The Anton Watson Thread

[gyso]

We picked him, he is a Celtics player. Here is his thread:

First, a little info:

2024 NBA Draft: Gonzaga’s Anton Watson ranked No. 64 in The Athletic’s top 100 big board

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/2024-nba-draft-gonzaga-s-anton-watson-ranked-no-64-in-the-athletic-s-top-100-big-board/ar-BB1oFepj

For the last half-decade, Anton Watson has been an invaluable cog in the machine that is the Gonzaga Bulldogs. While most in the national media don’t predict the Spokane native’s prowess at the college level will lead to him being selected in next week’s NBA Draft, his versatility and two-way ability make him an intriguing prospect nonetheless.

In ranking the top 100 prospects for the 2024 NBA Draft, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie called Watson one of his “sneaky favorites” in the class and believes the 6-foot-8 forward is capable of defending at the next level, with the potential to add value on the other end of the floor if he makes improvements to his offensive game. Vecenie described Watson as “functionally” athletic and believed he was one of the few players in college basketball last season who could guard all five positions.

“I think he can defend within an NBA scheme right away and has potential to add a lot of value on that end of the court if his offense improves enough to keep him on the floor,” Vecenie wrote. “He’s switchable and long, plus has great strength and good hip flexibility to stay on-balance in space. His help defense is sharp, and he is a good scramble defender.”

The advanced numbers certainly back up those claims. In his five seasons at Gonzaga, Watson finished second in program history with 215 steals, behind only Hall-of-Fame point guard John Stockton, and posted a career defensive rating of 94.5 (an estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions). He also ranked in the top five in the West Coast Conference in defensive box plus/minus this past season (3.7; a box score estimate of the defensive points per 100 possessions a player contributed above a league average player) and defensive win shares (2.2; an estimate of the number of wins contributed by a player due to their defense).

Simply put, Watson was the Bulldogs’ defensive anchor and as such, was tasked with guarding the opponent’s top offensive threat. Whether that be All-American forward Jaedon LeDee at San Diego State or two-time National Player of the Year Zach Edey at Purdue, Watson accepted every assignment without complaint. Mark Few often called his fifth-year senior his “problem solver” for Watson’s ability to disrupt opponents in zone presses and for his high basketball IQ.

Vecenie noted Watson’s detailed understanding of concepts and strong anticipatory skills, specifically in regard to his timely cutting and improved passing out of double teams. Watson’s ability to finish at the rim, where he made 75.9% of his field goal attempts this past season according to hoop-math.com, while maintaining great body control stood out especially during his fifth season.

However, Vecenie questioned the lack of shot creation and consistency from behind the arc. Watson shot a career-best 41.2% from 3-point rage this past season, though he attempted fewer than two 3s per game and did most of his damage on catch-and-shoot opportunities.

“[NBA scouts and general managers have] seen that I’ve improved from the 3-point line, but they want me to take more of them,” Watson said to Gonzaga Nation in May. “Proving that in these [pre-draft] workouts is huge and having the highest motor out on the court. I gotta be that guy every time, so that's just something that they kind of told me.”

Despite an ankle injury he suffered at the G League Elite Camp in May, Watson has held numerous pre-draft workouts with nearly half of the NBA leading up to next week’s draft.

“I’d say the biggest thing … they just wanted to see me do more offensively and it was kind of hard because my ankle, I didn’t really have too much explosiveness,” Watson said earlier this week. “They just want to see me basically do what I did at Gonzaga. You know, talk, bring energy. They have so much film on me, like they've seen me play 1,000 times, but they wanted to see what I could do in front of them. I think offensively, they want to see more of me.”

Watson, ranked No. 64 on The Athletic’s final 2024 NBA Draft big board, doesn’t appear on most mock drafts. However, like Drew Timme just a year ago, some undrafted free agents sign Exhibit 10 or two-way contracts to play in the NBA Summer League.

