Celtics Utah Summer League Thread

amfox1 · Jul 5, 2015

Phil Pressey is also playing in the summer league. His contract must be guaranteed by July 15th or he will become a free agent.

The first three games are in Utah (coached by Jay Larranaga); the remaining games are in Las Vegas (coached by Micah Shrewsberry).

Buster Olney the Lonely · Jul 5, 2015

One thing I don't understand about the summer league. How do teams compel these rookies to play games when most (if not all of them) are unsigned? If Rozier blows out his knee tomorrow night, what happens?

Cellar-Door · Jul 5, 2015

Buster Olney the Lonely said:
One thing I don't understand about the summer league. How do teams compel these rookies to play games when most (if not all of them) are unsigned? If Rozier blows out his knee tomorrow night, what happens?

I know in the NFL they make a deal as soon as negotiations start that if the player is injured in a team activity (camp workouts, etc.) the team will follow certain rules in negotiating.
Here is a breakdown from an Agent of how that works, I'd assume the NBA is similar.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25179472/agents-take-how-dante-fowlers-injury-will-likely-impact-his-contract

Klostrophobic · Jul 5, 2015

I don't know about the first round picks but the second round guys aren't guaranteed contracts so what are they gonna do, sit out? Maybe, but doesn't seem in their best interest.

Cellar-Door · Jul 6, 2015

In no surprise, in the early game Okafor outplayed COdy Lalane (who managed an impressive 8 fouls in 26 minutes).

HomeRunBaker · Jul 6, 2015

I don't see a whole lot of purpose for Smart playing in all of these games. He's taking touches away from Rozier, Hunter and Young who could be much better served than watching Smart jack up a dozen 3-pointers and scoring in the paint against Jack Cooley.

I should change my sig to "Marcus Smart is not a point guard" so I won't be tempted to repeat it 100x this summer.

radsoxfan · Jul 6, 2015

Id feel better about Rozier if I could tell the difference between him and Bryce Cotton.

Smart is better than Exum. Hood is better than Young.

Mickey doesn't look half bad.

Cellar-Door · Jul 6, 2015

Smart is schooling Exum, so that's nice.

Cellar-Door · Jul 6, 2015

Jujuan Johnson sighting!

luckiestman · Jul 6, 2015

The Celtics level of defensive intensity is pretty funny for the first game of summer league.

Cellar-Door · Jul 6, 2015

Couldn't tell who it was on Utah, but way to endear yourself to the coaches:
1. Have the ball stolen.
2. Stand off to the side while players hit the floor.
3. When it bounces right to you sparking a 3 on 1 break try a behind the back bounce pass
4. Throw it off the center's knees out of bounds for a turnover

radsoxfan · Jul 6, 2015

I wish James Young didn't look drunk out there.

On the bright side, a couple really nice moves from Rozier. Not hard to see the explosiveness and scoring ability.

HomeRunBaker · Jul 6, 2015

ifmanis5 said:
Exum looks constantly out of breath.

He looks really out of shape too. A very soft body and not a whole lot of definition....and he seems winded whenever the camera is on him.

radsoxfan · Jul 6, 2015

ifmanis5 said:
Exum looks constantly out of breath.

He also looks fat.

HomeRunBaker · Jul 6, 2015

ifmanis5 said:
Cotton is fun to watch.

If Bryce had Dante's body you could say that Cotton is soft.

