Most unlikely key contributor?

[tonyto3690]

We've had some unlikely guys step up and either become big time starters (Rondo/Bradley) or key role players (Davis/Hollins/Daniels).

This season, who are our most unlikely key contributors who may actually, contribute?


1.  Moore - looks like due to a dearth of options, may see time at backup PG.  Has looked good in the summer league and explosive at times last season.

2.  JJJ - It's been beaten to death, but JJJ is never going to be a go-to scorer, nor is summer league ever going to help a big out.  JJJ, like Bass, has a game that works very well with Rondo and takes a great PG to help him, but has the skillset to make the most of it.  With Rondo I honestly believe JJJ could be a bench guy who scores 10 points a game with good pick and roll defense, and good weakside help defense.

3. Dooling - We need a backup guard.  He can be had for cheap, is a great team leader, and can stretch the floor.  Also plays great press defense on point guards. Could have a handful of games where he is a key player and hits a few 3s.


HM:
Kris Joseph - While I am incredibly high on this kid, we have to be realistic.  He's an unathletic wing who has played in a handful of summer league games.  That being said, he has shown good range, and a knack to score the ball.  Comparisons have been made as a very poor man's Paul Pierce, and I agree, but still think he needs to bulk up 5-10 pounds.  I doubt he even sees much floor time with both Pierce and Green locking down the SF spot

[KGs Knee]

I'm not sure how "unlikely" it would really be, but I guess I would say Sullinger.

I wasn't thrilled with the pick, for various reasons, but he very easily could be a substantial contributer.

As far as "player who came out of nowhere to contribute", I'll go with Moore.  I would be truly surprised if he is even on the roster past summer league.  So, if he did contribute this season, it really would be something unexpected.

[LEHGOCELTICS]

LOL at JJJ.. Give up already, dude is a scrub. I'd say either Joseph or Moore emerge as key contributors, we already know Sullinger can play.

[Evantime34]

Likely contributors
Rondo,
Bradley, Terry
Pierce, Green
Bass, Sullinger
KG, Wilcox

If those are the people that most fans think will contribute it has to be someone not on that list. For me I think it's Fab Melo. By the end of the season he will give us similar defensive energy to Hollins.

I also could see Moore giving us some solid back up minutes. It's hard to answer the question at this point in the offseason. If Christmas ends up making the team I could see him as an unlikely contributor.

[2short]

wilcox and sullinger
and in another way jeff green, he could be a big key

[LilRip]

i really hope it's jeff green.

most people - myself included - have already written him off as around our 7th best player, behind Rondo,Kg,Pp,Terry and maybe Bass and Bradley. i would really like to see Jeff Green make that big leap. Not really hoping, coz it's highly unlikely, but yeah. It'd be nice if he emerged as a star.

[Celtics18]

A lot of folks seem to be very down on JaJuan Johnson right now.  I get it, but I think he has a good shot at being the most unlikely key contributor on the 2012-2013 Boston Celtics.  

I wouldn't be surprised to see him ahead of Sully in the rotation.  Right now, his strengths fit better as a role player off the bench.  Sully's strengths as a versatile scorer and go-to guy fit well on the summer league squad, but I don't see him getting to have that kind of role with the real squad.   JJJ will continue to improve in the pick and roll both offensively and defensively.  Once he does, I think he'll be a valuable contributor.  

[Professor of Rondology]

A lot of folks seem to be very down on JaJuan Johnson right now.  I get it, but I think he has a good shot at being the most unlikely key contributor on the 2012-2013 Boston Celtics.  

I wouldn't be surprised to see him ahead of Sully in the rotation.  Right now, his strengths fit better as a role player off the bench.  Sully's strengths as a versatile scorer and go-to guy fit well on the summer league squad, but I don't see him getting to have that kind of role with the real squad.   JJJ will continue to improve in the pick and roll both offensively and defensively.  Once he does, I think he'll be a valuable contributor.  

If people were high on him, than he wouldn't be an unlikely contributor.  I hope he can show us something this year, even if it's just a hint at what he can be- I just haven't seen anything yet, so I'm not hopeful. 

I think Sully can maintain his role as the go-to big guy on our second  or third unit (KG and Sully are our only offensive post options, and posting up KG was very successful whenever we decided to focus on it last year).

Jeff Green WILL surprise people this year, mostly because people have an overly negative view of his abilities. JG will be an extremely valuable part of this team- there is a reason Danny was so intent on bringing him back.  I'm extremely excited to watch Rondo and Jeff run together.  Rondo has never had anyone so young, athletic and talented to run the break with, and I think it could transform the Celtics transition offense.

[Jon]

A lot of folks seem to be very down on JaJuan Johnson right now.  I get it, but I think he has a good shot at being the most unlikely key contributor on the 2012-2013 Boston Celtics.  

I wouldn't be surprised to see him ahead of Sully in the rotation.  Right now, his strengths fit better as a role player off the bench.  Sully's strengths as a versatile scorer and go-to guy fit well on the summer league squad, but I don't see him getting to have that kind of role with the real squad.   JJJ will continue to improve in the pick and roll both offensively and defensively.  Once he does, I think he'll be a valuable contributor.  

