Moderators: bisme37, canman1971, Darthlukey, Shak_Celts, Parliament10, shackles10, snowman, Froob
Shak_Celts wrote:Gant wrote:
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!
yeahM8 wrote:We have one roster spot right? Is there a world where both green and fall are on the team?
100proof wrote:Shak_Celts wrote:Gant wrote:
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!
Been saying it all summer. Poirier is going to be like steven Adam's.
Plays the same way.
He has the tools to be the starting center
Darth Celtic wrote:yeahM8 wrote:We have one roster spot right? Is there a world where both green and fall are on the team?
Yes. Wannabad and Semi aren't locks to make the team.
100proof wrote:Darth Celtic wrote:yeahM8 wrote:We have one roster spot right? Is there a world where both green and fall are on the team?
Yes. Wannabad and Semi aren't locks to make the team.
I think Semi is more firmly safe than wanamaker.
Wanamaker now has 3 competitors at the same position.
Semi can defend SG-pf . And he is very very good at that
100proof wrote:Darth Celtic wrote:yeahM8 wrote:We have one roster spot right? Is there a world where both green and fall are on the team?
Yes. Wannabad and Semi aren't locks to make the team.
I think Semi is more firmly safe than wanamaker.
Wanamaker now has 3 competitors at the same position.
Semi can defend SG-pf . And he is very very good at that
Half-Full wrote:100proof wrote:Darth Celtic wrote:Yes. Wannabad and Semi aren't locks to make the team.
I think Semi is more firmly safe than wanamaker.
Wanamaker now has 3 competitors at the same position.
Semi can defend SG-pf . And he is very very good at that
Can't agree with this. Wanamaker has always showed a steady presence, which stands to reason given his experience. If you look back to last year, any time he got extended minutes, he played very respectably. I think the Celtics are committed to playing him as the primary PG back-up. I love Tremont, but I think he will see the bulk of his minutes up in Maine. Carsen will see playing time, and he is capable of bringing the ball up, but he will likely see more time as a shooting guard to capitalize on his scoring ability. Wanamaker is a true PG, and he knows how to run an offense.
Ojeleye, on the other hand needs to step up his game offensively. While he is a good defensive player, he has not shown very much at all on the offensive side. Contrast this with Javonte Green. Javonte is also an excellent defender, and has immediately shown his athleticism and scoring ability in a way that Ojeleye has not been able to do in two full years with the team. Scoring 15 points in 10 minutes in spectacular fashion makes one sit up ant take notice. He also had a strong Summer League. If I was Semi, I'd be looking over my shoulder.
It could be that Wanamaker and Ojeleye both stick, and Javonte Green is odd man out. Can't see Tacko not getting a spot. If the decision comes down to cutting either Wanamaker or Semi, though, I think it will be Semi. Just my $0.02.
PtruthP34 wrote:Thoughts after 2 preseason games:
Kemba: As great as we looked against Orlando with Smart starting at pg, Kemba will be key to the Celtics fielding a top rated offense this season. Our offense the past few years has a frustrating tendency to disappear for long stretches. Kemba as a constant threat in the p&r should mitigate this. What I'm watching for: Kemba to keep the ball moving and help get everyone involved; showcase his ability to play off ball; can we reliability get stops with Kemba + questionable big man defense in crunch time?
Jaylen: I agree with others who said that last game vs. Orlando may have been the best we've ever seen JB play, in terms of combining fearless aggression with poise, control, and solid decision making. To me it looks like everything "clicked" for Jaylen, and some of the skills and concepts he's been working on have internalized to the point of becoming instinctual. Hopefully this is not an over-reaction to one game where Jaylen was "in the zone" and more the sign of a player beginning to make "The Leap". I expect to still see occasional boneheaded plays as JB pushes the envelope of his rapidly developing talents. What I'm watching for: less "zone out" plays by Jaylen and consistent focus on offense a defense; continued development of his floor game; more FT attempts; continued buy-in to the team game plan and no signs of contract-year stat padding.
