POLL: Which Celtics player will make the biggest leap this season (rookie deal)?

[todd_days_41]

Interested in what folks think. Some bullets from my end:

~ Grant Williams is pretty flat from an upside perspective (no pun intended). A good player whose ceiling is pretty low.
~ Waters is an intriguing player. Yes, he's short. But he does a lot of things well (filling passing lanes, shoots, gets to the cup), and he's pretty fearless.
~ If Green improves his 3 pt % (and subsequent confidence taking it), and otherwise improves his positional defense a bit, he could be a rotation guy.
~ Robert Williams is the most unpredictable on the list. Not hard to imagine him turning into a rising force on defense and a legit pick-n-roll threat on O. He could also sink into the "talented but can't put it together" category.
~ Langford's defense surprised me (when he played). But his fragility concerns me. I worry that an NBA player needs to taste some success in a fair period of time entering the league or they lose confidence, and he's in danger of that. 

[GreenEnvy]

I’d say Romeo.

Did nothing noteworthy last season (primarily do to injuries and lack of playing time when healthy), and has the most talent of anyone mentioned. Without Hayward, the possibility for steady minutes is there.

[Darth_Yoda]

I have no faith in Romeo at all.

So I will go Timelord. Adding Thompson is going to teach this kid alot about positional defense, boxing out, rotating etc. Will be a great teacher for him, something he has never really had.

[Who]

I was hoping it was Romeo but I keep being reminded that he has been injured so is not working on his game. That is going to be hard for him.

I am going to chose Carsen Edwards. I like him. I think he is going to be a solid player in this league. He was a bad 3rd stringer last year. I hope for him to be (borderline) rotation guy this year.

Grant Williams is another solid candidate. It is all about the 3 point shot for him. He gets that down and he suddenly becomes a very valuable role player. I am expecting it takes him another year or so before he gets there though so I am going with Edwards.

[ederson]

I have no faith in Romeo at all.

So I will go Timelord. Adding Thompson is going to teach this kid alot about positional defense, boxing out, rotating etc. Will be a great teacher for him, something he has never really had.

Teams have coaches and trainers to do that.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I think Grant Williams might be the guy. If he can get confident as a shooter, he would be an excellent role player. He's smart. He can finish some inside. He's an unselfish and intelligent passer. He's switchy on defense. He communicates well on defense.

This is a guy who fits perfectly next to Tatum if he can shoot a confident 6 threes a game at 38%

[knuckleballer]

I’d like it to be Langford because he has the most upside, but if he can’t practice due to injuries, he can’t improve.

I’ll go with Grant because of his improving 3 point shot and good head for the game.

[wdleehi]

I am going with Langford when he returns.  I think his defense will earn him minutes and the time on the floor is going to allow him to grow.

[Darth_Yoda]

Langford will get fewer minutes than Nesmith imo.

We do not need more defense in the lineup when we are sporting Smart, Brown, Tatum. we need lethal shooting, which Romeo doesnt come close to bringing.

I will be shocked if Romeo plays more minutes than Nesmith this season.

[RockinRyA]

Langford will get fewer minutes than Nesmith imo.

We do not need more defense in the lineup when we are sporting Smart, Brown, Tatum. we need lethal shooting, which Romeo doesnt come close to bringing.

I will be shocked if Romeo plays more minutes than Nesmith this season.

I dont think so. History will tell you that good defense not good offense that will get you minutes in Brad's system.

[Evantime34]

I am going with Langford when he returns.  I think his defense will earn him minutes and the time on the floor is going to allow him to grow.

Agreed, as soon as he comes back he will immediately get minutes because of his ability to defend. I think he will eventually get some opportunities to create in the pick and roll, which is how he will provide more offensive value than he did last year.

My dark horse would be Edwards. Right now the back up SG and SF spots are up for grabs. I think Edwards and Pritchard will compete to be off ball shooters in the 2nd unit. The second unit really lacks a scoring punch right now and Edwards showed flashes of being able to be that guy.

[knuckleballer]

Langford will get fewer minutes than Nesmith imo.

We do not need more defense in the lineup when we are sporting Smart, Brown, Tatum. we need lethal shooting, which Romeo doesnt come close to bringing.

I will be shocked if Romeo plays more minutes than Nesmith this season.

I don’t expect Nesmith to be the impact player we’re hoping for his rookie year.  His ball handling and passing are significant weaknesses.  Multiple scouting reports say he gets tunnel vision.  It’s going to take time to improve on these things.  He is a talented shooter, but he’ll need to get used to NBA length and athleticism challenging his shot (he played one game against a major conference last year.) Also, his defense is not a strength and he will need to learn the defensive rotations.

[Darth_Yoda]

Langford will get fewer minutes than Nesmith imo.

We do not need more defense in the lineup when we are sporting Smart, Brown, Tatum. we need lethal shooting, which Romeo doesnt come close to bringing.

I will be shocked if Romeo plays more minutes than Nesmith this season.

I dont think so. History will tell you that good defense not good offense that will get you minutes in Brad's system.

That how IT got on the floor?


And Nesmith is a good defender, size is about the same as Romeo, weight is a little higher, speed and athleticism is comparable.

[BitterJim]

Either Romeo or Timelord, depending on which can stay healthier/play more. I think that's probably Romeo (not to mention that I think he has more opportunity to earn minutes)

[BitterJim]

Langford will get fewer minutes than Nesmith imo.

We do not need more defense in the lineup when we are sporting Smart, Brown, Tatum. we need lethal shooting, which Romeo doesnt come close to bringing.

I will be shocked if Romeo plays more minutes than Nesmith this season.

I dont think so. History will tell you that good defense not good offense that will get you minutes in Brad's system.

That how IT got on the floor?


And Nesmith is a good defender, size is about the same as Romeo, weight is a little higher, speed and athleticism is comparable.

IT got on the floor by being an elite scorer. That's a lot to ask of a rookie.