Celtics 16/17 Roster and Assets

[Imbricus]

Longtime lurker (lurking longer than many here have been posting)! Anyway, been following the draft-and-stash kids with much interest. Zizic just had a monster game for Darussafaka: "In just his second start, the 20-year old dominated in the paint with 16 points and 18 rebounds, the latter number marking both a club record and the most in the league this season." Plus, he was up against the winner of the EuroLeague Best Defender award, Bryant Dunston. Got so excited I registered for the board. Soon will be changing screen name to PantsParty2 .

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Longtime lurker (lurking longer than many here have been posting)! Anyway, been following the draft-and-stash kids with much interest. Zizic just had a monster game for Darussafaka: "In just his second start, the 20-year old dominated in the paint with 16 points and 18 rebounds, the latter number marking both a club record and the most in the league this season." Plus, he was up against the winner of the EuroLeague Best Defender award, Bryant Dunston. Got so excited I registered for the board. Soon will be changing screen name to PantsParty2 .

Welcome aboard. Here are the highlights from the game you mention. He's got a high motor and some nice footwork but hopefully he'll start expanding his offensive game.

 

[DannyDarwinism]

Granted, everything I've seen from him has been highlight reels like the one above, but as you'd hope for a seven footer, he's good at getting his man on his back and sticking his butt out to create space and he has good timing, so while he doesn't seem to have a decent bounce, he'll be a plus rebounder. Still could get stronger. Good footwork, nice shooting touch, but he needs to learn how to set a proper screen. Definitely encouraged by what I've seen.

He just turned 20, so he's a couple of months older than Markannen, purely for reference since they're not comparable in much of anything except size and age. He's also a couple of months older than Zubac, who has been playing well for the Lakers.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Looking at Zizic's career trend and he has improved a lot at the FT line. .452, .702, .724, .792. The .452 was on 31 FTs, otherwise sample size isn't an issue.

 

[Devizier]

Zizic looks pretty quick for a guy his size. It's not just technique, he actually looks physically quick.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Looking at Zizic's career trend and he has improved a lot at the FT line. .452, .702, .724, .792. The .452 was on 31 FTs, otherwise sample size isn't an issue.

His shooting mechanics are excellent as well which is where his offensive upside resides. He has gained so much quickness and confidence from last year. He's a big riser right now. Reminds me some of my binky Meyers Leonard who is now a legit, quick release 3-point threat while attempting I believe one 3-point FGA all through college.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I was at the game tonight and am now on the Jaylen Brown bandwagon. He is so strong around the basket and when (not if) he develops an outside shot he is going to be a beast. He reminds me of Jimmy Butler a bit. Not saying he will be as good but their games are similar.

 

[Koufax]

Yeah, very interesting that he's getting some starts. Big vote of confidence from the coach.

 

[Kliq]

Jaylen is in an interesting situation because being on a good team, he not only won't get the reps the way a guy like Brandon Ingram, or Marquisse Christ are going to get; plus because the games he plays in are of consequence that can discourage a young player from necessary experimentation. I loved watching him tonight because he was encouraged to go out and be aggressive and he did that. He's a mature guy that understands what his game is and does that to the best of his ability, but at the same time he should be encouraged to shoot the three and experiment.

 

[luckiestman]

His shooting mechanics are excellent as well which is where his offensive upside resides. He has gained so much quickness and confidence from last year. He's a big riser right now. Reminds me some of my binky Meyers Leonard who is now a legit, quick release 3-point threat while attempting I believe one 3-point FGA all through college.

You like his FT form? I don't, but I'm no shot doctor, I just noticed him at the line tonight and didn't think it was great

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

You like his FT form? I don't, but I'm no shot doctor, I just noticed him at the line tonight and didn't think it was great

HRB was talking about Zizac. I assume you are talking about Jaylen.

 

[luckiestman]

HRB was talking about Zizac. I assume you are talking about Jaylen.

Oh Jesus, yeah, my bad.