“I definitely feel like I should be one of the [draft] picks just based on what I've done at GU and just my growth since I've been there,” Watson said. “I feel pretty confident knowing that if I get my foot in the door, I'm gonna stay there. There's definitely a place ... I just got to get there. ... We'll see how the draft goes. But I think summer league is gonna be huge for me.”

[gyso]

Anton Watson

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Watson

[gyso]

https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-draft-anton-watson-profile-gonzaga-basketball/

2024 NBA draft profile on Gonzaga forward Anton Watson

Andy Patton
June 22, 2024 10:58 am CT

The 2024 NBA draft is now less than one week away and here at College Sports Wire we are evaluating the college basketball stars who are hoping to hear their name called next Wednesday or Thursday.

Today we discuss an older prospect who wasn’t even invited to the NBA draft combine, yet is showing up in the second round of recent mock drafts thanks to his defensive versatility and winning pedigree. That would be Anton Watson, a five year player for the Gonzaga Bulldogs who stepped into a featured role this past season and had the best year of his career.

After playing four years behind college basketball superstar Drew Timme, Watson finally got a chance to shine as an offensive player for Mark Few and the Zags in 2023-24, posting career-highs in points (14.5) rebounds (7.1) and assists (2.6) while shooting 60.7% on two pointers and a career best 41.2% from three, albeit on 1.5 3PA/G.

Watson’s size, strength, wingspan, and defensive instincts give him the profile of a versatile, switchable defender – and if a team is willing to bank on the offensive improvements there is a rotational 3-and-D wing waiting to be unlocked, and he might not even cost a draft pick.

Below is a look at Watson’s draft profile, including his measurements at the combine, strengths and weaknesses as a player, and current projected draft range and team fits in the NBA:

1 - Background

From: Spokane, WA

Played: Gonzaga (2019-2024)

2023-24 Stats: 14.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 60.7% on twos, 41.2% from three

2 - Measurements

Height: 6’7.5

Weight: 233.4 pounds

Wingspan: 7’0

Standing Reach: 8’9

Max Vertical Leap: 32.5 inches

3 - Strengths

Elite, versatile defensive player who can guard 2-5 thanks to his wingspan, agility, footspeed, and strong instincts. Not only a great on-ball or switch defender, but his quickness and intelligence allows him to thrive as an off ball defender as well.

Strong hands which led to him recording more steals than anyone not named John Stockton in Gonzaga basketball history.
Connective big who showed improvement as a passer, and who is great at avoiding turnovers. Is great at getting out in transition as well, displaying a lot of fluidity moving in the open court.

Quick reflexes and strength allow him to be a plus rebounder on both sides of the ball, and the passing and transition allow him to push the pace with the ball in his hands.

When Gonzaga needed him to take over as a scorer, he could. Had multiple 30+ point games last season on elite efficiency, including against UCLA and defensive stud Adem Bona.

4 - Weaknesses

Shot 41.2% from three last year, but was a career 25.3% shooter in four previous seasons. There’s hope he can be at least a wide open catch and shoot big at the next level, but any assumption about a three point shot in the NBA is just that.

Watson posted a career free throw percentage of 62.7%, finishing below 70% all five seasons and below 65.3% in four of them. It’s not only a bad sign for his outside shot development, but won’t help him stay on the floor in the NBA either.

Virtually no midrange game, did all of his scoring right at the rim or the occasional open three pointer. Offensive role will be limited to catch-and-shoot or putbacks on the offensive glass.

Will be 24 before the NBA season gets underway, and has a bit of an injury history as well.

