suited to that position.

He will get plenty of time playing at the 4 though. I can see Brad pairing him with either Kanter or Poirier while playing some variation of zone defense - a system all three of them are much more comfortable with.

a big +1

Theis is 6'8 guys, he won't being playing the 5 spot. Theis is coming off a down year from a surgery and also a couple other nagging injuries. This is his bounce back year. He will excel as the back up 4.

Guys, the one thing we have not had since Brad has been coach is a big strong mobile 5. Well, I think we have one now in Poirier. I think he would be the perfect 5 to start with Kemba, Brown, Haywood, and Tatum. He can have an effect on the game and not demand the ball. I am ...opps sorry, (lol) He is a great finisher with the lob, (great for Kimba) and on put back rebounds. He is the overall best defensive big we have.

This will allow Kanter to play with Edwards, Smart, G. Williams, R. Williams and Theis and the main bench guys.

as a side note, I am looking for a trade of Wannamaker and Semi in a trade for just about anyone who will take them.

He's spent 80% of his minutes playing the 5. And most of his 4 minutes I'd wager were when Horford was getting counted as a 5.

Skill-wise, Theis is an undersized 5 and that's primarily how Brad plays him.

This is a Team USA style team. 2 ballhandlers, 2 swing forwards, 1 shotblocking/rebounder/roll man.

Having a guy like Horford allowed us to play 2 bigs and retain the offensive advantage. Without him, it'll be much harder to get away with.

With the death of small ball, i think the is is the perfect backup 4.