Who do we keep off the VSL team?

[jambr380]

I'd like to see Ryan & Trevion spend a year in the G-League refining things. Playing alongside JD too. I would want Begarin over in the US getting some of our coaching, but I'm not sure it's possible.

Happy to see Brodric Thomas and Jackson go elsewhere. No interest.

Kabengele I like. Would give him a two-way at this stage.

Co-sign. I’d leave Begarin overseas at this point if it means that the C’s could keep all 3 of Ryan, Trevion, Kabengele. Still not sure Hauser will be better than either Thomas or Jackson and Kornet is at that age where I don’t expect him to get better.

Hauser has an elite NBA skill, at least seemingly.  Jackson is older than Kornet, and has shown nothing in the NBA.  Thomas is 25 and similarly has shown nothing.  Hauser is the youngest of the bunch, he's got decent size, and he has shot extremely well in college, in the G-league, and in limited games in the NBA.  He's never shot below 40% from 3PT in any season at any level.

In SL, guys are allowed to do a lot more than they normally would on the NBA court. This can lead to some all-around players looking better than guys who have one 'elite' skill. On this Celtics team, having a wing with size who can effectively knock down 3-pointers is much more important than a guy who is pretty good at everything against inferior competition.

It is neat seeing how these players stack up against each other, but I am not very concerned that Hauser didn't blow up SL. If we are counting on him to drive and dish or to be our best defensive player, then we are in trouble.

[No Nickname]

I'd like to see Ryan & Trevion spend a year in the G-League refining things. Playing alongside JD too. I would want Begarin over in the US getting some of our coaching, but I'm not sure it's possible.

Happy to see Brodric Thomas and Jackson go elsewhere. No interest.

Kabengele I like. Would give him a two-way at this stage.

Co-sign. I’d leave Begarin overseas at this point if it means that the C’s could keep all 3 of Ryan, Trevion, Kabengele. Still not sure Hauser will be better than either Thomas or Jackson and Kornet is at that age where I don’t expect him to get better.

Hauser has an elite NBA skill, at least seemingly.  Jackson is older than Kornet, and has shown nothing in the NBA.  Thomas is 25 and similarly has shown nothing.  Hauser is the youngest of the bunch, he's got decent size, and he has shot extremely well in college, in the G-league, and in limited games in the NBA.  He's never shot below 40% from 3PT in any season at any level.

In SL, guys are allowed to do a lot more than they normally would on the NBA court. This can lead to some all-around players looking better than guys who have one 'elite' skill. On this Celtics team, having a wing with size who can effectively knock down 3-pointers is much more important than a guy who is pretty good at everything against inferior competition.

It is neat seeing how these players stack up against each other, but I am not very concerned that Hauser didn't blow up SL. If we are counting on him to drive and dish or to be our best defensive player, then we are in trouble.

Very astute observation.  Know your role.  Summer League is not always conducive to that.

If the Celts' SL team doesn't have someone who can draw double-teams, or help defenders, and then kick it out to Hauser for three... then he isn't being put in his best role.

That will happen more in the regular season than here.

Duncan Robinson would also be equally unimpressive in the SL, unless he was just jacking up contested threes the whole game (which he is actually pretty good at).

[Goldstar88]

I'd like to see Ryan & Trevion spend a year in the G-League refining things. Playing alongside JD too. I would want Begarin over in the US getting some of our coaching, but I'm not sure it's possible.

Happy to see Brodric Thomas and Jackson go elsewhere. No interest.

Kabengele I like. Would give him a two-way at this stage.

Co-sign. I’d leave Begarin overseas at this point if it means that the C’s could keep all 3 of Ryan, Trevion, Kabengele. Still not sure Hauser will be better than either Thomas or Jackson and Kornet is at that age where I don’t expect him to get better.

Hauser has an elite NBA skill, at least seemingly.  Jackson is older than Kornet, and has shown nothing in the NBA.  Thomas is 25 and similarly has shown nothing.  Hauser is the youngest of the bunch, he's got decent size, and he has shot extremely well in college, in the G-league, and in limited games in the NBA.  He's never shot below 40% from 3PT in any season at any level.

In SL, guys are allowed to do a lot more than they normally would on the NBA court. This can lead to some all-around players looking better than guys who have one 'elite' skill. On this Celtics team, having a wing with size who can effectively knock down 3-pointers is much more important than a guy who is pretty good at everything against inferior competition.

It is neat seeing how these players stack up against each other, but I am not very concerned that Hauser didn't blow up SL. If we are counting on him to drive and dish or to be our best defensive player, then we are in trouble.

Very astute observation.  Know your role.  Summer League is not always conducive to that.