5 - Draft Range and Team Fits

Draft Range: 45-undrafted

CSW Mock: No. 57 to Denver Nuggets

Team Fits: Win now team looking to fill a two-way spot or any team in need of a versatile wing defender. Denver, Portland, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix all make sense

[gyso]

Boston Celtics draft Gonzaga Forward Anton Watson with pick #54 in 2024 NBA Draft

https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics-draft-rumors-news/2024/6/27/24187657/boston-celtics-draft-gonzaga-forward-anton-watson-with-pick-54-in-2024-nba-draft

The 6’8” wing joins the Celtics after 5 years at Gonzaga

By Oliver Fox Jun 27, 2024, 6:27pm EDT 9 Comments / 9 New

The Celtics selected Gonzaga forward Anton Watson with the 54th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. This was their second and final selection.

The 23-year-old Watson played five years of college basketball at Gonzaga, after also attending Gonzaga Prep. He was the 11th-ranked small forward in the nation in 2019, and a consensus 4-Star recruit.

The 6’8” Watson played 151 games in college, starting in every game he played his final two years. The 2023-2024 season proved to be his best overall campaign, averaging 14.5 points-per-game on just over 41 percent from beyond the arc. However, he shot only 30.7 percent from three in his college career and a poor 62.7 percent from the free throw line.

Pre-draft, Watson was hailed as a plus defender with NBA traits. In his “shades of...” section, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor said Watson has qualities of “Old Al Horford,” a player the Celtics have grown to value in recent years. However, Watson’s burst and switchability are questionable for a modern NBA forward. While he had some success guarding larger bigs such as Purdue’s Zach Edey, it’s unclear if that success will translate to the NBA.

In any case, it’s unlikely Watson will play much or at all in the 2024-25 NBA season, with the Celtics roster still stacked with topflight talent coming off the franchise's 18th Championship, something President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has stated openly.

The Celtics once again targeted a tall, physical wing with defensive traits and shooting flashes and/or upside. First Round pick Baylor Scheierman is an elite shooter with real size that could lead to defensive growth, and last year’s Second Round pick Jordan Walsh possesses many of the same traits and limitations as Watson: shooting flashes but a lack of offensive creativity or consistency paired with real defensive abilities.

The Celtics will likely have all three spend significant time with the Maine Celtics to see how their three-and-D qualities develop before deciding which — if any — might crack the regular rotation.

[gyso]

[dboss]

I hope he will enjoy Portland.

I think he will be offered a 2-way contract. With Queta upgraded, we have one open spot. I also think that Peterson may move up to a regular contract.

There were several workout guys that may get opportunities as undrafted FA. Get as many as you can on our summer league roster and then go from there.

I am disappointed that we passed on Ulrich.

[worcester]

Me too dboss. Ulrich will have a bright future.

[dboss]

The profile of Anton indicates that he is a good defender but is limited offensively.

The question that I have is why him?

He is not going to crack a 10 man rotation.  He will not be on our 15 man roster.

He is going to Maine and is hardly a developmental asset at 24.  

Upside would seem questionable.

[worcester]

Brad thinks Anton has the potential to be an excelkent 3 point shooter, that he just needs to be encouraged to shoot, shoot, shoot.

[dboss]

Brad had him in for a workout.  Let's assume the Celtics saw something in him on offense that was positive.

I guess in all fairness I should note the 20 points he scored against UCONN in December 2023

[gyso]

https://x.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1806468543396950354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1806468543396950354%7Ctwgr%5E9f10ba0f54276c2c91966d2791e637471920ebc7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsbnation.coral.coralproject.net%2Fapi%2Foembed%3Ftype%3Dtwitterurl%3Dhttps3A2F2Fx.com2FNBCSCeltics2Fstatus2F1806468543396950354siteID%3D112aa377-e27f-4b58-9156-5e5df25f39a2frameID%3Dframe-id-53776307-5859-461c-b8b2-b06f151b35e6-2b383290-354a-11ef-aeda-fb8923ac6c14

[worcester]

What I said.

[NYCelt]

Someone has to play for Maine.

There was no NBA level talent still available with this pick anyway.

As good a pick as could be made.

Overall, Brad and crew did the best they could with what was available to them.

On to free agency to fill holes.