Hayward: I'm encouraged by Gordon's play so far. I doubt he's 100% back, but looks like a solid 90-95% of the way there. I envision Hayward playing the "late prime Paul Pierce" role of giving every game exactly what it needs and filling up the box score on a nightly basis. Alternating as a go-to scorer, facilitator, defender, and always coming through in the clutch. WIWF: confidence driving hard and finishing through contact; ability to generate FT attempts
Tatum: Loving everything I've seen so far aside form a few iso-heavy possessions. All signs point to Tatum making "The Leap" this year. WIWF: no signs whatsoever of Kobe/Melo ball; +rebounding and help defense as our undersized pf.
Theis: He is a perfect swiss-army-knife big man to fill in all the gaps with our starters and do a little of everything. I was very encouraged by Theis' strength and athleticism vs. Orl. He looks like he's fully recovered from the injuries that slowed him last year. Not saying he'll suddenly be able to body Embiid, however if the number of teams that we can start him against goes from 75% to 90%, that's a big improvement and could equate to a few extra RS wins. WIWF: Can we continue to play Theis regularly vs. true centers; What is the threshold?
Smart: Our pg challenging Mo Bamba at the rim sums it up. Marcus keep being Marcus. WIWF: good shot selection and decision making on offense, more cameos of Marcus Curry would be nice.
Edwards: like everyone else, I just love this guy. I view him as already an upgrade over Rozier as a bench scorer. Eddie House with athleticism and a motor on defense. WIWF: Would like to see more minutes with Edwards and Smart together in the backcourt. Should see this with no Wannamaker this afternoon.
Grant Williams: Others have made this analogy and I love it: he's the PF version of Marcus Smart. This guy makes winning plays and his 3-point range is legit and a beautiful thing. He's a guaranteed rotation guy and expect him to be an advanced stats darling throughout his career. WIWF: we may not see this in the preseason, but I am very curious to see how Grant's quickness and strength allow him to match up against some of the athletic freaks that we have no answers for atm (Giannis, Lebron, Zion)
Langford: Too soon to say but love the skill set and high ceiling. WIWF: little bit of everything.
Time Lord: Being patient with Robert. I love that Brad gave him the start game 1 but was disappointed by the results. The talent is there, the game needs to slow down for him a bunch still. WIWF: positioning and discipline on defense; force the opponent into tough shots, don't try to send everything into the 10th row.
Waters: Combination of Phil Pressey with Rondo's floor-general skills. Give this guy a year to work on his body and he's the perfect change of pace pg. Seems like the epitome of a winner to me and I'm buying stock in Tremont's NBA outlook. WIWF: a consistently positive +/- to validate everything the eyes show me.
Poirier: Like Langford, I have not seen nearly enough. Withholding comment for now. WIWF: Can he really be our new Baynes to sub for Theis vs. bigger Centers?
Kanter: Like many I am seeing the Greg Monroe comparisons, and that is not a good thing. Controlling the boards and easy baskets are valuable, and I hope we continue to see him contribute in these ways off the bench. WIWF: acclimation to Stevens' system; let's see him launch one of those 3's he's been practicing
Green: Give him Semi's spot please. Green has already shown more in a few SL and preseason games. He's a real spark off the bench and could be a game-changer with his athleticism. WIWF: no more minutes for Semi
Semi: see above ^
Wannamaker: Decent 3rd string pg, don't like his fit on this team. Prefer to give Marcus, Tremont, or even Edwards the backup pg minutes although I understand that if an injury occurs he's good vet insurance.
Tacko: I've seen enough to warrant the 15th spot. His rate of improvement has been impressive. Ultimately leaning towards the speed, pace, and spacing of the NBA still making him a longshot in terms of being a rotation-worthy contributor. Definitely worth the "gamble".
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading
On to preseason game #3!
ddb wrote:Kemba-Brown-Hayward-Tatum-Theis
Smart-Edwards-Semi-Kanter are the locked in 9 with Grant Williams & Bob Williams pushing for minutes.
Gant wrote:ddb wrote:Kemba-Brown-Hayward-Tatum-Theis
Smart-Edwards-Semi-Kanter are the locked in 9 with Grant Williams & Bob Williams pushing for minutes.
Which would mean a deep bench of Langford, Wanamaker, Poirier and the winner of Green vs. Strus.
It seems like the players immediately blocking either Williams from getting regular minutes have enough weaknesses that Grant and Robert both have a good shot at moving up. Plus there are always injuries that create opportunities for others.
It's good to see Edwards on that list. He's gone from the second round to has to be on the floor in no time.
