Boston among best at developing talent!

[indeedproceed]

Hey everybody! It's a positive Celtics story that doesn't start with the words, 'They're not as bad as their record'.

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=12014454

BOSTON CELTICS

Coach: Brad Stevens
Players 25 or under (by next season): Marcus Smart, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Zeller, James Young, Dwight Powell, Phil Pressey, Avery Bradley
Value (in wins) produced over expectation from young players (VOE): plus-2.19 wins, No. 2 in NBA


Because the Celtics have not yet played the Rajon Rondo card, it's tough to get a read on what the next contending Boston core will look like. You have to assume that current under-25 players Marcus Smart, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk will be part of that foundation. Each of those players is exceeding expectation this season. Rookie James Young hasn't played much for the Celtics, but he's been lighting up the D-League. If Danny Ainge continues to add youth, it appears Stevens will be able to develop those players.

Maybe the biggest feather in Stevens' cap is the play of Tyler Zeller, acquired before the season from Cleveland. Zeller has been a far more efficient player under Stevens by focusing his game closer to the hoop. Last season, according to Basketball-Reference.com, 15 percent of his shots were long 2s. This season, that's down to 2 percent. Meanwhile, Zeller's rebounding, assists and foul-drawing are up, and his turnovers are down. His true shooting percentage has skyrocketed to a Tyson Chandler-like 71 percent. Stevens' ability to get his guys to play to their strengths bodes well for the Boston rebuild.

[Mazingerz]

When can we expect the above data to translate to actual wins? I'm tired of all the losing;

[hwangjini_1]

When can we expect the above data to translate to actual wins? I'm tired of all the losing;

probably 2 to 3 years for the celtics to rack up significant wins. until then we have to enjoy watching the kids grow.

[D.o.s.]

Hey everybody! It's a positive Celtics story that doesn't start with the words, 'They're not as bad as their record'.

maybe not explicitly. But what do you really think 'bodes well for their rebuild' means?

[Beat LA]

Hey everybody! It's a positive Celtics story that doesn't start with the words, 'They're not as bad as their record'.

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=12014454

BOSTON CELTICS

Coach: Brad Stevens
Players 25 or under (by next season): Marcus Smart, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Zeller, James Young, Dwight Powell, Phil Pressey, Avery Bradley
Value (in wins) produced over expectation from young players (VOE): plus-2.19 wins, No. 2 in NBA


Because the Celtics have not yet played the Rajon Rondo card, it's tough to get a read on what the next contending Boston core will look like. You have to assume that current under-25 players Marcus Smart, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk will be part of that foundation. Each of those players is exceeding expectation this season. Rookie James Young hasn't played much for the Celtics, but he's been lighting up the D-League. If Danny Ainge continues to add youth, it appears Stevens will be able to develop those players.

Maybe the biggest feather in Stevens' cap is the play of Tyler Zeller, acquired before the season from Cleveland. Zeller has been a far more efficient player under Stevens by focusing his game closer to the hoop. Last season, according to Basketball-Reference.com, 15 percent of his shots were long 2s. This season, that's down to 2 percent. Meanwhile, Zeller's rebounding, assists and foul-drawing are up, and his turnovers are down. His true shooting percentage has skyrocketed to a Tyson Chandler-like 71 percent. Stevens' ability to get his guys to play to their strengths bodes well for the Boston rebuild.

KO is part of our foundation?  Ugh, haha .  Also, I think that this article gives way too much credit to Stevens in regards to Tyler Zeller's improved, well, everything, lol , because he wouldn't have half of those stats without Rondo.

Besides, one of our most talented players in James Young hasn't gotten to play in the pros, when, by the looks of what he's been doing game after game in the d-league, he should be 'developing' in Boston.

[pearljammer10]

Hey everybody! It's a positive Celtics story that doesn't start with the words, 'They're not as bad as their record'.

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=12014454

BOSTON CELTICS

Coach: Brad Stevens
Players 25 or under (by next season): Marcus Smart, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Zeller, James Young, Dwight Powell, Phil Pressey, Avery Bradley
Value (in wins) produced over expectation from young players (VOE): plus-2.19 wins, No. 2 in NBA


Because the Celtics have not yet played the Rajon Rondo card, it's tough to get a read on what the next contending Boston core will look like. You have to assume that current under-25 players Marcus Smart, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk will be part of that foundation. Each of those players is exceeding expectation this season. Rookie James Young hasn't played much for the Celtics, but he's been lighting up the D-League. If Danny Ainge continues to add youth, it appears Stevens will be able to develop those players.