I'm higher than most on this board about JJJ.  However, I don't know what type of advantage he really has over Sullinger offensively.  Sullinger certainly has more potential as a go-to scorer as you say; however, Sullinger is also a very good shooter too.  So he should be able to easily get and execute many of the same looks Bass gets. 

If JJJ is going to surpass him, it's going to have to be on the defensive end where JJJ has more length and athleticism.  If he can, he has a shot. 

As for other unlikely contributors, it's tough to say now given that we don't have the final roster.  I think once everyone's healthy, there's isn't going to be any PT outside of our top 9 (Rondo, Bradley, Pierce, Bass, KG, Terry, Green, Wilcox, and either Sully or JJJ).  I don't really count any of them as unexpected.

I guess Moore could be that guy if he gets the nod at the 2 while Bradley is out.  But at this point, we don't even know if he'll make the team.   

[Tgro]

I hope he's still around. I'm thinking Dooling could be big. He didn't get right until the end of the season and then he showed a lot of promise.

If is a big word, but if he can keep it up, I think he has a much better season this coming season than last. 1 more year with the Celtics and he'll become a fan favorite by the end of the season. IMHO.

I'm rooting for the dude. He's gonna be even better this year if he sticks with us. 

[wdleehi]

I am hoping Melo is surprising people come mid season and is there to be an enforcer come playoff time.

[the_Bird]

A lot of folks seem to be very down on JaJuan Johnson right now.  I get it, but I think he has a good shot at being the most unlikely key contributor on the 2012-2013 Boston Celtics.  

I wouldn't be surprised to see him ahead of Sully in the rotation.  Right now, his strengths fit better as a role player off the bench.  Sully's strengths as a versatile scorer and go-to guy fit well on the summer league squad, but I don't see him getting to have that kind of role with the real squad.   JJJ will continue to improve in the pick and roll both offensively and defensively.  Once he does, I think he'll be a valuable contributor.  

I'm higher than most on this board about JJJ.  However, I don't know what type of advantage he really has over Sullinger offensively.  Sullinger certainly has more potential as a go-to scorer as you say; however, Sullinger is also a very good shooter too.  So he should be able to easily get and execute many of the same looks Bass gets. 

If JJJ is going to surpass him, it's going to have to be on the defensive end where JJJ has more length and athleticism.  If he can, he has a shot. 

Well, that's the point, isn't it?  They really want their bigs to be able to defend the pick+roll, and JJJ has the athleticism to potentially do that at a high level.  If he can defend the P+R and hit the elbow jumper, he's got a chance of cracking the rotation.  

[tarheelsxxiii]

JJJ needs to start making plans for Europe. He is not and will never be an NBA player. I have no idea what you guys are seeing. He can't defend the 3 or 4, he's soft, he can't score in the post and takes too long to get off his shot from 15-18. Unless he can triple his lower body strength and double his upper, he's playing in Ireland. Done deal.

Agree with Melo. Watching replay of Hawks game,, saw him break out off a rebound, catch a quick outlet around 18ft from the basket, take one strong dribble-hop-step and rip the ball around Jordan Taylor's head for a dunk. He's athletic as [a bad, hot place]. Looks clueless on how to guard the post, but that can be taught to someone this athletic.

[gar]

JJJ needs to start making plans for Europe. He is not and will never be an NBA player. I have no idea what you guys are seeing. He can't defend the 3 or 4, he's soft, he can't score in the post and takes too long to get off his shot from 15-18. Unless he can triple his lower body strength and double his upper, he's playing in Ireland. Done deal.

Agree with Melo. Watching replay of Hawks game,, saw him break out off a rebound, catch a quick outlet around 18ft from the basket, take one strong dribble-hop-step and rip the ball around Jordan Taylor's head for a dunk. He's athletic as [a bad, hot place]. Looks clueless on how to guard the post, but that can be taught to someone this athletic.

Perhaps you missed his air balls and the hook shot that this the side of the backboard. Kid has a long way to go. Rebounding is even a challenge for this kid. It is not all about athleticism. He simply has no clue where he needs to be on the floor to get a rebound. This makes it very easy to push him off his spot, since he is happy to go to the empty space even if that is under the basket.

[Professor of Rondology]

Perhaps you missed his air balls and the hook shot that this the side of the backboard. Kid has a long way to go. Rebounding is even a challenge for this kid. It is not all about athleticism. He simply has no clue where he needs to be on the floor to get a rebound. This makes it very easy to push him off his spot, since he is happy to go to the empty space even if that is under the basket.

Agreed.  Right now Melo seems like he could really use a season in the D-league before getting eaten alive in the NBA. JJJ could probably also use a season in Maine before being judged against NBA competition. Unfortunately, KG doesn't play for the Red Claws so they would be losing a valuable mentor.  Not sure which would be more helpful for Melo (JJJ might just be a lost cause)- a season of consistent PT and constant coaching in Maine or a hard season full of DNPs under KG's tutelage.