The NBA web site continues to be in preseason mode. Clips are seldom obtainable. Quite than lament the shortage of movie, we’ll embrace it. This model of the takeaways goes to be barely completely different. We noticed a bunch of latest faces in the course of the Boston Celtics loss to the New York Knicks.
So, I’m going to share some takeaways from every participant’s efficiency. We’ll exclude Wenyen Gabriel and DJ Steward — neither performed sufficient to present a superb account of themselves. That leaves us with 10 gamers for the ten takeaways; it is humorous how issues work out.
#1 Payton Pritchard
Two preseason video games, two massive performances. Payton Pritchard is combating for minutes within the upcoming season and is exhibiting he will be the perfect third guard in Boston’s rotation. Pritchard has flashed enhancements in his creation off the dribble, each as a pick-and-roll playmaker and as a self-creator on step-back and side-step jumpers.
There was a second within the third quarter the place Pritchard additionally hit an uncontested mid-range baseline jumper, showcasing his means to turn into a real three-level scorer for the Celtics. Pritchard hounded the Knicks on protection, combating over and beneath screens, rotating properly, and switching when vital.
It is going to be fascinating to see if Pritchard can maintain his foot on the gasoline when the Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers once more on Wednesday, October 11.
#2 Dalano Banton
Every time I watch a recreation, I scribble my ideas on a notepad. I often divide them by quarter. Typically, I be aware the timestamp of a play or an motion I need to return and break down. Different instances, it’s extra common ideas that I’ll reference all through the season to see how my considering has advanced. Each quarter, I had the identical be aware about Dalano Banton: “will get wherever he desires on the ground.”
Banton supplies rim stress as each a ball-handler and slasher. His 6’9’’ body makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing guards, whereas his size will be troublesome for defenders when he’s attacking the rim. There have been additionally some encouraging indicators of a creating leap shot. Nonetheless, Banton’s taking pictures mechanics are nonetheless uncooked and want constant work to enhance.
Defensively, Banton supplies some additional size within the passing lane and one other lengthy physique to assist shield the rim when working as a assist defender or being switched onto a slasher. He’s nonetheless a uncooked prospect, however you’ll be able to see why Banton is such a low-risk developmental undertaking.
#3 Sam Hauser
Sam Hauser didn’t have his finest night time. Taking pictures 2-of-9 from deep, the third-year ahead struggled to showcase his elite shotmaking means. However, Hauser’s motion, screening, and protection had been all necessary components of his efficiency that may seemingly go neglected. As a taking pictures specialist, Hauser can be judged on what number of threes he drains, no matter no matter else he does on the court docket, pretty or unfairly.
Nonetheless, Hauser supplied a dependable defensive presence and reliably executed his function as a screener. Everyone has a nasty taking pictures night time now and again. It’s not price studying into the taking pictures numbers. It’s preseason, in any case.
#4 Oshae Brissett
Full disclosure: I’ve been low on Oshae Brissett because the Celtics added him earlier this summer season. Exterior of 1 (ruled-out) spotlight play towards the Sixers, I haven’t seen a lot to alter my thoughts. In equity, Brissett was stable defensively towards the Knicks. He executed switches properly, stayed earlier than his man, and navigated screens with tempo and vitality.
Nonetheless, Brissett struggled on the offensive finish. Once more, that is preseason; taking pictures struggles are to be anticipated. Nonetheless, my first impression is that Brissett performs a bit too quick, like he’s over-trying at instances. He seems to be frantic. There’s a distinction between bringing vitality and managed chaos and struggling to slot in with the movement of the sport.
Brissett is getting accustomed to new teammates and a brand new system. It would take a while earlier than we see his finest.
#5 Luke Kornet
I’ve been a fan of Luke Kornet these previous two years. From “The Inexperienced Kornet” nickname that didn’t make a lot sense to the “Kornet contest,” which ought to have been named the “Korntest” in the event you ask me — he’s only a enjoyable man to root for in the midst of your staff’s bench. Towards the Knicks, Kornet was okay. He moved properly, was a keen screener, completed a lob play, and guarded his yard.
