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

[liam]

a take on the first Summer League game:


https://www.yahoo.com/sports/2021-nba-summer-league-yam-214133091.html

[#1P4P]

Pritchard impressed me. He was involved in 13 of the final 16 Celtics points, had 5 assists and 0 turnovers as the main ball handler, shot 46% from 3, occasionally pushed the pace, had a crucial offensive rebound, and played solid defense. With this team, he demonstrated exactly what you want from the PG position.

The areas he has to continue to develop is consistently getting by his defender 1 on 1 and drawing fouls. Once he does that, he’s the perfect complementary player for this team that will earn him the starting role.

[liam]

I really wish we had a couple of Bigs on our Summer League roster.

[radiohead]

I’m looking forward to see Yam and Begarin next game. I wasn’t really impressed with Hauser. The other 2 way will probably go to either Yam or Begarin?

[Celtics4ever]

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.

As much as I was glad to see Kemba go,  I found myself, wishing we had that number 16 to take him during the game.  I know it was one game but the athletic ability was there and he seemed to care about the outcome of the game.  I agree

[Sophomore]

Romeo was disappointing but maybe it’s for a good reason. He was working on things he’s not good at yet. Several times tried to get to the rim, mostly without success. I’d rather he succeed, of course, but my guess is he’s using these games to grow new skills. Like Jaylen’s last year of summer league, when he started trying to do the same. The initial results were … not good, but he’s come a long way.

Yam and Begharin both flashing talent that could turn into something. Imagine: we had to spend the 16th pick on Yabu and got Begharin in the 40s. In a redraft, who goes higher?

[Goldstar88]

Romeo was disappointing but maybe it’s for a good reason. He was working on things he’s not good at yet. Several times tried to get to the rim, mostly without success. I’d rather he succeed, of course, but my guess is he’s using these games to grow new skills. Like Jaylen’s last year of summer league, when he started trying to do the same. The initial results were … not good, but he’s come a long way.

Yam and Begharin both flashing talent that could turn into something. Imagine: we had to spend the 16th pick on Yabu and got Begharin in the 40s. In a redraft, who goes higher?

How was Romeo disappointing? 12 pts, 4ast, 6reb. Shot 4-9 from the field and 3-7 from
3pt. Also, hit a huge shot in the final minutes of the game to give Boston the lead. He was one of the few Celtics players that looked decent.

[Hoopvortex]

My notes:

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.

Surprised at your assessment here. Six assists, no turnovers - and they weren't just swinging the ball to an open shooter on the arc. Two offensive rebounds, both leading to scores.

Probably the key play of the game was at :42 of the 4th with Boston down 4 - Carsen got the offensive rebound in a crowd and threw the pinpoint pass, on the numbers, no hesitation, to Payton for the open 3. Without that, Boston loses the game.

As ballhandler in early offense did some lovely stuff; getting the steal and throwing a beautiful lob at 5:18 of the first was nice; but I really like his taking the defensive rebound and the find in a crowded forecourt - on-time on-target bullet pass to an open Romeo in rhythm for the three at 4:37 of the second. Good vision, good decision, good execution.

I could go on. He did a lot of things both big and small to "make the offense better".

17/8/6 with no turnovers. Led the team in both assists and rebounds.

17 points on 17 shots is not bad production.

People get narratives in their heads and don't let go no matter what happens. Virtually everyone on this site dismisses his game. It's only Summer League, but maybe we can at least reconsider the automatic dismissals.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

My notes:

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.

Surprised at your assessment here. Six assists, no turnovers - and they weren't just swinging the ball to an open shooter on the arc. Two offensive rebounds, both leading to scores.

Probably the key play of the game was at :42 of the 4th with Boston down 4 - Carsen got the offensive rebound in a crowd and threw the pinpoint pass, on the numbers, no hesitation, to Payton for the open 3. Without that, Boston loses the game.

As ballhandler in early offense did some lovely stuff; getting the steal and throwing a beautiful lob at 5:18 of the first was nice; but I really like his taking the defensive rebound and the find in a crowded forecourt - on-time on-target bullet pass to an open Romeo in rhythm for the three at 4:37 of the second. Good vision, good decision, good execution.

