Re: The Summer League Thread

[bobheckler]

Yesterday's scrimmage.


Chris Forsberg
@ChrisForsberg_
Emptying out the camera roll from Celtics summer league practice on Tuesday.

2021 draft-and-stash Juhann Begarin making things happen in transition:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1544681024944308224


Bob
MY NOTE:  Interested in his shooting.  Depth at shooting wing is something we could use.  

His stats from 2021-2022:

28mpg, 43% fg%, 30.9% 3pt fg%, 56.3% ft%, 1.5apg, 2.2TOpg, 11.1ppg

Not inspiring in any category, really...


.

[worcester]

Begarin had these mediocre numbers against less than NBA level competition as well.

[bobheckler]

Bob


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[bobheckler]

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/nba-power-rankings-sam-hauser-headlines-intrigue-celtics-summer-leaguers



Sam Hauser headlines intrigue in Celtics summer leaguers


20H AGO
/
BY CHRIS FORSBERG
NBC SPORTS



Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has traded away first-round picks at a feverish rate to build a championship-caliber roster. The only real downside: A lack of marquee names on the Celtics’ summer league roster.

But that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be interest in this year’s squad. Boston still has a few open roster spots -- and a need to fill them cheaply -- so there’s an opportunity for everyone on this year’s summer team to state a case to stick around (whether it’s as a frugal, end-of-the-bench roster player, or on a 2-way deal).



Before the Summer C's head west, and after a very brief glimpse at end of a practice on Tuesday, here’s an off-the-cuff power ranking of the Boston players we’re most intrigued to see in Vegas:


1. Sam Hauser
His Twitter handle is Big_Smooth10 and, while his jersey number has changed at the pro level, the descriptive portion remains factual. For a team that sometimes makes 3-point shooting look like a chore (Jayson Tatum’s stepbacks aside), Hauser has the silkiest form on his jumper. The ball doesn’t get shot so much as floats gracefully to the twine.


Hauser, who agreed to a new pact with the Celtics this summer, has the size (6-foot-eight) and shooting stroke to state a case for NBA minutes. The big question is whether he can hold up defensively. Summer league is far from the best gauge of defense given the pickup-like nature of these games, but we’ll get a glimpse of how much progress Hauser has made behind the scenes.

"Sam has put in a lot of work throughout the course of the year," said Celtics summer league coach Ben Sullivan. "He’s a good shooter, he’s a good person, he’s a hard worker, he’s a pro, he shows up every day, he puts the work in, he puts the time in, he understands the game. There’s a lot of things that Sam brings to the table. He has good size. Sam can do a lot of different things besides just shoot."


2. Juhann Begarin
Begarin, Boston's 45th pick in the 2021 draft, spent last season stashed overseas in France. He’s still only 19 years old but he’s got an NBA build (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) and NBA-caliber athleticism. He was insanely raw in his summer league debut a year ago and we’re interested to see just how much progress he’s made.

In the brief glimpse of practice that reporters watched on Tuesday, he distinguished himself with his play, including one sequence where he grabbed a rebound and generated a layup in transition:


"I’ve liked what he’s brought to the table. Good athlete, good size, can pass, can find his teammates, get downhill, finish at the rim, can really defend, competitive," said Sullivan. "So really just getting to know him a little bit and seeing his progression from last year in Summer League to this year and seeing where he’s at. I’ve really liked what he’s done so far."


3. Trevion Williams
We’re total suckers for slick-passing big men (which might help explain our unhealthy Robert Williams obsession) so we were excited to see the undrafted Purdue product land on Boston’s summer roster.

Let’s start with the negative: The scouting report suggests that Williams has got a lot of strides to make on the defensive end to carve out an NBA role. But his passing. (Drools) Oh my goodness, his passing. Just go watch THIS:



If the Celtics weren’t sometimes one of the worst cutting teams in the league, we’d suggest that Williams needs to be signed immediately. Fortunately, when he’s not zipping over-the-head darts or sneaking bounce passes through traffic for easy layups, Williams does a bunch more.

Like hitting sweeping hook shots, or burying defenders after dribble handoffs, or outmuscling three defenders for a putback:


He plays below the rim and absolutely must improve his defense in the pick-and-roll. But he’s got great size and can joust with taller players. And that passing. (swoons) Plus, the Celtics desperately need more Williamses in their frontcourt.


