Celtics Summer League

[Wretch]

Can’t wait for grant williams to be gone

I just do not get the negativity toward Grant Williams on this team.

The dude is putting in work in the off-season to become a better player. He's already won a playoff game for us by switching onto FVV and blocking his shot late at the buzzer of a game to win it. His three point shooting improved last year. He's a good helpside defender. He's unselfish and keeps the ball moving.

I'm a huge believer in GW if he becomes a combo forward by losing weight and expanding his game. If he doesn't and remains a heavy undersized 5 I'm done with him. Some people see him as a small ball big, I don't. Just like Gomez he needs to give up on playing a big man type of game and play more like a SF. Even if he does it somewhere else I hope he changes and sticks in the league.

A lot of that weight is bone and muscle, not easy for him to shed. He's a just an nba big man who isn't tall enough. He'll probably never be light on his feet enough to defend anyone on the perimeter. Great young man, he'll probably have a nice career playing overseas.

If Semi can get more than 1 contract in the NBA so will GW.  That's not a knock a Semi.

[#1P4P]

I’m eager to see which of the young players is outstanding amongst his peers. Langford, Nesmith, and Pritchard can be the perfect supporting cast for this team. People are overlooking the readiness of those three as the reasoning for the lack of transactions during the offseason.

Pritchard has been brushed off like he’s just a backup PG, when he’s an elite shooter with extended range (top 30 in 3P% at 41.1% on 3.8 3PA; 46.7% on 2.5 3PA in catch and shoot situations), secure ball handler, and defended his position well. He’s a real threat to becoming the Starting PG this year.

Nesmith has an elite motor, above average rebounding, strength, and shooting (42.1% 3P% in February and 40.9% in April); as soon as he understands the system and his place in it, he’s going to be an elite role player.

Romeo is already an excellent defensive player. He finally has a healthy offseason to practice with teammates and receive game reps. He has to assert himself during Summer League, excel at his pre-draft strengths (driving to the rim and finishing through contact), and be efficient shooting from the perimeter for this to be productive.

The biggest question is whether they’re going to mature in time to take on increased roles this upcoming season. After an entire NBA season and 2 months without a game, Summer League will be our glimpse of how close they are to being reliable contributors.

[ETNCeltics]

Can’t wait for grant williams to be gone

I just do not get the negativity toward Grant Williams on this team.

The dude is putting in work in the off-season to become a better player. He's already won a playoff game for us by switching onto FVV and blocking his shot late at the buzzer of a game to win it. His three point shooting improved last year. He's a good helpside defender. He's unselfish and keeps the ball moving.

I'm a huge believer in GW if he becomes a combo forward by losing weight and expanding his game. If he doesn't and remains a heavy undersized 5 I'm done with him. Some people see him as a small ball big, I don't. Just like Gomez he needs to give up on playing a big man type of game and play more like a SF. Even if he does it somewhere else I hope he changes and sticks in the league.

A lot of that weight is bone and muscle, not easy for him to shed. He's a just an nba big man who isn't tall enough. He'll probably never be light on his feet enough to defend anyone on the perimeter. Great young man, he'll probably have a nice career playing overseas.

If Semi can get more than 1 contract in the NBA so will GW.  That's not a knock a Semi.

Semi showed he can defend good players at a high level (most visibly and not coincidentally, against the Bucs). He's just useless offensively. Grant hasn't shown he can do anything on either end of the floor at a high level. Though if you can get him posted up against most guards, he's money.

[Celtics4ever]

Grant hasn't shown he can do anything on either end of the floor at a high level. Though if you can get him posted up against most guards, he's money.

And if it is anyone over 6-4 it is a block for the other team    JK

[Surferdad]

I’m eager to see which of the young players is outstanding amongst his peers. Langford, Nesmith, and Pritchard can be the perfect supporting cast for this team. People are overlooking the readiness of those three as the reasoning for the lack of transactions during the offseason.

Pritchard has been brushed off like he’s just a backup PG, when he’s an elite shooter with extended range (top 30 in 3P% at 41.1% on 3.8 3PA; 46.7% on 2.5 3PA in catch and shoot situations), secure ball handler, and defended his position well. He’s a real threat to becoming the Starting PG this year.

Nesmith has an elite motor, above average rebounding, strength, and shooting (42.1% 3P% in February and 40.9% in April); as soon as he understands the system and his place in it, he’s going to be an elite role player.

Romeo is already an excellent defensive player. He finally has a healthy offseason to practice with teammates and receive game reps. He has to assert himself during Summer League, excel at his pre-draft strengths (driving to the rim and finishing through contact), and be efficient shooting from the perimeter for this to be productive.

The biggest question is whether they’re going to mature in time to take on increased roles this upcoming season. After an entire NBA season and 2 months without a game, Summer League will be our glimpse of how close they are to being reliable contributors.

Yeah, I just posted in the Depth Chart thread some thoughts on the young guys. Beyond SL, I think Pritchard and Nesmith get decent minutes, they’ve shown they are ready for the next step.  Romeo, though may struggle for minutes with JRich around (and maybe Dunn) and he also will fight for minutes with Nesmith.  The other issue is that Romeo needs to show he’s got his head together and is ready to be a pro.  Coach Joe basically said he wasn’t there yet, and if you watched his press comments yesterday you saw a very insecure young man.

For Grant, he has to show he has a role on this team. Amp up your defense young man, take Semi’s old 3-and-D job. Hit three’s when they are there for you.

