Celtics at Hawks Summer League Game #1 8/8/21

[DefenseWinsChamps]

My notes:

1. I hated out offense. I think it's mainly because we really didn't have someone putting pressure on as a rim-running presence, but there were way to many pull-up threes and the spacing was awful.
2. Begarin is an NBA athlete. He's raw, but he'd be going into his freshman year in college this year. Imagine if he played for Virginia this year. He'd pop in moments similarly to how Okoro did a few years ago. We will see if he can develop into an NBA player.
3. I like Yam's potential. He wasn't ball dominant today, but he was very impactful. We need players like that. That's euro-ball.
4. I did not like this game from Pritchard. He didn't show any growth as a player. In fact, I thought he looked a bit worse, even though he was enabled by the coaching staff to shoot as much as he wanted. Right now, he looks like backup shooter that you can't really hide on defense, and therefore can't play in the playoffs.
5. I believe in Nesmith. His shoulders looked a lot bigger. He's still erratic, but that just might be who he is. I hope he doesn't lose his confidence in his shot.
6. Maybe Langford just isn't a ball-handler/slasher. It's been several seasons and we haven't seen that at all. I still kinda' see some Ronnie Brewer to his game, but it's looking more and more like he is just a guy on the wing. Nothing special, but still an end-of-the-bench rotation player. Hopefully he can have some good moments in this summer league.
7. Hauser looked like Steve Novak out there. He might be an NBA player, but he doesn't look like he has Duncan Robinson's speed. I like his game -- if you can bring one elite skill to the table, you can help your team in the regular season. If that elite skill is shooting, you can take a lot of pressure off of your stars.
8. I really wanted to see Edwards turn into Patty Mills-lite, but I just don't think it's going to happen. He works hard and plays hard on both sides of the court, which makes him very likeable in my eyes, but he just doesn't make the offense better.

On the Hawks ...
I liked Johnson for the Hawks. Admittedly, he did what a 6'10'' player should do against mismatches, and I don't think he will be as effective against guys his size, but he could be something like James Johnson or Trey Lyles in the modern NBA.

[footey]

My notes:

1. I hated out offense. I think it's mainly because we really didn't have someone putting pressure on as a rim-running presence, but there were way to many pull-up threes and the spacing was awful.
2. Begarin is an NBA athlete. He's raw, but he'd be going into his freshman year in college this year. Imagine if he played for Virginia this year. He'd pop in moments similarly to how Okoro did a few years ago. We will see if he can develop into an NBA player.
3. I like Yam's potential. He wasn't ball dominant today, but he was very impactful. We need players like that. That's euro-ball.
4. I did not like this game from Pritchard. He didn't show any growth as a player. In fact, I thought he looked a bit worse, even though he was enabled by the coaching staff to shoot as much as he wanted. Right now, he looks like backup shooter that you can't really hide on defense, and therefore can't play in the playoffs.
5. I believe in Nesmith. His shoulders looked a lot bigger. He's still erratic, but that just might be who he is. I hope he doesn't lose his confidence in his shot.
6. Maybe Langford just isn't a ball-handler/slasher. It's been several seasons and we haven't seen that at all. I still kinda' see some Ronnie Brewer to his game, but it's looking more and more like he is just a guy on the wing. Nothing special, but still an end-of-the-bench rotation player. Hopefully he can have some good moments in this summer league.
7. Hauser looked like Steve Novak out there. He might be an NBA player, but he doesn't look like he has Duncan Robinson's speed. I like his game -- if you can bring one elite skill to the table, you can help your team in the regular season. If that elite skill is shooting, you can take a lot of pressure off of your stars.
8. I really wanted to see Edwards turn into Patty Mills-lite, but I just don't think it's going to happen. He works hard and plays hard on both sides of the court, which makes him very likeable in my eyes, but he just doesn't make the offense better.

On the Hawks ...
I liked Johnson for the Hawks. Admittedly, he did what a 6'10'' player should do against mismatches, and I don't think he will be as effective against guys his size, but he could be something like James Johnson or Trey Lyles in the modern NBA.

I don’t understand your negative take on Pritchard. Thought he led team to win. Showed growth as a leader. I disagree with your assessment of him.

