Celtics Beat: Leftover Summer League Observations

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Celtics Beat: Leftover Summer League observations
Keep an eye on Smart, Rondo


Orlando Magic's Seth Curry, right, passes the ball as Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart, left, defends during an NBA summer league basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, July 10, 2014. (AP Photo/John Raoux)


Monday, July 14, 2014
By:  Steve Bulpett


Still unpacking from nine days in Orlando, where summers are great when it’s not oppressively hot or thunderstorming. Except it’s pretty much always one of the two.

The luggage was a little heavier on the way back because of the acquisition of a few thoughts from the Celtics’ summer league efforts. Among them . . .

•  We’d pay cash money to see Rajon Rondo and Marcus Smart go at each other in training camp, assuming they both make it to that point as Celtics.

Under NBA rules, media types are allowed to watch just the last 15 minutes of practice, and by that time the Celts are usually just cruising through sets and shooting free throws. But, oh, to be there when Rondo and Smart are throwing down.

We already know of Rondo’s competitiveness and combativeness, and the rookie apparently was born without the backing down gene. After his last summer league game, Smart smiled when noting how much more physical the NBA seems to be.

He loves that kind of stuff, and it’ll be a blast to see him even in the preseason games. But we’d wager the Rondo-Smart practice duels will be pay-per-view-worthy.

The financial offer was made to president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and coach Brad Stevens. The decision is yours, guys. Cash money. Small, unmarked bills.

•  We continue to believe Kelly Olynyk will look better if and when he gets better players around him. This is a guy who thrives on passing and cutting, and those tasks become more effective around good players. (Then again, everything does, right?)

If the Celts are able to just maintain a relatively stable rotation this season, you will see more of Olynyk’s value. All plays are not fully scripted. They need a sense of familiarity among the players to work to their best results. This is Olynyk’s game.

•  Mike Moser has some nice attributes, but right now he may get caught in the margins.

The Celtics have invited him to training camp, but they may be wondering how what he is now translates to this level. Moser is a smallish 6-foot-8 and not quite seen as NBA power forward-ready. He’s got very good 3-point range, but may not be small forward material.

But people who can play usually find a way, and Moser will have time to sort things out now that he’s had his first NBA experience.

•  Dairis Bertans looked very good before getting knocked into the basket support Wednesday and missing the rest of summer league.

He appears to have a more complete and polished game than Chris Johnson, but that’s not always what makes it when teams are looking for end of rotation players.

Johnson has the all-out hustle that coaches like to interject when the pace of a game slows.

•  Smart isn’t shy with his shot. Unlike Rondo, who can be hesitant from the perimeter, Smart has shown a profound willingness to shoot first and ask questions later.

It’s fair to assume that Stevens and the first-round draft pick will be having a conversation about the 24-second clock and the wisdom of semi-contested 3-pointers early in the process, but the kid never will be criticized for a failure to launch.

•  Devin Oliver may not find a job in the NBA this season, but it’s expected he will at some point.

According to coaches and scouts in Orlando, he’s a bigger version of Johnson with a better outside shot. But people were saying that stroke still needs work to become more consistent.

•  Colton Iverson’s status remains uncertain. The 2013 draftee would like to stay in the states after a year overseas, but the Celtics aren’t sure there’s a job for him here.

As is the case with the handful of non-guaranteed people, Iverson’s return for camp will be based on the moves the Celts make in the next several weeks.




bob
MY NOTE:  I agree with Bulpett on his points.  Notice, he didn't mention Phil.  I love Sully and his game, but what Bulpett is saying about Kelly is right.  Put Kelly on the floor with players who will move without the ball, and that's the style of play Danny and Brad want, and you'll see a much better Kelly.  Sully will try to bull his way in (good luck trying to keep him off the boards!), Kelly will take it as far as he can with an eye open for an outlet.  Different styles requiring different games and coaching systems and rosters.  I think Danny is trying to move Bass.  That will free up lots of minutes for both Sully and Kelly, especially now that Kelly has added weight and muscle and will be able to play spot minutes at 5 more effectively.


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I believe the addition of Zeller automatically increases Kelly's minutes, since they're both pretty good at running the floor and seem to thrive on it.  (It's a good example of the reason why I prefer evaluating player combinations rather than individuals in a vacuum.)  A five of Zeller, Olynyk, Green, Smart and Rondo should produce a lot of transition buckets.  I deliberately omitted Avery Bradley since he frequently has problems finishing on the fast break and I'm not enamored of his tendency to drive into tall timber.

Sam