I needed to see extra, although. With Robert Williams gone, Kornet can have a barely greater function this season, working because the third massive within the rotation. The 7’2’’ massive man can be sensible to seek out avenues to supply an even bigger scoring menace. Early in his profession, Kornet was a budding 3-point taking pictures massive man – averaging 36% in his first two seasons. But, that side of his recreation has evaporated since a poor taking pictures season in his third 12 months.
The Celtics ran a whole lot of perimeter break up actions towards New York; permitting Kornet to face up and take some deep pictures may assist unlock his offensive recreation, particularly if the protection has to regulate. Some meals for thought.
#6 Lamar Stevens
Love him. Celtics followers are going to like him. Stevens is all vitality, coronary heart, and hustle. He’s the man who sarcastically bullies the bully as a result of he hates bullies. Stevens made a reputation for himself as a spot-starter on an excellent Cleveland Cavaliers staff and has wasted no time translating these all-action defensive performances to the Celtics.
He’s not going to get you a constant 10-15 factors on environment friendly taking pictures, however he’ll in all probability prevent someplace in that area by making certain he has a hand in a shooter’s face or places his physique on the road when defending a drive.
When the postseason rolls round and issues get bodily, having a wing defender keen to be the Slytherin to Tatum’s Griffindor can be necessary. Signal him, Brad. Signal him like yesterday.
#7 Svi Mykhailiuk
That put-back dunk was spectacular. As was Svi’s three-point taking pictures and, at instances, his isolation protection. The veteran sharpshoot might want to enhance on his close-out protection, although. He received caught with blow-bys on a number of events, and that can be exploited all through the season until he tightens it up.
Offensively, although, Svi can present a further three-point activate the bench. Judging by this exhibiting, Hauser can have some competitors within the upcoming season, and that’s all the time a superb factor.
#8 Neemias Queta
He’s a rim-runner, make you’re employed onerous, make you defend onerous, make you miss all your pictures. He’s a rim-runner, make you turn screens, make you remorse switching screens, make you want he was in your staff. – Nelly Furtado voice from Maneater.
Queta is thrilling. Massive physique. Excessive vitality. Good rebounder. Stable presence as a drop defender. He must type out his fouling, although. 5 fouls in 13 minutes is an excessive amount of and could possibly be the distinction from making the rotation to spending the 12 months in Maine with none alternative on the NBA stage. Nonetheless, these 13 minutes had been enjoyable, and there’s undoubtedly a prospect there, however the Celtics will should be affected person.
#9 JD Davison
Davison didn’t get a lot taking part in time, however we primarily noticed extra of what he displayed at Summer time League. Incredible athleticism, able to penetrating off the dribble, and might rating across the bucket, and has a knack for hitting lob passes.
Display navigation wants enchancment on protection, as does timing his switches and rotations. Davison should additionally enhance his jumper, each off the catch and off the dribble. One other 12 months in Maine ought to do wonders for Davison’s total skillset. Nonetheless, he’s unlikely to make it into the Celtics rotation this season.
#10 Jordan Walsh
Walsh is like Stevens; it’s important to love him. Gritty, dedicated, and a proficient defender. Walsh had some spectacular moments throughout his 13-minute stretch towards the Knicks. We had a steal through a dig that led to a rip-and-run bucket. We had a rear-view contest that led to a last-second dump-off go. And a few spectacular high-energy point-of-attack protection.
The most important query will proceed to be whether or not Walsh’s 3-point taking pictures from Las Vegas interprets towards NBA expertise, and a 13-minute pattern measurement is way too little to make any agency evaluation there.
Trying forward
Hopefully, we can have some movie obtainable for recreation three of the Celtics preseason run, and we are able to dive into a few of the intricacies we’re seeing from Joe Mazzulla’s offensive and defensive system. It doesn’t matter what, although, basketball is again, and I hope you’re loving it as a lot as I’m!