Maybe the biggest feather in Stevens' cap is the play of Tyler Zeller, acquired before the season from Cleveland. Zeller has been a far more efficient player under Stevens by focusing his game closer to the hoop. Last season, according to Basketball-Reference.com, 15 percent of his shots were long 2s. This season, that's down to 2 percent. Meanwhile, Zeller's rebounding, assists and foul-drawing are up, and his turnovers are down. His true shooting percentage has skyrocketed to a Tyson Chandler-like 71 percent. Stevens' ability to get his guys to play to their strengths bodes well for the Boston rebuild.

Like the outlook and perspective of the article but I have a hard time with this last line. If Steven's ability is getting guys to play to their strength then Sullinger would be getting the ball on the block or in the paint more than 1-2 times per game.

[Celtics4ever]

Maybe the biggest feather in Stevens' cap is the play of Tyler Zeller, acquired before the season from Cleveland. Zeller has been a far more efficient player under Stevens by focusing his game closer to the hoop. Last season, according to Basketball-Reference.com, 15 percent of his shots were long 2s. This season, that's down to 2 percent. Meanwhile, Zeller's rebounding, assists and foul-drawing are up, and his turnovers are down. His true shooting percentage has skyrocketed to a Tyson Chandler-like 71 percent. Stevens' ability to get his guys to play to their strengths bodes well for the Boston rebuild.

Wow, credit for something Stevens did.  What about Turner or Crawford last year?   Refreshing for an article where people are not blaming him for getting guys to play above their talent level.

[Fafnir]

Maybe the biggest feather in Stevens' cap is the play of Tyler Zeller, acquired before the season from Cleveland. Zeller has been a far more efficient player under Stevens by focusing his game closer to the hoop. Last season, according to Basketball-Reference.com, 15 percent of his shots were long 2s. This season, that's down to 2 percent. Meanwhile, Zeller's rebounding, assists and foul-drawing are up, and his turnovers are down. His true shooting percentage has skyrocketed to a Tyson Chandler-like 71 percent. Stevens' ability to get his guys to play to their strengths bodes well for the Boston rebuild.

Wow, credit for something Stevens did.  What about Turner or Crawford last year?   Refreshing for an article where people are not blaming him for getting guys to play above their talent level.

Yeah, Zeller is a prime example of how role players can look very different in one situation compared to others.

Having Rondo and other willing passers feed you on rolls instead of taking it themselves makes a big difference.

[manl_lui]

When can we expect the above data to translate to actual wins? I'm tired of all the losing;

probably 2 to 3 years for the celtics to rack up significant wins. until then we have to enjoy watching the kids grow.

yea, I agree...year 2 of a rebuild, you will still expect many losses. It's frustrating I know, but you gotta be patient. things like these are good signs to be optimistic especially the Zeller part. You also have to understand that our players, most of our players won't even get a chance to play on a contending team like Pressey, or maybe Zeller for that matter. Green's improvement this year is definitely noticeable, but not sure if that should be credited to Stevens or because it's contract year (maybe both?)

Sometimes I am confused to why Stevens would have the lineups that he has (maybe he is still testing lineups?). Marcus Smart only played 11 minutes in the Charlotte game so I don't get that part after him having a monster game against the Wizards.

I am optimistic in that if you get Stevens REAL NBA talent, he can do something special with them.

[saltlover]

When can we expect the above data to translate to actual wins? I'm tired of all the losing;

probably 2 to 3 years for the celtics to rack up significant wins. until then we have to enjoy watching the kids grow.

yea, I agree...year 2 of a rebuild, you will still expect many losses. It's frustrating I know, but you gotta be patient. things like these are good signs to be optimistic especially the Zeller part. You also have to understand that our players, most of our players won't even get a chance to play on a contending team like Pressey, or maybe Zeller for that matter. Green's improvement this year is definitely noticeable, but not sure if that should be credited to Stevens or because it's contract year (maybe both?)

Sometimes I am confused to why Stevens would have the lineups that he has (maybe he is still testing lineups?). Marcus Smart only played 11 minutes in the Charlotte game so I don't get that part after him having a monster game against the Wizards.

I am optimistic in that if you get Stevens REAL NBA talent, he can do something special with them.

Stevens is very big into different lineups for different opponents.  Certainly theres still some testing of that too, but I think as long as Stevens is here, you're going to see some a lot of different combinations out there.