Celtic Roster

My goodness.

Rookie Grant Williams averaged 15 MPG during the regular season.  That translated into a very forgettable stat line of

3.4 PPG, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists

His playoff numbers went down so I do not buy the more usage theory

Playoff 10 MPG

2.8 PPG, 1.5 rebounds and 0.4 assists

This is the reason he belongs on the C list = Average.  He is just as likely to hit the D list.  The C list was actually pretty generous of me because I still think he sucks and he never should have been drafted in the 1st round.  He is 2nd round non-guaranteed talent at best.

If his production was any smaller, it would disappear from view. I see insignificant value in ancillary or intangible pieces of trinkets and cheap costume jewelry used to accent a ghastly fashion statement.

Can he play PF?  I do not know but it seems like a better fit than being a 5 with no rebounding skills. He will never be a good fit in the starting lineup if paired with a non-offensive center (DT, TT or RW) Defensively he can probably help us as a starter at PF.  But that only exacerbates the offensive void left by GH.  Compound that with Kemba not ready to go and the reality should be clear to everyone. IF GW was a guy that could start and get us double digit points he could be a solution as a starter. That is not going to happen.  Grant is one of the least skilled offensive players on the team.  The Celtics need 3 reliable scorers in the lineup.  

Other alternative  players to start  include, in no particular order of preference, Javonte Green, Semi Ojeleye, Jeff Teague or  Aaron Nesmith.

He’s got a good b-ball IQ which will help a bit to mitigate the loss of Hayward. If he keeps hitting his 3s he’ll see more playing time. His defensive advanced statistics are decent.

This is a pretty detailed analysis of Pritchard, but it's about how his college game might translate to the Celtics.  This isn't exactly "pre-season" so much as looking back so I put it here.

The $64 question with Pritchard is "will his physical and athletic shortcomings undermine his B-Ball skills?" The author of the video points out some issue he needs ro work on because he is undersized.




Bob


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While technically "not on the roster" he is a Celtic draft-and-stash pick and could be available when his contract expires, or sooner if Danny really wants to buy him out (unlikely, but possible).  Since he's a draft-and-stash he doesn't deserve his own thread, in my opinion, so here he is:  YOUR Boston Celtics #47 pick, Yam Madar!!

(drumroll, please...)


https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-celtics-stashed-guard-yam-175311687.html



WATCH: Celtics stashed guard Yam Madar goes for 18 vs Maccabi Rishon


Justin Quinn


Fri, December 11, 2020, 10:53 AM MST·1 min read





Sometimes, teams use the strategy of “stashing” a player in an overseas league while retaining their rights for more of a tool for cap management than for earnestly developing a prospect outright, but that couldn’t be further from the situation with Boston Celtics stashed floor general Yam Madar.



Playing overseas for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League since 2018, Madar still has two seasons left on his deal there that would otherwise require a buyout. But given the high level of competition and the Celtics’ current crunch of younger players, it’s a near-ideal situation for Madar as well as Boston.

We won’t be able to watch his progress quite as closely as if he were with the Maine Red Claws on a two way deal, but with that team’s season in question because of the pandemic and both two way deals already spoken for, watching games like this one will have to do.

Watch the video embedded above to see Madar hang 18 points and 4 assists on Maccabi Rishon courtesy this clip posted by Celtics fan videographer Tomasz Kordylewski — it seems the Israeli’s game is coming along nicely.


Bob
MY NOTE:  Personally, I see him taking some tough shots that might not do so well in the NBA, at his size.
Decent handle, but I don't see how he's going to beat out Pritchard. He's 2" taller but 6'1" vs 6'3" is like the difference between a flea and a tick to NBA players.

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Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
about 1 hour ago
Jaylen Brown: "I've been in Boston for five years, so I'm a Bostonian now...I'm trying to get more engaged with the community and see where I can help the most."


Bob


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Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
about 46 minutes ago
Jaylen Brown was recently named one of the Boston Globe's Bostonians of the Year. Here's what he said today about his time in Boston: pic.twitter.com/bcplstCcgY




Bob


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Bob


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very special young man.

dboss wrote:very special young man.

