Forsberg: It's time to simply give Aaron Nesmith more minutes

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/aaron-nesmith-illustrates-against-miami-why-he-needs-play-lot-more

The Celtics were still trailing early in the second quarter when Aaron Nesmith nearly upended himself trying to fly over Markieff Morris for an offensive rebound.T

Nesmith didn’t get the carom but he did set the tone for a bench unit trying to navigate a stretch against the best team in the East with both Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown on the bench.

Nesmith, who blazed past Jimmy Butler on a little grab-and-go layup late in the first quarter, hit a pair of 3-pointers early in the second frame to help ignite Boston’s most inspired quarter of the season. Nesmith finished with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and three rebounds over 18 minutes, 18 seconds of floor time in Boston’s 95-78 statement win.

For those of us who have been waiting (somewhat impatiently) on Nesmith Island, it was validation to watch the second-year wing show again how he can impact a game with little more than energy and grit.

Making shots helps, too.

Nesmith combined with Romeo Langford (12 points, +25 in 27 minutes) and Dennis Schroder (14 points, 6 assists, team-best plus-26 in 30 minutes) to help Boston’s bench carry a Celtics team on the second night of a back-to-back. And a night when Tatum struggled yet again with his shot and Brown departed early with hamstring tightness.

"I’m always prepared,” said Nesmith. "So whenever my name is called, it’s not a shock to me just because I keep the same schedule every day. So whether I play or don’t play, I’m ready to play at all times.”

Call him Crash Nesmith for his breakneck approach to hunting rebounds and loose balls. Or dub him Stay-Ready Nesmith for being prepared for his opportunity. Whatever you want to call him, the Celtics need Nesmith's energy -- and his potential -- on the floor more often moving forward.

Last season, Nesmith played 135 possessions alongside Tatum and Brown. That trio had a plus-17.7 net rating in that span, including a sizzling offensive rating of 125.2. The Nesmith and Jays lineup shot a scorching 46.3 percent on all 3-point attempts.

And that’s why Nesmith needs to play, even if shots aren’t falling or if he commits a few defensive miscues. His ability to space the floor will loosen up defenses that have keyed on Tatum and Brown out of the gates of the 2021-22 season. And Nesmith is going to give maximum effort, even if there are times when veterans like Jimmy Butler will take advantage on his inexperience.

Nesmith has admitted his head was spinning early in the new season. Despite a solid showing at summer league and positive signs in exhibition play, he was overthinking everything at the start of the regular season.

He knows he needs to harness that intensity.

"Energy guy, energy player," said Nesmith. "As I play, the game will continue to slow down. So as the season goes on, it’ll just get slower and slower."

First-year head coach Ime Udoka has leaned heavy on a nine-man rotation that has put a squeeze on both Nesmith and fellow 2020 draftee Payton Pritchard. But Udoka remains confident in Nesmith.

"We watched him playing 5-on-5 and he’s knocking down shots, doing what he did all preseason and summer league, so it was just some [start of the year] jitters," said Udoka. "He’s a young guy that hasn't played a ton of basketball, and rushed some things early. It wasn’t just that he played poorly, it was other guys who played well ... So [Nesmith] got squeezed there for a little bit for some minutes but always have confidence in him. He’s a guy who we know can light it up, bring us a spark off the bench, and then being solid on defense is just an added bonus there."

Josh Richardson’s foot bruise opened a door on Thursday. Brown’s hamstring tightness could create time for Nesmith on Saturday if Brown isn’t recovered in time. But it’s on Udoka to find at least a decent chunk of minutes each game for Nesmith to continue his development.

My Note

I have been saying this for a while.  Nesmith needs consistent rotation minutes.  Both him and Langford can become reliable rotation guys and/or starters.  I am not the least impressed with Josh Richardson because he is an unreliable wing option to compliment Jaylen and Jayson.  I would move Richardson in a trade and target a quality PF.  Get rid of him and these two kids can be our guard/wing backups.  young players need time to develop.  If they have talent then you have to live with the mistakes but they simply need to play.

No sh!t we all knew this kid could play, coach could have had a fresher team right now. I disagreed with going with short rotation in so many OT games, now one of our stars has a hamstring issue.

Ironic how coach inserted Nesmith in the game and he played very well. Maybe coach knew that Nesmith was finally ready to get minutes. Ya think?
If anyone had a slight inkling on how Nesmith wouldve pefrformed 3-4 games ago, I would think the coaching staff would.

dboss wrote:https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/aaron-nesmith-illustrates-against-miami-why-he-needs-play-lot-more

The Celtics were still trailing early in the second quarter when Aaron Nesmith nearly upended himself trying to fly over Markieff Morris for an offensive rebound.T

Nesmith didn’t get the carom but he did set the tone for a bench unit trying to navigate a stretch against the best team in the East with both Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown on the bench.

