Summer League

Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
about 30 minutes ago
Celtics say they have added 2021 draftee Juhann Begarin to the summer league roster.


Bob
MY NOTE: Summer League just got even more intriguing. Still no bigs to speak of, but tons of wings.



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John Karalis @RedsArmy_John
about 15 minutes ago
Juhann Begarin says he's going to play summer league for the Celtics and then see where things go after this. He says he like to play defense, but he needs to work on his shot and his passing



Jay King
Jay King @ByJayKing
about 15 minutes ago
Juhann Begarin: “I like to defense. ... I like to steal the ball.”



Jay King
Jay King @ByJayKing
about 17 minutes ago
Celtics draft pick Juhann Begarin said he asked Brad Stevens if he could play in summer league and show he can play in the NBA.


Bob


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Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
57 minutes ago
Celtics Summer League depth chart following addition of Juhann Begarin to roster: Guards: Pritchard, Langford, Edwards, Madar Forwards: Nesmith, Hauser, Begarin, K.J. Lawson, D. Lawson Centers: Zach Auguste, Aric Holman



Bob
MY NOTE: Langford is a guard and toothpick Juhann Bergarin is a forward?


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Bob


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Jay King @ByJayKing
4 minutes ago
Joe Mazzulla said he’s “very pleased” with where Aaron Nesmith is. Has been very impressed with his ball handling and reads.


Jay King
Jay King @ByJayKing
about 6 minutes ago
Joe Mazzulla said all the returners have stood out during the short summer league training camp so far.


Bob
MY NOTE:  "Returners"?  Who?  Carsen Edwards?  WGAF? This is PP and AN's first summer league, Langford's too.

TWO DAYS TO THE START OF SUMMER LEAGUE PLAY.

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We haven't seen 10 cents of value from Carsen in 2 years. What a mistake Danny,

Marc D'Amico @celtics
about 12 minutes ago
Aaron Nesmith: "I'm excited that I have a year under my belt and I'm experienced. I understand what's coming at me a little bit better. I understand the way the league works, and I'm just excited to go and give my best foot forward."



Jay King
Jay King @ByJayKing
about 26 minutes ago
Aaron Nesmith just listed about 10 things he’s excited about. I think he might be excited, guys.



Jay King
Jay King @ByJayKing
about 27 minutes ago
Aaron Nesmith said shooting is his “calling card” and he’s trying to perfect it. Said some days he doesn’t do his shooting routine because he wants to simulate coming off the bench cold.





Bob
MY NOTE:  We need Aaron and Payton to have big step ups this year for this to be anything close to "good", Langford too probably.  


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The rookie is saying all the right things. Everyone loves to hear that someone "loves" to play defense. In this day and age, most kids just want to shoot the ball and run back down the court! I know he is young, but it is refreshing to hear, now let's see if knows what NBA defense is.

Bob


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bobheckler wrote:Marc D'Amico @celtics
about 1 hour ago
The #SummerCeltics are back pic.twitter.com/56aYffGiBF


Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
about 2 hours ago
Celtics summer league schedule Aug 8: vs. Hawks 4 p.m. ET (NBATV) Aug 10: vs. Nuggets 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU) Aug 12: vs. Magic, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2) Aug 14: vs. Sixers 5 p.m. ET (NBATV)





Bob


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TOMORROW!!!



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Now that the Olympic basketball season is over with the USA winning Gold, will Ime Udoka stay for the closing ceremonies or head back right away to Vegas for Summer League?  Closing ceremonies begin tomorrow, October 8th, at 7 am EDT (4 am PDT, Vegas time).  It's about a 17-18 hour flight time from Tokyo to Vegas.  If Ime is on the first flight out after the end of the ceremonies, let's say 9am PDT Sunday (2 hours for closing ceremonies and 3 hours to get to the airport = 4 am + 5 hours) then he arrives Vegas @ around 3 am Monday local time.  He'll definitely miss our first game vs Atlanta (unless he skips the Closing Ceremonies) but should definitely make it for our 2nd game vs Denver on Tuesday.

Is this a big deal either way?  No.  If he doesn't trust Joe Mazzulla to run a good summer league team then he not only shouldn't have assigned him to that we have bigger problems than we thought since Summer League isn't that big a deal, especially not this year, and an assistant coach should be able to run what's basically a series of scrimmages.  Three of our players are under contract (AN, PP and RL), another one is on the bubble (YM) and the rest aren't making this year's team.  Period.  Still, it'd be good for the head coach to be there to watch our guys as well as other hopefuls on other teams.

Can you tell I'm excited for some hoops?


Bob


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I won't judge Ime by whether he stays or returns to Vegas. My guess is he will return, alot of the big athletes have already come home, with all the Covid concerns, the sooner he gets back the better, I am sure. This should not weigh on how he regards his assistant coach in running the summer league games. Actually, Mazulla sounds pretty knowledgeable and excited to get going himself.