4. JD Davison
Does Boston’s 2022 second-round draft pick have any dog in him?


The youngest player on Boston’s summer squad (two months younger than Begarin), Davison is another athletic marvel who needs more time to harness his potential. You can get excited watching his highlight reel then you see his turnover percentage and shooting splits (30.1 percent on college 3s on 3.9 attempts per game) from his lone season at Alabama. Davison was adamant that spacing at the NBA level could help unlock his game.

"My season at Alabama didn’t go as well as I wanted to but I think I had spurts of what I showed and what I can do at the NBA level," said Davison. "My decision was because the NBA floor is so spaced out for a dynamic guard like me, I think it was the best for me to go out and go to the draft."

There will be heightened interest in Davison because he’s a fresh face, but he’s going to have to prove he deserves even a two-way spot.


5. Mfiondu Kabengele
Another intriguing big on Boston’s summer squad, the 6-foot-9 Kabengele has 51 games of NBA experience with the Clippers and Cavaliers. The nephew of Dikembe Mutombo, he’s a former first-round pick of the Brooklyn Nets (27th in 2019) but hasn’t found an NBA home yet.

The 6-foot-9 Florida State product has a solid outside stroke (shooting 44 percent on 3-point attempts per game last season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers). He averaged 17.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1 block over 29 minutes per game last season in the G-League.


6. Brodric Thomas/Matt Ryan
It feels wrong to have both Thomas and Ryan this low on the list, especially after both were along for Boston’s ride to the Finals. Maybe we’re just suckers for the unknown, which is why guys like Williams and Davison land a little higher on the early intrigue power rankings.

Thomas spent last season with Boston on a two-way deal and got some run in lopsided games in the second half. He distinguished himself at times when the Celtics end-of-the-bench players engaged in 3-on-3 work late in the season. We didn’t see quite as much of the 6-foot-7 Ryan but he shot 40 percent on 9.4 3-pointers in 30 total G-League appearances and aided Boston’s bench celebrations.


7. A.J. Reeves
The 6-foot-6 guard, a Boston native, aided Providence’s run to the Sweet 16 in March. He shot 37.3 percent on 5.8 3-point attempts per game last year and thrived in the catch-and-shoot. Local ties will thrust him further into the spotlight during his summer stay.


8. Bryton Hobbs/Jericole Hellems
Hobbs' connection to Jayson Tatum probably aided his invite …


Instagram/jaytatum0

… but at an event overflowing with players who can’t legally buy their own beer, we can’t help but be intrigued by a 30-year-old whose only documented pro season appears to be a stint in Lithuania back in 2018.

Hellems is the third leading scorer in history at Chaminade Prep in St. Louis. The only two players ahead of him: Tatum and Bradley Beal.


9. Jordan Bone
We remember being intrigued by Bone at Tennessee, where he was a college teammate of Grant Williams. Alas, he’s played only 24 NBA games between Detroit and Orlando after being the 57th pick in the 2019 draft.


Bob
MY NOTE:  Fortunately for all these guys we have a couple of roster slots open, especially for cheapy cheap players.  We need another big, and it's slim pickin' on the free agent front now, so Kabengele and Williams have a good shot, even if Brad finds someone.  I would think that the addition of Brogdon kills Brodric Thomas' chances.  We don't need more ballhandlers.  Ryan, at 6'7", has a chance because he's a shooter. Begarin? Uber athletic, but he's 6'5" and hasn't shown he can shoot. Gotta be able to shoot in this NBA or you'll be nothing more than a spot player.

Is it just me, or am I seeing Celtic management going out of their way to give Jayson Tatum's, and now Grant Williams', friends a shot?  That's really bending over backwards to try and make roster players feel good about the franchise.

Today is another practice day and then sometime tomorrow they fly to

.

[dboss]

Management relies on their own players sometimes to help them make roster decisions.

It will be interesting to see if Boston waits on adding another big until they see our SL bigs in action.

[bobheckler]

Chris Forsberg
@ChrisForsberg_
Grant Williams leaning all the way into this summer referee thing.








Bob
MY NOTE:  Grant going full old school zebra.



.

[gyso]

They say that stripes are thinning. Grant needs some thinner stripes.

[jrleftfoot]

I don't understand Kornet's play. He has the height and weight, but I never see him using any muscle or strength on the court. Also, it seems he doesn't understand that he is allowed to rebound the basketball. WTF, Luke?

                                                    He's flatfooted too, and has bad hads. Other than that, he's great.

[bobheckler]

Bob


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[steve3344]

Chris Forsberg
@ChrisForsberg_
Grant Williams leaning all the way into this summer referee thing.