(as he gets booed off stage)

teddykgb · Jul 6, 2015

Getting super worried about Young. He's running the Gerald Green memorial run into the corner on offense and look lost and immobile on D. He needed to make a leap

Cellar-Door · Jul 6, 2015

Rozier, really nice move to the rim, then decides to lay it up and gets blocked. DUNK THE BALL.

teddykgb · Jul 6, 2015

Our summer league team rebounds and protects the rim like our regular team. I've liked what I've seen of Rozier, he's really got the athleticism

Cellar-Door · Jul 6, 2015

This team seems exceptionally bad at hitting 5 foot shots.

teddykgb · Jul 6, 2015

We're making Exum look like wade

radsoxfan · Jul 6, 2015

Hate to make too much of one game, but Young looks terrible. Hunter also not exactly distinguishing himself. Rozier looks a lot more NBA ready than him, maybe Danny knew what he was doing taking them in the order he did.

teddykgb · Jul 6, 2015

Hunter at least making some hustle plays. He's not going to play a ton but being able to contribute off the ball will be important for him

luckiestman · Jul 6, 2015

This replay system continues to be a joke

teddykgb · Jul 6, 2015

I'm pretty sure Smart just had a tech called on him for being fouled

luckiestman · Jul 6, 2015

Good for Smart. "You want to see a flagrant, I'll show you a flagrant"

EL Jeffe · Jul 7, 2015

Like HRB said, not sure what point playing Smart serves here. On the plus side, it was good to see him play aggressively and attack the rim. 12-13 from the line and carried himself like the best player on the court (which he was). On the downside, 2-10 on threes was ugly.
Rozier - Does he remind anyone else of Robert Pack or is it just me? Quick as heck, defends and made a few buckets. Doesn't seem to have a point guard's vision or playmaking skills. Then again, it's a summer league sample size of one game, so...
Young - Unfortunately he is who I thought he is. He wasn't a particularly good player at Kentucky but had the pedigree and sweet looking shot (that doesn't actually go in nearly as much as you'd think). He still looks a long ways away from contributing to an NBA team. He's only 19 though, so we'll see. Rodney Hood (who I liked coming out of Duke) looked superior to Young.
Hunter - I knew he'd have trouble defending but holy crap he's bad. When the Dante Cunninghams of the world are blowing by you like a young Jordan, you're in trouble. None of his shots fell, but unlike Rozier, he sees the court well and made a few nifty passes. He'll need to be hidden in a zone if he ever sees the court this season, because actual NBA wings will destroy him.
Mickey - Way too skinny, but with an NBA PED/weight room program, he could have an NBA future. He got tossed around by summer league bangers so I can't imagine him trying to box out a Tristan Thompson in a real game. Looked smooth offensively though.

HomeRunBaker · Jul 7, 2015

EL Jeffe said:
Like HRB said, not sure what point playing Smart serves here. On the plus side, it was good to see him play aggressively and attack the rim. 12-13 from the line and carried himself like the best player on the court (which he was). On the downside, 2-10 on threes was ugly.

Rozier - Does he remind anyone else of Robert Pack or is it just me? Quick as heck, defends and made a few buckets. Doesn't seem to have a point guard's vision or playmaking skills. Then again, it's a summer league sample size of one game, so...

Young - Unfortunately he is who I thought he is. He wasn't a particularly good player at Kentucky but had the pedigree and sweet looking shot (that doesn't actually go in nearly as much as you'd think). He still looks a long ways away from contributing to an NBA team. He's only 19 though, so we'll see. Rodney Hood (who I liked coming out of Duke) looked superior to Young.

Hunter - I knew he'd have trouble defending but holy crap he's bad. When the Dante Cunninghams of the world are blowing by you like a young Jordan, you're in trouble. None of his shots fell, but unlike Rozier, he sees the court well and made a few nifty passes. He'll need to be hidden in a zone if he ever sees the court this season, because actual NBA wings will destroy him.

Mickey - Way too skinny, but with an NBA PED/weight room program, he could have an NBA future. He got tossed around by summer league bangers so I can't imagine him trying to box out a Tristan Thompson in a real game. Looked smooth offensively though.

I'm expecting Smart to be in street clothes tonight with Pressey taking his spot in the lineup. Nothing to gain by Smart chucking up ill-advised shots versus inferior competition when the ball can be in Rozier, Hunter, and others hands. Watching him finish at the rim versus 6-7 Jack Cooley doesn't do anything to help him.....jacking up 10 three's doesn't either.

