Summer League 2022

nighthob

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The Celtic's have 3 spots left on the roster and 1 two-way spot, so Brad is auditioning a bunch of people. He also has (4) 2nd picks next year to make a move for some other teams depth at the 5
Just a note, they don’t actually have four, one of the picks is an imaginary pick that converts to cash and one of the others (the Houston pick), while lightly protected, stands a real possibility of falling into its protected range and not conveying. They really only have the Portland second rounder and the worse of the Miami/Dallas pick, which isn’t a lot of ammo.
 

mcpickl

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Jul 23, 2007
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I like Kornet more than most fans do, but I'm kind of wishing the C's had waited until after summer league to talk contract with him. Kabengele would probably be a better No. 4 option at center, with a vet filling the No. 3 role.
Kornet only has 100K of his contract guaranteed.

If they like Kabengele more, it's an easy flip.
 

benhogan

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Just a note, they don’t actually have four, one of the picks is an imaginary pick that converts to cash and one of the others (the Houston pick), while lightly protected, stands a real possibility of falling into its protected range and not conveying. They really only have the Portland second rounder and the worse of the Miami/Dallas pick, which isn’t a lot of ammo.
thanks for the update

do you see any teams facing a roster crunch?

OR any youngster popping in Summer League that's worth keeping an eye on?

Kornet only has 100K of his contract guaranteed.

If they like Kabengele more, it's an easy flip.
Good point. just looked at Luke's guarantee triggers

  • 2022-23: $100,000 guaranteed
  • $300,000 guaranteed on 8/15/22
  • $1,066,639 guaranteed Opening Night
  • fully guaranteed on 1/10/23
Trade Restriction: This player cannot be traded until Dec 15, 2022.
 

nighthob

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OR any youngster popping in Summer League that's worth keeping an eye on?
Wiseman’s closing in on washing out. But honestly I’ve been more curious about Chinanu Onuaku than anyone I’ve seen in summer league. My guess is that Justin Jackson scores a training camp invite to earn a spot as the big wing at the end of the bench, but is probably headed for Europe.
 

128

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Celtics-Grizzlies under way on NBA-TV. No Hauser or Ryan again, it appears.

Davison has hit two 3-pointers, which is encouraging.
 

Jimbodandy

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FWIW, I thought that both Begarin and J.D. finished strong in SL. Both still have a lot of work to do, but I no longer fear that the former stagnated. His reads on defense were better in games 3 and 4, his handle, etc. J.D. showed a lot of point guard vision, which frankly I can't remember the last time we drafted a guy with good vision. He still hasn't shown anything against NBA players of course, but I like his BBIQ to go with his athleticism. Something to work with.

Overall was pretty happy with the rudimentary attempts to run a pro offense and defense, despite the occasional flashes of G League junk ball. Enjoyed it more than prior years, even though the prospects aren't as interesting.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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FWIW, I thought that both Begarin and J.D. finished strong in SL. Both still have a lot of work to do, but I no longer fear that the former stagnated. His reads on defense were better in games 3 and 4, his handle, etc. J.D. showed a lot of point guard vision, which frankly I can't remember the last time we drafted a guy with good vision. He still hasn't shown anything against NBA players of course, but I like his BBIQ to go with his athleticism. Something to work with.

Overall was pretty happy with the rudimentary attempts to run a pro offense and defense, despite the occasional flashes of G League junk ball. Enjoyed it more than prior years, even though the prospects aren't as interesting.
Was pleasantly surprised by Davison's vision and thought he took reasonably good care of the ball, although he wasn't playing against NBA-caliber defenders. (Note: he's second in the SL in APG at 7.8, behind only Giddey.)

Thought Cs played pretty connected defense for a SL team (particulalry in the last couple of games), although that probably has something to do with the fact that a lot of the Cs players seemed to be on the older side - Kabengele, Jackson, Thomas, Bone, and Dawkins.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Davison has great vision. This was evident in college. The issues he has had is in decision making and overall recklessness. These things take time but can improve if you can get the game to slow down. Much easier to do so in SL than in a real game which is why SL allows a certain type of player to shine so well.
 

128

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FYI, Celtics' Vegas finale is at 8 pm Saturday vs. Brooklyn, on ESPN.
 

128

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Aaron Nesmith: 5 for 18 from the floor in 18-point Indiana loss in Vegas.

Ouch.
 

Just a bit outside

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Aaron Nesmith: 5 for 18 from the floor in 18-point Indiana loss in Vegas.

