Celtics (0-0) vs Grizzlies (0-0) SL Game #1 7/11/25

[JBcat]

So, who do we cut to give Bassey a roster spot?  Davison?

Of course, the team would probably have to cut two guys, since I assume we're only keeping 14.

I would say him or Tillman if the Celts think he is just deadweight at this point. Or some sort of 2 for 1 deal.

[Celtics4ever]

Bassey did look decent, his  career averages for minutes is 11 min per game.   In that time he has averaged 4.3 rebounds.  I do think he is a little redundant with Neemi but he seems more mobile in his rotations and on defense.  I liked what I saw.   

[Roy H.]

Bassey looked decent, he rebounded aggressively.  But he was just released from the Spurs and replaced by Luke and kelly Olynyk, what does that say?

That those guys are more valued?  No shame in that.

[Kuberski33]

Only caught the 2nd half - a few observations:
Scheierman, while I watched him, seemed to be in the Tatum role as point forward running the offense through him. To my knowledge this would be his first time doing that in a game situation (though maybe he did it in G League last season) but he reminded me of early Tatum, trying to do too much. And his shot was way off to boot. This could be a hint though, as to how they hope to use him this season and try to compensate for Tatum not being there. But he had a lousy half, that's for sure. He's a very good passer (which is, I'm sure, why they're trying him out as point guy) but yesterday he seemed to be too wrapped up in trying to score.

Don't get too excited about Bassey at least for now. He's played 125 NBA games - you would expect him to stand out in Summer league vs players who aren't NBA ready. That said, he's got a motor and is probably in contention for a roster spot. He may fall into the Minott/Garza category of guys they're taking a flyer on at the time where they may be ready to emerge after getting developed by other teams. He sure as heck impacted the game.

Walsh - good on him. Its a big season for him.  I think whether he makes the leap or not depends on his shooting.

Williams - I thought he was decent. Made all his FG attempts - can't complain about that. Real good court awareness from what I could see and looked comfortable. 

Hugo - 3 of 5 from 3pt range - 1 of 5 from the line where he shoots about 76%. 0 for 7 inside the arc. I'm looking forward to watching him.

Lofton Jr- not related to the Kenny Lofton who was a stud CF for the Indians - I thought he was, but the body type sure as heck doesn't match up. He impacted the game while I watched but couldn't finish inside. Ends up shooting 1-8 from the field but got to the line 10 times - made 9 and finished +13 for the game. I think they said he's still under contract in China but they would assume has an out in his contract. Doesn't look like an NBA player to me but it's only one game.

[Who]

Literally just said that Hugo plays hard and is young. So he has time on his side to figure out the shot. He is a project right now.

I think people need to temper their expectations is all. Like you just said, he was glued to the bench on his team overseas. So how are people expecting him to play in the NBA right away? That doesn?t make sense.

Also, I don't think Walsh should be someone to compare Hugo to. Jordan wasn't a first round pick or even an early second. Brad passed on guys like McNeeley, Fleming and Kalkbrenner to take Hugo. We shall see whether if it was the right choice.

(1) I wasn't expecting anything from Hugo at all this season. I thought he would spend the entire year in Maine and contribute nothing to the Celtics. That he would need considerable time to improve and get ready to play. That he was too raw to play.

I was pleasantly surprised by how well he played in Gm 1 in SL. He showed a much more developed game (non-scoring contributions) than I expected. I believe he will be a plus defender, solid rebounder, plus ball-handler, plus passer from Day One. His scoring is still a major question mark. But in a low usage role (shot wise), he can be a useful contributor.

(2) One of the reasons why I think Hugo can play right away is because our team is so weak. On a different team with veteran reserves, Hugo would be 3rd string. His jump-shot (lack thereof) would limit his playing time.

The Celtics though have only 1 established rotation caliber wing off their bench in Sam Hauser. And if Hauser starts, they have 0 established rotation players. So the opportunity is there for non-established wings to earn some minutes. It appears to be a competition between Scheierman, J Walsh and Hugo for those minutes. I expect Minott to play more PF minutes.

So expecting Hugo to play and contribute this year is part (a) he was better than I expected (b) the opportunity for a raw player to get minutes is there because of our lack of quality depth.