I, too, am so ready to see this summer league group, especially Nesmith, Pritchard, even Romeo and the rookies. I am especially anxious to see if this kid Madar is all that the writers have made him out to be

First Summer League Game On! thread:

https://samcelt.forumotion.net/t18551-las-vegas-summer-league-game-on-game-1-vs-atlanta-hawks

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-summer-league-2021-eight-142831311.html



NBA Summer League 2021: Eight things for Celtics fans to watch in Vegas



Chris Forsberg
Sun, August 8, 2021, 7:28 AM·5 min read



The Boston Celtics are back on the court Sunday as the summer C’s kick off a 10-day stay at Las Vegas NBA Summer League with a tilt against the Atlanta Hawks (4 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston).

Here are eight things we’ll have our eyes on as the youngest Celtics get us warmed up for the 2021-22 season:


Summer Yam

It’s probably unfair to expect too much from 2020 stash Yam Madar but we’ve watched enough grainy YouTube highlights from the 20-year-old point guard to be thoroughly intrigued by this international man of mystery.

Madar doesn’t need to live up to the hype of “Israeli Steph Curry,” but can he confidently direct an offense and use his length to be an impact defender? After declaring that he plans to join the Celtics this season, can Madar show enough to truly force Boston to carry him as a depth option behind Marcus Smart, Payton Pritchard, and Kris Dunn?

Madar played with an obvious flair overseas and we are eager to see if he can showcase it on a Vegas stage.


O Romeo

Health woes and the pandemic denied Romeo Langford summer reps the past two seasons. We all know what Langford is capable of on the defensive end from his regular-season reps but Vegas is an opportunity to showcase his offensive potential.

We’d like to see the summer C's put the ball in Langford’s hands and let him facilitate the offense at times. Former Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge used to gush about Langford’s pick-and-roll potential and, since his perimeter shooting is a work in progress, Langford has to find other ways to more consistently impact the offense.

"I feel like I really haven’t shown just about anything that I’m really capable of doing,” Langford said last week. "I felt like, coming into the NBA, I really wasn’t known as a defender but I felt like I’ve shown that I’m capable of playing defense and playing it pretty good.

"So that’s just a add-on of what I’m capable of doing, and knowing that I’ve been hurt my whole career every summer, and now this is my first summer where I’m not hurt and I’m able to be healthy and have no surgeries and stuff like that, being able to play the whole season, I feel like it’s more so my rookie year just because of the setbacks and things that took place in my career so far.”


Aaron Three-smith

Aaron Nesmith’s infectious energy helped him carve out a steady role late in the 2020-21 season. Now we’re eager to see if he can harness some of that vigor and play with even more consistency in his sophomore campaign.

The Celtics desperately need shooting around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and Nesmith should get a whole bunch of good looks next season when he’s on the floor with the Jays. Shooting 37 percent as a rookie was an encouraging sight but he can get even craftier at creating open looks for himself beyond the arc.

Nesmith asserted himself last year by routinely crashing the offensive glass and playing with breakneck energy. Can he keep that intensity but play with more control this season?


PG Payton

After a solid rookie season, the next step for Payton Pritchard is being able to confidently run an offense. He’s going to knock down shots and show off deep range, and he can confidently probe a defense without picking up his dribble. But can he get his teammates good shots and be more of a distributor this season?

Pritchard’s assist rate was just 13.3 percent last season, ranking in the 23rd percentile among all combo guards, per Cleaning the Glass data. His shooting is vital, but as Marcus Smart elevates to starting point guard, the Celtics need someone who can confidently direct the second-team offense.


More than offense

We all know that Carsen Edwards is capable of occasional offensive eruptions, and being able to more consistently knock down shots is important to keeping his roster spot. But we’d simply like to see him impact the game in any other way during Boston’s summer stay.

Edwards has played sparingly in 68 NBA appearances. Shooting 30.2 percent beyond the arc hasn’t helped his cause. But we need to see something else that justifies keeping him on the roster again for the 2021-22 season.


Air Begz

Celtics second-round pick Juhann Begarin was a late addition to the summer squad. The 18-year-old Frenchman is obviously quite raw and will certainly spend next season honing his game overseas.

But can he show a few flashes of potential at summer league? His YouTube clips are super intriguing and he’s got an obvious athleticism. But summer league will show just how far Begarin has to develop to be ready for the NBA stage.


Hauser hype

Every NBA team is looking for their own Duncan Robinson. At 6-foot-8 with a soft shooting touch, the undrafted Hauser has a chance to be a summer darling after joining the Celtics on a 2-way deal. He shot 41.7 percent on six 3-point attempts per game last season at Virginia (and 44.5 percent in three seasons at Marquette).