[bobheckler]

I don't know if his 41% 3pt fg% is legit, it was on a limited number of attempts, but he plays bully ball.  He LIKES playing through contact.  Cowens and I are going to like that although it might not be appropriate for today's "spread the floor" NBA.  Regardless of your position you have to be able to shoot 3s, or be such an elite specialist in something.  Andre Drummond is only 30 years old, a 2X All-Star, a former NBA rebound leader but is playing for the vet minimum because he can't shoot for shite.

He looks long.  He's 6'8" with a 7' wingspan.  That's a 1.05:1 wingspan-to-height ratio, which is slightly better than the NBA median 1.047:1.

His shooting motion on his 3s looks good.  There's no reason that, even if his 41% 3pt % is a red herring, that his shooting can't get better anyway.

Because of his height, 6'8", and his weight, 228#, and his high motor and rugged game he might be a better replacement for Oshae than Walsh, who is smaller and lighter.  I don't think Watson will make the team, I think he'll get a two-way contract, but from a skillset and size perspective he looks more like Oshae than Walsh does, in my opinion.  He'll live in Maine, proving that his 41% 3pt fg% is real.





Bob

.

[dboss]

Now that I have watched a lot of videos on Watson, I can see why Brad drafted him.

On offensive he does not take a lot of 3 point shots but the ones that I saw him take looked good. There is no broken shot. Mechanics look good. He has a go to shot off the bounce to the right side of the lane and makes jump hooks over his left shoulder (actually more like the way Kevin McHale would shoot them) He is kinda sneaky quick off the bounce. He shot 57.8% on 2's. He has decent size and length but looks more like a tweener (SF/PF) He is a good rebounder 7.1 per game and does not turn the ball over. he took just 51 3 pointers per game last season (1.5 attempts per game) 41%. He struggles at the line.

He will be a 2-way guy and will have a chance to greatly increase his volume of 3 point shots.

I need to locate some defensive highlights but Brad did mention that he mover well laterally.

We get to see him in a couple of weeks out in Vegas.

[cowens/oldschool]

He can get down the floor to finish well, saw some clips of him battling Edey and he was fearless, looks taller than 6’8”. I like the way he moves and finishes thru contact, not afraid to dunk on you. While very few players can get after it on the break/finish like the 2 J’s, I welcome another big that can battle in the paint and get up and down the floor. Kid has a motor, if this translates to the next level, what an incredible find by Bad Brad.

[Celtics17]

I saw Watson play a number of times at Gonzaga, and thought he was versatile and was one of their best players. He played great defense and was a strong rebounder. Brad is probably right, if he can develop a solid 3 point shot he has a chance.

[worcester]

The video made me miss Bill Walton even more. What a magnificent human being.

[bobheckler]

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jun/27/gonzagas-anton-watson-selected-by-reigning-champio/



Anton Watson’s first name was mispronounced and he got only a brief mention from ESPN’s draft analysts before they quickly shifted their attention to the 55th overall pick, used by the Los Angeles Lakers on USC’s Bronny James, the oldest son of NBA star LeBron James. “I think the last 10 picks they were talking about Bronny,” Watson said. “You don’t try to focus on that, but that definitely puts a chip on your shoulder. That’s crazy, I think it’s a little bit crazy.”
Source: Spokesman-Review


Bob
MY NOTE:  Having a chip on his shoulder is a good thing, especially vs Bronny's Lakers.  I remember that for Paul Pierce's entire career he played extra hard against the 9 teams who passed over him before being selected by the Boston Celtics @ #10, and that's despite him becoming a green-blooded lifelong Celtic fan.  He still thirsted for payback.


.

