Celtics (36-26) at Pacers (20-41) Game #63 2/27/22

[#1P4P]

Ime’s inexperience showed in this one. These are the games that Brad would’ve gone deeper into the bench for a spark.

So it's Ime's fault the Celtics have a non-existent bench? Who other than Pritchard is he supposed to go to? Luke Kornet? We traded the tiniest shred of a bench spark we had (Richardson) at the deadline. And when Ime only plays White a combined total of 42 minutes in back-to-backs when he's starters are front-rimming everything.... it tells you how confident he is in the guy, despite having coached him in SAS.

Nesmith’s hustle is built for these games.

Nesmith is one of the most unnatural basketball players taken in the NBA first round (especially under 6'10") i've seen in my life. He fumbles and stumbles around on the court, like a lost dog. He can't shoot. He's mentally weak. That he does his best Rodman impersonation to try to make up for it doesn't mean he impacts the game in some plus way.

It is not Ime's fault that the Celtics whiffed BADLY in Nesmith.

We lost to Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson, Bitadze, Duane Washington Jr., and Jalen Smith playing double digit minutes, spare me the “non-existent bench” spiel. Those players wouldn’t see the floor in Udoka’s 7/8-man rotation. He distrusts the bench, which leads to worse play and a decrease in minutes and causes an increase on the minutes/stress on the starters.

It’s a coaching skill that Popovich, Carlisle, Quin Snyder, Kerr, Lue, Monty Williams, Spoelstra, Nurse, Donovan, and other top coaches have. They establish roles and trust their players to fulfill the role in which they are placed!

Steve Kerr knows that Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, and Gary Payton II, aren’t going to read the game, be in position, shoot, pass, dribble as well as Steph and Klay; but if he wants Steph and Klay to be at their best, he has to give them rest and put the replacement players in position to succeed. Do Lee, Payton, and Poole always play well? No! But they get 16+ MPG because they’re necessary!

Nesmith has his flaws, but his uncommon motor and stamina combined with his size and strength show me that there’s an NBA player in there. Who knows? He’s in his second year and might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton.

[todd_days_41]

Ime’s inexperience showed in this one. These are the games that Brad would’ve gone deeper into the bench for a spark.

So it's Ime's fault the Celtics have a non-existent bench? Who other than Pritchard is he supposed to go to? Luke Kornet? We traded the tiniest shred of a bench spark we had (Richardson) at the deadline. And when Ime only plays White a combined total of 42 minutes in back-to-backs when he's starters are front-rimming everything.... it tells you how confident he is in the guy, despite having coached him in SAS.

Nesmith’s hustle is built for these games.

Nesmith is one of the most unnatural basketball players taken in the NBA first round (especially under 6'10") i've seen in my life. He fumbles and stumbles around on the court, like a lost dog. He can't shoot. He's mentally weak. That he does his best Rodman impersonation to try to make up for it doesn't mean he impacts the game in some plus way.

It is not Ime's fault that the Celtics whiffed BADLY in Nesmith.

We lost to Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson, Bitadze, Duane Washington Jr., and Jalen Smith playing double digit minutes, spare me the “non-existent bench” spiel. Those players wouldn’t see the floor in Udoka’s 7/8-man rotation. He distrusts the bench, which leads to worse play and a decrease in minutes and causes an increase on the minutes/stress on the starters.

It’s a coaching skill that Popovich, Carlisle, Quin Snyder, Kerr, Lue, Monty Williams, Spoelstra, Nurse, Donovan, and other top coaches have. They establish roles and trust their players to fulfill the role in which they are placed!

Steve Kerr knows that Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, and Gary Payton II, aren’t going to read the game, be in position, shoot, pass, dribble as well as Steph and Klay; but if he wants Steph and Klay to be at their best, he has to give them rest and put the replacement players in position to succeed. Do Lee, Payton, and Poole always play well? No! But they get 16+ MPG because they’re necessary!

Nesmith has his flaws, but his uncommon motor and stamina combined with his size and strength show me that there’s an NBA player in there. Who knows? He’s in his second year and might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton.