The Celtics haven’t been able to consistently lean on their 2-way guys in recent years but Hauser’s shooting could be a real luxury.


Prez Brad at work

The Celtics have 15 players on their roster but that shouldn’t stop new president of basketball operations Brad Stevens from tinkering. Whether it’s the quest for more flexibility, or trying to fill some of the cracks on the 2021-22 roster (power forward depth?), we’re eager to see if Stevens makes any more moves with all his NBA GM brethren in Vegas this week.


Bob


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Of all of the guys in Summer League, I am most excited to see the improvements that Nesmith may have made. This kid has me hoping that we have a diamond in the rough. Get that shot down kid, and you will be one valuable member of this team

Romeo and Pritchard are going to have alot of pressure on them. Romeo because they have waited so long for a healthy stretch, and Pritchard because of his position and the need on the team.

The rest is just interest...Madar because it is all we have heard about for a year. Let's get this show on the road!!

Nesmith progressed big time from the beginning of the season to the last.  I am also looking forward to seeing his progression going into the new season.

What I really want to see is Romeo Langford coming into a new season fully healthy and making a case for himself.  He mostly must prove that he can stay available, and then his talent will show through.  At least that is my hope.

Carsen has showed me nothing, zero, zilch. We need to move him off the roster and let a contributor on board.

it appears we are going to be subjected to idle chatter while the game is going on. No announcers. This could wear on you, might be time to shut the voice down.

NBA channel has announcers. thank God, listening to Scal, Abby, Mannix, Fosberg idly chit chat and not even talk about the game irritating

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
about 12 minutes ago
Jaylen Brown is doing some light shooting drills after Celtics practice here in Vegas with Joe Mazzulla



A. Sherrod Blakely
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
about 21 minutes ago
Aaron Nesmith, Yam Madar and Sam Hauser getting up shots after #Celtics practice. pic.twitter.com/Z5E1mshrSz
https://twitter.com/i/status/1424787319647707136
MY NOTE:  If you watch the video provided on the twitter link you'll see Nesmith and Hauser missing their shots and Madar missing his first and then hitting every one after that.



Brian Robb
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
about 22 minutes ago
Jaylen Brown is hanging out with Celtics after practice here in Las Vegas



Jared Weiss
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
about 23 minutes ago
Jaylen Brown running drills dribbling on his surgically repaired left wrist. pic.twitter.com/PxXlUNy7rI
https://twitter.com/i/status/1424786825009270785



Jared Weiss
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
about 30 minutes ago
Jaylen Brown is getting shots up at Celtics practice here in Vegas. Looks like he’s got a shot at making the roster.



Jay King
Jay King @ByJayKing
about 31 minutes ago
Jaylen Brown here with the Celtics summer league team in Las Vegas as they open up practice.



Jay King
Jay King @ByJayKing
about 44 minutes ago
Joe Mazzulla just said the Celtics had 24 points off pitch aheads yesterday. Obvious that he wants the team to push the pace and do it with passing ahead in transition.
MY NOTE:  Uptempo basketball.  The ball moves faster when you pass it than when you dribble it.  Somewhere Tommy is beaming like a leprechaun on magic mushrooms.  


Bob


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Mark Murphy @Murf56
1 hour ago
The Celtics have added Bruno Fernando to their summer league roster


Bob
MY NOTE: Not only does this give us some much needed size but now we'll see what we really got here.  Summer League just got even more intriguing.


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https://www.asherrodblakely.com/post/why-did-grant-williams-take-a-pass-on-summer-league-this-year



Why did Grant Williams take a pass on summer league this year?



LAS VEGAS -- When the Boston Celtics' season came to an end, Grant Williams had some options to consider.


Near the top of his list was whether to play for Boston’s summer league team.


In an exclusive one-on-one interview, Williams said Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, his head coach in each of Williams’ two NBA seasons, gave him the option of playing in summer league or not.


“If I hadn’t played or if I was hurt, maybe I would have played in summer league,” Williams said. “But since I had the opportunity to play the past two years, we thought it would be best for me to focus on my body and training and get better for next season.”


Williams, drafted by Boston with the No. 22 pick in the 2019 NBA draft, has appeared in 132 regular season games with the Celtics.


A career 4.0 points per game scorer, Williams has also averaged 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from 3-point range.


Williams was often criticized last season for his lack of offensive production, averaging 4.7 points in 18.1 minutes per game.


Along with continuing to improve his strength and conditioning, Williams said improving as a scorer has been among the primary goals he has set for himself heading into training camp.


“Just improving on the perimeter and more offensive development,” said Williams.


While Williams’ shooting last season left plenty of room for growth, his numbers by season’s end were significantly better than they were during his rookie season.


In his first season, nba.com/stats show that Williams made 27.8 percent of his shots from 20-24 feet out, and 22.5 percent of his shots from 25-29 feet.