[gouki88]

My notes:

1. I hated out offense. I think it's mainly because we really didn't have someone putting pressure on as a rim-running presence, but there were way to many pull-up threes and the spacing was awful.
2. Begarin is an NBA athlete. He's raw, but he'd be going into his freshman year in college this year. Imagine if he played for Virginia this year. He'd pop in moments similarly to how Okoro did a few years ago. We will see if he can develop into an NBA player.
3. I like Yam's potential. He wasn't ball dominant today, but he was very impactful. We need players like that. That's euro-ball.
4. I did not like this game from Pritchard. He didn't show any growth as a player. In fact, I thought he looked a bit worse, even though he was enabled by the coaching staff to shoot as much as he wanted. Right now, he looks like backup shooter that you can't really hide on defense, and therefore can't play in the playoffs.
5. I believe in Nesmith. His shoulders looked a lot bigger. He's still erratic, but that just might be who he is. I hope he doesn't lose his confidence in his shot.
6. Maybe Langford just isn't a ball-handler/slasher. It's been several seasons and we haven't seen that at all. I still kinda' see some Ronnie Brewer to his game, but it's looking more and more like he is just a guy on the wing. Nothing special, but still an end-of-the-bench rotation player. Hopefully he can have some good moments in this summer league.
7. Hauser looked like Steve Novak out there. He might be an NBA player, but he doesn't look like he has Duncan Robinson's speed. I like his game -- if you can bring one elite skill to the table, you can help your team in the regular season. If that elite skill is shooting, you can take a lot of pressure off of your stars.
8. I really wanted to see Edwards turn into Patty Mills-lite, but I just don't think it's going to happen. He works hard and plays hard on both sides of the court, which makes him very likeable in my eyes, but he just doesn't make the offense better.

On the Hawks ...
I liked Johnson for the Hawks. Admittedly, he did what a 6'10'' player should do against mismatches, and I don't think he will be as effective against guys his size, but he could be something like James Johnson or Trey Lyles in the modern NBA.

I thought his playmaking was obviously improved. He'd have a handful more assists if he were playing alongside people who could actually hit shots

[Kuberski33]

My notes:

1. I hated out offense. I think it's mainly because we really didn't have someone putting pressure on as a rim-running presence, but there were way to many pull-up threes and the spacing was awful.
2. Begarin is an NBA athlete. He's raw, but he'd be going into his freshman year in college this year. Imagine if he played for Virginia this year. He'd pop in moments similarly to how Okoro did a few years ago. We will see if he can develop into an NBA player.
3. I like Yam's potential. He wasn't ball dominant today, but he was very impactful. We need players like that. That's euro-ball.
4. I did not like this game from Pritchard. He didn't show any growth as a player. In fact, I thought he looked a bit worse, even though he was enabled by the coaching staff to shoot as much as he wanted. Right now, he looks like backup shooter that you can't really hide on defense, and therefore can't play in the playoffs.
5. I believe in Nesmith. His shoulders looked a lot bigger. He's still erratic, but that just might be who he is. I hope he doesn't lose his confidence in his shot.
6. Maybe Langford just isn't a ball-handler/slasher. It's been several seasons and we haven't seen that at all. I still kinda' see some Ronnie Brewer to his game, but it's looking more and more like he is just a guy on the wing. Nothing special, but still an end-of-the-bench rotation player. Hopefully he can have some good moments in this summer league.
7. Hauser looked like Steve Novak out there. He might be an NBA player, but he doesn't look like he has Duncan Robinson's speed. I like his game -- if you can bring one elite skill to the table, you can help your team in the regular season. If that elite skill is shooting, you can take a lot of pressure off of your stars.
8. I really wanted to see Edwards turn into Patty Mills-lite, but I just don't think it's going to happen. He works hard and plays hard on both sides of the court, which makes him very likeable in my eyes, but he just doesn't make the offense better.

On the Hawks ...
I liked Johnson for the Hawks. Admittedly, he did what a 6'10'' player should do against mismatches, and I don't think he will be as effective against guys his size, but he could be something like James Johnson or Trey Lyles in the modern NBA.