Bob
MY NOTE:  Grant going full old school zebra.


He needs to stop complaining about the fouls he calls.


.

[bobheckler]

Time to start the Trevion Williams Hype Train.  All Aboard!  Your conductor for this ride will be Purdue Papa Cowens.


An excellent passing big. Really excellent. He has great cout vision.

[bobheckler]

Just a reminder, y'all, there's hoops tomorrow.


vs Miami Heat @ 5:30 EDT.

I'm interested to see who Ben Sullivan starts at point guard.  Brodric Thomas?  JD Davison?  Thomas has played 459 minutes in 44 NBA games.  He would/should be the stronger player over a very late 2nd round rookie but, who knows?

The players I'm really interested in, though, are the bigs, because that's where we have an obvious need.  Williams vs Kabengele.  The hype train is rolling for Williams, but Kabengele has actually played in the NBA.  51 games, 344 minutes.  Not that impressive, true, but NBA minutes means making the team.  He was the #27 pick in the 2019 draft, so he has some cache from that.  Furthermore, he signed a multi-year contract with the Clippers.  Once again, that says something.

We also need depth behind Tatum and Brown at wing.  Hauser isn't anywhere nearly enough.  I don't think any of these kids will make it but we do have a need and we don't have a lot of money to throw at someone good.  I can only hope Brad can pull another rabbit out of his hat.  Would Orlando give up Ross for TPE?  That would be great.


Bob


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[dboss]

Sam is a really good shooter but he is not a shot creator. He is a catch and shoot guy.

I am most interested in seeing JD and the 2 bigs

[112288]

Sam is a really good shooter but he is not a shot creator.  He is a catch and shoot guy.  

I am most interested in seeing JD and the 2 bigs

Yes he is a catch and shoot guy, but so was another former Celtic named Ray Allen! We need a guy like that because it is very hard to defend against!

112288

[jrleftfoot]

I think either Williams or K will make the teanm.Most likely Williams. Why bring in an over the hill vet to eat minutes when you can develop your own? Kanter and Thompson redux? I read that Davison and Thomas are probably fighting  for the last roster spot. Davison in Maine sounds good to me.

[Ktron]

Am I the only one who feels that so far, this years Summer League Basketball looks pretty bad? Terrible shot selection. Sloppy play and some of these guys just ain’t that good.

[bobheckler]

GAME 1 @ Miami
July 9, 2022


Awful shooting.  Awful.  Good thing we got Brogdon and Galli coming off our bench because I'd hate to have to rely on any of these guys.

Except for Matt Ryan.  15 points on 4-8, all from 3, in 21 minutes.  He was also 3-3 from the line on a 3pt fg foul.  So, really, he was 5-9 from 3.  

Hauser with a forgettable game.  SL isn't catch-and-shoot, the players aren't quick enough to penetrate, not good enough to pass out, and so Hauser didn't have open shots like he would in an NBA game.

Davison is quick but not a good shooting night.  His perimeter defense wasn't that great neither.  Reportedly he signed a two-way, so his place at the table is already set. Still, a solid game for the kid.

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
about 11 minutes ago
JD Davison finishes his Summer League debut for Celtics with team-highs in rebounds (6), assists (6), blocks (3) and steals (2) in 28 minutes. Encouraging opener for the rookie.

Brodric Thomas, his rival for a spot, with a very poor game.

Begarin 2-10 from the field 9-10 from the line for 13 points in 31 minutes.  

In the battle of the bigs Kabengele looked more like a traditional big.  He played defense, he set picks, blocked shots, he played in the paint.  Williams' defense left much to be desired but his passing?  Wow.  He made a couple of eye-openers that didn't convert into assists or he'd have had at least 5 assists in 16 minutes.  One was a bullet to Hauser underneath, who couldn't handle it cleanly.  Another was a bounce pass to Hauser underneath who got fouled but didn't get the +1, so no assist, and there were at least one more I cannot definitively remember.  Both Kabengele and Williams with 4 turnovers each, so not good, but Williams had the ball in his hands more.  One of his turnovers was him trying to be a point center and go full court.  He lost the ball (turnover #1).  Later in the game he started to do the same thing, so a guard coming over to pick him up and he picked up the ball and passed it to a guard, so he can learn from his mistakes.  Highlight films being what they are you won't see those passes that didn't convert into assists on film.  You can see his "point center" fail, though, as a Heat highlight.  




https://www.espn.com/nba-summer-league/boxscore?gameId=401451028&league=nba-summer-las-vegas


Bob


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[atcross]

Kabengele looked okay but nothing special considering the competition. But put TWill on the floor with four of our rotation players that can finish at the rim and he has at least four more assists. You could also see that the other players had already learned that if they flash open they get his attention.