Ouch.
I watched him live earlier in the week and he looked exactly like ..: Aaron Nesmith. Still playing too fast, still forcing things, still missing open threes, still making a couple hustle plays that get you excited. I really hope he figures something out, seems like a good guy.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Davison has great vision. This was evident in college. The issues he has had is in decision making and overall recklessness. These things take time but can improve if you can get the game to slow down. Much easier to do so in SL than in a real game which is why SL allows a certain type of player to shine so well.
Loved one of the early plays from his big game where he got into the lane but felt the presence of a defender behind him and slowed down to draw contact for a shooting foul.

Changing speeds unlocks a lot for this type of player. It’s part of what turned Terry Rozier into a really good pro. When you’re a mega-athlete you just have less need to learn it until suddenly you get to the NBA and everyone is big enough and fast enough to keep up.
 

Imbricus

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Anyone watching this? A lot of chucking three-point shots after Begarin and Davison came out in first quarter. I wish the NBA games moved at this pace.
 

Imbricus

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Davison already with 8 assists. Trevion has got to learn to play defense close to the basket and not ineffectually slap at the ball as someone drives past him; he's not a guy I'd keep around unless he wants to play for the G League team. Jackson is another guy I'd take a pass on -- shouldn't he be dominating this league at his age?
 

128

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Davison already with 8 assists. Trevion has got to learn to play defense close to the basket and not ineffectually slap at the ball as someone drives past him; he's not a guy I'd keep around unless he wants to play for the G League team. Jackson is another guy I'd take a pass on -- shouldn't he be dominating this league at his age?
Hauser played only one-and-a-half games before the C's shut him down, but he's set.

Ryan impressed before hurting his ankle, and Kabengele, Begarin, Davison and Thomas have had a lot of good moments. Productive summer for the youngsters.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Davison already with 8 assists. Trevion has got to learn to play defense close to the basket and not ineffectually slap at the ball as someone drives past him; he's not a guy I'd keep around unless he wants to play for the G League team. Jackson is another guy I'd take a pass on -- shouldn't he be dominating this league at his age?
I've said it a bunch but I loved the Davison (and Juhann) pick. The dude is a real athlete and is long for his height and is perfectly acceptable for a PG. He may be that guy who can cover other teams quick PGs that the C's have struggled with in recent years. . Hopefully he slid to the C's in part because people were too focused on the height and not the wingspan and standing reach. He's raw but he has great vision and most of his flaws are things that are gained with experience (poor decision making, shooting).

Hopefully this is a Stevens trend. Pick the young, raw athlete with later picks. Swing for the fences.
 

mikeot

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I like these two announcers better than most of the more senior ESPN crew members.
 
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benhogan

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Yeah, I was just thinking if they had a "Most Improved Player" award for Summer League, Begarin would be in the running (from game 1 to game 5).
Begarin may have played himself into a 2-way...there's a lot to work with there

Kabengele should get one of the NBA roster spots
 

Cesar Crespo

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Begarin may have played himself into a 2-way...there's a lot to work with there

Kabengele should get one of the NBA roster spots
Yeah, I see you edited your post while I was responding. I was going to say give Begarin the 2nd spot and sign Kabengele to an NBA deal.

They'd need to sign one other player after that, I think.
 

128

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Cam Thomas doesn't really need to be playing summer league. He's already shown he's a legit NBA player.
 

TripleOT

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JDD did a great job the last four games of summer league setting up and running the offense. He showed that he has the tools to be an NBA point guard. This next year will be a learning year obviously, but I won’t be surprised if he gets on the court with the Celtics later on in the season if they have a couple of injuries in the back court.

Begarin is such an intriguing prospect. At only 19 years old he has great size, length, and athleticism. I think they should give him the other two way contract and have him working full-time with NBA coaches. If he could be ready for NBA minutes in two seasons, he would be an ideal JB understudy.

Kabengele is an intriguing big, especially when he steps out and makes threes. I can see him beating out Kornet for the fourth big, assuming management doesn’t see him as a third big candidate.

Now that Brad has filled out the rotation with actual wily veteran NBA players, there’s nothing wrong with filling in spots 14, 15, and the two two way spots with uber athletes like JDD, Begarin, and Kab, and a one skill specialist like Matt Ryan
 

Cesar Crespo

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JDD did a great job the last four games of summer league setting up and running the offense. He showed that he has the tools to be an NBA point guard. This next year will be a learning year obviously, but I won’t be surprised if he gets on the court with the Celtics later on in the season if they have a couple of injuries in the back court.

Begarin is such an intriguing prospect. At only 19 years old he has great size, length, and athleticism. I think they should give him the other two way contract and have him working full-time with NBA coaches. If he could be ready for NBA minutes in two seasons, he would be an ideal JB understudy.

Kabengele is an intriguing big, especially when he steps out and makes threes. I can see him beating out Kornet for the fourth big, assuming management doesn’t see him as a third big candidate.