Who on last night’s bench can come in and be a scoring spark? That’s not a “coaching skill”, it’s like a player skill.

And if the answer is Nesmith — who is suddenly Will Barton? — it lacks perspective. He is uncommonly bad at simple basketball stuff. He has hands of stone. He is very unlikely to be on the roster at the beginning of next season.

[liam]

Ime’s inexperience showed in this one. These are the games that Brad would’ve gone deeper into the bench for a spark.

So it's Ime's fault the Celtics have a non-existent bench? Who other than Pritchard is he supposed to go to? Luke Kornet? We traded the tiniest shred of a bench spark we had (Richardson) at the deadline. And when Ime only plays White a combined total of 42 minutes in back-to-backs when he's starters are front-rimming everything.... it tells you how confident he is in the guy, despite having coached him in SAS.

Nesmith’s hustle is built for these games.

Nesmith is one of the most unnatural basketball players taken in the NBA first round (especially under 6'10") i've seen in my life. He fumbles and stumbles around on the court, like a lost dog. He can't shoot. He's mentally weak. That he does his best Rodman impersonation to try to make up for it doesn't mean he impacts the game in some plus way.

It is not Ime's fault that the Celtics whiffed BADLY in Nesmith.

We lost to Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson, Bitadze, Duane Washington Jr., and Jalen Smith playing double digit minutes, spare me the “non-existent bench” spiel. Those players wouldn’t see the floor in Udoka’s 7/8-man rotation. He distrusts the bench, which leads to worse play and a decrease in minutes and causes an increase on the minutes/stress on the starters.

It’s a coaching skill that Popovich, Carlisle, Quin Snyder, Kerr, Lue, Monty Williams, Spoelstra, Nurse, Donovan, and other top coaches have. They establish roles and trust their players to fulfill the role in which they are placed!

Steve Kerr knows that Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, and Gary Payton II, aren’t going to read the game, be in position, shoot, pass, dribble as well as Steph and Klay; but if he wants Steph and Klay to be at their best, he has to give them rest and put the replacement players in position to succeed. Do Lee, Payton, and Poole always play well? No! But they get 16+ MPG because they’re necessary!

Nesmith has his flaws, but his uncommon motor and stamina combined with his size and strength show me that there’s an NBA player in there. Who knows? He’s in his second year and might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton.

Who on last night’s bench can come in and be a scoring spark? That’s not a “coaching skill”, it’s like a player skill.

And if the answer is Nesmith — who is suddenly Will Barton? — it lacks perspective. He is uncommonly bad at simple basketball stuff. He has hands of stone. He is very unlikely to be on the roster at the beginning of next season.

If you don't have a bench every year because you won't or can't play players then you're doing something wrong. Pritchard looks fine with finally getting some time. Miami is in first playing and starting 10 day contract guys during the year. Developing players is a "coaching skill". A quick glance at Celtics stats says that your top four 3 point shooters by % are Grant, Fitts, Hauser, Pritchard.

[Sophomore]

Ime’s inexperience showed in this one. These are the games that Brad would’ve gone deeper into the bench for a spark.

So it's Ime's fault the Celtics have a non-existent bench? Who other than Pritchard is he supposed to go to? Luke Kornet? We traded the tiniest shred of a bench spark we had (Richardson) at the deadline. And when Ime only plays White a combined total of 42 minutes in back-to-backs when he's starters are front-rimming everything.... it tells you how confident he is in the guy, despite having coached him in SAS.

Nesmith’s hustle is built for these games.

Nesmith is one of the most unnatural basketball players taken in the NBA first round (especially under 6'10") i've seen in my life. He fumbles and stumbles around on the court, like a lost dog. He can't shoot. He's mentally weak. That he does his best Rodman impersonation to try to make up for it doesn't mean he impacts the game in some plus way.

It is not Ime's fault that the Celtics whiffed BADLY in Nesmith.

