The last three roster spots will be determined in training camp

[Celtics4ever]

Vonleh can board is what those stats tell me, better 2p conversion and I knew Kornet was the better three point shooter.  One also has to take who they were playing against when they played.  Vonleh started on that team most of the year and Luke was playing against second teamers.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2019_start.html

[Celtics2021]

Vonleh can board is what those stats tell me, better 2p conversion and I knew Kornet was the better three point shooter.  One also has to take who they were playing against when they played.  Vonleh started on that team most of the year and Luke was playing against second teamers.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2019_start.html

One should also note that Vonleh played about 3/4 of his minutes at PF that season, which would likely not be his role in Boston.

[TheBig3]

True, but Rob also played primarily forward in College, not saying that Vonleh is Rob, just saying maybe he plays better at center once he learns not to foul as much

[Vermont Green]

Vonleh can board is what those stats tell me, better 2p conversion and I knew Kornet was the better three point shooter.  One also has to take who they were playing against when they played.  Vonleh started on that team most of the year and Luke was playing against second teamers.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2019_start.html

One should also note that Vonleh played about 3/4 of his minutes at PF that season, which would likely not be his role in Boston.

I don't feel this matters so much these days.  What he needs to do is focus on defense, rebounding, and understanding that he is the 5th scoring option in most cases.  If he can set his mind to that, there is a role for him on the team.  If he wants to be a "spread" PF or C, not so much.  The missing ingredient to me seems to be playing with heart or fire and focusing on what the team needs, not what he wants as a player.  And I guess, based on the first preseason game, not fouling.

I am still hopeful.  And when I say hopeful, it is hopeful that he can beat out Kornet for a spot, and be clearly better, and be maybe the 4th or 5th big on the team.  I have not seen that yet.  If he can do that, it will be extremely helpful to have him eat some minutes while RWill comes back and to allow us to minimize the early load on Griffin.  I don't care if he is a PF or a C, he will probably play some of both.  Just be solid and consistent.

[Vermont Green]

I know there are some Cousins advocates on here.  Seems like he is saying all the right things (there is more in the full story):

https://sports.yahoo.com/demarcus-cousins-admits-mistakes-as-he-pursues-nba-comeback-just-asking-for-a-chance-to-show-my-growth-161331965.html

“It would mean everything in the world to me to be back in the NBA,” Cousins told Yahoo Sports. “I know I belong in this league. I feel like I’ve paid my dues and earned my stripes. I’ve hit some bumps in the road with injuries and I’ve always worked my way back to be 100 percent healthy. I’ve worked my tail off to get back to this point. I just want the opportunity to show the work I’ve put in and continue to put in. I also just want an opportunity to also earn my keep and that’s all I really want. I have a lot left in the tank. A whole lot. I feel like I’ve actually become an even better player, just sharpening all my skills. I’ve had nothing but time in the gym. I’ve gotten better in all aspects of my game.

“I realize I’m not the franchise player I was when I was younger. I’ve accepted that. I understand this business. I understand how this cycle goes. I’m not ignorant to it. So whatever role is given to me, I will do it willingly and to the best of my ability,” Cousins told Yahoo Sports. “Obviously, me being a competitor, I always want to reach for the stars, but I’m going to do what’s asked of me. And if it’s me starting, if it’s me coming off the bench, or if it’s me having to be at the end of the bench cheering the next guy on, I’ll do it. Whatever it takes. I’m willing to do whatever is needed to win.”

[liam]

I know there are some Cousins advocates on here.  Seems like he is saying all the right things (there is more in the full story):

https://sports.yahoo.com/demarcus-cousins-admits-mistakes-as-he-pursues-nba-comeback-just-asking-for-a-chance-to-show-my-growth-161331965.html

“It would mean everything in the world to me to be back in the NBA,” Cousins told Yahoo Sports. “I know I belong in this league. I feel like I’ve paid my dues and earned my stripes. I’ve hit some bumps in the road with injuries and I’ve always worked my way back to be 100 percent healthy. I’ve worked my tail off to get back to this point. I just want the opportunity to show the work I’ve put in and continue to put in. I also just want an opportunity to also earn my keep and that’s all I really want. I have a lot left in the tank. A whole lot. I feel like I’ve actually become an even better player, just sharpening all my skills. I’ve had nothing but time in the gym. I’ve gotten better in all aspects of my game.