Nesmith, who blazed past Jimmy Butler on a little grab-and-go layup late in the first quarter, hit a pair of 3-pointers early in the second frame to help ignite Boston’s most inspired quarter of the season. Nesmith finished with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and three rebounds over 18 minutes, 18 seconds of floor time in Boston’s 95-78 statement win.

For those of us who have been waiting (somewhat impatiently) on Nesmith Island, it was validation to watch the second-year wing show again how he can impact a game with little more than energy and grit.

Making shots helps, too.

Nesmith combined with Romeo Langford (12 points, +25 in 27 minutes) and Dennis Schroder (14 points, 6 assists, team-best plus-26 in 30 minutes) to help Boston’s bench carry a Celtics team on the second night of a back-to-back. And a night when Tatum struggled yet again with his shot and Brown departed early with hamstring tightness.

"I’m always prepared,” said Nesmith. "So whenever my name is called, it’s not a shock to me just because I keep the same schedule every day. So whether I play or don’t play, I’m ready to play at all times.”

Call him Crash Nesmith for his breakneck approach to hunting rebounds and loose balls. Or dub him Stay-Ready Nesmith for being prepared for his opportunity. Whatever you want to call him, the Celtics need Nesmith's energy -- and his potential -- on the floor more often moving forward.

Last season, Nesmith played 135 possessions alongside Tatum and Brown. That trio had a plus-17.7 net rating in that span, including a sizzling offensive rating of 125.2. The Nesmith and Jays lineup shot a scorching 46.3 percent on all 3-point attempts.

And that’s why Nesmith needs to play, even if shots aren’t falling or if he commits a few defensive miscues. His ability to space the floor will loosen up defenses that have keyed on Tatum and Brown out of the gates of the 2021-22 season. And Nesmith is going to give maximum effort, even if there are times when veterans like Jimmy Butler will take advantage on his inexperience.

Nesmith has admitted his head was spinning early in the new season. Despite a solid showing at summer league and positive signs in exhibition play, he was overthinking everything at the start of the regular season.

He knows he needs to harness that intensity.

"Energy guy, energy player," said Nesmith. "As I play, the game will continue to slow down. So as the season goes on, it’ll just get slower and slower."

First-year head coach Ime Udoka has leaned heavy on a nine-man rotation that has put a squeeze on both Nesmith and fellow 2020 draftee Payton Pritchard. But Udoka remains confident in Nesmith.

"We watched him playing 5-on-5 and he’s knocking down shots, doing what he did all preseason and summer league, so it was just some [start of the year] jitters," said Udoka. "He’s a young guy that hasn't played a ton of basketball, and rushed some things early. It wasn’t just that he played poorly, it was other guys who played well ... So [Nesmith] got squeezed there for a little bit for some minutes but always have confidence in him. He’s a guy who we know can light it up, bring us a spark off the bench, and then being solid on defense is just an added bonus there."

Josh Richardson’s foot bruise opened a door on Thursday. Brown’s hamstring tightness could create time for Nesmith on Saturday if Brown isn’t recovered in time. But it’s on Udoka to find at least a decent chunk of minutes each game for Nesmith to continue his development.

My Note

I have been saying this for a while.  Nesmith needs consistent rotation minutes.  Both him and Langford can become reliable rotation guys and/or starters.  I am not the least impressed with Josh Richardson because he is an unreliable wing option to compliment Jaylen and Jayson.  I would move Richardson in a trade and target a quality PF.  Get rid of him and these two kids can be our guard/wing backups.  young players need time to develop.  If they have talent then you have to live with the mistakes but they simply need to play.

We Watched Him Playing 5-On-5 And He’s Knocking Down Shots, Doing What He Did All Preseason And Summer League, So It Was Just Some [Start Of The Year] Jitters," Said Udoka. "He’s A Young Guy That Hasn't Played A Ton Of Basketball, And Rushed Some Things Early. It Wasn’t Just That He Played Poorly, It Was Other Guys Who Played Well ... So [Nesmith] Got Squeezed There For A Little Bit For Some Minutes But Always Have Confidence In Him. He’s A Guy Who We Know Can Light It Up, Bring Us A Spark Off The Bench, And Then Being Solid On Defense Is Just An Added Bonus There."

Plain and simple. We are thinking like fans and he's thinking like a coach. His cache' tells me that he knows better than we do.

cowens/oldschool wrote:No sh!t we all knew this kid could play, coach could have had a fresher team right now. I disagreed with going with short rotation in so many OT games, now one of our stars has a hamstring issue.

Cow,

1.  Uber athletes often have hamstring problems.  It comes with the territory.

2.  Jaylen's hamstring issue seems to be tightness.  I have not read that he pulled it.  He is listed as day-to-day.

3.  In his last 3 games Jaylen played 33.5 minutes, 32 minutes and 29 minutes.  That's 31.5mpg average.  That's not a lot.

4.  What's wearing us out are the OT games.  Those are driving up the minutes for everybody but we want to win, don't we?

5.  Speaking of OTs, Jaylen played 46 minutes in the 2OT vs Knicks in Game 1, and 47 minutes in the 2nd game vs Washington (which was a revenge game).  He didn't play over 38 minutes in any other game.