I don’t understand your negative take on Pritchard. Thought he led team to win. Showed growth as a leader. I disagree with your assessment of him.

I thought he was the best player on the floor for either team, which is what you'd expect him to be in this type of game. I think he got so many minutes because the coaches wanted some stability so they could better evaluate the guys on the regular roster as well as Begarin.  Yeah he took a bunch of shots but he also moved the ball the way you would expect an NBA lead guard to do it.

I would guess that he'll play fewer minutes from here on out as he doesn't really have anything to prove.  Maybe Yam gets more in his place.

[tstorey_97]

My issue with Pritchard is fit.

If the team wants a point guard in the classical sense? He's fine. If he's going to be a shooting guard...you might as well trade him.

My point is that with the starters he doesn't play point and in my view he is good point guard and a very good shooter.

Yes he will suffer on defense when covering NBA point guards, but please...not that much.

At Oregon regularly and here last season, he was effective at the end of games. His strengths outweigh his weaknesses....if you use him right.

Begarin looked scattered but got his wingspan going underneath on defense. Madar was good. Poor Romeo starts a playoff game against the Nets and covers Harden last season and now he's fighting for his life against a bunch of guys nobody's heard of.

The other guys looked sort of ok. Suffering makes you stronger.

[gouki88]

My issue with Pritchard is fit.

If the team wants a point guard in the classical sense? He's fine. If he's going to be a shooting guard...you might as well trade him.

My point is that with the starters he doesn't play point and in my view he is good point guard and a very good shooter.

Yes he will suffer on defense when covering NBA point guards, but please...not that much.

At Oregon regularly and here last season, he was effective at the end of games. His strengths outweigh his weaknesses....if you use him right.

Begarin looked scattered but got his wingspan going underneath on defense. Madar was good. Poor Romeo starts a playoff game against the Nets and covers Harden last season and now he's fighting for his life against a bunch of guys nobody's heard of.

The other guys looked sort of ok. Suffering makes you stronger.

I agree with you. I think/hope Ime will use him better than Brad did

[DefenseWinsChamps]

My notes:

I don’t understand your negative take on Pritchard. Thought he led team to win. Showed growth as a leader. I disagree with your assessment of him.

I thought he was the best player on the floor for either team, which is what you'd expect him to be in this type of game. I think he got so many minutes because the coaches wanted some stability so they could better evaluate the guys on the regular roster as well as Begarin.  Yeah he took a bunch of shots but he also moved the ball the way you would expect an NBA lead guard to do it.

I would guess that he'll play fewer minutes from here on out as he doesn't really have anything to prove.  Maybe Yam gets more in his place.

15 of his 18 shots were threes, and the other three were misses going to the rim. He looked unable to break down the defense in a meaningful way and be a threat to finish at the rim. Therefore, he settled for deep threes, which he has the ability to do. But, that's my assertion that he looks like a shooter.

I also did not see all of these missed assist possibilities. I think most of his assists were simple ones that any guard should be able do (ahem, except for Carson Edwards). I just didn't think he really ran a good offense at all or distributed the ball well. Edwards had one more assist than him and Langford had one less. It's not like he was Steve Nash out there.

[Celtics4ever]

1. I hated out offense. I think it's mainly because we really didn't have someone putting pressure on as a rim-running presence, but there were way to many pull-up threes and the spacing was awful.

Summer league is always guards chucking threes

2. Begarin is an NBA athlete. He's raw, but he'd be going into his freshman year in college this year. Imagine if he played for Virginia this year. He'd pop in moments similarly to how Okoro did a few years ago. We will see if he can develop into an NBA player.

His steal sealed the victory.  I thought he looked like a man out there rebounding and doing the little things.  His shot was better than advertised.

3. I like Yam's potential. He wasn't ball dominant today, but he was very impactful. We need players like that. That's euro-ball.

Changed our tempo when he entered.  Solid passes.   Some nice drives.   Drove me crazy crossing his legs on defense all the time but has really nice hands.   Seems very awkward and quirky and sometimes those guys throw you off your game.