“I realize I’m not the franchise player I was when I was younger. I’ve accepted that. I understand this business. I understand how this cycle goes. I’m not ignorant to it. So whatever role is given to me, I will do it willingly and to the best of my ability,” Cousins told Yahoo Sports. “Obviously, me being a competitor, I always want to reach for the stars, but I’m going to do what’s asked of me. And if it’s me starting, if it’s me coming off the bench, or if it’s me having to be at the end of the bench cheering the next guy on, I’ll do it. Whatever it takes. I’m willing to do whatever is needed to win.”

Cousins might be worth a shot and we have Marcus to keep him in line! Brad probably knows best.

[nickagneta]

True, but Rob also played primarily forward in College, not saying that Vonleh is Rob, just saying maybe he plays better at center once he learns not to foul as much

The reason Timelord played PF in college was because his coach was an idiot. He recruited two obvious centers and tried to play both together in a two center lineup rather than have one start and one come off the bench.

[Vermont Green]

Interesting in the game last night that Thomas, Jackson, and Kabengele all played a lot.  Layman and Samanic did not play at all.  Vonleh played 3 min.  I am not sure what this all means.

None of Thomas, Jackson or Kabengele looked like NBA players last night.  It was a rough stretch and Toronto hit everything but I can't see how any of these 3 helped their cause.  Vonleh on the other hand, to me looked good, but why only play him 3 minutes?  My only guess is that they have already decided he will be on the team so he doesn't need to be in the "try out" group and they also don't expect him to be a core rotation player so they didn't want him out there much with the core rotation, taking time away from an established player.  He may be kind of stuck in the middle.

But for Layman and Samanic, does that mean that they are already being written off as not making the roster?  I was hoping to see some of Luka last night.  I really have no idea how he looks on the court.  Kabengele to me does not look like he has quite NBA ability and he is 25 years old.  Samanic is only 22.  Not sure the point of having Kabengele on a 2-way based on what I am seeing.  Samanic may not be any good either but at least he is younger.

[Roy H.]

To me, I didn’t love the rotations.  I hate lineups of five scrubs together, because you get no insight regarding how guys could fit in with real NBA players.

Use Grant as an example.  He’s a limited NBA player, but he’s rotation caliber.  With a few good players on the floor, he looks good.  Add him in with four garbage players, and he looks like garbage.

[Vermont Green]

To me, I didn’t love the rotations.  I hate lineups of five scrubs together, because you get no insight regarding how guys could fit in with real NBA players.

Use Grant as an example.  He’s a limited NBA player, but he’s rotation caliber.  With a few good players on the floor, he looks good.  Add him in with four garbage players, and he looks like garbage.

I agree with this to a point.  Thomas, Jackson, Kabengele with Pritchard and Hauser is a pretty weak unit by NBA standards but so was the Toronto team that was out there.  It was their "may not even make the team" scrubs mostly also.  Pritchard still looked like an NBA player but Hauser didn't do much with that unit.  The Toronto scrubs seized the opportunity and made plays.  Our scrubs and even Hauser didn't.

You are right though.  12 minutes or so of bad basketball in one game may not be fully representative of the ability of the players.  For the guards/wings, if a couple of shots go down, it looks a whole lot better.

[liam]

To me, I didn’t love the rotations.  I hate lineups of five scrubs together, because you get no insight regarding how guys could fit in with real NBA players.

Use Grant as an example.  He’s a limited NBA player, but he’s rotation caliber.  With a few good players on the floor, he looks good.  Add him in with four garbage players, and he looks like garbage.

I agree with this to a point.  Thomas, Jackson, Kabengele with Pritchard and Hauser is a pretty weak unit by NBA standards but so was the Toronto team that was out there.  It was their "may not even make the team" scrubs mostly also.  Pritchard still looked like an NBA player but Hauser didn't do much with that unit.  The Toronto scrubs seized the opportunity and made plays.  Our scrubs and even Hauser didn't.

