Poll: What big will surprise this year

[saltlover]

I think Robert Williams will surprise people in the sense that he will not play nearly as much as some people seem to expect.

I know, I know. He's got loads of talent and showed a nice passing touch in the SL, but he's still probably gonna be kind of raw. But I want him to be there already.

I think the one thing going for it is this is kind of an awkward not-rebuilding not-contending year, which makes it make more sense to give shakier talented guys a little more rope.

Robert Williams’ playing time will be dictated as much by his on-court communication on defense as anything else.  He’s got the physical tools, but if he’s not helping his teammates be in the right place from his position in the center of the defense, he’s not going to be on the court with the top units.  I’m sure the coaches will tolerate the occasional on-court mistake in terms of decision-making/getting beat because players are talented.  But if he’s not calling out to his teammates, he’s not getting PT.

Of course, that’s probably something we won’t be able to tell from our screens all that much, but that’s what both he and the coaches emphasized he needed to work on during summer league, and I’d doubt the metric has changed.

[Spicoli]

Does anyone know if training camp will determine who starts at center or is it already a forgone conclusion that it's going to be Kanter? I'm still hoping that Time Lord can wow the coaching staff in training camp and preseason and ultimately win the starting job.

[PhoSita]

I think Robert Williams will surprise people in the sense that he will not play nearly as much as some people seem to expect.

I know, I know. He's got loads of talent and showed a nice passing touch in the SL, but he's still probably gonna be kind of raw. But I want him to be there already.

I think the one thing going for it is this is kind of an awkward not-rebuilding not-contending year, which makes it make more sense to give shakier talented guys a little more rope.

I would tend to agree except that the team has three other centers who are all much more experienced and have proven skillsets at the professional level.

It's going to be hard to find minutes for Kanter - Theis - Poirier, let alone throwing Rob Williams into the mix.


Rob has the highest upside of any of them, but has the least experience producing at anything near the NBA level.


That's not even taking into account the other guys on the team who might play spot minutes at center in small lineups, e.g. Grant Williams or maybe even Semi.



I am assuming Tacko Fall doesn't get anywhere near the active roster, but if he's in the mix that would further complicate the picture.

[PhoSita]

My pick for a guy who will play more minutes and have a bigger role than expected is Daniel Theis.

That's an odd choice because he's the guy who's actually been on the team and had a defined role the last couple of years.

Even so, I think he's the best two-way big they have who has actually played in the NBA before.  If he can stay healthy and provide consistent defense while spacing the floor, I think he solidify himself as the logical complement to Kanter in the C rotation.


Issue for Theis in the past has been that he doesn't seem to hold up well if he's forced to play regular minutes and bang with NBA centers.  Here's hoping he can stay on the court and keep his outside shot falling.

[KG Living Legend]

 Where Stevens is flat out wrong is not even considering 6'9" Robert Williams at PF. Or even 6'8" Theis.

 Williams Skillet of Handling the ball fairly well, very promising court vision and passing ability, ability to switch. Set picks and roll to the hoop or make a nice pass.

 Then throw in Theis who can stretch the floor better.   Kanter and Rwill or Kanter and Theis are solid options when playing big.

 My biggest concern is Stevens and his lack of flexibility.

[Alleyoopster]

The one they trade for. Don't have much faith that the Celtics have anyone who can effectively can control the middle. They'll be forced to make a trade. Sure hope I'm wrong.

[gouki88]

Gotta go with Grant Williams. Heaps of players and Brad noted him for his leadership and attitude, which is pretty awesome as a rookie. I think he'll come in and help out right away on and off the court

[KG Living Legend]

Gotta go with Grant Williams. Heaps of players and Brad noted him for his leadership and attitude, which is pretty awesome as a rookie. I think he'll come in and help out right away on and off the court

 TP for a decisive answer with a good explanation.

[Celtics4ever]

I hope it is Timelord but I have a sneaky feeling it may be Kanter.

[saltlover]

 Where Stevens is flat out wrong is not even considering 6'9" Robert Williams at PF. Or even 6'8" Theis.

 Williams Skillet of Handling the ball fairly well, very promising court vision and passing ability, ability to switch. Set picks and roll to the hoop or make a nice pass.

 Then throw in Theis who can stretch the floor better.   Kanter and Rwill or Kanter and Theis are solid options when playing big.

