Boston Celtics rookie Carsen Edwards embraces season-opener nerves: ‘It matters. I want to do well’

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2019/10/boston-celtics-rookie-carsen-edwards-embraces-season-opener-nerves-it-matters-i-want-to-do-well.html




Boston Celtics rookie Carsen Edwards embraces season-opener nerves: ‘It matters. I want to do well’




Updated 12:41 PM; Today 12:38 PM




Boston Celtics' Carsen Edwards (4) reacts after making a three point shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, in Cleveland. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 118-95. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)




By Tom Westerholm | twesterh@masslive.com



BOSTON -- Carsen Edwards expects to be nervous before the Boston Celtics’ season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, but that’s pretty normal -- Edwards said he gets nervous before every game he plays.

“Just because it matters,” Edwards told MassLive on Tuesday. "I want to do well. I have nerves, but I normally lose them before I start playing. But we’ll see though.

“Each game is important. It’s important to me.”

The Celtics’ rookies should have plenty of opportunities to showcase themselves against the Sixers. Edwards in particular made a strong case for minutes during the preseason, pouring in 3-pointers at Splash-Brother levels. Grant Williams could grab some minutes as well, after showcasing versatile defensive skills and better-than-expected floor spacing in Summer League and preseason. Romeo Langford is out with a knee sprain, but teammates and coaches have spoken highly of his performance in practice so far.

Of course, rookies hoping to make an immediate impression might be tempted to do a little too much. Williams said avoiding that trap will be crucial.

“Biggest thing for us is to just play consistently,” Williams said. "We can’t be outside of our means because that’s not what this team needs. It needs us to be who we are. This team needs us to impact winning, and that doesn’t necessarily mean going out there and scoring 45 points in a game. It’s more so about doing the little things, doing anything that it takes for us to win defensively, and then executing the offensive game plan.”


Still, nerves can affect even the best intentions. MassLive suggested to Edwards that he has been in higher-pressure environments before -- such as the NCAA tournament, where he shined in both the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.

Edwards didn’t agree.

“(This is) a dream though," Edwards said. "I’m excited, but I feel just the same amount -- I don’t feel pressure, but the importance of it is up there with any other, just because it’s the NBA. It’s my first time as my job.”

One good sign for Boston’s rookies: The veterans have set a good example. Edwards nodded at Jaylen Brown, who was working on ball-handling drills a few feet away.

“I’ve learned a lot,” he said. “(The veterans) talk to you too, and honestly, not them being vocal about it, but just watching them, watching them play, handle scenarios, and in the game, how they guard certain people and things like that I learn from. And you’ve got people like (Marcus) Smartie, he’s more vocal, and he’ll talk to me. When he sees me doing something, he’ll bring me aside and talk to me. It’s just the process of growing and I’m grateful to have guys like that around. I’ve still got to earn my minutes, but they’re trying to give me the knowledge I need.”

For Edwards, and for the rest of Boston’s youth movement, this is all part of the process.

“As long as I’m helpful for the team, that’s most important, and I’m not getting too high or too low," Edwards said. "I’m not expecting anything based off what I did in the preseason. So keep the confidence, but also realize I still have a far way to go to build trust and earn playing time.”



bob
MY NOTE:  This game is not as important, as far as Edwards' role and playing time this season, as much as being able to adapt to being scouted, which he will be.  That's probably even more true next year, because there'll be a lot more NBA film available for opposing coaches to review, but if he starts off hot and gets minutes it could happen sooner than that.

Written on Carsen's wristband: "Help Mama out.  Thank God.  Have fun.  KILL EVERYTHING"  

I cannot wait to see him light up Philly's back court and Brett Brown starts talking to himself.  Can. Not. Wait.



.

Bill Russell threw up before every game.

worcester wrote:Bill Russell threw up before every game.

you beat me to that one as I was remembering the same thing.

This kid totally understands and embraces what it takes to compete. He seems to enjoy and be ready for the challenge.

Carsen is going to be the easiest among the new players to root for. I'm looking forward to seeing him get into tonight's game to see what he can do when it really counts. I wouldn't be surprised if Edwards becomes an important contributor right out of the gate.

Dboss, and I threw up during every game...

bobh,

Looks like Edwards needs to add "Get lousy opening game out of my mind and off my chest" to his list.  PHI read his cheat sheet and did well against him.  But that was against the best team in the league.  The rest of the NBA riff-raff will have a different result against Carsen starting tomorrow against TOR.  

db

dbrown4 wrote:bobh,

Looks like Edwards needs to add "Get lousy opening game out of my mind  and off my chest" to his list.  PHI read his cheat sheet and did well against him.  But that was against the best team in the league.  The rest of the NBA riff-raff will have a different result against Carsen starting tomorrow against TOR.  

db

Edwards is one of those players that when he sees it go thru the hole he may put the next 6 in. Not sure how well he can adapt to not getting minutes. I have no doubt if he played 25 to 30 minutes we would see him get hot more than a few times.

Agreed, tardust. When he was racking up 30 points, he was out there for significant amounts of time. It looks like he needs just a few minutes to warm up and get into character.

What I'm really interested in seeing is him figuring out how hot is hot and changing up by faking the 3 and going in for the wide open layup because he has everyone on their heels with the 3 scouting report. He started that vs. CLE after the streak.

If he does get that many minutes, he will easily be a 20-25 point scorer every night. Let's see what happens tonight with this.

db