If Rozier has a 12-year NBA career as a rotation guard than he's a success story at the 16th pick where most are out of the league within 4-5 years. Unfortunately for us, Young looks like a flier that isn't progressing as hoped. He is still very young and showed spurts at UK especially in March when he was their best player leading them to the Finals but there is so much missing from his game. He is showing more "20-year old Gerald Green lost" than I felt he would after his year in college.

It was Hunter's first game, I'm not reading much into a few bit minutes while Smart was jacking up shots all night. Mickey looked awful defending the high screen and isn't ready at all for NBA minutes. His future is predicated on extending his range out to the 3-point line as a stretch-4.....so he has a ways to go on both ends of the floor. I'd still like to see him stashed in Europe like Thornton (who would also benefit from Smart in street clothes) will be so he can gain strength and extend his shooting range as he does have a very nice release and touch from mid-range.

jscola85 · Jul 7, 2015

1. As a Friar alum I was rooting hardest for Bryce Cotton out there. Just a waterbug on the floor when he is there. Hard not to like him if you know his story.

2. Smart dominated as he needed to. Guys like him, Hood and Exum have to show they don't belong on the same floor as chumps like Fair, Motum, and Jack Cooley. Did not like that he lost his cool in the last 5-7 minutes of the game when calls went against him - that stuff needs to stop or he'll never gain favor from the refs.

3. Rozier was the fastest guy on the court, and displayed great hands/feet on defense, but needs to learn how to play at different speeds and must get stronger to fight through picks, etc.

4. Mickey was super energetic. Again, needs to add 15 pounds (same as for Rozier/Hunter) but he has huge spring in his feet, is very fluid and knows how to operate the P&R. Should stick just because of that and his relative youth.

5. Young clearly got stronger in the offseason and can at least put it on the deck a little (nice give and go to Buckner for a slam) but floated too much and I didn't feel like he was active enough. Want to see more of him. Shooting stroke is still like silk - hard not to love that. Also have to remember he is STILL the youngest guy on the floor at just 19.

6. Hunter was overwhelmed on offense, but defensively held his own better than I thought. Seems to be a guy with good instincts - someone who the ball seems magnetically attracted to for loose balls, tip-in's, rebounds, etc.

Overall I was underwhelmed by everyone but Smart (did what needed to) and Mickey. Rozier looks like he is not ready to even supplant Pressey. Young still has huge holes in his game. Hunter will spend time in the D-League and the weight room before playing for Stevens.

bowiac · Jul 7, 2015

Young's game lacks the "connective tissue" to be a contributor right now. Even if he were a knockdown shooter, that's not enough by itself.

I'm surprised people are opposed to Smart playing/jacking up threes. I don't have strong views on this, but he's the one possible semi-blue chip asset the Celtics have. Don't they want to develop him as much as possible?

CreightonGubanich · Jul 7, 2015

bowiac said:
Young's game lacks the "connective tissue" to be a contributor right now. Even if he were a knockdown shooter, that's not enough by itself.

I'm surprised people are opposed to Smart playing/jacking up threes. I don't have strong views on this, but he's the one possible semi-blue chip asset the Celtics have. Don't they want to develop him as much as possible?

I agree on Smart. Right now, his ball handling and ability to attack the basket are what separates him from being a starting caliber guard, as opposed to a combo guard off the bench. If he can put those pieces together, I think he could really make a leap forward. I'm skeptical that he'll get there, like most here, but these are valuable, much needed developmental minutes for Smart. He learned the system and the NBA game last year, now he needs to learn how his strengths fit into that.

I know the level of competition isn't close to NBA level, but Smart can still learn how to identify opportunities to attack the rim, and when to look for his own offense versus creating for others. He's not going to get by on first-step quickness, so he needs reps in order to figure this stuff out. Rozier, Hunter and Young will get plenty of playing time regardless.