 My biggest concern is Stevens and his lack of flexibility.

Williams should not play PF for many reasons.  First and foremost, the defensive responsibilities of the two positions are different, and Williams needs to learn the more difficult center role.  Secondly, although he can pass reasonably well for a big, he would limit floor spacing if paired with someone like Kanter or Poirier, which would gum up any NBA offense in use today.  Thirdly, he did play a fair amount of PF in college, and teams took advantage of those lineups. If it’s not working in college, it almost assuredly won’t work in the NBA.  He’s a center, pure and simple.

Theis, I’m fine with in limited amounts at the 4 against certain opponents.  He’s comfortable taking the three and isn’t a pure center anyway.  But Time Lord is a center.  Leave him there.

[KG Living Legend]

 Where Stevens is flat out wrong is not even considering 6'9" Robert Williams at PF. Or even 6'8" Theis.

 Williams Skillet of Handling the ball fairly well, very promising court vision and passing ability, ability to switch. Set picks and roll to the hoop or make a nice pass.

 Then throw in Theis who can stretch the floor better.   Kanter and Rwill or Kanter and Theis are solid options when playing big.

 My biggest concern is Stevens and his lack of flexibility.

Williams should not play PF for many reasons.  First and foremost, the defensive responsibilities of the two positions are different, and Williams needs to learn the more difficult center role.  Secondly, although he can pass reasonably well for a big, he would limit floor spacing if paired with someone like Kanter or Poirier, which would gum up any NBA offense in use today.  Thirdly, he did play a fair amount of PF in college, and teams took advantage of those lineups. If it’s not working in college, it almost assuredly won’t work in the NBA.  He’s a center, pure and simple.

Theis, I’m fine with in limited amounts at the 4 against certain opponents.  He’s comfortable taking the three and isn’t a pure center anyway.  But Time Lord is a center.  Leave him there.

 Fair points Salty. I've found our Real PF. About to make a thread about it.

[Moranis]

Tatum

 Tatum is a brilliant small forward or wing prospect. To call Tatum a power anything right now is just a joke look at his legs.

 if you look up weak in the dictionary you'll see a picture of Tatum's pathetic legs.

And yet I expect Tatum to be the starting PF this year.

[Donoghus]

Tatum

 Tatum is a brilliant small forward or wing prospect. To call Tatum a power anything right now is just a joke look at his legs.

 if you look up weak in the dictionary you'll see a picture of Tatum's pathetic legs.

And yet I expect Tatum to be the starting PF this year.

Still wasn't listed an option on the OP's poll, though.

[Evantime34]

I think Robert Williams will surprise people in the sense that he will not play nearly as much as some people seem to expect.

I know, I know. He's got loads of talent and showed a nice passing touch in the SL, but he's still probably gonna be kind of raw. But I want him to be there already.

I think the one thing going for it is this is kind of an awkward not-rebuilding not-contending year, which makes it make more sense to give shakier talented guys a little more rope.

I would tend to agree except that the team has three other centers who are all much more experienced and have proven skillsets at the professional level.

It's going to be hard to find minutes for Kanter - Theis - Poirier, let alone throwing Rob Williams into the mix.


Rob has the highest upside of any of them, but has the least experience producing at anything near the NBA level.


That's not even taking into account the other guys on the team who might play spot minutes at center in small lineups, e.g. Grant Williams or maybe even Semi.



I am assuming Tacko Fall doesn't get anywhere near the active roster, but if he's in the mix that would further complicate the picture.

I expect a 3 big rotation. I think Timelord and Poirier are going to be battling it out for the last spot. Kanter will start, Theis could close games to keep the floor spaced as a small ball 5 and play some 4, Timelord or Poirier will get whatever minutes are left at the 5.

I also expect most of the minutes at the 4 will go to wings so they really don't need a rotation of more than 3 bigs.

[Moranis]

Tatum

 Tatum is a brilliant small forward or wing prospect. To call Tatum a power anything right now is just a joke look at his legs.

 if you look up weak in the dictionary you'll see a picture of Tatum's pathetic legs.

And yet I expect Tatum to be the starting PF this year.

Still wasn't listed an option on the OP's poll, though.

Sure which is why I posted it.  But a lot of people on here don't think Tatum can play the 4.  I do and I think he can and will play it well.  Thus, my pick of Tatum as the big that will surprise this year.