Bob


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ktron

The team got off to a rocky start and are still a game under .500

The team is still shooting 33% from deep so there are a lot of guys who have not played that well. That's why our record has not been great.

If a young guy has the jitters then you take him out the game but you bring him back the next game and not pile a bunch of DNP's and games where he gets 4,1 and 2 minutes.

No issues with the early benching of Nesmith. Also, Udoka's analysis is on the money: start of the season jitters. Looking forward to the continued evolution of our young players. Just that I don't see how PP will crack the rotation without adding off the dribble jumpers and floaters to his arsenal.

dboss wrote:ktron

The team got off to a rocky start and are still a game under .500

The team is still shooting 33% from deep so there are a lot of guys who have not played that well.  That's why our record has not been great.

If a young guy has the jitters then you take him out the game but you bring him back the next game and not pile a bunch of DNP's and games where he gets 4,1 and 2 minutes.  

If you’re the coach, maybe so. I’m sure there are other coaches who may disagree with that premise. I’m gonna consult Coach Ktron. See what he thinks.

dboss wrote:ktron

The team got off to a rocky start and are still a game under .500

The team is still shooting 33% from deep so there are a lot of guys who have not played that well.  That's why our record has not been great.

If a young guy has the jitters then you take him out the game but you bring him back the next game and not pile a bunch of DNP's and games where he gets 4,1 and 2 minutes.  

+1

Exactly let’s give our star who’s recovering from covid 47 minutes and more responsibility

Couldn’t agree more.
-Coach Ktron

You don't have to be a coach to have an opinion.Isn't the purpose of this forum to give us an opportunity to exchange opinions? In my opinion, Nesmith needs more minutes, and so does Pritchard.Our three point shooting has been abominable , but these two floor stretchers have been languishing. I am also of the opinion that Dennis Schroeder will not pass up a second chance to enrich himself, although he may not get what he left on the table. That being the case, I can't see the celtics re-signing him, which should maybe have some effect on the doling out of minutes. The rookie coach wanted to come out of the gate strong. Maybe his substitution pattern will change.

Ktron wrote:

dboss wrote:ktron

The team got off to a rocky start and are still a game under .500

The team is still shooting 33% from deep so there are a lot of guys who have not played that well.  That's why our record has not been great.

If a young guy has the jitters then you take him out the game but you bring him back the next game and not pile a bunch of DNP's and games where he gets 4,1 and 2 minutes.  

If you’re the coach, maybe so. I’m sure there are other coaches who may disagree with that premise. I’m gonna consult Coach Ktron. See what he thinks.

Oh so you're the bench coach now, help us oh lord.

Coach several of your veterans cannot find their ass with both hands, how bout giving the kids more run?

 

dboss wrote:ktron

The team got off to a rocky start and are still a game under .500

The team is still shooting 33% from deep so there are a lot of guys who have not played that well.  That's why our record has not been great.

If a young guy has the jitters then you take him out the game but you bring him back the next game and not pile a bunch of DNP's and games where he gets 4,1 and 2 minutes.  

While this is a valid point of view, it does have its flaw. This approach can create a sense of entitlement. Nobody gives anybody anything n NBA. You have to fight and take it. You have to build hunger to do that. I am glad that Nesmith had to (potentially) win back a role.

This kind of kid gloves handling was exactly what went wrong in Danny and Brad era. Now we have Tatum and Brown having to deal with (fair) criticism. That too was needed and hopefully, helps them grow into super stars.

dboss wrote:

Ktron wrote:

dboss wrote:ktron

The team got off to a rocky start and are still a game under .500

The team is still shooting 33% from deep so there are a lot of guys who have not played that well.  That's why our record has not been great.

If a young guy has the jitters then you take him out the game but you bring him back the next game and not pile a bunch of DNP's and games where he gets 4,1 and 2 minutes.  

If you’re the coach, maybe so. I’m sure there are other coaches who may disagree with that premise. I’m gonna consult Coach Ktron. See what he thinks.

Oh so you're the bench coach now, help us oh lord.

Coach several of your veterans cannot find their ass with both hands, how bout giving the kids more run?

 

H E double hockey sticks NO!
PS. Your the one who thinks he’s a coach without tagging yourself as one.

My opinion is that the coach has a handle on this and knows what he’s doing.
Where did anyone say that one had to be a coach to have an opinion??

Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
4 minutes ago
Celtics coach Ime Udoka announces Jaylen Brown is expected to miss 1-2 weeks with a right hamstring strain.


Bob
MY NOTE:  There's 30+ minutes available to split up between Richardson and Nesmith.  Richardson is currently averaging 22.5mpg, so even if they give him another 10, to take him up to 32.5 (I don't think they will but if...), that still leaves 20+ for Nesmith.  Here's your chance, young'un, here's a Wally Pipp moment for you (over Josh Richardson at least, not Jaylen).


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