4. I did not like this game from Pritchard. He didn't show any growth as a player. In fact, I thought he looked a bit worse, even though he was enabled by the coaching staff to shoot as much as he wanted. Right now, he looks like backup shooter that you can't really hide on defense, and therefore can't play in the playoffs.

I mostly agree, his long range was nice.

5. I believe in Nesmith. His shoulders looked a lot bigger. He's still erratic, but that just might be who he is. I hope he doesn't lose his confidence in his shot.

I thought he looked more balanced on D, which would be a big step in terms of progress.

6. Maybe Langford just isn't a ball-handler/slasher. It's been several seasons and we haven't seen that at all. I still kinda' see some Ronnie Brewer to his game, but it's looking more and more like he is just a guy on the wing. Nothing special, but still an end-of-the-bench rotation player. Hopefully he can have some good moments in this summer league.

He hit some jumpers today, down the stretch.  I thought he looked quick on offense and had a nice drive they called a charge on.

7. Hauser looked like Steve Novak out there. He might be an NBA player, but he doesn't look like he has Duncan Robinson's speed. I like his game -- if you can bring one elite skill to the table, you can help your team in the regular season. If that elite skill is shooting, you can take a lot of pressure off of your stars.

Didn't show that skill today.  Absolutely abysmal on defense today.  Horrible, other guys were having to try to cover his man.   I was thinking to myself, this is guy we gave a two way too?   I realize his shot was not falling but he was unplayable on D almost.

8. I really wanted to see Edwards turn into Patty Mills-lite, but I just don't think it's going to happen. He works hard and plays hard on both sides of the court, which makes him very likeable in my eyes, but he just doesn't make the offense better.

I thought Edwards was fine today.   Had some nice shots once he hit the first one, and some quick drives.

I thought our bigs stunk it up badly.  Here is hoping they improve, I know summer league is about guards but they were terrible.

[Surferdad]

1. I hated out offense. I think it's mainly because we really didn't have someone putting pressure on as a rim-running presence, but there were way to many pull-up threes and the spacing was awful.

Summer league is always guards chucking threes

2. Begarin is an NBA athlete. He's raw, but he'd be going into his freshman year in college this year. Imagine if he played for Virginia this year. He'd pop in moments similarly to how Okoro did a few years ago. We will see if he can develop into an NBA player.

His steal sealed the victory.  I thought he looked like a man out there rebounding and doing the little things.  His shot was better than advertised.

3. I like Yam's potential. He wasn't ball dominant today, but he was very impactful. We need players like that. That's euro-ball.

Changed our tempo when he entered.  Solid passes.   Some nice drives.   Drove me crazy crossing his legs on defense all the time but has really nice hands.   Seems very awkward and quirky and sometimes those guys throw you off your game.

4. I did not like this game from Pritchard. He didn't show any growth as a player. In fact, I thought he looked a bit worse, even though he was enabled by the coaching staff to shoot as much as he wanted. Right now, he looks like backup shooter that you can't really hide on defense, and therefore can't play in the playoffs.

I mostly agree, his long range was nice.

5. I believe in Nesmith. His shoulders looked a lot bigger. He's still erratic, but that just might be who he is. I hope he doesn't lose his confidence in his shot.

I thought he looked more balanced on D, which would be a big step in terms of progress.

6. Maybe Langford just isn't a ball-handler/slasher. It's been several seasons and we haven't seen that at all. I still kinda' see some Ronnie Brewer to his game, but it's looking more and more like he is just a guy on the wing. Nothing special, but still an end-of-the-bench rotation player. Hopefully he can have some good moments in this summer league.

He hit some jumpers today, down the stretch.  I thought he looked quick on offense and had a nice drive they called a charge on.

7. Hauser looked like Steve Novak out there. He might be an NBA player, but he doesn't look like he has Duncan Robinson's speed. I like his game -- if you can bring one elite skill to the table, you can help your team in the regular season. If that elite skill is shooting, you can take a lot of pressure off of your stars.

Didn't show that skill today.  Absolutely abysmal on defense today.  Horrible, other guys were having to try to cover his man.   I was thinking to myself, this is guy we gave a two way too?   I realize his shot was not falling but he was unplayable on D almost.