 

[Imbricus]

Zizic played tonight in Europe. 6/7 from the field for 14 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block. Nice stat line (though if he's six for seven, chances are good he's either shooting dunks or layups, so probably still needs work on that jump shot). There's a video here showing him with a put-back dunk. Danny, don't trade this guy.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

From Zach Lowe:

6. A funky Boston trio

With Jaylen Brown starting and Avery Bradley out, Brad Stevens' rejiggered rotation occasionally lands on lineups featuring Brown, Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko -- a funky small-ball trio that works better than you'd think.

It's rare to find a smallish lineup in which all three wings can credibly defend any position from shooting guard to power forward. All three of these dudes are stout and tough, and they can handle all but the most bruising power forwards in a pinch. Jerebko doesn't quite have the quicks to patrol little speedsters, but he's cagey enough to hang with them for a few seconds as the shot clock ticks down.

Boston is a whopping plus-32 in the 85 minutes these guys have shared the floor, per NBA.com. Brown looks shockingly comfortable as a starter -- a violent slasher with a mean-spirited, butt-first post game to deploy against smaller defenders. He is playing with more control than he showed during a wild first few months. Crowder is quietly shooting almost 42 percent from deep, and Jerebko makes the right play every time

 

[MarkBT]

Typical Lowe: An astute observation that is backed by some numbers. I've been really impressed with Jaylen in the starting role - he picks his spots and is starting to understand the defensive concepts. Assuming AB comes back 100%, this injury may be "worth it" in the sense that Brown is getting exposed to consistent minutes with the starters that will prove helpful later in the season

 

[the moops]

Jaylen makes a bunch of mistakes, like nearly every rookie, but he looks so damn fluid out there. Once his handle improves,he will be able to get to the rim at will against most defenders.

 

[Koufax]

He's certainly getting some great experience now and he's growing nicely into the role.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Without looking at the numbers, this run the Cs are on during Avery's injury is really heartening compared to the troubles the Cs had last year when AB was injured - particularly against ATL in the playoffs last year. Shows how much more talent the Cs have on their roster - and kudos to Brad for developing it. He's done a great job woth Jaylen and Rozier.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Typical Lowe: An astute observation that is backed by some numbers. I've been really impressed with Jaylen in the starting role - he picks his spots and is starting to understand the defensive concepts.

Yes. I also think that some of this is the C's reaping the benefits of a bigger lineup. I think they have been hurt defensively by giving so many minutes to undersized wings, especially alongside Isaiah. Having Brown in at 2-guard seems to be a natural fit for him and a way to add size and athelticism to the lineup.

Much as I like Avery Bradley, I think he'll be gone if the Celtics commit to Isaiah.

 

[Koufax]

I'm with you on Bradley, not because he isn't very good, but because he's expendable. Isaiah will put fannies in the seats while the Celtics roll out their long plan. Avery won't sell as many tickets.

 

[cardiacs]

nm, was covered already

 

[MarkBT]

Yes. I also think that some of this is the C's reaping the benefits of a bigger lineup. I think they have been hurt defensively by giving so many minutes to undersized wings, especially alongside Isaiah. Having Brown in at 2-guard seems to be a natural fit for him and a way to add size and athelticism to the lineup.

Much as I like Avery Bradley, I think he'll be gone if the Celtics commit to Isaiah.

I think that's right. Especially if they end up with Ball or Fultz in the draft. Trading him this summer won't exactly optimize his value, since he'll have one year left on what's now he really team friendly deal, and he'll be due a new contract. My perception is that the trade market will primarily be a contender type who is trying to add "the missing piece" or a team that is ready to pay him $16M+ for his age 27-32 years.

I can't imagine there'll be many teams that are interested in Bradley long term who will give up much value for one year.. instead of just trying to sign him on the open market. And the problem with trading him to a team that wants a one year rental is that hopefully that will be the Cetlics competition...

 

[cardiacs]

Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul plays Real Madrid on Friday night. A good chance to see both Zizic and Doncic.
Zizic is 10.3/7.6 over his last 8 games shooting 67% from the floor.