[bobheckler]

Bob


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[bobheckler]

Payton Pritchard’s Run-in With Security at Summer League


There was a bit of an awkward situation at halftime of the Celtics‘ summer league game here Saturday when Celt guard Payton Pritchard attempted to walk into a restricted area around the baseline by the Boston bench so he could join teammate Jayson Tatum and the club’s coaches on the opposite sideline.

Not in possession of a hanging pass — and clearly not recognized as a key member of the Celts’ rotation — the youthful-looking Pritchard was stopped by two security guards.

There was no commotion or anything of that sort, and the misunderstanding was cleared up when team vice president of communications Taylor Kielpinski-Rogers came over and explained that Pritchard is, indeed, a Celtic.

But it wasn’t the first time he’d encountered such an “indignity.” As part of a team-produced video that ran at TD Garden during a few timeouts, players were asked who they’ve been mistaken for. In his cut, the 6-1 (maybe) Pritchard says, “I don’t know if I’ve been mistaken (for) anybody, but, like, when I walked into the gym sometimes, especially at Oregon, they would think that I was, like, a manager.”

The security people were obviously just doing their jobs here and can’t be expected to know the face of every player in the NBA — even one who just played in The Finals — but, hey, Pritchard WAS named to the first-team All-Summer League squad here last year.


Bob
MY NOTE: 6'1", baby-faced and not appropriately tagged? I probably wouldn't have let him in either.


.

[RosalieTCeltics]

Am on vacation in Maine so did not see the any of the game will be be home at the end of the week enjoy

[jrleftfoot]

I didn't see anybody who moves the needle, but then, I didn't expect to. Davison is really explosive, but far from a finished product. He signed a two -way, so he can hone his game in lobstah land. Hauser better hit shots, or he is essentially useless. Begarin is a heckuva athlete. Maybe he can contribute in a year or two. Fancy passing aside, Dikembe's nephew looks like he is ahead of Trevion, which is to be expected, given their relative experience. I hope I'm wrong, but Trevion looks woefully slow and can't jump a toadstool. K had a pretty good stroke on his jump shot. It's one Summer League game, so I'm just ruminating, not drawning conclusions.

[NYCelt]

Am I the only one who feels that so far, this years Summer League Basketball looks pretty bad? Terrible shot selection. Sloppy play and some of these guys just ain’t that good.

You just hit on why I don’t watch summer league basketball.

I figure I have just so many days on this Earth. I can’t waste any of my precious time on that!

[cowens/oldschool]

Am I the only one who feels that so far, this years Summer League Basketball looks pretty bad? Terrible shot selection. Sloppy play and some of these guys just ain’t that good.

You just hit on why I don’t watch summer league basketball.

I figure I have just so many days on this Earth. I can’t waste any of my precious time on that!

Was really terrible, even JD looks nothing like Marcus Banks, who stood out and was finishing thru Lebron on breaks. JD looks like nothing to me, a wasted pick.

[dboss]

The turnover bug (18) combined with an inability to knock down shots, 35.4 % and only 31.4% from deep (11/35) was the main reason thus SL edition lost.

They did shoot the ball very well from the line going 21/23 or 91.3%.  Begarin went 9/10.

This game featured Hauser, Davison and Begarin.  Unfortuntely they went a combined 7/33.  Mattie Ice shot well 4/8 and 3-3 from the line.  He lead the team in scoring.

Rookie JD Davidson did not shoot the ball well on drives to the rim but he did go 2/5 from deep and made both of his FT.   He also dished out 6 assists and had 1 turnover.  I think 5 of his 6 assists came off of drives and alley-oop.  JD also had 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Overall not a bad first outing as he filled up the stat sheet.

In regards to rookie Trevion Williams and Mfiondu Kabengele, Williams made some really nice backdoor passes.  Kabengele was the recipient of some really nice alley-oop passes from JD.  He was our best big man on the court.  Both of them made a few too many errors recording 4 turnovers each.

Brodric Thomas could not get away from Jamaree Bouyea.  Thomas is clearly not the guy that should be running the offense or even bringing the ball up the court.

I think one of our two SL bigs has a chance to make the team.  Right now I am leaning towards Kabengele.

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