8. I really wanted to see Edwards turn into Patty Mills-lite, but I just don't think it's going to happen. He works hard and plays hard on both sides of the court, which makes him very likeable in my eyes, but he just doesn't make the offense better.

I thought Edwards was fine today.   Had some nice shots once he hit the first one, and some quick drives.

I thought our bigs stunk it up badly.  Here is hoping they improve, I know summer league is about guards but they were terrible.

Great breakdown, mostly agree.  Good games from Pritchard, Yam and Begarin.  Nesmith still needs a more consistent shot but looked energetic. For bigs, it would been nice to see Fernando. The others bigs were terrible. 

[Who]

Nesmith is all effort, but he's got terrible lateral quickness.

The simplest change of direction has him reeling.

I was down on the Nesmiths pick because of his lack of lateral quickness. He has grown on me since then but I agree his lateral quickness is still an issue. Ultimately I feel the best outcome defensively for Nesmith is to bulk up and play a Crowder or older Pierce style undersized 4

I do see Nesmith more as a SF/PF than a SF/SG or SG/SF.

I see some posters penciling him at shooting guard next season - I do not think his future is there. I see him as a combo forward.

[tonydelk]

My notes:

1. I hated out offense. I think it's mainly because we really didn't have someone putting pressure on as a rim-running presence, but there were way to many pull-up threes and the spacing was awful. Summer league offense always sucks.
 They've been practicing together for a few weeks at most.  Most of the players will never be on an NBA team so it's difficult to judge an offense based on these players.
2. Begarin is an NBA athlete. He's raw, but he'd be going into his freshman year in college this year. Imagine if he played for Virginia this year. He'd pop in moments similarly to how Okoro did a few years ago. We will see if he can develop into an NBA player. I was shocked this kids just turned 19.  He absolutely has an NBA body.  He's built similar to Matisse Thybulle.  He can definitely play some D.
 His shot needs a ton of work.  He can move his feet.  Needs to get stronger but for a 2 day 19yr old He's going to really be a bulldog on D in a few years.  If he can hit those corner 3's he has some potential.
3. I like Yam's potential. He wasn't ball dominant today, but he was very impactful. We need players like that. That's euro-ball. Yam was everything I'd hoped he be in his 1st game.  Great vision.  Would have liked to see him hit one of those 3's.  The turnaround j was smooth.  He's definitely an NBA player.
4. I did not like this game from Pritchard. He didn't show any growth as a player. In fact, I thought he looked a bit worse, even though he was enabled by the coaching staff to shoot as much as he wanted. Right now, he looks like backup shooter that you can't really hide on defense, and therefore can't play in the playoffs. I was  find with this game.  Good vision and hit his 3's.  We need him to hit his 3's and distribute to the J's.  With summer league there is no room to operate in the paint.  It was clogged and is there is much better spacing at the NBA level.  All I want to see from  PP is hitting his 3's and make the passes he did today. I thought he played a great game. 
5. I believe in Nesmith. His shoulders looked a lot bigger. He's still erratic, but that just might be who he is. I hope he doesn't lose his confidence in his shot. Nesmith is gaining confidence.  Getting stronger.  Still needs a lot of work on his handle.  I would love to see improvement there.
6. Maybe Langford just isn't a ball-handler/slasher. It's been several seasons and we haven't seen that at all. I still kinda' see some Ronnie Brewer to his game, but it's looking more and more like he is just a guy on the wing. Nothing special, but still an end-of-the-bench rotation player. Hopefully he can have some good moments in this summer league. Langford played well in the 2nd half.
 A few good passes.  I don't see the lead guard/distributor they want him to be.
 He does not have the handles yet.  I will be happy to see what he look like in the preseason after he actually has an NBA offseason.  Remember these guys haven't been working out that long and have a few more months to go to improve.  Hitting those 3's was huge.  Shot looks much better.
7. Hauser looked like Steve Novak out there. He might be an NBA player, but he doesn't look like he has Duncan Robinson's speed. I like his game -- if you can bring one elite skill to the table, you can help your team in the regular season. If that elite skill is shooting, you can take a lot of pressure off of your stars. Wow.  this is the guy they chose for a 2 way.  He looks like hes moving in quicksand.  Good form on his shot but he got beat every time off the dribble.
 His reaction time was always a tick behind the offensive player.
8. I really wanted to see Edwards turn into Patty Mills-lite, but I just don't think it's going to happen. He works hard and plays hard on both sides of the court, which makes him very likeable in my eyes, but he just doesn't make the offense better. I'm sorry but Edwards will never turn into a rotational player.  It stinks.
 I really wanted him to succeed.  I just don't see it.