(3) I am happy with Hugo as our pick after seeing what he brought to the table yesterday. I think he will be a good pick. I am confident in that.

What is still uncertain is whether he was the best pick. McNeeley played well for Charlotte. Kalkbrenner looked like he will be a solid pro and rotation caliber center (maybe even a starter) given time. So Hugo could be good for us and still not be the best available choice.

But good is good. I am happy with a good pick late 1st round. He is a very good chance at being a rotation player in the NBA (roughly 20% odds of getting one with a late 1st) and possibly even a starter. Even if Hugo turns out not to be the best choice, I will still be happy because he is a good choice in his own right.

---------------

My reaction to the pick was underwhelmed / disheartened. I didn't know who he was. He didn't play much for his Euro team. He was raw. He will take years to develop before we figure out if we have anything.

After seeing him play, his shot is raw but the rest of his game is developed and it is impressive. I am much happier after seeing him play. He looks a good long term prospect and more ready to play next season than I had expected.

[Roy H.]

Hugo showed good instincts.  That's all you can hope for from a late first rounder.  I'm hopeful he can be a solid rotation player, eventually.

I was expecting "deer in the headlights".  I didn't get that impression, except for his one bad trip to the line.

Walsh, Norris and Bassey looked like potential NBA bench player.

I wasn't all that impressed with Williams, but it's one game.

Scheierman's shot selection and seeming lack of poise was disappointing.

[hwangjini_1]

Hugo is so raw. There is no way he?s playing for the C?s this year. It?s Spain or Maine.

Disagree

How? He doesn?t look good on either end. Looks OK on defense, wouldn?t say good. Terrible offensively. Can?t shoot at all.

You are just wrong here. He's made 2 threes so far. You can't say "Can't shoot at all" when he's made 2 threes.

And his defense on Jaylen Wells has forced 1-6 shooting with 2 TOs. So his defense has been good.

He?s 3-11 from the field.  1-5 from the line. Like I said.

1st game.  Not much practice time.  I guess if you have a bad game in summer league you wont be successful.  I guess that means Cooper Flagg should be traded by the Mavs because he was really bad in his first game.  Same with Ace Bailey.  Utah may want to stash him overseas. 

The over reaction t9 a summer league game is laughable.  Summer league is ugly basketball.  A bunch of players basically playing pick up basketball after 3 days of practices.

The good

Baylor can fill up a stat sheet.  He's better as an off ball shooter.  He can do a little bit of everything.  Im excited for Baylor this year.  He crashes the boards.  4 assists.  His shot will fall.  That part doesn't worry me about him.

Walsh looked like the best player on the Cs today.  He played under control for the most part.  He got a little aggressive on D a few times and got beat but so did most of the players on both sides.  His shot looks even more improved.  Good star for Walsh compared to last year.

Hugo is going to be exciting.  His shot looks decent.  His energy, hustle and tenacity are awesome.  He looked better then a late 1st round pick.  Can't want to see what he looks like in March after some run in Maine and practice against JB.  Definitely nerves in this game.  Couldn't hit a FT.

Amari he doesn't look lost like so many posters said he would.  NBA athlete.  I think hes going to be a rotational big for the Cs and in year 2 he will be a Luke Kornet type player.

Max - I was surprised he was running point.  He looked lost and tentative.  He may be a Anton Watson type where he doesn't last a full year with the cs.

Bassey was a surprise addition.  He looked good but should based on his NBA experience.  I like Amari better

Bad

The cs couldn't hit a layup to save their lives.  Should have won this game by 30

Turnovers were bad which they usually are in SL.  With no real playmaker this team will struggle at times

3 years in the European league, career averages: 41% from the field, 27% from 3pt. It?s not just one summer league game. He?s a really poor shooter.

hugo averaged 10.7 minutes a game in the world's second best pro league. a league that virtually never gives young players time or let's them develop though game time.

3 years in the euopean league. right, but remember his first year he was 16 years old...and played in the second best pro league in the world.

way too many predictions on way to few data points by way too many people. let's give each of these guys a year or so before predicting their entire future performances please.

BUT most of all, thank you to all the posters who let me "see" a game i could not watch and provide insights into our newest baby celtics.