More summer league hope/excitement/talent:Ryan Wittman

[csfansince60s]

I know, I know, I know, realistically non-draftee summer league participants/invitees historically don't have a great chance at catching on with an NBA team. I think we have two, however who have a good chance due to circumstances  (Perk out indefinitely, Sheed gone)and killer scoring droughts (see game 7 NBA Finals).

The former is addressed by Art P (C from Radford and Belarus) has rebounding skills, which translate well to the next level (see Paul Milsap), size and strength and a good motor with big room for growth (only been playing organized ball for 5-6 years)which was commented on extensively in his own thread earlier today.

An excellent thread from RealGM http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=1024736 has an exciting link on Cornell star Ryan Wittman http://www.nbadraft.net/players/ryan-wittman. Check the video and interview out. His range is astounding as is his quick release. He's 6'7" which is great for a shooting guard and has a high BBall IQ due to his coach at Cornell and the offense and defense they ran which required many more adjustments and reactions to in-game circumstances. I think he has a legit shot. (I know he has a jumpshot, but I mean a shot at the NBA.) Hope springs eternal, but he definitely has NBA range.

[CoachBo]

Nice post, but there's literally nothing that excites me about the summer league - ever.

Too many Gerald Greens, Brandon Hunters, Orien Greenes, et al - washouts - to put any stock whatsoever in what a kid does in the summer league.

[Cman]

The funny thing is that at some point, one of these summer league invites will pan out for the Celtics.  Maybe that point will be this summer, who knows.

The Golden State Warriors seem to have luck at picking up undrafted players (Tolliver, Morrow, Azubuike); why not us?

Of course, the general talent level on the Warriors is pretty low, so the bar to make the team is low as well.  Nevertheless, I would love all three of those guys above coming off the bench for the Cs.

[Rashi]

So I came across that Ryan Wittman is on our summer league and after checking out one of the youtube vids I found out that he's got a pure stroke and would be a nice addition to the team (if he makes it).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8VkgIwMfCg


If Ray decides to stay....Ryan would be a great back up for him.

[Andy Jick]

This is THE guy I'm most curious to see.  Not trying to go overboard, but if he's got JJ Redick type of potential he could be a steal.  I LOVE guys who know how to move withOUT the ball, and he has a knack for that.

He looks like a player that understands how to use screens.  My guess is that defense will be the key to his arrival on an NBA roster.

[celts34pats55]

Wow, his shot is PRETTY!

[hwangjini_1]

wittman can really shoot...at least based on the video. what's not to like for a summer league guy?

in the nba i worry he might have trouble getting his shot off sometimes. his release point is rather low, so a good defender might be able to block it. also, i am not sure if he has the speed to make his own shot consistently in the nba.

in the video his jumping ability looked a lot like mine...and i cant jump at all. 

dont know about his defense, but the kid does shoot really well at 42.6% for 3 pointers. draftexpress says he is really smart. what the heck, maybe he could make the bench for the celtics.

in the summer league it is all about dreams.

[jr_3421]

in the nba i worry he might have trouble getting his shot off sometimes. his release point is rather low, so a good defender might be able to block it. also, i am not sure if he has the speed to make his own shot consistently in the nba.

I'm not really worried about his offensive game. His release point is kinda low but it is also extremely quick. Plus he is a legit 6'7 so getting his shot off against reserve SF's shouldn't be that big of a problem. I worry about his defense. If he can play good positional defense then I think he has a chance of making this team.

[Gainesville Celtic]

woulda liked to have John Scheyer (sp?) and Samhan play on the summer league but Art P. piques my interest too ...

Belarus represent!

[Andy Jick]

He's got good bloodlines - Randy Wittman's son.  Used to love watching him play for the Hawks.  The one thing Danny believes, yet I also believe he's failed to live up finding: you can never have enough shooters...

[clover]

I know, I know, I know, realistically non-draftee summer league participants/invitees historically don't have a great chance at catching on with an NBA team. I think we have two, however who have a good chance due to circumstances  (Perk out indefinitely, Sheed gone)and killer scoring droughts (see game 7 NBA Finals).

The former is addressed by Art P (C from Radford and Belarus) has rebounding skills, which translate well to the next level (see Paul Milsap), size and strength and a good motor with big room for growth (only been playing organized ball for 5-6 years)which was commented on extensively in his own thread earlier today.

An excellent thread from RealGM http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=1024736 has an exciting link on Cornell star Ryan Wittman http://www.nbadraft.net/players/ryan-wittman. Check the video and interview out. His range is astounding as is his quick release. He's 6'7" which is great for a shooting guard and has a high BBall IQ due to his coach at Cornell and the offense and defense they ran which required many more adjustments and reactions to in-game circumstances. I think he has a legit shot. (I know he has a jumpshot, but I mean a shot at the NBA.) Hope springs eternal, but he definitely has NBA range.

NBADraftNet had him ranked as the #37 shooting guard in the draft--he must be a steal!

[gar]

#37 or not would be nice to see if he can make it. If Coby Karl can get some run so can this guy. His dad played with Doc and Coached KG. Is now assist. @ Wizards. Certainly not much Draft buzz. But, Cornell was a joy to watch and did it using all those intangibles that don't show up on Stat sheets Draft evaluations. One of the best pure shooters from deep in the whole draft. Good Assists. Not afraid to post up smaller opponents.

[clover]

#37 or not would be nice to see if he can make it. If Coby Karl can get some run so can this guy. His dad played with Doc and Coached KG. Is now assist. @ Wizards. Certainly not much Draft buzz. But, Cornell was a joy to watch and did it using all those intangibles that don't show up on Stat sheets Draft evaluations. One of the best pure shooters from deep in the whole draft. Good Assists. Not afraid to post up smaller opponents.

Yeah, I know. Haven't seen him play.  Sounds like they may have invited him as a favor to his dad, but then again I'd like to see them find a shooter on the cheap.  Still, ya gotta admit--his being the 37th shooting guard in the draft is worth a chuckle.

[Q_FBE]

I remember when the summer league was cause for great excitement around here (well the old posters at ESPN messageboard during the Pitino years anyway).

Remember back in 2000 when we won a summer league with Pierce and Antione Walker beating a bunch of nobodies. And we were led to believe the Celtics turned the corner. 

[Chris]

Nice post, but there's literally nothing that excites me about the summer league - ever.

Too many Gerald Greens, Brandon Hunters, Orien Greenes, et al - washouts - to put any stock whatsoever in what a kid does in the summer league.

I feel the same way, it really does not mean much of anything.

With that said, I am intrigued at the possibility of seeing guys like Erden (is he supposed to play), and the kid from Umass.  Those guys both has the chance to at least go to camp in October, and reportedly have some intriguing skills.  So I am curious to see what they actually have.

Are the games being broadcast though?