If the Celts' SL team doesn't have someone who can draw double-teams, or help defenders, and then kick it out to Hauser for three... then he isn't being put in his best role.

That will happen more in the regular season than here.

Duncan Robinson would also be equally unimpressive in the SL, unless he was just jacking up contested threes the whole game (which he is actually pretty good at).

And like Duncan Robinson, I can’t see Hauser seeing the floor much since his defense is not very good. Not interested in “3 and No D” players.

[Roy H.]

I'd like to see Ryan & Trevion spend a year in the G-League refining things. Playing alongside JD too. I would want Begarin over in the US getting some of our coaching, but I'm not sure it's possible.

Happy to see Brodric Thomas and Jackson go elsewhere. No interest.

Kabengele I like. Would give him a two-way at this stage.

Co-sign. I’d leave Begarin overseas at this point if it means that the C’s could keep all 3 of Ryan, Trevion, Kabengele. Still not sure Hauser will be better than either Thomas or Jackson and Kornet is at that age where I don’t expect him to get better.

Hauser has an elite NBA skill, at least seemingly.  Jackson is older than Kornet, and has shown nothing in the NBA.  Thomas is 25 and similarly has shown nothing.  Hauser is the youngest of the bunch, he's got decent size, and he has shot extremely well in college, in the G-league, and in limited games in the NBA.  He's never shot below 40% from 3PT in any season at any level.

In SL, guys are allowed to do a lot more than they normally would on the NBA court. This can lead to some all-around players looking better than guys who have one 'elite' skill. On this Celtics team, having a wing with size who can effectively knock down 3-pointers is much more important than a guy who is pretty good at everything against inferior competition.

It is neat seeing how these players stack up against each other, but I am not very concerned that Hauser didn't blow up SL. If we are counting on him to drive and dish or to be our best defensive player, then we are in trouble.

Very astute observation.  Know your role.  Summer League is not always conducive to that.

If the Celts' SL team doesn't have someone who can draw double-teams, or help defenders, and then kick it out to Hauser for three... then he isn't being put in his best role.

That will happen more in the regular season than here.

Duncan Robinson would also be equally unimpressive in the SL, unless he was just jacking up contested threes the whole game (which he is actually pretty good at).

And like Duncan Robinson, I can’t see Hauser seeing the floor much since his defense is not very good. Not interested in “3 and No D” players.

He probably won't see the floor very much, particularly at first.  But, he should get some burn on offense-only possessions, because he's a really, really excellent shooter.  And, it's a skill that is highly valued, which is why Robinson got the contract that he did. 

[Celtics2021]

I'd like to see Ryan & Trevion spend a year in the G-League refining things. Playing alongside JD too. I would want Begarin over in the US getting some of our coaching, but I'm not sure it's possible.

Happy to see Brodric Thomas and Jackson go elsewhere. No interest.

Kabengele I like. Would give him a two-way at this stage.

Co-sign. I’d leave Begarin overseas at this point if it means that the C’s could keep all 3 of Ryan, Trevion, Kabengele. Still not sure Hauser will be better than either Thomas or Jackson and Kornet is at that age where I don’t expect him to get better.

Hauser has an elite NBA skill, at least seemingly.  Jackson is older than Kornet, and has shown nothing in the NBA.  Thomas is 25 and similarly has shown nothing.  Hauser is the youngest of the bunch, he's got decent size, and he has shot extremely well in college, in the G-league, and in limited games in the NBA.  He's never shot below 40% from 3PT in any season at any level.

In SL, guys are allowed to do a lot more than they normally would on the NBA court. This can lead to some all-around players looking better than guys who have one 'elite' skill. On this Celtics team, having a wing with size who can effectively knock down 3-pointers is much more important than a guy who is pretty good at everything against inferior competition.

It is neat seeing how these players stack up against each other, but I am not very concerned that Hauser didn't blow up SL. If we are counting on him to drive and dish or to be our best defensive player, then we are in trouble.

Very astute observation.  Know your role.  Summer League is not always conducive to that.

If the Celts' SL team doesn't have someone who can draw double-teams, or help defenders, and then kick it out to Hauser for three... then he isn't being put in his best role.

That will happen more in the regular season than here.

Duncan Robinson would also be equally unimpressive in the SL, unless he was just jacking up contested threes the whole game (which he is actually pretty good at).

And like Duncan Robinson, I can’t see Hauser seeing the floor much since his defense is not very good. Not interested in “3 and No D” players.

He probably won't see the floor very much, particularly at first.  But, he should get some burn on offense-only possessions, because he's a really, really excellent shooter.  And, it's a skill that is highly valued, which is why Robinson got the contract that he did.