We lost to Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson, Bitadze, Duane Washington Jr., and Jalen Smith playing double digit minutes, spare me the “non-existent bench” spiel. Those players wouldn’t see the floor in Udoka’s 7/8-man rotation. He distrusts the bench, which leads to worse play and a decrease in minutes and causes an increase on the minutes/stress on the starters.

It’s a coaching skill that Popovich, Carlisle, Quin Snyder, Kerr, Lue, Monty Williams, Spoelstra, Nurse, Donovan, and other top coaches have. They establish roles and trust their players to fulfill the role in which they are placed!

Steve Kerr knows that Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, and Gary Payton II, aren’t going to read the game, be in position, shoot, pass, dribble as well as Steph and Klay; but if he wants Steph and Klay to be at their best, he has to give them rest and put the replacement players in position to succeed. Do Lee, Payton, and Poole always play well? No! But they get 16+ MPG because they’re necessary!

Nesmith has his flaws, but his uncommon motor and stamina combined with his size and strength show me that there’s an NBA player in there. Who knows? He’s in his second year and might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton.

Who on last night’s bench can come in and be a scoring spark? That’s not a “coaching skill”, it’s like a player skill.

And if the answer is Nesmith — who is suddenly Will Barton? — it lacks perspective. He is uncommonly bad at simple basketball stuff. He has hands of stone. He is very unlikely to be on the roster at the beginning of next season.

Nesmith is on a rookie deal, and they do play him from time to time. If they can put together a package for a better wing to add depth, then sure they might move him. But saying it’s a sure thing he is gone? I think you’re going beyond what we’ve seen. They’re definitely not dumping him just to shed salary or have a look at a G-leaguer.

[todd_days_41]

Ime’s inexperience showed in this one. These are the games that Brad would’ve gone deeper into the bench for a spark.

So it's Ime's fault the Celtics have a non-existent bench? Who other than Pritchard is he supposed to go to? Luke Kornet? We traded the tiniest shred of a bench spark we had (Richardson) at the deadline. And when Ime only plays White a combined total of 42 minutes in back-to-backs when he's starters are front-rimming everything.... it tells you how confident he is in the guy, despite having coached him in SAS.

Nesmith’s hustle is built for these games.

Nesmith is one of the most unnatural basketball players taken in the NBA first round (especially under 6'10") i've seen in my life. He fumbles and stumbles around on the court, like a lost dog. He can't shoot. He's mentally weak. That he does his best Rodman impersonation to try to make up for it doesn't mean he impacts the game in some plus way.

It is not Ime's fault that the Celtics whiffed BADLY in Nesmith.

We lost to Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson, Bitadze, Duane Washington Jr., and Jalen Smith playing double digit minutes, spare me the “non-existent bench” spiel. Those players wouldn’t see the floor in Udoka’s 7/8-man rotation. He distrusts the bench, which leads to worse play and a decrease in minutes and causes an increase on the minutes/stress on the starters.

It’s a coaching skill that Popovich, Carlisle, Quin Snyder, Kerr, Lue, Monty Williams, Spoelstra, Nurse, Donovan, and other top coaches have. They establish roles and trust their players to fulfill the role in which they are placed!

Steve Kerr knows that Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, and Gary Payton II, aren’t going to read the game, be in position, shoot, pass, dribble as well as Steph and Klay; but if he wants Steph and Klay to be at their best, he has to give them rest and put the replacement players in position to succeed. Do Lee, Payton, and Poole always play well? No! But they get 16+ MPG because they’re necessary!

Nesmith has his flaws, but his uncommon motor and stamina combined with his size and strength show me that there’s an NBA player in there. Who knows? He’s in his second year and might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton.

Who on last night’s bench can come in and be a scoring spark? That’s not a “coaching skill”, it’s like a player skill.

And if the answer is Nesmith — who is suddenly Will Barton? — it lacks perspective. He is uncommonly bad at simple basketball stuff. He has hands of stone. He is very unlikely to be on the roster at the beginning of next season.

