Harbingers from the first preseason game

[Big333223]

The first points put on the scoreboard for the Celtics this year came from a Jayson Tatum 3 pointer that was wide open as a result of some nice ball movement.

The final (and game wining) points of the game came from a much-questioned young bench player after a couple of hustle plays in the clutch.

For the superstitious of us out there, I think these are nice signs.

[spikelovetheCelts]

I think people are sleeping on Romeo. Ya it was one shot but he nailed it. I saw him play a lot at Indy, I still believe he will prove himself this year. Richardson D impressed me and Smart look good as  a PG. Al looked great and I was happy to see that.  I am excited for this year.

[Roy H.]

Basically, I'm going to hold on to the positives:  Nesmith, Romeo, Williams, Jaylen

And disregard the negatives:  Outside shooting, Timelord, Richardson, Schroder

[JBcat]

Basically, I'm going to hold on to the positives:  Nesmith, Romeo, Williams, Jaylen

And disregard the negatives:  Outside shooting, Timelord, Richardson, Schroder

Regarding the negatives I thought Schroder played fine.  Maybe his shooting stats weren’t there, but I thought he had a few outstanding plays that stood out to me. 

Richardson was at least very solid on defense with 1 play in particular forcing a jump ball that stuck out to me. His offense wasn’t there and quite honestly I’m not expecting a whole lot on that end based on his last couple years. 

The Celtics shot 35% from 3 on 40 attempts.  Not great by any means, but with Tatum and Brown shooting a combined 5 for 16 it brought it down which won’t happen often. 

I also thought Hernangomez was a positive in his limited minutes. Lots of energy and very active.  I thought he meshed well with the starters.

[Neurotic Guy]

Ime played 13 guys all at least 10 minutes (or so) of PT last night.  First time for all sorts of combinations and C's were often sloppy and cobweb-y.   Shooting was off and passing was off.  But they looked fast and energetic.  Just had a good, positive feel that was missing most of last season.   

My biggest takeaway was that every one of the 13 who played last night looked like they belong on an NBA roster and looked like they could compete for minutes at the end of the rotation (or better). 

[Hoopvortex]

Basically, I'm going to hold on to the positives:  Nesmith, Romeo, Williams, Jaylen

And disregard the negatives:  Outside shooting, Timelord, Richardson, Schroder

I’d add to positives: getting to the line. Schroeder, Brown, Tatum, and Hernangomez all shot at least four each.

Apropos, Tatum has added a physical dimension to his drive.  This is a really good sign. Really good.

Nesmith was a positive, I agree. Especially loved the athletic, head’s-up save, followed by changing ends before the defense set up, taking the pass and getting to the rim in the early offense with a left hand dribble and euro and finish. For those of us who think he has all-star potential, he did not do anything to make us doubt.

Schroeder was not the negative that you think, in my view. I especially liked his chemistry on the pick and roll with Horford, but the execution of the ATO with the one-hand delivery from the top of the arc to Jaylen for the corner 3 was a thing of beauty, and hugely skillful.

His speed with the ball is a great asset, and if he can get to the line as he did last season (and last night), Boston can get into the bonus quicker and get more easy points.

The big negative was turnovers, with communication breakdowns on defense a close second.

[gouki88]

Basically, I'm going to hold on to the positives:  Nesmith, Romeo, Williams, Jaylen

And disregard the negatives:  Outside shooting, Timelord, Richardson, Schroder

I’d add to positives: getting to the line. Schroeder, Brown, Tatum, and Hernangomez all shot at least four each.

Apropos, Tatum has added a physical dimension to his drive.  This is a really good sign. Really good.

Nesmith was a positive, I agree. Especially loved the athletic, head’s-up save, followed by changing ends before the defense set up, taking the pass and getting to the rim in the early offense with a left hand dribble and euro and finish. For those of us who think he has all-star potential, he did not do anything to make us doubt.

Schroeder was not the negative that you think, in my view. I especially liked his chemistry on the pick and roll with Horford, but the execution of the ATO with the one-hand delivery from the top of the arc to Jaylen for the corner 3 was a thing of beauty, and hugely skillful.

His speed with the ball is a great asset, and if he can get to the line as he did last season (and last night), Boston can get into the bonus quicker and get more easy points.

The big negative was turnovers, with communication breakdowns on defense a close second.

I agree. Theoretically those should be mitigated by familiarity, which is a promising thing.

[slamtheking]

Ime played 13 guys all at least 10 minutes (or so) of PT last night.  First time for all sorts of combinations and C's were often sloppy and cobweb-y.   Shooting was off and passing was off.  But they looked fast and energetic.  Just had a good, positive feel that was missing most of last season.   