[bobheckler]

54. Boston Celtics

Anton Watson | 6-8 wing | 23 years old | Gonzaga


Vecenie’s ranking: 64

Anton Watson is one of my sneaky favorites in this class, and I have a two-way grade on him. I think he can defend within an NBA scheme right away and has potential to add a lot of value on that end of the court if his offense improves enough to keep him on the floor. He’s switchable and long, plus has great strength and good hip flexibility to stay on-balance in space. His help defense is sharp, and he is a good scramble defender. Offensively, I don’t love his skill package, even if he maintains his ability to cut and finish around the rim. Shooting is the key for me. There are some signs of Watson becoming a capable shooter, as he made 41 percent on limited attempts this year. But it’s hard to buy into his jumper becoming a consistent NBA weapon given that he turns 24 this year and has always been a lowvolume attempter. If he can improve his shooting to the point where he consistently hits corner 3s, his defense may be valuable enough to stick in the NBA. That will take some time for his jumper to come around. Still, I’d be willing to bet a two-way deal on expediting that process, because if it does, Watson has some value in the NBA.


Hollinger’s analysis: I didn’t expect Watson to get drafted, but this is a defensible late pick because he’s a good defender who can play the four. Watson could potentially soak up some of the minutes filled by Oshae Brissett this season, as the latter opted out of his deal for the coming season to become a free agent.


Bob


.

[gyso]

Anton Watson seems himself as a young Al Horford

My comment: He did NOT say that, in that way. He was talking about the role, but headline writers have to go for outrage (for some) when they read the headline.

https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/7/8/24194411/anton-watson-seems-himself-as-a-young-al-horford-boston-celtics-brad-stevens-summer-league

The Celtics second round pick is a solid defender and becoming a confident shooter.

By Bill Sy@deliberatepix  Jul 8, 2024, 5:39pm EDT  30 Comments / 30 New

For the Celtics, this offseason wasn’t about landing a big free agent or swinging for the fences on a trade. The champs are, for the most part, running it back. The same squad that hoisted the Larry O’Brien three weeks ago and will raise Banner 18 on Opening Night.

However, for second round pick and newcomer Anton Watson, getting drafted and coming to the Celtics means joining that storied culture.

“Winners. The legacy. Just the mentality towards everything,” Watson said at his first media availability on Monday. “First time we met in [The Auerbach Center], they said it’s different here. That’s kind of the vibe you get here. I think they got the right approach on things.”

He continued, “When you walk around, you see all the trophies. The trophy was on center court. It just shows what it takes to be here.”

Watson was selected at #54 out of Gonzaga University after spending five seasons in Spokane. He was voted All-Conference First Team last year, averaging 14.5 points on 57.8% shooting and 7.1 rebounds.



It’s still unclear whether Watson will join the team on a two-way contract or just spend the year in Maine with the G-League affiliate, but his presence in Boston almost seems fated despite the long road to get here.

“The Celtics were actually my first workout out of the sixteen I did. It was a lot. Coming here, you don’t know what to expect [with] the first workout. I thought I did a good job. I shot it well, played well, but got injured at the G League combine,” Watson said. “I had to come back and do a lot more workouts. Those workouts started to pick up towards the end. I didn’t really know what was going to happen on Draft Night. I knew the Celtics liked me. Brad Stevens gave me the call and it was the best day of my life.”

Watson is somewhat undersized as a big man at 6’7, 241 pounds, but in college, he proved to be a solid defender, rebounder, and maybe most importantly, a floor spacer. Sound familiar?

“Shooting is obviously a big piece. Kind of like that Al Horford role. He’s a great shooter. I think learning from him is going to be huge for me and actually all the veterans on this team,” Watson said of his game and how it might translate to the NBA. “Shooting is going to be huge and just my defense, using that to my strengths and coming out and guarding every single game. That’s going to be big for me. Yeah, shooting is going to open up my offensive ability, but defense is where I’m strong at.”

https://x.com/JackSimoneNBA/status/1810393888936640636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1810393888936640636%7Ctwgr%5E18a76b246caf717934a347ccf229b48fcf661938%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.celticsblog.com%2F2024%2F7%2F8%2F24194411%2Fanton-watson-seems-himself-as-a-young-al-horford-boston-celtics-brad-stevens-summer-league

After the draft, Horford, along with Derrick White and Jayson Tatum, sent him a text welcoming him to the team, but he’s been on the front office’s radar for awhile. Stevens said that he envisions Watson as a “hybrid forward that can switch and guard a lot of people...with a mindset that he’s going to let it fly like he’s never let it fly before because I think he’s a better shooter than he sometimes thinks he is.”