Dboss,

I've said this before and I'm proud to say it again and again and again, I've loved Jaylen Brown since the first time I heard him give an interview on draft day.  He was a remarkably centered and mature 19 year old and is an even more remarkable 24 year old.  Boston got a rep, justifiably, for being a racist town back in the '50s and '60s (and not just racist, the term "Banned in Boston" didn't have anything to do with race) but over time comes wisdom and with wisdom comes change.  Bill Russell had a very hard life in Boston because of the times he lived in but it he conducted himself with grace, dignity and purpose.  He was a leader in the Civil Rights movement of the '60s, which changed the United States and the world.  Jaylen Brown is cut from Russ's cloth.  He is a tribute to the team and to the city.  For Jaylen to call himself "a Bostonian" is the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval on the city's transformation.  Years from now, when Jaylen Brown finally hangs up his NBA sneakers for good, I predict Wyc and Danny will invest him as a community leader representing the Celtics, just as they did with special role model Leon Powe.

And I won't be prouder if he was my own son.


Bob


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https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/what-kendrick-perkins-told-tristan-thompson-after-big-man-joined-celtics



What Kendrick Perkins told Tristan Thompson after big man joined C's


21H AGO

BY JUSTIN LEGER



As soon as Tristan Thompson's deal with the Boston Celtics was done, the big man reached out to a mentor who once donned Celtics Green.

Thompson called up 2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins, who was a role model of his during their time together in Cleveland. On the latest Celtics Talk Podcast, Thompson described his relationship with Perkins to NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg and revealed what Perk told him during their conversation.

"Perk has been huge for me," Thompson said. "Our first year going to the Finals, Perk was on the team and he was very instrumental in terms of me taking that growth, in terms of being an enforcer and never really taking any crap from nobody."

"So Perk's been huge, and as soon as I committed to the Celtics I called him the next day and he said, 'You're the piece that they need and you're going to do great here.' So It's always good when one of your mentors and OGs support a decision like that and are happy for you."

Perkins also took to Twitter on Friday to reiterate what he told Thompson:

Kendrick Perkins
@KendrickPerkins
Tristian Thompson is that missing piece that the Celtics been needing for a while now...adding him makes the Cs extremely dangerous!!! Carry on...



It's no mystery why Perkins is high on Thompson's potential with Boston. The 29-year-old will the bring size, physicality, and rebounding the Celtics have needed in recent seasons. He'll also add a veteran presence and a winning pedigree to a young C's locker room.

Forsberg: Celtics 'a match made in heaven' for Thompson
It's too early to call Thompson the missing piece of the puzzle for the Celtics, but Perk's approval plus Thompson's mentality entering his first season with a new team are great signs.


Bob


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https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2020/08/boston-celtics-jayson-tatum-might-be-6-foot-10-now-draws-superstar-description-from-kemba-walker.html



Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum might be 6-foot-10 now, draws ‘superstar’ description from Kemba Walker



Updated Aug 20, 2020; Posted Aug 20, 2020




Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics celebrates a three-point shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)AP


By Tom Westerholm | twesterh@masslive.com



After Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to a blowout 128-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their first-round series on Wednesday, a reporter started asking him a question by noting how difficult it is to ask him something new.

The reporter was right. Once again, Tatum’s shot-making was otherworldly -- he buried eight 3-pointers, dropped in a floater and got to the rim. Once again, his on-off stats were pristine -- the Celtics were +29 in Tatum’s minutes, and along with the bench, he played an important role in the first half after the Sixers roared out to an early lead.

Jayson Tatum’s stardom is not a surprise to anyone any more. He was a star on Wednesday. So ... what else is there to say?

“I think we expect it now for sure,” Kemba Walker said. “He’s a superstar. He’s a superstar. He’s been showing it night in, night out. He just makes the right reads, man. He’s a special talent.”

The word “superstar” feels noteworthy, partly because fans, media and players have become (appropriately) more skittish about using it recent years. There are a lot of stars in the NBA, but there are only a few superstars -- individuals who can single-handedly change the fortune of their franchise.

Part of what makes a superstar is how obvious it is when a player becomes one. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a superstar. LeBron James is a superstar. Damian Lillard is a superstar. To steal a line from a judge in the ’50s (who was describing a very different medium), you know it when you see it.

“Jayson Tatum is unbelievable, man,” Enes Kanter said. “I have no words for him. This guy is just bringing so much, not just on the court, but bringing so much pure leadership. Every time he’s out there, he’s having fun, he’s making himself better and he’s making everybody else better around him. That’s what makes him really special.”

Tatum was asked if he looks to take over whenever he is on the floor now.

“I mean, I try to go out there and be the best player I can be,” Tatum said. “I have the utmost confidence in myself and my teammates and I know it’s reciprocated. I just try to figure it out. I try to figure out when I need to be more aggressive, when I need to make the right pass. I think the most important thing is I want to be that guy, I want to be able to make the big plays, whether it’s scoring or making the right pass because I’m drawing attention. I think that’s the first step, wanting to be that person. It takes a collective effort. We won this game tonight as a team, and we’ll continue to win as a team.”