If you don't have a bench every year because you won't or can't play players then you're doing something wrong. Pritchard looks fine with finally getting some time. Miami is in first playing and starting 10 day contract guys during the year. Developing players is a "coaching skill". A quick glance at Celtics stats says that your top four 3 point shooters by % are Grant, Fitts, Hauser, Pritchard.

Why'd you post this twice? Just really wanted to get your point across?

And Erik Spoelstra would "developed" Fitts off the bench last night to beat the Pacers? Well, he's been a head coach in the league for 14 years... maybe we can ask Ime for the same magic trick some day.

[#1P4P]

Ime’s inexperience showed in this one. These are the games that Brad would’ve gone deeper into the bench for a spark.

So it's Ime's fault the Celtics have a non-existent bench? Who other than Pritchard is he supposed to go to? Luke Kornet? We traded the tiniest shred of a bench spark we had (Richardson) at the deadline. And when Ime only plays White a combined total of 42 minutes in back-to-backs when he's starters are front-rimming everything.... it tells you how confident he is in the guy, despite having coached him in SAS.

Nesmith’s hustle is built for these games.

Nesmith is one of the most unnatural basketball players taken in the NBA first round (especially under 6'10") i've seen in my life. He fumbles and stumbles around on the court, like a lost dog. He can't shoot. He's mentally weak. That he does his best Rodman impersonation to try to make up for it doesn't mean he impacts the game in some plus way.

It is not Ime's fault that the Celtics whiffed BADLY in Nesmith.

We lost to Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson, Bitadze, Duane Washington Jr., and Jalen Smith playing double digit minutes, spare me the “non-existent bench” spiel. Those players wouldn’t see the floor in Udoka’s 7/8-man rotation. He distrusts the bench, which leads to worse play and a decrease in minutes and causes an increase on the minutes/stress on the starters.

It’s a coaching skill that Popovich, Carlisle, Quin Snyder, Kerr, Lue, Monty Williams, Spoelstra, Nurse, Donovan, and other top coaches have. They establish roles and trust their players to fulfill the role in which they are placed!

Steve Kerr knows that Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, and Gary Payton II, aren’t going to read the game, be in position, shoot, pass, dribble as well as Steph and Klay; but if he wants Steph and Klay to be at their best, he has to give them rest and put the replacement players in position to succeed. Do Lee, Payton, and Poole always play well? No! But they get 16+ MPG because they’re necessary!

Nesmith has his flaws, but his uncommon motor and stamina combined with his size and strength show me that there’s an NBA player in there. Who knows? He’s in his second year and might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton.

Who on last night’s bench can come in and be a scoring spark? That’s not a “coaching skill”, it’s like a player skill.

And if the answer is Nesmith — who is suddenly Will Barton? — it lacks perspective. He is uncommonly bad at simple basketball stuff. He has hands of stone. He is very unlikely to be on the roster at the beginning of next season.

A spark is not limited to scoring. Payton sat on the bench for the better part of 2/3s of the season, Brad had to trade 2 rotation players for Pritchard to see the floor.

Establishing a role and trusting players to figure it out in game is definitely a coaching skill. It’s the difference between Andrew Wiggins on the Warriors and on the Timberwolves. Cameron Payne on as a serviceable backup PG on the Suns compared to his previous stops.

Nesmith needs polish and experience like 99.99% of sophomores. He’s shown enough to not be dismissed as a G-Leaguer. “Might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton” takes into account potential and similar energetic wings that found roles in the NBA.

The shortsighted perspective of undervaluing players and not projecting improvement is a perspective I can live without.

[todd_days_41]

Nesmith needs polish and experience like 99.99% of sophomores. He’s shown enough to not be dismissed as a G-Leaguer. “Might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton” takes into account potential and similar energetic wings that found roles in the NBA.

The shortsighted perspective of undervaluing players and not projecting improvement is a perspective I can live without.

So only 1 in 1000 sophomores is ahead of Nesmith? I think we can all live without hyperbole. What he needs is talent, coordination and ability. Without them, no experience will bring polish -- just a a ticket to the Turkish league. 