HomeRunBaker · Jul 7, 2015

The reason I don't see what Smart gains here is that he fell back into his Oklahoma State bad habits of being able to muscle his way into the paint while not worrying much about long athletic big men to challenge him at the rim. He spent all of last season figuring out and learning what he could and could not do at the NBA level while determining what constituted a quality shot after repeatedly hoisting up ill-advised shots in college. Smart grew in these areas as a rookie.....muscling into the paint to go up against Cooley in the paint while launching long 3's with no consequence is a regression and not a development. It's bringing back these bad habits that he was learning how to break last year.

I'm wondering how many of these games he plays in. Ainge/Stevens have to see how this isn't doing him any good. Not only that.....his high Usage isn't helping the rookies get their feet wet.

radsoxfan · Jul 7, 2015

The saving grace for Young is that he is still only 19, and seems to have NBA size and shooting ability.

Unfortunately, all failed prospects were also 19 at one point, he can't live on that forever. It would be nice if he showed at least a little bit of development.

Last night was just 1 game, don't want to make too much out of it. But he was very bad in that game. He looked drunk and/or disinterested.

bowiac · Jul 7, 2015

Young is 19, and could have a long NBA career, but its hard to see it being with the Celtics right now. It's obviously early to say that, but he's not going to find minutes on this team right now (basically regardless of what trades they make), and there's only so long you can kick around the d-league.

This is sort of the downside to drafting someone super young. There's more development left in them, but the rookie contract is running the whole time.

Eddie Jurak · Jul 7, 2015

Today, no Smart.

Rozier/Young/Hunter/Holmes/Mickey start.

I watched a few minutes of yesterday's game, if you could call it a game. They should call it "slopball" and use a puke-colored basketball.

oumbi · Jul 7, 2015

bowiac said:
Young is 19, and could have a long NBA career, but its hard to see it being with the Celtics right now. It's obviously early to say that, but he's not going to find minutes on this team right now (basically regardless of what trades they make), and there's only so long you can kick around the d-league.

This is sort of the downside to drafting someone super young. There's more development left in them, but the rookie contract is running the whole time.

I have been watching Young in tonight's ugly, ugly game with Philly. It's now half time and he is 0- 6, 0-5 from 3 point range. Many of those shots were open looks. I can forgo concerns on the shooting (off night, summer league, whatever) but what has bothered me most is his poor defense.

Twice, the opposing player simply blasted by Young as Young stood still. A couple of times, Young would make the wrong switch or pick up the wrong man. Most of all, I just don't see him trying to affect the game with his defense or with effort.

Only one game, but an unimpressive one on many fronts.

HomeRunBaker · Jul 7, 2015

oumbi said:
I have been watching Young in tonight's ugly, ugly game with Philly. It's now half time and he is 0- 6, 0-5 from 3 point range. Many of those shots were open looks. I can forgo concerns on the shooting (off night, summer league, whatever) but what has bothered me most is his poor defense.

Twice, the opposing player simply blasted by Young as Young stood still. A couple of times, Young would make the wrong switch or pick up the wrong man. Most of all, I just don't see him trying to affect the game with his defense or with effort.

Only one game, but an unimpressive one on many fronts.

Yesterday was only one game......and two games begins a trend. Calipari had him busting his ass defensively at UK or else he knew he would get benched. It almost seems like his mindset is "I'm not playing this year anyway so I can get away with not busting it." Very discouraging.

teddykgb · Jul 7, 2015

Yeah he's got to move his feet defensively. He's just floating and reaching out there and showing no energy or desire

Cellar-Door · Jul 7, 2015

Lots and lots of missed open jumpers for the Celtics.

Cellar-Door · Jul 7, 2015

Hey, he just did something good. Nice catch, took the foul and made the shot. Then made his FT.

teddykgb · Jul 7, 2015

If Rozier could develop a semi reliable shot he could be a player. Really raw but I like what I see I think he's going to end up in our rotation

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