I’d like Fernando to make the team if nothing else than as “the big dude at the end of the bench, break-glass-in-case-of-emergency” type guy. It’s a classic team role (filled by Tacko last season) going all the way back to Bruno Sundov (pop quizz there, lol).

[Celtics4ever]

For Grant, he has to show he has a role on this team. Amp up your defense young man, take Semi’s old 3-and-D job. Hit three’s when they are there for you.

I think he has to embrace his physicality and use his strength.   He is not going to out jump or out quick guys but he could out think and over power them.   A lot of guys in the league have carved out careers embracing their physical nature.   It is all about playing to your strengths and forcing your will on the other player using those strengths.  Bang every time you can, bump into them when you run by them, lean on them to make them tired.

[gouki88]

For Grant, he has to show he has a role on this team. Amp up your defense young man, take Semi’s old 3-and-D job. Hit three’s when they are there for you.

I think he has to embrace his physicality and use his strength.   He is not going to out jump or out quick guys but he could out think and over power them.   A lot of guys in the league have carved out careers embracing their physical nature.   It is all about playing to your strengths and forcing your will on the other player using those strengths.  Bang every time you can, bump into them when you run by them, lean on them to make them tired.

This might have the unintended consequence of getting him fouled out quickly too. Either he beats people up or he sits on the bench.

Win-win

[#1P4P]

I’m eager to see which of the young players is outstanding amongst his peers. Langford, Nesmith, and Pritchard can be the perfect supporting cast for this team. People are overlooking the readiness of those three as the reasoning for the lack of transactions during the offseason.

Pritchard has been brushed off like he’s just a backup PG, when he’s an elite shooter with extended range (top 30 in 3P% at 41.1% on 3.8 3PA; 46.7% on 2.5 3PA in catch and shoot situations), secure ball handler, and defended his position well. He’s a real threat to becoming the Starting PG this year.

Nesmith has an elite motor, above average rebounding, strength, and shooting (42.1% 3P% in February and 40.9% in April); as soon as he understands the system and his place in it, he’s going to be an elite role player.

Romeo is already an excellent defensive player. He finally has a healthy offseason to practice with teammates and receive game reps. He has to assert himself during Summer League, excel at his pre-draft strengths (driving to the rim and finishing through contact), and be efficient shooting from the perimeter for this to be productive.

The biggest question is whether they’re going to mature in time to take on increased roles this upcoming season. After an entire NBA season and 2 months without a game, Summer League will be our glimpse of how close they are to being reliable contributors.

Yeah, I just posted in the Depth Chart thread some thoughts on the young guys. Beyond SL, I think Pritchard and Nesmith get decent minutes, they’ve shown they are ready for the next step.  Romeo, though may struggle for minutes with JRich around (and maybe Dunn) and he also will fight for minutes with Nesmith.  The other issue is that Romeo needs to show he’s got his head together and is ready to be a pro.  Coach Joe basically said he wasn’t there yet, and if you watched his press comments yesterday you saw a very insecure young man.

For Grant, he has to show he has a role on this team. Amp up your defense young man, take Semi’s old 3-and-D job. Hit three’s when they are there for you.

I’d like Fernando to make the team if nothing else than as “the big dude at the end of the bench, break-glass-in-case-of-emergency” type guy. It’s a classic team role (filled by Tacko last season) going all the way back to Bruno Sundov (pop quizz there, lol).

The roster spot Fernando occupies will be better served by an energy big or a veteran bug/coach that has won a title. Other than being big and strong, I didn’t like his game.

Grant is a decent player. He’d have been a solid 3rd string PF in his first 2 years, but the lack of depth on this team and his BBIQ and athleticism earned him a backup/spot start as a 4-5 (even time at the 3). Grant has to get stronger to guard/boxout in the post at the 4-5 and/or get his lateral movement fast enough to guard at the 3-4 on the perimeter. Achieve both of those qualities and he will have a PJ Tucker role, if not he’s going to have to shoot the lights out.

Romeo’s defense gives him a strong reliable quality, but I see a player that lacks confidence on offense. With lacking confidence, the talent and skill he does have will be significantly diminished. He is an NBA player, hopefully he realizes it.

[Surferdad]

Hope Fernando is eligible for the SL squad.

[Goldstar88]

Nooo!!!


John Karalis: Joe Mazzulla says Payton Pritchard’s summer league is over, but it’s because of a prior engagement that had been discussed with the team -31 mins ago

[Celtics2021]

Nooo!!!


John Karalis: Joe Mazzulla says Payton Pritchard’s summer league is over, but it’s because of a prior engagement that had been discussed with the team 31 mins ago

This post reads funny.  A prior engagement "that had been discussed with the team 31 mins ago."  Some prior discussion!

[86MaxwellSmart]

PP Killed the Summer League, got nice and tanned....now go home and get ready for the season~!

[Silas]

Maybe that's why he played 29 minutes against Orlando with the game easily won. 

[ozgod]

I'm ok with this. We've seen enough of Payton to see that he's clearly made some leaps forward, not just shooting but his judgement and his distribution and making the right reads. I would almost be looking to sit Aaron as well but they will probably keep playing him.

Let's see who else rises to the top in Payton's absence that might be worth a two way.

[nickagneta]

Payton did enough. SL wins and losses mean nothing. A SL Championship means less than nothing. Pritchard proved he is very capable 2nd year PG that deserves 20 MPG or more(if someone gets traded or hurt). Kid can flat out play.