Here's a pretty simple fact: Aaron Nesmith was the worst pick of the 2020 NBA 1st round when you consider selection and performance. To make matters worse, some really good players were taken after him.... a number of them. Ainge could have thrown a dart at a board of the next 15 ranked players and done better to way better.

And I disagree -- I think Nesmith has shown he's well out of his league in the NBA. The only reason why we're wasting our breath on him here is because he was selected in the lottery and has a guaranteed contract.

I doubt he makes the Celtics next season. He'll likely be traded in a "change of scenery" deal to a lottery team willing to take a flier on him.

Then again, with no pick and limited flexibility, maybe the Cs won't have competition for roster spots.

[#1P4P]

Nesmith needs polish and experience like 99.99% of sophomores. He’s shown enough to not be dismissed as a G-Leaguer. “Might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton” takes into account potential and similar energetic wings that found roles in the NBA.

The shortsighted perspective of undervaluing players and not projecting improvement is a perspective I can live without.

So only 1 in 1000 sophomores is ahead of Nesmith? I think we can all live without hyperbole. What he needs is talent, coordination and ability. Without them, no experience will bring polish -- just a a ticket to the Turkish league. 

Here's a pretty simple fact: Aaron Nesmith was the worst pick of the 2020 NBA 1st round when you consider selection and performance. To make matters worse, some really good players were taken after him.... a number of them. Ainge could have thrown a dart at a board of the next 15 ranked players and done better to way better.

And I disagree -- I think Nesmith has shown he's well out of his league in the NBA. The only reason why we're wasting our breath on him here is because he was selected in the lottery and has a guaranteed contract.

I doubt he makes the Celtics next season. He'll likely be traded in a "change of scenery" deal to a lottery team willing to take a flier on him.

Then again, with no pick and limited flexibility, maybe the Cs won't have competition for roster spots.

Forming such a strong negative opinion of Nesmith, a 2nd year player that has shown flashes of being an NBA player, is foolish. If “talent, coordination and ability” is what he needs in your estimation, only Nesmith and his future performance will determine whether you’re right or wrong.

My point was about Ime’s NBA coaching inexperience and lack of trust in the bench leading to forcing the short handed rotation and exhausting the main rotation.

The fact remains, on the 2nd game of a back to back, 3rd game in 4 days, and down one starter, the Pacers won by 21 playing Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson, Bitadze, Duane Washington Jr., and Jalen Smith double digit minutes, and Ime shortening the bench’s minutes, while the starters were front rimming shots.

[liam]

Nesmith needs polish and experience like 99.99% of sophomores. He’s shown enough to not be dismissed as a G-Leaguer. “Might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton” takes into account potential and similar energetic wings that found roles in the NBA.

The shortsighted perspective of undervaluing players and not projecting improvement is a perspective I can live without.

So only 1 in 1000 sophomores is ahead of Nesmith? I think we can all live without hyperbole. What he needs is talent, coordination and ability. Without them, no experience will bring polish -- just a a ticket to the Turkish league. 

Here's a pretty simple fact: Aaron Nesmith was the worst pick of the 2020 NBA 1st round when you consider selection and performance. To make matters worse, some really good players were taken after him.... a number of them. Ainge could have thrown a dart at a board of the next 15 ranked players and done better to way better.

And I disagree -- I think Nesmith has shown he's well out of his league in the NBA. The only reason why we're wasting our breath on him here is because he was selected in the lottery and has a guaranteed contract.

I doubt he makes the Celtics next season. He'll likely be traded in a "change of scenery" deal to a lottery team willing to take a flier on him.

Then again, with no pick and limited flexibility, maybe the Cs won't have competition for roster spots.

Forming such a strong negative opinion of Nesmith, a 2nd year player that has shown flashes of being an NBA player, is foolish. If “talent, coordination and ability” is what he needs in your estimation, only Nesmith and his future performance will determine whether you’re right or wrong.