He’s right, of course, but Tatum’s success is particularly integral to Boston’s. In the Celtics’ first two playoff games, he has a net rating of 32.4 -- an absurdly high number. Since his poor shooting night against the Milwaukee Bucks to open the Celtics’ slate in the bubble, he has shot higher than 50 percent from three. He’s getting to the rim and the free throw line. The Sixers may struggle against Tatum particularly, but they certainly aren’t alone.

“I‘m playing confident,” Tatum said. “Just trying to be aggressive and trying to make the right play. I say that a lot, but that’s the easiest I can break it down. ... They’re drawing a lot of attention. I know they’re blitzing and maybe denying me from catching, and so setting screens to get other guys open, just trying to make the right basketball play at the right time during the game, and just trying to help my team out as much as I can.”

Meanwhile, Tatum may have literally grown. On his NBA profile page, Tatum is listed at 6-foot-8, which feels low if you’ve stood next to him. But asked about small ball in the NBA, Stevens noted that -- aside from center -- his players aren’t actually that small.

“Some of these teams that are ‘small,’ Tatum is 6-10 and Hayward’s a big guard, Jaylen’s a big guard,” Stevens said. “You kind of go through and they’re not that small versus maybe traditional lineups.”

So Tatum’s game is growing, but he also might be getting bigger physically. We still don’t know what his ceiling is. Maybe we will know it when we see it, but we haven’t yet.


Bob
MY NOTE:  6'10"?!!  Oooh, me likeeee.

And, just for historical accuracy, that judge he was referring to was Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart who said about hard-core pornography "I can't define (the materials embraced), but I know it when I see it", and that was in 1964 not 1950s.  8 years later in 1972 Justice William Brennan said, also in a First Amendment case related to pornography, "if you cannot define something, you cannot prosecute someone for doing it".

Sorry to have wasted all of your time with this immaterial legal trivia.  That's 10 seconds you'll never get back in your life. I just like accuracy in reporting.

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It is so interesting to watch the physical evolution of players that changes the way we see them as basketball players.

Tatum was drafted as a SF and the idea that a kid like that could become a legit PF did not seem possible to me.

But over a 3 year period I marveled at his physical development. I look at that upper body and I see strength and I have been amazed that he looks like a 6' 9" - 6' 10" guy who obviously is taller then he was entering the draft 3 years ago.

Truly amazing

Interesting interview by Grant. He was asked about Tacko's progress. His BBIQ on display in his answers.





Bob


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Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
about 3 hours ago
Brad Stevens on Payton Pritchard: "He's tough. He practiced today. … He was begging to come back into practice [Saturday], but they waited too -- rightfully so -- until there was an x-ray taken … He practiced fully today with his fingers taped up. He's a tough little guy."



Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
about 3 hours ago
Brad Stevens says Payton Pritchard practiced today despite his finger injury. "He's tough. ... He practiced fully today with his fingers taped up."



Marc D'Amico
Marc D'Amico @celtics
about 3 hours ago
Coach Stevens says Tacko Fall has continued to improve "in every which way." He added that Tacko is a very unique player with regard to his presence at the rim at both ends of the court.


Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
about 3 hours ago
Tacko Fall says the main reason he wanted to return to Boston was that the Celtics were the team that first believed in him while other organizations had a lot of questions, as well as the strong relationships he has with his teammates and coaches.


Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
about 3 hours ago
Tacko Fall says he spent a lot of time working on strength and conditioning this summer, both with Celtics coaches and a personal trainer. He was hoping to move quicker, and he says he “improved tremendously."



Jay King
Jay King @ByJayKing
about 3 hours ago
Tacko Fall said he basically only posted up and stayed near the rim in college. Thinks he’s come a long way with his ability to play farther from the hoop, handling the ball like bigs do in the Boston system.


Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
2 hours ago
Grant Williams: "The rookies, they're good, nerdy kids."



Jared Weiss
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
2 hours ago
Grant Williams says he has no set position and Brad Stevens just throws him into the game and expects him to know how to play every position. That may change when Tristan Thompson's hamstring heals up, but for now he is playing the 5 as much as the 4.


Bob


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Tacko remains an interesting player. Conditioning that improves his stamina and quickness may open the door to playing time. The key.....be solid in PNR defense.