Yeah, if Duncan Robinson were making the minimum, or even the MLE, there’d be no problem.  He has his limits in the postseason, and Hauser might ultimately also, but we’re talking the 11th or 12th man on a minimum contract.  He’s got some work to do yet, but he’s got an elite NBA skill that is valued and immediately usable.

[tonydelk]

I'd like to see Ryan & Trevion spend a year in the G-League refining things. Playing alongside JD too. I would want Begarin over in the US getting some of our coaching, but I'm not sure it's possible.

Happy to see Brodric Thomas and Jackson go elsewhere. No interest.

Kabengele I like. Would give him a two-way at this stage.

Co-sign. I’d leave Begarin overseas at this point if it means that the C’s could keep all 3 of Ryan, Trevion, Kabengele. Still not sure Hauser will be better than either Thomas or Jackson and Kornet is at that age where I don’t expect him to get better.

Hauser has an elite NBA skill, at least seemingly.  Jackson is older than Kornet, and has shown nothing in the NBA.  Thomas is 25 and similarly has shown nothing.  Hauser is the youngest of the bunch, he's got decent size, and he has shot extremely well in college, in the G-league, and in limited games in the NBA.  He's never shot below 40% from 3PT in any season at any level.

In SL, guys are allowed to do a lot more than they normally would on the NBA court. This can lead to some all-around players looking better than guys who have one 'elite' skill. On this Celtics team, having a wing with size who can effectively knock down 3-pointers is much more important than a guy who is pretty good at everything against inferior competition.

It is neat seeing how these players stack up against each other, but I am not very concerned that Hauser didn't blow up SL. If we are counting on him to drive and dish or to be our best defensive player, then we are in trouble.

Very astute observation.  Know your role.  Summer League is not always conducive to that.

If the Celts' SL team doesn't have someone who can draw double-teams, or help defenders, and then kick it out to Hauser for three... then he isn't being put in his best role.

That will happen more in the regular season than here.

Duncan Robinson would also be equally unimpressive in the SL, unless he was just jacking up contested threes the whole game (which he is actually pretty good at).

And like Duncan Robinson, I can’t see Hauser seeing the floor much since his defense is not very good. Not interested in “3 and No D” players.

guys like Hauser can have a role on teams like the C's because they have so many elite defenders that can cover up for 1 player.  It's whey you have 5 3 and no D players on the floor you're in trouble.  Hauser on the minimum as the 13th best player is a luxury.  Unless he can become more explosive he will never have a role even in the Max Strus role.  Max gets abused on D but he is more explosive then Hauser.  Both incredible shooters though. 

[Vermont Green]

I think Hauser is decent.  He has earned his way to a spot on the roster.  One of the last spots at this point based on what I have seen in the games on the Celtics, but I see him as a notch above the rank and file summer leaguer or G-Leaguer.  Hard to say how much more ceiling there is but I suspect that there is some.  We'll see how much.  I still like Brodric Thomas too.

The difference with these guys is that I have had a chance to see them on the court against NBA player, not just in summer league.  There is more to go on.  If all you have to go on is a few summer league games, it is just a lot tougher to know.  It is tough to know in any case.

[colincb]

In the uh-oh department. ESPN has an article up on the VSL. Under the topic of Biggest Surprises, one of their 'experts" offered this:

Mfiondu Kabengele didn't get many opportunities with the veteran-ladened LA Clippers after being drafted No. 27 overall in 2019. But his physique and game bulked up for summer league. The 6-foot-9 center averaged 14 points and 9.3 rebounds in his first four games for the Boston Celtics. He had 20 points and 13 rebounds against the Warriors, who played Wiseman and Kuminga in that game.

[Vermont Green]

In the uh-oh department. ESPN has an article up on the VSL. Under the topic of Biggest Surprises, one of their 'experts" offered this:

Mfiondu Kabengele didn't get many opportunities with the veteran-ladened LA Clippers after being drafted No. 27 overall in 2019. But his physique and game bulked up for summer league. The 6-foot-9 center averaged 14 points and 9.3 rebounds in his first four games for the Boston Celtics. He had 20 points and 13 rebounds against the Warriors, who played Wiseman and Kuminga in that game.

I will say that the competition in the Summer League does seem to have gotten better over the years.  Teams seem to be utilizing it for better and better players.  Having Wiseman and Kuminga there is a good example of this.

I am not sure about Kabengele though.  It is just so hard to tell.  Bruno Fernando for example looked pretty good in summer league.  Definitely Kabengele is showing some unexpected promise.