On the Hawks ...
I liked Johnson for the Hawks. Admittedly, he did what a 6'10'' player should do against mismatches, and I don't think he will be as effective against guys his size, but he could be something like James Johnson or Trey Lyles in the modern NBA.

Jalen Johnson looked really good.  I'd like to see him againsstt better competition but it looks like the Hawks good a good young rotational talent late in the draft.  He's a big kid with a huge vert.  He will get beat buy faster players if he's at SF.  I think he's definitely a straight 4 at the NBA level but he's definitely a good depth piece.  I would not have minded if he was on the C's.  He'd improve the lack of talent we have at the 4.

[gouki88]

Nesmith is all effort, but he's got terrible lateral quickness.

The simplest change of direction has him reeling.

I was down on the Nesmiths pick because of his lack of lateral quickness. He has grown on me since then but I agree his lateral quickness is still an issue. Ultimately I feel the best outcome defensively for Nesmith is to bulk up and play a Crowder or older Pierce style undersized 4

I do see Nesmith more as a SF/PF than a SF/SG or SG/SF.

I see some posters penciling him at shooting guard next season - I do not think his future is there. I see him as a combo forward.

Him bulking up and becoming a longer Royce O'Neale type would be a good outcome

[ETNCeltics]

My issue with Pritchard is fit.

If the team wants a point guard in the classical sense? He's fine. If he's going to be a shooting guard...you might as well trade him.

My point is that with the starters he doesn't play point and in my view he is good point guard and a very good shooter.

Yes he will suffer on defense when covering NBA point guards, but please...not that much.

At Oregon regularly and here last season, he was effective at the end of games. His strengths outweigh his weaknesses....if you use him right.

Begarin looked scattered but got his wingspan going underneath on defense. Madar was good. Poor Romeo starts a playoff game against the Nets and covers Harden last season and now he's fighting for his life against a bunch of guys nobody's heard of.

The other guys looked sort of ok. Suffering makes you stronger.

You don't throw a good player away because your coach doesn't/wouldn't use him.

[ETNCeltics]

My takes:

There's simply no reason for PP to be here, other than he helps the other players. He doesn't need summer league, he needs to be in the rotation.

Our big men are awful. You'll find better bigs at the ymca on the weekend. So is Hauser. He's too slow to defend anyone at all.

Bergarin is going to be a beast physically. Not sure if the rest of his game will ever be nba-ready, but you can see why the Celts picked him. He is a strong young man with some dog in him.

Madar's videos don't appear to be fools gold. He's a good athlete who sees the floor well. I'm puzzled why he got so few minutes. Hopefully we'll see more of him.

The Edwards takes are a bit over the top. When he was out there functioning as a point guard, he looked good. When he lapsed into the gunner he's been his whole life, he looked like a guy who has no business in the nba. The Celts don't have room long term for multiple undersized PGs, but Edwards is improved. It's no coincidence how when he takes a shot within the flow of the offense, he shoots well, when he forces it, he's hot garbage.

Langford's handle isn't improved enough to entertain him as a point. That idea seems crazy to me. Nowhere near good enough. He did knock down some open looks, and based on what we already know about his game, if he can do that, he'll help us. He has a nose for the ball, but he's just too careless with it.

Nesmith was terrible early on, shouldn't be held against him, it was the 1st game of summer. I'm not going to write him off like some here have. You can see he has a good stroke and isn't a bad athlete. I still think he's going to become a good player.

[liam]

Juhann shooting needs some serious work.   If he could shoot, he would be a 1st round pick for sure

Beast body.  Strong defender

I think he can shoot. You are right about that body -- for a guy who turned 19 yesterday.  Looked like he belonged out there.

I thought he looked heavier than in the footage I watched of him.