Now that Brad has filled out the rotation with actual wily veteran NBA players, there’s nothing wrong with filling in spots 14, 15, and the two two way spots with uber athletes like JDD, Begarin, and Kab, and a one skill specialist like Matt Ryan
I agree with all this except maybe giving Ryan an NBA deal but I believe Kab would be spot 13 and Ryan 14. So they'd still have the 15th spot. Not that it changes your overall point any. I could have missed a move too.

I think I may like Davison more than Begarin but Begarin's size obviously gives him more of a ceiling.
 

DJnVa

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Adventures in +/-

Begarin plays 35 minutes and is +10
Davison plays 33 minutes and is -10

That's hard to do with 2 guys playing that many minutes in same game.
 

benhogan

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Yeah, I see you edited your post while I was responding. I was going to say give Begarin the 2nd spot and sign Kabengele to an NBA deal.

They'd need to sign one other player after that, I think.
Both players really stood out. Begarin is a lot better this summer.

I wouldn't be surprised if Brad hands the other two-way to Ryan, while they let Begarin ripen another year overseas. Totally trust Brad's vision here.

The Celtics have 3 roster spots out of 15 left + a two-way (they could go with 14 to open the season)
1. Tatum
2. Brown
3. TL
4. Horford
5. Smart
6. Brogdon
7. Gallo
8. White
9. Grant
10. vet 3rd string Center?
11. PP
12. Hauser
13. vet WING?
14. young BIG like Kabegnele?
15. Kornet

2-way: JD Davidson
2-way: Ryan or Begarin
 

TripleOT

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Adventures in +/-

Begarin plays 35 minutes and is +10
Davison plays 33 minutes and is -10

That's hard to do with 2 guys playing that many minutes in same game.
That stint when Davison had to play with Jordan Bone and the Nets ran out a bunch of points was particularly brutal. Bone was horrible this SL.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Best thing about Davison is he looked to get others involved in a league that is pretty "get mine" orientated. It probably helps that he already has a contract so he's not playing for a deal.

Hopefully that carries over in the G league too.
 

TripleOT

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Best thing about Davison is he looked to get others involved in a league that is pretty "get mine" orientated. It probably helps that he already has a contract so he's not playing for a deal.

Hopefully that carries over in the G league too.
It looks like Davidson will end up leading the summer league in assists per game, at 8.2 apg (to 3 TOpg) and shot 46% from three, two things that wasn’t expected from a young point guard that had the reputation for not being able to run an offense and not being able to hit the long ball. He also hit the glass, at 4.8 rpg.

He is going to get great lessons during training camp, going against players like Smart and Derrick White.
 

Jimbodandy

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Yeah, I was just thinking if they had a "Most Improved Player" award for Summer League, Begarin would be in the running (from game 1 to game 5).
Word. He had rust or confidence to deal with or something, but his performance improved throughout. Definitely see something there, where after games 1-2 it was not very clear.

I've said it a bunch but I loved the Davison (and Juhann) pick. The dude is a real athlete and is long for his height and is perfectly acceptable for a PG. He may be that guy who can cover other teams quick PGs that the C's have struggled with in recent years. . Hopefully he slid to the C's in part because people were too focused on the height and not the wingspan and standing reach. He's raw but he has great vision and most of his flaws are things that are gained with experience (poor decision making, shooting).

Hopefully this is a Stevens trend. Pick the young, raw athlete with later picks. Swing for the fences.
These guys definitely have NBA bodies and athleticism. Both look for others too. Good stuff.
 

chilidawg

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Gotta say I was pleasantly surprised by this year's SL team. They seemed young and poorly pedigreed compared to last year's team, but Kabengele, Begarin and Davison all looked the part of an NBA player.
 

128

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Gotta say I was pleasantly surprised by this year's SL team. They seemed young and poorly pedigreed compared to last year's team, but Kabengele, Begarin and Davison all looked the part of an NBA player.
Agreed. The Summer C's looked awful in their Vegas opener, but they steadily improved as the games went on.
 

benhogan

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that surprises me, in the sense that I thought Matt Ryan woul get the other 2-way.
Wonder what Brad has up his sleeve for those 3 open roster spots? Very flexible end of the bench (Kornet's only gtd $100K until 8/15 when another $300K is due)

Kabengele could battle in the preseason, see if he fits with the vets, then Brad can convert him to the roster.

ALSO having a young/bouncy center on one of the 2-ways isn't the worst idea, lengthens the roster (2010 PTSD)

A few rebuilders may get drunk on Summer League, which could shake out some useful end-of-the-bench veterans
 

pjheff

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that surprises me, in the sense that I thought Matt Ryan woul get the other 2-way.
The Kabengele two-way, along with the fact that Ryan let himself be shut down for the last couple of games, makes me wonder if he has already secured a roster spot.