Persevering with from Half 1 of the mailbag.
Charlie-two-protons
What are the subsequent enhancements for the Jays, PP, and Hauser to make? As Brad mentioned, should you’re not attempting to get higher, you’re in all probability going to get caught.
Tatum – Odd because it sounds, I believe he must work on exterior taking pictures. Choosing the right photographs, limiting the bail-out photographs, and customarily discovering that rhythm and confidence to bump up his taking pictures % a bit.
Brown – He’s improved his playmaking significantly over time, however I believe he may develop that additional subsequent season. If groups are going to take Tatum out of the play, Brown can have alternatives to “run the present” himself.
Pritchard – I believe Payton may use somewhat work on floaters and midrange photographs. Defenders already know to shut out on him, and he can put it on the ground, drive into the protection and kick it out. However he doesn’t appear to be a lot of a risk within the paint so defenses are adjusting.
Hauser – Just like Payton, I believe Sam must capitalize on defenders flying at him. He’s not going to be a drive risk, however he may change into a grasp at stepping right into a midrange shot. When you’d quite have him taking 3’s, if he’s open sufficient a midrange shot could possibly be pretty much as good as a layup for him.
Dave Higgins
What odds do you give JD Davison changing Pritchard this 12 months? They’re the identical measurement. battle onerous on protection and JD’s taking pictures improved dramatically final 12 months. He additionally makes about $7.5m lower than quick PP. They may commerce Pritchard for a draft choose and a participant to be launched.
Can JD Davison persistently hit buzzer beater half-court heaves? If not, then no thanks.
Severely although, I’m glad that JD is making progress, however the expertise hole from Pritchard to Davison is steep and a choose wouldn’t be price giving up that depth possibility. Additionally, the Celtics are to date over the cap that lowering the wage would solely shave a bit off the posh tax. It wouldn’t permit them to signal anybody else.
Morpheus6610
Rotation Gamers. To start out this 12 months we’re beginning with out Porzingus for at the very least a month or two. The beginning 5 of Al, the three Js and White are apparent. However, how do you see the rotation altering for 6-10 this 12 months? Who strikes up, strikes down, shock rookies within the rotation?
Till KP will get again I believe Kornet continues to be the primary massive off the bench. Although I believe you’ll see Queta and Tillman get minutes as nicely, relying on the matchup (Queta offers you extra measurement whereas Tillman is a greater defender in area).
Hauser and Pritchard ought to proceed to get the majority of the backup wing and guard minutes. Then we’ll need to see if Walsh, Springer, or Scheierman can step right into a productive position. I believe Springer might need the sting proper now, however it is vitally early.
So if I’m rating them, right here’s how they’d look (with everybody shifting again a spot as soon as KP is again):
6 – Kornet7 – Hauser8 – Pritchard9 – Queta/Tillman10 – Walsh/Springer/Scheierman
CelticsWest
Hey, Jeff. Thanks for the mailbag! My questions are the next:
With KP out till the brand new 12 months, Al a 12 months older, and Tatum, White, and Vacation logging Olympic minutes, of the gamers on the roster who do you suppose is probably to soak up the minutes wanted to maintain the Beginning Six recent up till the all-star break? Moreover, given what Coach Mazzulla has proven about having a “circle of belief” do you see a risk that Scheierman or Watson will transfer into it of their rookie seasons?
I discover a variety of questions from followers and a few media concerning the bench being framed as “Will participant X go Participant Y?” Why do folks have a tough time seeing that if the Cs have Tillman, Queta, and Luke they are often shuffled based mostly on match-ups to get optimum outcomes?
Final one: assuming for the second that Anton Watson will get the third two means contract, which of the Summer time League invitees do you suppose wind up with Maine this 12 months?
I lined the rotation questions above however I agree that rotation depth is essentially a fluid factor and isn’t at all times associated to a pecking order. Generally a sport wants a spark of power or rebounding or an extended defender and coaches love having these sorts of choices to show to.
It is a good place to say that I’m not ruling out Watson getting some run as nicely. He in all probability has a decrease upside, however he’s one of many extra seasoned guys of the group. He is aware of his means across the court docket and if he can begin hitting nook 3’s he may discover a couple of minutes right here and there.
As for the Summer time League guys, I believe you can see any of them in Maine if they will’t discover a two-way in Boston or elsewhere. It will be neat to see Eddie Home’s child up there.
Katahdin
Springer goes to be a fourth 12 months skilled. He has plus athleticism and on ball protection. The instruments appear there for a excessive ceiling. With Jrue getting older, I believe he’s somebody who begins getting the massive Al remedy to cut back his yearly minutes. Odds Springer is prime eight in minutes? Is Malik Monk. ceiling comp for him?
He’s a legit NBA defender. The one factor holding him again is the offense. He proved he’s a step above many of the Summer time League expertise, which is a begin. The subsequent step is proving it in preseason. I don’t know if he can persistently break down NBA defenses like he did in Vegas, but when he can proceed growing his shot, he’ll at the very least get an opportunity.
Or if not, he’s a strolling tradable wage (although just for one other participant that makes $4M or much less). Right here’s a enjoyable train for you. Discover Jaden’s wage on this checklist and see if there’s anybody beneath him that you just’d commerce him for (and that the opposite group would moderately contemplate).
I’m not even going to attempt to examine him to present or former gamers. I’ll simply out myself as a nasty evaluator and get mocked for attempting. Cheers to you although. Braver than I’m.
AlohaCeltic
I’m puzzled by JD Davison’s 2 means contract. It may perceive if he was a median 3 level shooter or if he confirmed enchancment in that class 12 months to 12 months, however in his 2 G league seasons he’s shot 31.7 and 26.6% exterior the arc. He’s additionally not a defensive standout. Is there room within the Cs NBA roster for a degree guard who drives and passes nicely however doesn’t shoot nicely from distance and isn’t an amazing defender? Do you suppose he could make an enormous leap with another 12 months?
He’s an NBA athlete. That’s what they’re working with. I agree that he’s going to want to determine the skin taking pictures if he desires a legit shot within the NBA, but when you’ll spend time growing a man, it would as nicely be a man who has upside based mostly on that athleticism. I’m skeptical that it’ll work out, however I can at the very least see the rationale.
Thanks for the questions everybody!