Last season, his shooting from 20-24 feet improved to 43.1 percent. And on shots 25-29 feet away, he improved his shooting to 30.4 percent.


“Next is just being more versatile; that’s the next step,” Williams said.


Along with becoming more of a scoring threat, Williams must also balance that with his new role as one of the leaders of the NBA’s Players Association.


Williams, 22, was recently elected as a Vice-President of the NBA’s Players Association.


“I’m blessed to help lead this league into the future,” Williams said. “But also, just make an impact for the guys like myself that are young and developing and trying to hopefully make key decisions that are best for the league.”


When word spread that Williams had been elected, count Celtics teammate Carsen Edwards among those not surprised.


Edwards recalled how Williams’ efforts to be part of the player union’s leadership team, began during their rookie seasons.


“For All-Star break we went to the Bahamas and had NBAPA meeting there,” Edwards recalled. “Grant, at that point was trying to get elected. He didn’t, but at the time the way he spoke about the league and the changes he wants to make, I felt like … his time was coming. He knows a little about everything, I swear. This is a good place for him. I’m happy for him.”


Williams added, “I’m blessed to help lead this league into the future. But also, just make an impact for the guys like myself that are young and developing and trying to hopefully make key decisions that are best for the league.”


Bob


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bobheckler wrote:Mark Murphy @Murf56
1 hour ago
The Celtics have added Bruno Fernando to their summer league roster


Bob
MY NOTE: Not only does this give us some much needed size but now we'll see what we really got here.  Summer League just got even more intriguing.


.

Love it!! I really think this kid can help us long term and am excited to see him play.

bobheckler wrote:https://www.asherrodblakely.com/post/why-did-grant-williams-take-a-pass-on-summer-league-this-year



Why did Grant Williams take a pass on summer league this year?



LAS VEGAS -- When the Boston Celtics' season came to an end, Grant Williams had some options to consider.


Near the top of his list was whether to play for Boston’s summer league team.


In an exclusive one-on-one interview, Williams said Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, his head coach in each of Williams’ two NBA seasons, gave him the option of playing in summer league or not.


“If I hadn’t played or if I was hurt, maybe I would have played in summer league,” Williams said. “But since I had the opportunity to play the past two years, we thought it would be best for me to focus on my body and training and get better for next season.”


Williams, drafted by Boston with the No. 22 pick in the 2019 NBA draft, has appeared in 132 regular season games with the Celtics.


A career 4.0 points per game scorer, Williams has also averaged 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from 3-point range.


Williams was often criticized last season for his lack of offensive production, averaging 4.7 points in 18.1 minutes per game.


Along with continuing to improve his strength and conditioning, Williams said improving as a scorer has been among the primary goals he has set for himself heading into training camp.


“Just improving on the perimeter and more offensive development,” said Williams.


While Williams’ shooting last season left plenty of room for growth, his numbers by season’s end were significantly better than they were during his rookie season.


In his first season, nba.com/stats show that Williams made 27.8 percent of his shots from 20-24 feet out, and 22.5 percent of his shots from 25-29 feet.


Last season, his shooting from 20-24 feet improved to 43.1 percent. And on shots 25-29 feet away, he improved his shooting to 30.4 percent.


“Next is just being more versatile; that’s the next step,” Williams said.


Along with becoming more of a scoring threat, Williams must also balance that with his new role as one of the leaders of the NBA’s Players Association.


Williams, 22, was recently elected as a Vice-President of the NBA’s Players Association.


“I’m blessed to help lead this league into the future,” Williams said. “But also, just make an impact for the guys like myself that are young and developing and trying to hopefully make key decisions that are best for the league.”


When word spread that Williams had been elected, count Celtics teammate Carsen Edwards among those not surprised.


Edwards recalled how Williams’ efforts to be part of the player union’s leadership team, began during their rookie seasons.


“For All-Star break we went to the Bahamas and had NBAPA meeting there,” Edwards recalled. “Grant, at that point was trying to get elected. He didn’t, but at the time the way he spoke about the league and the changes he wants to make, I felt like … his time was coming. He knows a little about everything, I swear. This is a good place for him. I’m happy for him.”


Williams added, “I’m blessed to help lead this league into the future. But also, just make an impact for the guys like myself that are young and developing and trying to hopefully make key decisions that are best for the league.”


Bob


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Handle handle handle

There’s so many 6’8”-6’9” young teenagers in SL with better handles that can actually sprint and dribble at the same time leading to a finish. For him to be 22 and no ability to do that is asinine. Spin moves, change of pace, dare I say cross over, come on GWill, being a Wes Unseld clone on offense that can’t rebound doesn’t work in this era.

No need for G Williams in summer league anyway. Nothing to accomplish there and a competitive level too low to improve his game. Waste of time for players sure to make a squad and better to reduce court time ahead of a long season.