I could go on. He did a lot of things both big and small to "make the offense better".

17/8/6 with no turnovers. Led the team in both assists and rebounds.

17 points on 17 shots is not bad production.

People get narratives in their heads and don't let go no matter what happens. Virtually everyone on this site dismisses his game. It's only Summer League, but maybe we can at least reconsider the automatic dismissals.

I like edwards. No narrative here. I want to cheer for him. The assists were good, but 17 points on 17 shots is not good. That’s his role. He has to be more efficient as a scorer to help the Celtics.

[Vermont Green]

I didn't see the summer league game but people have widely varying takes on both Langford and Edwards.  I think the difference is that Edwards has been able to play and practice pretty much right through two seasons where Langford has been injured off and on.  Plus Edwards is about 1.5 years older.  I am not seeing a whole lot of unrealized ceiling for Edwards.  I see a guy who should hang around the league as an end of the bench guard but not much more.  He might be the next Isaiah Thomas and keep getting better but I don't see it (of course I didn't see it in IT either).

I see Langford as having much more unrealized potential ceiling.  When he has played, I have seen flashes of a legit starting or maybe 6th man type of player.  He has been given quality minutes, regular season and playoffs, at times by the coaches so it seems they see something also.  It is still unrealized potential until it isn't though, of course.  He is starting to run out of real estate.  This is a big year for him.  If he continues with durability issues or just doesn't play well, it is going to be an issue for him and his career.

[Atzar]

Romeo was disappointing but maybe it’s for a good reason. He was working on things he’s not good at yet. Several times tried to get to the rim, mostly without success. I’d rather he succeed, of course, but my guess is he’s using these games to grow new skills. Like Jaylen’s last year of summer league, when he started trying to do the same. The initial results were … not good, but he’s come a long way.

Yam and Begharin both flashing talent that could turn into something. Imagine: we had to spend the 16th pick on Yabu and got Begharin in the 40s. In a redraft, who goes higher?

How was Romeo disappointing? 12 pts, 4ast, 6reb. Shot 4-9 from the field and 3-7 from
3pt. Also, hit a huge shot in the final minutes of the game to give Boston the lead. He was one of the few Celtics players that looked decent.

Honestly I thought our key players looked fine, for the most part.  Langford, Edwards, Pritchard, Madar.  They were all somewhere between decent and good.  Begarin looked intriguing and made a few plays, as raw as he is.  Out of the guys on that team who we actually care about, The only one who had a bad game was Nesmith, but even that was largely a matter of missing his threes. 

It was a pretty ugly game overall with lots of long-range brick-laying, but I thought that had more to do with roster composition and first-game rust/jitters than it did any individual performances.

The roster filler guys like Hauser and Auguste looked like booty, but I didn't come into this summer league with any expectations for those guys anyway.  Don't really care if they suck.

[footey]

Game 1 assessment:

1. Pritchard looked solid, really should not play anymore this summer.  Need more PT for the others, particularly guards.

2. Romeo disappointed me in his ball handling and attacking the hoop. He needs to be more assertive, and less careless. Not sure if he is capable of pulling that off.  He needs to take more than 9 shots.  He should attack hoop as much as possible, this is his best skill.  His 3 point shot is better than most here say, but he is not going to be making them at that clip. League average is what I expect.

3. Nesmith didn't show any growth from last season.  Remains very helter skelter.  Not worried about his 1/8 3 point shooting, but if he isn't hot, what else can he do, really? 

4.  Yam was fun, but I don't see us signing him this season. Too many roster/salary considerations.  He also needs to get stronger.  BUT Ime will love his defensive pressure, so maybe he gets a spot.

5. Begarin is bigger than I thought.  Taller and heavier. I like that.  He is super athletic.  Hitting his first two 3s was a huge confidence booster.  Still quite raw. But see him developing as a wing, and even some power forward (small ball), but not making this roster. Come visit us in a year a two (if not packaged in a trade).