Watson hit 22 of his 55 shots from behind the arc last season and has been working on his shot since the end of the season. “I feel like I got a good shot. I just gotta be more confident with it. Let it fly in practice and shoot it as much as I can.”

[bobheckler]

Boston Celtics @celtics
yesterday
We have signed Anton Watson to a two-way contract


Bob
MY NOTE:  This could have gone under the "Signings" thread but I thought I'd give Anton his personal 15 minutes of fame.  This is hardly news, we all expected it.  If he was a complete busto in SL then, maybe, someone else would get the last two-way but he wasn't a bust or even close to one.  In 5 Summer League games Anton Watson averaged 11.8ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.6apg and only .6TOpg in 24.4mpg.  35% from 3 on 4.0 3pt fgas/game.  Moved his feet well on defense.  I'm not getting too high on him because of the level of competition in Summer League yet, nevertheless, he did as well as could be expected.  Now he needs reps, LOTS AND LOTS of reps, against better competition and that's what G-League is for. Ask Sam Hauser if Maine is a waste of time. Spend your days and nights in Maine in the weight room and taking uncounted shots from the arc and you too could have an NBA career.


.

[cowens/oldschool]

Boston Celtics @celtics
yesterday
We have signed Anton Watson to a two-way contract


Bob
MY NOTE:  This could have gone under the "Signings" thread but I thought I'd give Anton his personal 15 minutes of fame.  This is hardly news, we all expected it.  If he was a complete busto in SL then, maybe, someone else would get the last two-way but he wasn't a bust or even close to one.  In 5 Summer League games Anton Watson averaged 11.8ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.6apg and only .6TOpg in 24.4mpg.  35% from 3 on 4.0 3pt fgas/game.  Moved his feet well on defense.  I'm not getting too high on him because of the level of competition in Summer League yet, nevertheless, he did as well as could be expected.  Now he needs reps, LOTS AND LOTS of reps, against better competition and that's what G-League is for.  Ask Sam Hauser if Maine is a waste of time.  Spend your days and nights in Maine in the weight room and taking uncounted shots from the arc and you too could have an NBA career.


.

If only I was 6’8”

[bobheckler]

Boston Celtics @celtics
yesterday
We have signed Anton Watson to a two-way contract


Bob
MY NOTE:  This could have gone under the "Signings" thread but I thought I'd give Anton his personal 15 minutes of fame.  This is hardly news, we all expected it.  If he was a complete busto in SL then, maybe, someone else would get the last two-way but he wasn't a bust or even close to one.  In 5 Summer League games Anton Watson averaged 11.8ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.6apg and only .6TOpg in 24.4mpg.  35% from 3 on 4.0 3pt fgas/game.  Moved his feet well on defense.  I'm not getting too high on him because of the level of competition in Summer League yet, nevertheless, he did as well as could be expected.  Now he needs reps, LOTS AND LOTS of reps, against better competition and that's what G-League is for.  Ask Sam Hauser if Maine is a waste of time.  Spend your days and nights in Maine in the weight room and taking uncounted shots from the arc and you too could have an NBA career.


.

If only I was 6’8”

Cow,

If you were 6'8" your sweeps would be roundhouse kicks to the ribs.


Bob


.

[gyso]

https://x.com/NoaDalzell/status/1815174622780010711?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1815174622780010711%7Ctwgr%5E8422cda3c0231b44338f13be33caa76cde0684e5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.celticsblog.com%2F2024%2F8%2F2%2F24212100%2Freport-anton-watson-to-sign-two-way-contract-with-boston-celtics

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