[colincb]

In the uh-oh department. ESPN has an article up on the VSL. Under the topic of Biggest Surprises, one of their 'experts" offered this:

Mfiondu Kabengele didn't get many opportunities with the veteran-ladened LA Clippers after being drafted No. 27 overall in 2019. But his physique and game bulked up for summer league. The 6-foot-9 center averaged 14 points and 9.3 rebounds in his first four games for the Boston Celtics. He had 20 points and 13 rebounds against the Warriors, who played Wiseman and Kuminga in that game.

I will say that the competition in the Summer League does seem to have gotten better over the years.  Teams seem to be utilizing it for better and better players.  Having Wiseman and Kuminga there is a good example of this.

I am not sure about Kabengele though.  It is just so hard to tell.  Bruno Fernando for example looked pretty good in summer league.  Definitely Kabengele is showing some unexpected promise.

After Mark Murphy saying he was the best big in the G-League last season yesterday and watching him for 4 games, I would sign him without hesitation to at least a 2-way. Bruno never looked as good as a power rebounder with an extremely active body, a trait Kebengele supposedly exhibited in the G-League too. Fouls too much, but that can be fixed pretty easily.

[litangel]

I would sign Kabengele, Leave spot 14 for a veteran minimum guy who can help us as a wing, leave spot 15 open, have Davidson and Begarin as 2-ways so they can learn in Maine, and bring them up to spot 15 if warranted during the year. See if Jackson, Williams and Thomas will stick around for Maine.

[Sophomore]

In the uh-oh department. ESPN has an article up on the VSL. Under the topic of Biggest Surprises, one of their 'experts" offered this:

Mfiondu Kabengele didn't get many opportunities with the veteran-ladened LA Clippers after being drafted No. 27 overall in 2019. But his physique and game bulked up for summer league. The 6-foot-9 center averaged 14 points and 9.3 rebounds in his first four games for the Boston Celtics. He had 20 points and 13 rebounds against the Warriors, who played Wiseman and Kuminga in that game.

I will say that the competition in the Summer League does seem to have gotten better over the years.  Teams seem to be utilizing it for better and better players.  Having Wiseman and Kuminga there is a good example of this.

I am not sure about Kabengele though.  It is just so hard to tell.  Bruno Fernando for example looked pretty good in summer league.  Definitely Kabengele is showing some unexpected promise.

Kabengele, IMO, is a back-bench player at best, unproven with an uncertain ceiling and a very low floor. The Cs are all-in this year. I’d rather have a center in that roster spot who’s been in the league and already proven he’s ready for NBA minutes. In a perfect world he’s good enough to be the future Rob backup. But if we can’t get that guy, he’s at least an established big who can eat minutes and give us a dimension we don’t have - Derrick Favors? Kabengele is just too raw and uncertain.

[Vermont Green]

I think as it stands, we have 3 regular roster spots open plus Kornet on a very lightly guaranteed contract.  Others have pointed this out that Kornet isn't really on the roster.  I think they can cut him and only pay $100,000 or something like that.  So if someone beats out Kornet, there will be no hesitation to open that roster spot back up to add the player.  Based on this, I call it 4 roster spots and 1 2-way to be filled.

My feeling (maybe my hope) is that Kornet is just insurance for the insurance big.  For example is we were to sign Whiteside, I believe Kornet would very likely be cut.  If they do not sign a vet big, Kornet probably hangs on.  My prediction (again, maybe hope) is as follows:

12.  Whiteside
13.  Vet Wing (not sure who but I hope they can find someone to fit this role that is better than Hauser or Justin Jackson)
14.  Brodric Thomas or Justin Jackson or Matt Ryan (I prefer Thomas)
15.  Kabengele or Kornet

2-way  Davison
2-way  Kabengele or some other promising PF/C

The key is to sign the vet big and the vet wing.  To me, the rest doesn't matter nearly as much but I am fine filling up the final spots with "prospects".  For example, it makes no difference to me whether it is Kornet on the roster and Kabengele as a 2-way or Kabengele on the roster and some other prospect on the 2-way.

[GreenBoomer]

I think Kabengele is a keeper, Kornet probably gone via trade later. If they are going all in, as they proclaim, why not go for Poeltl. He's 26 I believe, 7'1 and just entering his prime years. Comes off the bench this year, with the promise to start next.

[Roy H.]

I think Kabengele is a keeper, Kornet probably gone via trade later. If they are going all in, as they proclaim, why not go for Poeltl. He's 26 I believe, 7'1 and just entering his prime years. Comes off the bench this year, with the promise to start next.

I don’t think a starting combo of Timelord / Poeltl would work well together.