Is Zeller more than a backup on a contender?

[esel1000]

In what is turning out to be a head shaking/tanking season, I want to discuss one of the surprises of the season; the emergence of Tyler Zeller.

I realized last night that he's been by far our most consistent player since being in the starting lineup. He has excellent footwork, some post skills, uses the rim effectively, consistent J, excellent ft shooter, decent defender, good rebounder, and just seems to be getting better and better. He's still shooting a ridiculous 65% or so with increased touches. No Rondo, no problem for his offense. It's clear that adding muscle mass this offseason has made him a better player.

People say he'd be a backup on a contender. I know he's already 24 but it's only his third season. What's his ceiling? I think he's already proving he can be better than a backup. I'm not sure if he'll ever be the focal point of an offense but he's becoming a bigger part of ours and one of the few bright spots so far, especially since we've needed a center for a long time. What do you guys think?

[Evantime34]

He has been much better than anticipated. He's great at finding space in the paint, rolling to the hoop in the pick and roll and running the fast break.

He was able to hit mid range jumpers in Cleveland, I would like him to exhibit that skill in Boston. If he can knock down mid range jumpers I could see him as a 15/9 guy who plays good defense. I think he could end up being a starting caliber center on a contender if everyone else on his team was very good.

According to the nba.com stat tracker he has defended the rim better than some of the following defensive stalwarts
1. Drummond
2. Gasol
3. Anthony Davis
4. Tyson Chandler
5. Derek Favors

While that isn't to say he's a better defender, just that he has made it difficult for opponents to score at the rim against him.

[Who]

No -- too limited defensively. Backup slot is correct role. Needs to be a lot better offensively to make up for his subpar defense to be a starting caliber center.

[tazzmaniac]

In what is turning out to be a head shaking/tanking season, I want to discuss one of the surprises of the season; the emergence of Tyler Zeller.

I realized last night that he's been by far are most consistent player since being in the starting lineup. He has excellent footwork, some post skills, uses the rim effectively, consistent J, excellent ft shooter, decent defender, good rebounder, and just seems to be getting better and better. He's still shooting a ridiculous 65% or so with increased touches. No Rondo, no problem for his offense. It's clear that adding muscle mass this offseason has made him a better player.

People say he'd be a backup on a contender. I know he's already 24 but it's only his third season. What's his ceiling? I think he's already proving he can be better than a backup. I'm not sure if he'll ever be the focal point of an offense but he's becoming a bigger part of ours and one of the few bright spots so far, especially since we've needed a center for a long time. What do you guys think?

I'd put Zeller in the same category as Bradley as a potential 4th or 5th starter on the right team.  I don't think Bradley should be starting for us but I think he would fit well on OKC where he could focus on his defense.  I'd start Zeller on an up tempo fast breaking team with good passing.  When we got him, I was hoping that Zeller would be another Chris Wilcox and be a great fit with Rondo but he has a much higher skill set than that and his effort level is excellent.   

[aingeforthree]

Big guys take awhile to develop in this league.  Too early to tell what he can or can't become.  He's just getting started, scratching the surface.

[Evantime34]

No -- too limited defensively. Backup slot is correct role. Needs to be a lot better offensively to make up for his subpar defense to be a starting caliber center.

I don't think he is limited defensively. What makes you say that?

[Who]

No -- too limited defensively. Backup slot is correct role. Needs to be a lot better offensively to make up for his subpar defense to be a starting caliber center.

I don't think he is limited defensively. What makes you say that?

He is a lousy defender who is over-matched physically and/or athletically on a regular basis.

[tazzmaniac]

No -- too limited defensively. Backup slot is correct role. Needs to be a lot better offensively to make up for his subpar defense to be a starting caliber center.

I don't think he is limited defensively. What makes you say that?

He is a lousy defender who is over-matched physically and/or athletically on a regular basis.

I don't agree.  He's willing to bang.  He moves well.  I'd say he's an roughly an average defender.  He's certainly a much, much better defender than Olynk. 

[rollie mass]

Zeller gives the impression of durability, he ought to give a clinic to olynck, on pick and roll.His pivot and timing is so crisp for lack of better description.He is only 24 and has that ranginess that can put on more weight.He will get better and is perfect fit with stevens and team mates.This kid has a basketball IQ, doesn't leave his feet,runs his opposing center into the ground and just keeps making his moves even if not getting the ball.

[tazzmaniac]

Zeller gives the impression of durability, he ought to give a clinic to olynck, on pick and roll.His pivot and timing is so crisp for lack of better description.He is only 24 and has that ranginess that can put on more weight.He will get better and is perfect fit with stevens and team mates.This kid has a basketball IQ, doesn't leave his feet,runs his opposing center into the ground and just keeps making his moves even if not getting the ball.

I love his effort level.  He was still running the floor hard when Orlando had a 20 point lead. 

[Rosco917]

He's a worker, he seems grateful for the Celtics giving him this opportunity. On the offensive side he's a nice target to slip the ball to, he doesn't play around with the ball, he gets it up before the defender can blink. He really likes and understands the pick and roll.

His defense is not terrible, but at least he works at it, beating his assignment down the floor almost every time. He's limited, but he battles.

Who would have thought we would be talking about Zeller being a bright spot on this team.
 

 

[hwangjini_1]

tps for everyone. it has nothing to do with this thread, which is a good one.

but it has everything to do with being christmas eve. merry christmas to one and all.

[esel1000]

He's a worker, he seems grateful for the Celtics giving him this opportunity. On the offensive side he's a nice target to slip the ball to, he doesn't play around with the ball, he gets it up before the defender can blink. He really likes and understands the pick and roll.

His defense is not terrible, but at least he works at it, beating his assignment down the floor almost every time. He's limited, but he battles.

Who would have thought we would be talking about Zeller being a bright spot on this team.

This is how I view him on the defensive end as well. He's made some big plays but he definitely has to fight. I can see both sides of the argument in regards to his defense, I hope he continues to build on it.

I'm with you on the last line as well. Wasn't the first guy I expected as a bright spot

[esel1000]

tps for everyone. it has nothing to do with this thread, which is a good one.

but it has everything to do with being christmas eve. merry christmas to one and all.

Tp to you as well!

[Evantime34]

I see a guy who guards his man well, does a great job getting to the spot and defending using verticality without fouling. By pretty much any metric our defense has improved since we put him in the starting lineup. He does everything I would want in a defensive center except block shots.