Magic (6-5) at Celtics (7-3) Game #11 1/15/21

[Kuberski33]

A ton of credit has to be given to Brad and the coaching staff for developing players. I doubt Semi would even be in the NBA if he hadn't been drafted by the Celtics. They took a really raw kid who couldn't shoot but had decent lateral quickness and a great attitude and turned him into what looks like a valuable bench piece, a 3 and D wing that may not be elite but definitely looks like he belongs on a contender.

He did shoot over 40% from the arc his last year at SMU so I think they saw the potential. We sometimes forgot that basketball players all develop differently.  Some peak in high school, some in college and some not till they turn 30 - it's what makes scouting such an inexact science. How about Christian Wood with the Rockets, who's been cut by like 4 teams?

I think this year, so far anyway, Semi has been more consistent with his shot. If the ball keeps going in he'll continue to get regular minutes.

[Atzar]

One of the interesting things that came out of garbage time is that Nesmith appears to have some instincts off the bounce.  That wasn't in the scouting report.  He wasn't necessarily getting good results tonight, but I liked the things he was doing.  Solid first step, handle needs some tightening but the spin move was a good idea, and I liked his willingness/ability to pass off the drive. 

I think the jumpshot will come.  I like the kid. 

[nickagneta]

Let's not forget Semi with a smooth 18 points as well, I'd say this was one of his top 3 games in a Cs uniform

He's played great this year. He has either developed his offensive skills quite a bit or was never allowed/too timid to use have used them until now. He's made significant/important contributions in 4 of the team's 8 wins.

And at $1.8 million he is a nice bargain to have.....if he continues to play like this. That's important. He's playing better. Now let's see him do it all year.

[Ogaju]

Great win for the Cs.

[mobilija]

WooooHoooo

[Atzar]

Let's not forget Semi with a smooth 18 points as well, I'd say this was one of his top 3 games in a Cs uniform

He's played great this year. He has either developed his offensive skills quite a bit or was never allowed/too timid to use have used them until now. He's made significant/important contributions in 4 of the team's 8 wins.

And at $1.8 million he is a nice bargain to have.....if he continues to play like this. That's important. He's playing better. Now let's see him do it all year.

I think he has developed.

I've never been as low on him as some people, but I saw him as a guy who could defend a little bit and knock down open threes at a decent-but-not-great rate, but was a disaster if he tried to do anything else.  This year, his three ball has taken a small step forward - been a legitimately good weapon for us this year - and he's no longer a wasted possession if he puts the ball on the floor.  He has improved.  I'm happy for him. 

[Celtics Mike]

Loved Jaylen Brown's post game interview

[hwangjini_1]

What did he say?

[hpantazo]

Still on top of the eastern conference even with a week of no games or practice due to covid, and no Tatum or Kemba back yet.

[slamtheking]

watched on tape delay.  tonight's hot takes:
- nice efficient game by Jaylen. 
- Smart had a few good moments and a few not-Smart moments.  would like him to just get back to being his usual self on offense (not try too much)
- Semi and Pritchard were really solid off the bench.  So was Green.
- Teague looked much better this game.
- Nesmith looked more comfortable as the game went along.  made a few nice buckets and plays
- Thompson had 13 boards and yet we still got killed on the offensive boards.  only negative of the night was how much Orlando was able to bang on the O boards with success.
- Tacko with a banked 3 and a drive for a dunk.  Now I've seen it all

[footey]

Nice to see the bench hold onto the lead this time.

[footey]

Watching Aaron Gordon tonight, I just don’t think he fits in well with our style of play. Seems a bit mechanical, stiff. Maybe an off night.

[Ilikesports17]

Semi has been a very pleasant surprise

[ozgod]

Let's not forget Semi with a smooth 18 points as well, I'd say this was one of his top 3 games in a Cs uniform

He's played great this year. He has either developed his offensive skills quite a bit or was never allowed/too timid to use have used them until now. He's made significant/important contributions in 4 of the team's 8 wins.

And at $1.8 million he is a nice bargain to have.....if he continues to play like this. That's important. He's playing better. Now let's see him do it all year.

Definitely, for the price he's a steal. Probably one of the best value players in the NBA.

[Atzar]

Watching Aaron Gordon tonight, I just don’t think he fits in well with our style of play. Seems a bit mechanical, stiff. Maybe an off night.

I think he's overtaxed being a focal point in their offense, but the bigger problem is that I don't see a lot of willingness in him to do anything else.  He's not the difference-making defender that a guy with his physical tools should be.  He's just an average rebounder.  He seems content to not matter.

Not a guy I'd give up real assets for in a trade.  There's a chance that getting on a new team with a new role would unlock him... but I'm not keen on taking the chance that he turns into something he's never been.