You are right though.  12 minutes or so of bad basketball in one game may not be fully representative of the ability of the players.  For the guards/wings, if a couple of shots go down, it looks a whole lot better.

I thought that Hauser looked good throughout the game. Pritchard and Hauser were causing Thomas and Jackson to get open shots which they went 0-10 on.

[ozgod]

To me, I didn’t love the rotations.  I hate lineups of five scrubs together, because you get no insight regarding how guys could fit in with real NBA players.

Use Grant as an example.  He’s a limited NBA player, but he’s rotation caliber.  With a few good players on the floor, he looks good.  Add him in with four garbage players, and he looks like garbage.

I agree with this to a point.  Thomas, Jackson, Kabengele with Pritchard and Hauser is a pretty weak unit by NBA standards but so was the Toronto team that was out there.  It was their "may not even make the team" scrubs mostly also.  Pritchard still looked like an NBA player but Hauser didn't do much with that unit.  The Toronto scrubs seized the opportunity and made plays.  Our scrubs and even Hauser didn't.

You are right though.  12 minutes or so of bad basketball in one game may not be fully representative of the ability of the players.  For the guards/wings, if a couple of shots go down, it looks a whole lot better.

What it tells me is that Hauser needs other guys on the floor to keep attention off him. He's not yet ready to be the main option on an offense.

[liam]

To me, I didn’t love the rotations.  I hate lineups of five scrubs together, because you get no insight regarding how guys could fit in with real NBA players.

Use Grant as an example.  He’s a limited NBA player, but he’s rotation caliber.  With a few good players on the floor, he looks good.  Add him in with four garbage players, and he looks like garbage.

I agree with this to a point.  Thomas, Jackson, Kabengele with Pritchard and Hauser is a pretty weak unit by NBA standards but so was the Toronto team that was out there.  It was their "may not even make the team" scrubs mostly also.  Pritchard still looked like an NBA player but Hauser didn't do much with that unit.  The Toronto scrubs seized the opportunity and made plays.  Our scrubs and even Hauser didn't.

You are right though.  12 minutes or so of bad basketball in one game may not be fully representative of the ability of the players.  For the guards/wings, if a couple of shots go down, it looks a whole lot better.

What it tells me is that Hauser needs other guys on the floor to keep attention off him. He's not yet ready to be the main option on an offense.

I don't think Hauser will ever be the main option but we need good role players too.

[Moranis]

To me, I didn’t love the rotations.  I hate lineups of five scrubs together, because you get no insight regarding how guys could fit in with real NBA players.

Use Grant as an example.  He’s a limited NBA player, but he’s rotation caliber.  With a few good players on the floor, he looks good.  Add him in with four garbage players, and he looks like garbage.

I agree with this to a point.  Thomas, Jackson, Kabengele with Pritchard and Hauser is a pretty weak unit by NBA standards but so was the Toronto team that was out there.  It was their "may not even make the team" scrubs mostly also.  Pritchard still looked like an NBA player but Hauser didn't do much with that unit.  The Toronto scrubs seized the opportunity and made plays.  Our scrubs and even Hauser didn't.

You are right though.  12 minutes or so of bad basketball in one game may not be fully representative of the ability of the players.  For the guards/wings, if a couple of shots go down, it looks a whole lot better.

What it tells me is that Hauser needs other guys on the floor to keep attention off him. He's not yet ready to be the main option on an offense.

I don't think Hauser will ever be the main option but we need good role players too.

I agree and whether or not he sticks around in the league will depend pretty much entirely on how well he can shoot the ball.  He doesn't need to be Kyle Korver, but he does need to shoot in the 40% range to be worthwhile to keep since he isn't very good at anything else. 

[Atzar]

I'm still kinda stuck on the idea that Cousins is better than any of these guys trying to latch on to the end of our roster as a third-string big.  Kornet, Vonleh, Samanic, probably Kabengele as well. 

Maybe his locker room impact is just that bad.  I do concede that throwing Mazzulla into the deep end with Cousins in his first season might be playing with fire.  But I don't know, man... I think I'd take the risk.  Can always cut him if his behavior isn't what we need.