My biggest takeaway was that every one of the 13 who played last night looked like they belong on an NBA roster and looked like they could compete for minutes at the end of the rotation (or better).

this is a huge difference over last year.  granted it's just one game so far but if they all continue to play this well (hopefully even better on offense) then I think we'll have a better year than last year and certainly be a far more enjoyable team to watch and root for

[SHAQATTACK]

Ime played 13 guys all at least 10 minutes (or so) of PT last night.   

My biggest takeaway was that every one of the 13 who played last night looked like they belong on an NBA roster and looked like they could compete for minutes at the end of the rotation (or better).

Yup , trading in the D league players for actually NBA players ….who would have thunk that …?

Obviou not cheap skate Danny Ainge with his bench squads short nobodies . 

All I can say is CBS was patient man concerning Danny .

[Hoopvortex]

Basically, I'm going to hold on to the positives:  Nesmith, Romeo, Williams, Jaylen

And disregard the negatives:  Outside shooting, Timelord, Richardson, Schroder

I’d add to positives: getting to the line. Schroeder, Brown, Tatum, and Hernangomez all shot at least four each.

Apropos, Tatum has added a physical dimension to his drive.  This is a really good sign. Really good.

Nesmith was a positive, I agree. Especially loved the athletic, head’s-up save, followed by changing ends before the defense set up, taking the pass and getting to the rim in the early offense with a left hand dribble and euro and finish. For those of us who think he has all-star potential, he did not do anything to make us doubt.

Schroeder was not the negative that you think, in my view. I especially liked his chemistry on the pick and roll with Horford, but the execution of the ATO with the one-hand delivery from the top of the arc to Jaylen for the corner 3 was a thing of beauty, and hugely skillful.

His speed with the ball is a great asset, and if he can get to the line as he did last season (and last night), Boston can get into the bonus quicker and get more easy points.

The big negative was turnovers, with communication breakdowns on defense a close second.

I agree. Theoretically those should be mitigated by familiarity, which is a promising thing.

I think you’re right. New coaching staff and new teammates.

[LilRip]

Idk if im overly optimistic but I walked away impressed from that game!

- Tatum looks massive and seems to be more focused on driving inside the paint (or playing from the post). I’m expecting big things from him this year
- Schroder moves like Rondo. I know that doesn’t count for much because he doesn’t have Rondo’s vision and savvy but he seems to be the best PG we have. It was a weird game for him but I’m confident he can be a big factor in a lot of games
- Losing Kemba (or Brad?) has completely changed our offense, at least from the eye test. A lot less standing around and more ball movement.

The biggest concern I have with this team is the lack of shooting. Smart, Schroder, Richardson and Timelord all don’t space the floor nor are they enough of a scoring threat to make defenses shift. That’s 4 out of a likely 9-man rotation. That’s a lot of non-shooters/scorers. It’s hard to operate if the defense can constantly get away with cheating off of a guy on the floor.

[Hoopvortex]

Interesting quick lineup in the latter part of the first quarter:

Schroeder/Smart/Richardson/Brown/Horford

[slamtheking]

Interesting quick lineup in the latter part of the first quarter:

Schroeder/Smart/Richardson/Brown/Horford

don't be surprised if that lineup (or tatum in for brown) gets a lot of play, particularly against Brooklyn.  being able to trot out 3 guys that don't have a defensive weakness against the likes of Harden, Kyrie and Harris will be a issue for Brooklyn.

[SHAQATTACK]

I held by breath at first , I was nervous the firsT quarter for sure

But TimeRob survived a pretty rugged game without getting nicked up 

While his shot wasn’t there , he was more focused on each play ,  how he could impact the play without fouling or putting himself in bad place to get an injury for minimum chance of impacting the play at hand .  He followed the plays reserving his energy for more appropriate moments .

I m thinking Horford is setting this example , of how to be impactful and yet protect yourself and use pace and passing to move the ball .

All this is huge step for Rob to be a consistent starter .  He was calmer under pressure.

[Chief]

Ime played 13 guys all at least 10 minutes (or so) of PT last night.   

My biggest takeaway was that every one of the 13 who played last night looked like they belong on an NBA roster and looked like they could compete for minutes at the end of the rotation (or better).

Yup , trading in the D league players for actually NBA players ….who would have thunk that …?

Obviou not cheap skate Danny Ainge with his bench squads short nobodies . 

All I can say is CBS was patient man concerning Danny .

But, but, but., if just one of those d league quality bench guys blossomed with good coaching and then flipped in a trade....Danny would have been a genius.