My point was about Ime’s NBA coaching inexperience and lack of trust in the bench leading to forcing the short handed rotation and exhausting the main rotation.

The fact remains, on the 2nd game of a back to back, 3rd game in 4 days, and down one starter, the Pacers won by 21 playing Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson, Bitadze, Duane Washington Jr., and Jalen Smith double digit minutes, and Ime shortening the bench’s minutes, while the starters were front rimming shots.

It wouldn't of been a worse loss if the starters had not played at all or not played the second half.

[liam]

The Pacers losing the next night to Orlando makes it worse...

[Surferdad]

Nesmith needs polish and experience like 99.99% of sophomores. He’s shown enough to not be dismissed as a G-Leaguer. “Might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton” takes into account potential and similar energetic wings that found roles in the NBA.

The shortsighted perspective of undervaluing players and not projecting improvement is a perspective I can live without.

So only 1 in 1000 sophomores is ahead of Nesmith? I think we can all live without hyperbole. What he needs is talent, coordination and ability. Without them, no experience will bring polish -- just a a ticket to the Turkish league. 

Here's a pretty simple fact: Aaron Nesmith was the worst pick of the 2020 NBA 1st round when you consider selection and performance. To make matters worse, some really good players were taken after him.... a number of them. Ainge could have thrown a dart at a board of the next 15 ranked players and done better to way better.

And I disagree -- I think Nesmith has shown he's well out of his league in the NBA. The only reason why we're wasting our breath on him here is because he was selected in the lottery and has a guaranteed contract.

I doubt he makes the Celtics next season. He'll likely be traded in a "change of scenery" deal to a lottery team willing to take a flier on him.

Then again, with no pick and limited flexibility, maybe the Cs won't have competition for roster spots.

I agree with your assessment of Nesmith (though need to correct that he was not as lottery pick).  He has some talent and is very athletic, but there’s just something…missing…there.  He tries too hard sometimes, for example on defense, and gets out of position.  He’s actually pretty good at going to the hole, yet constantly hoists up 3-pointers.  Compared to Romeo Langford, you can see Aaron doesn’t have an intuitive “feel” for the game.  He seems to flail around the court. I predict he makes next year’s roster but then gets traded mid-season.  Can’t see the C’s picking up that option.

[Edgar]

soft

[todd_days_41]

Nesmith needs polish and experience like 99.99% of sophomores. He’s shown enough to not be dismissed as a G-Leaguer. “Might be a Corey Brewer or Will Barton” takes into account potential and similar energetic wings that found roles in the NBA.

The shortsighted perspective of undervaluing players and not projecting improvement is a perspective I can live without.

So only 1 in 1000 sophomores is ahead of Nesmith? I think we can all live without hyperbole. What he needs is talent, coordination and ability. Without them, no experience will bring polish -- just a a ticket to the Turkish league. 

Here's a pretty simple fact: Aaron Nesmith was the worst pick of the 2020 NBA 1st round when you consider selection and performance. To make matters worse, some really good players were taken after him.... a number of them. Ainge could have thrown a dart at a board of the next 15 ranked players and done better to way better.

And I disagree -- I think Nesmith has shown he's well out of his league in the NBA. The only reason why we're wasting our breath on him here is because he was selected in the lottery and has a guaranteed contract.

I doubt he makes the Celtics next season. He'll likely be traded in a "change of scenery" deal to a lottery team willing to take a flier on him.

Then again, with no pick and limited flexibility, maybe the Cs won't have competition for roster spots.

I agree with your assessment of Nesmith (though need to correct that he was not as lottery pick).  He has some talent and is very athletic, but there’s just something…missing…there.  He tries too hard sometimes, for example on defense, and gets out of position.  He’s actually pretty good at going to the hole, yet constantly hoists up 3-pointers.  Compared to Romeo Langford, you can see Aaron doesn’t have an intuitive “feel” for the game.  He seems to flail around the court. I predict he makes next year’s roster but then gets traded mid-season.  Can’t see the C’s picking up that option.

He was picked 14th -- lottery.