6.  Carson Edwards: everyone killed him. I thought he played very well. I think he is the victim of his prior track record. He actually makes good basketball decisions.  Too bad. 

5.  Virginia kid:  He will kill us on defense.  I can't believe we already signed him to a two way. Yes an elite 3 point shooter, but the bad defense will make him unplayable.

[Hoopvortex]

My notes:

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.

Surprised at your assessment here. Six assists, no turnovers - and they weren't just swinging the ball to an open shooter on the arc. Two offensive rebounds, both leading to scores.

Probably the key play of the game was at :42 of the 4th with Boston down 4 - Carsen got the offensive rebound in a crowd and threw the pinpoint pass, on the numbers, no hesitation, to Payton for the open 3. Without that, Boston loses the game.

As ballhandler in early offense did some lovely stuff; getting the steal and throwing a beautiful lob at 5:18 of the first was nice; but I really like his taking the defensive rebound and the find in a crowded forecourt - on-time on-target bullet pass to an open Romeo in rhythm for the three at 4:37 of the second. Good vision, good decision, good execution.

I could go on. He did a lot of things both big and small to "make the offense better".

17/8/6 with no turnovers. Led the team in both assists and rebounds.

17 points on 17 shots is not bad production.

People get narratives in their heads and don't let go no matter what happens. Virtually everyone on this site dismisses his game. It's only Summer League, but maybe we can at least reconsider the automatic dismissals.

I like edwards. No narrative here. I want to cheer for him.

I always like to hear that from a fan, especially for a player who puts forth the effort and has a stellar work ethic. You know what I hate? A fan saying such and such a player is 'garbage', almost always mixing self-importance with impressive ignorance of the game.

The assists were good, but 17 points on 17 shots is not good.

Not great but not bad, actually. A point per shot is almost exactly what the team as a whole did, in fact. In addition to the assists, he also didn't turn it over - something the average fan doesn't notice but which coaches are hyper-aware of. Btw Carsen led the team in TOV% last season, and not even close.

That’s his role. He has to be more efficient as a scorer to help the Celtics.

It would certainly help him. There are some very encouraging signs, though. In a small sample size last season, he was outstanding at finishing at the rim. Supertight handles, ambidexterous, has a burst at the finish and strength to get through contact. In two seasons he's been excellent from long midrange; that's a great asset, since most teams are conceding those shots. And looking at offense as a whole, his care with the ball certainly improves the picture.

[RockinRyA]

Game 1 assessment:

1. Pritchard looked solid, really should not play anymore this summer.  Need more PT for the others, particularly guards.

2. Romeo disappointed me in his ball handling and attacking the hoop. He needs to be more assertive, and less careless. Not sure if he is capable of pulling that off.  He needs to take more than 9 shots.  He should attack hoop as much as possible, this is his best skill.  His 3 point shot is better than most here say, but he is not going to be making them at that clip. League average is what I expect.

3. Nesmith didn't show any growth from last season.  Remains very helter skelter.  Not worried about his 1/8 3 point shooting, but if he isn't hot, what else can he do, really? 

4.  Yam was fun, but I don't see us signing him this season. Too many roster/salary considerations.  He also needs to get stronger.  BUT Ime will love his defensive pressure, so maybe he gets a spot.

5. Begarin is bigger than I thought.  Taller and heavier. I like that.  He is super athletic.  Hitting his first two 3s was a huge confidence booster.  Still quite raw. But see him developing as a wing, and even some power forward (small ball), but not making this roster. Come visit us in a year a two (if not packaged in a trade).

6.  Carson Edwards: everyone killed him. I thought he played very well. I think he is the victim of his prior track record. He actually makes good basketball decisions.  Too bad. 

5.  Virginia kid:  He will kill us on defense.  I can't believe we already signed him to a two way. Yes an elite 3 point shooter, but the bad defense will make him unplayable.

If you watched last season you would know what else nesmith brings. He earned minutes despite not making his shots early in the season because of these.

[Birdman]

Anyone signed Tacko yet?