Xavier Tillman's Role

[Big333223]

Through 3 preseason games, Tillman is 6/8 from 3. Does this mean anything? No. 3 preseason games doesn't mean anything.

But... It's nice to see him knocking down shots. If he can make something like 37% or his 3's this season, playing tough, versatile defense all of a sudden this team's only possible weakness (center depth) disappears. 

[perks-a-beast]

Even though he hasnt shot over 30% since his rookie year, I'm hopeful in his outside shot improving. He'll get a ton of open looks in this offense.

He's already made one huge clutch 3 in game 3 of the Finals. That was awesome.

[aefgogreen]

Hey, White want much of a shooter before he got here, right?

[Vermont Green]

I agree completely with the premise that Tillman should be far more acclimated this season than last.  It is hard to join a contending team mid season and fit in, get comfortable, right away.  Just ask Derrick White.  Tillman also had some personal issue (I don't recall exactly what they were) and he was coming off injury.  I expect Tillman to be better, more productive for the Celtics this season.

As to how he fits in, I don't think being the 1 big, playing with Tatum as the next biggest is good for Tillman.  I like him playing opposite Horford.  It allows Horford to focus more on scoring and passing, Tillman can defend and rebound.  To start the season, I think Kornet may start, and play as the single big, with Tillman and Horford playing more together.  Horford of course will play with the starters to close games.

When Porzingis is back, I see him being the starter of course, so Kornet maybe doesn't play as much and Tillman's role may not change all that much.  Maybe less minutes, but in largely the same role.

[SCeltic34]

Tillman is going to be very important this season.  He understandably looked a bit lost at times last season, but overall I thought he did his job well.  Moves his feet well and has defensive versatility.  Makes good passes to the weak side when he has the ball down low.  And now he knows he's going to get a lot of wide open looks in the corner and elsewhere.  If he can continue to knock down open 3's at a good clip then he's going to be a major net positive.

[Phantom255x]

People forget that Horford didn't even start shooting 3s that much until like his 8th season (around 2015). Now I'm not saying Tillman will be a volume 3-point shooter similar to Horford BUT I could absolutely see him developing a style where he can hit maybe 1-2 open 3s whenever he gets the ball. He did it in Game 3 of the Finals too and has worked on it this offseason + preseason.

I'm pretty excited for Tillman. I think he's going to have a bigger role this season with Horford aging and KP out for a few months. He's being overlooked on our deep roster, but between him and Kornet I also think Tillman is much better suited for the playoffs. Kornet is okay as a 4th big overall or 3rd big strictly in regular season. Not really playable in the postseason. Tillman is.

[tenn_smoothie]

Really like to see Tillman get 15-20 regular minutes per game this season.
This team is a finesse, athletic group and we need some toughness in the post and he provides that.
Just hope Mazzula gives him consistent minutes, like he finally did for Hauser and Pritchard.

What were the personal problems about ?

[ozgod]

Through 3 preseason games, Tillman is 6/8 from 3. Does this mean anything? No. 3 preseason games doesn't mean anything.

But... It's nice to see him knocking down shots. If he can make something like 37% or his 3's this season, playing tough, versatile defense all of a sudden this team's only possible weakness (center depth) disappears.

When Abby interviewed him after the first Toronto game he said he spent a lot of time in the offseason working on shooting from 3 with the Celtics coaches. As opposed to Luke who they clearly just want to be a rim roller and rim protector and screener, they want Tillman to offer a different look by being able to space the floor.

[ozgod]

Really like to see Tillman get 15-20 regular minutes per game this season.
This team is a finesse, athletic group and we need some toughness in the post and he provides that.
Just hope Mazzula gives him consistent minutes, like he finally did for Hauser and Pritchard.

What were the personal problems about ?

His father passed away in May, a few weeks before the finals.

[Surferdad]

X is ahead of Queta on the depth chart, but Q has some attributes that will be useful situationally. He seems like a better rebounder, shot-blocker and finisher. X seems like a better defender, sets great picks and shoots better.

[Vermont Green]

X is ahead of Queta on the depth chart, but Q has some attributes that will be useful situationally. He seems like a better rebounder, shot-blocker and finisher. X seems like a better defender, sets great picks and shoots better.

Keep in mind that Tillman is only 25 years old, still very young.  Queta is just 6 months younger and not nearly as developed as an NBA-ready player as Tillman.  I think Tillman has a good chance to be as regular a part of the rotation as Pritchard or Hauser, even after Porzingis is back.

I don't think we saw even the 100% Tillman as he was for MEM for the previous few seasons.  So even if he is that guy on a regular basis, he will have a valuable role off the bench.  But if he has improved his 3 also, all the better.  He just needs to be enough of a scoring threat that the defense needs to pay attention to him.  The rest of his game is already up to snuff.

[wdleehi]

I think he and Kornet will be sharing minutes based on matchups except for back to backs when Horford probably will not play.   


If his outside shot gets to the point where defenses have to respect it, I imagine he will play over Kornet more often.

[liam]

So many times Tillman looks like he has no shot at a rebound cause he's short and can't jump but he puts up his long ass arms and just grabs the ball or tips it to himself.

[Big333223]

So many times Tillman looks like he has no shot at a rebound cause he's short and can't jump but he puts up his long ass arms and just grabs the ball or tips it to himself.

He's so strong and can't be moved. You're right, even though I know that, it's surprising how good he rebounds.

[mobilija]

Tillman = what they wanted Brisset to be

PF minutes absorber