I am really hoping that RWill and Tacko can take the next step, how entertaining and great would this team be with those 2 being the best version of themselves.

I don't know who these guts are, they don't sound like Bostonians, but they sure do love Jaylen Brown.





Bob


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Listening to a Celtics podcast (think I'm stoked for some basketball?) and Forsberg is asking Mike Gorman which young Celtic player does he think will step up and make a real impact?  Given that half the team has 3 years or less that's an issue.  Choices were everyone except the starting 5, Thompson and Teague and maybe Grant.  That leaves Williams, Romeo, Nesmith etal.  Know who Mike said?

Payton Pritchard.

Surprised the shit outta me.


Bob


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https://sports.yahoo.com/heres-why-mike-gorman-expects-152020994.html



Here's why Mike Gorman expects 'big year' from Celtics star Jaylen Brown


Nick Goss

Tue, December 15, 2020, 7:20 AM PST·2 min read



The Boston Celtics are facing high expectations this season, and for them to reach the NBA Finals after coming up just short in recent years, they will need the team's two young stars to take another leap in their development.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the foundation of the Celtics, and both took their performances to new heights last season. Brown was coming off a disappointing third campaign, but 2019-20 saw him set career highs with 20.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while also shooting an impressive 38 percent from 3-point range.

On the latest episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast, NBC Sports Boston's Celtics play-by-play voice Mike Gorman explained his optimism about Brown's fifth pro season.

"I think Jaylen is going to have a big year," Gorman said. "Not to take anything away from Jayson, and the eyes are going to be on Tatum to be an elite player -- with the two inches he's grown at 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-10 now -- meanwhile, Jaylen will go out and get you 18 points and 12 rebounds on a nightly basis.

"I think when you're looking at 1-2 punches, you have to start considering these two kids. Obviously, we're not talking about (LeBron) James and (Anthony Davis) out there in L.A., but when you look around the league you don't find too many 1-2 punches where I'd rather take those two guys. Maybe you'll find a better No. 1 guy or a better No. 2 guy, but not a No. 1 and No. 2 together. My expectation levels for them are high, and my expectation level for Jaylen is maybe higher because I think people will be focused on Tatum a little bit and it'll take them a little while to realize how good Brown is."

The Celtics will likely be leaning on Tatum and Brown more than usual to start the 2020-21 season. Veteran forward Gordon Hayward left to join the Charlotte Hornets and Kemba Walker is rightfully being cautious with his knee. As a result, a lot of the offense will flow through Tatum and Brown's ability to shoot from the outside, attack the basket and create shots for teammates as a playmaker.

Brown's ability to have a huge impact at both ends of the floor could make him the team's most valuable player in the upcoming campaign. The expectation is Brown will play at an All-Star level in 2021, and after the improvement he showed last year, there are plenty of reasons to be confident he'll make a similar leap this season.


Bob
MY NOTE:  I am a bit more tempered with my expectations for Jaylen.  I think he'll do well, but I think a lot of that is due to not having to share fgas with Gordon.  There will be more shots for everybody, including Jaylen, so his numbers will go up for that reason if not for no other.  That's both good and bad (good for individual players in that the Js become more important and bad for the team in that it's easier to key defenses off of fewer stars).  Where I'm not as sold on Jaylen having a big step up is because of the very short offseason.  Players like Jaylen and Jayson use the offseason to work on their game and add parts to it.  No travel, no team meetings, no film sessions.  Just time in the gym and working with trainers and that's what's missing from this offseason.  I realize that every player is suffering from the same loss of workout time but we need our guys to step up and fill the hole created by Gordon's departure.  We don't have the luxury of depth at wing that we had last year and that isn't a problem for every other team too.


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well, I think the only thing that will be "missing" from the Celtics this season is...........




I did hear a gross was shipped to Charlotte though, not sure if that true or not.

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
about 20 minutes ago
Celtics are picking up the rookie options on Rob Williams, Romeo Langford and Grant Williams, per league sources. @Ryan McDonough first to report.


Bob
MY NOTE: Hardly noteworthy, I'd be much more surprised if Danny didn't pick up all those options, but still "news".


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It is a no brainer.

Three players on the cheap.

Easy to keep around or make disappear if needed down the road.

RW3 is starting to look like we hoped he would, Grant is serviceable and Romeo is an unfortunate bust.

RW3 will be signing for a little more money in the not too distant future if he keeps the effort up.

This is as good a place as any to put ongoing stuff about Celtic players.  Big stories can have their own threads but here is fine for small stuff.




Bob