NBA preseason game thread

[ifmanis5]

It's here, people. The N B A. 
 
First preseason game is Friday night Nuggets at Clips.
 
Celtics first PSG is at Olimpia on Tues 10/6 2:30pm Eastern on NBA TV from Milan, Italy.

 

[ifmanis5]

Pierce only hit one shot last night but it was a typical big PP shot- the kind where the other team calls a timeout right after it. Those momentum switcher/dagger type shots he's made all his career. He can't do it as often and his minutes will be limited but he can still rise to the occasion. Also, Mudiay got many lessons from CP3. He's got talent but he's a bit all over the place, which is to be expected.

 

[ifmanis5]

Stauskis has a bad tibia and Blake broke the shot clock in a layup line..
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAnqfvN6WSc

 

[luckiestman]

Kidd-Gilchrist expected to miss season with a separated shoulder. Never knew that was a 6 month injury.

There are degrees. I had the mild kind from getting thrown and I only really felt agony trying to sleep, but I think if severe it is a much different animal.

 

[JCizzle]

Very early, but this bodes well...


https://twitter.com/ByJayKing/status/651215405655035904

This doesn't count toward the pick that's going to Boston but... https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/651214547953446912

Fenerbahce, playing without three key rotation players, about to knock off the Brooklyn Nets on their home floor. Not a great look for Nets.

 

[ifmanis5]

They got pwnd at home by Jan Vesely.

 

[TheDeuce222]

Celtics about to tip off on CSNNE against Olympia Milano in Italy.  Milano has some legitimate talent, including former Purdue All-American (and constantly injured) Robbie Hummel, Georgia Tech's Gani Lawal, and journeyman Oliver Lafayette (who had a very short cup of coffee with the Garnett/Pierce Celts in 2010).  
 
Should be fun to watch the rotations.  Celtics are starting Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, David Lee and Tyler Zeller. 

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Rotation is going to be nuts this year. Kept everybody and added bigs who deserve/need minutes. Rookies will be hard pressed for time, Hunter less so if he proves he can shoot the lights out.

 

[ifmanis5]

I'll watch the replay later tonight but at least were not getting schooled by Vesely.

 

[JBJ_HOF]

How come Hunter shot 29.8 from 3 last year and people talk about him like he is some sniper god?

 

[bowiac]

Because people think he took a ton of bad shots as time was running off the shot clock due to poor teammate quality. It helps that shot a pretty great 88% from the line, so people believe in his stroke, and it helps support the "somebody has to shoot it" narrative. It sounds plausible enough to believe if you want. Of course, he's a rookie, so he's a pretty sure bet to stink this year...

 

[TheDeuce222]

How come Hunter shot 29.8 from 3 last year and people talk about him like he is some sniper god?

 
First of all your stat is incorrect.  He shot 30.5% from three last year.  He shot 39.5% from three as a sophomore, and was the absolute focal point of a relatively ordinary Georgia State team last year, getting double and triple teamed.  His FT% is also tremendous, at a pretty even 88% from sophomore to junior year, and FT% is often thought to be a very good predictor of 3PT % in the pros.  He may not be Reggie Miller in his prime, but he can shoot.  The question is whether he can do the other things and, particularly whether he can compete physically.  
 
Interestingly, he was the second guard off the bench tonight after Thomas.  Granted Turner didn't play, but he's clearly ahead of James Young right now, and he may be ahead of Rozier too because his shooting is badly needed.  Also, James Young looked completely lost.  

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Because people think he took a ton of bad shots as time was running off the shot clock due to poor teammate quality. It helps that shot a pretty great 88% from the line, so people believe in his stroke, and it helps support the "somebody has to shoot it" narrative. It sounds plausible enough to believe if you want. Of course, he's a rookie, so he's a pretty sure bet to stink this year...

Also 39% and 36% his first two seasons.

Kevin Martin seems to be the easy comp that comes to mind for people - another small program guy whose percentages in college ranged from 38 to 31.

Edit: (not saying he will be Kevin Martin at all, just agreeing that we don't really know)

 

[ifmanis5]

Also, James Young looked completely lost.  

This is sad to hear but I think if he was going to break out it would have happened by now. I love his build and stroke but he just can't seem to put it all together. Her floats way too much. The Celtics have so many bodies that he's going to get dropped/perma D-League'd if there isn't improvement soon.

 

[JCizzle]

This is sad to hear but I think if he was going to break out it would have happened by now. I love his build and stroke but he just can't seem to put it all together. Her floats way too much. The Celtics have so many bodies that he's going to get dropped/perma D-League'd if there isn't improvement soon.

Gerald Green lite?

 

[ifmanis5]

Stanley Johnson looking like a baller.

 

[ifmanis5]

Woah.



Kris Middleton Flat Out Rude On Jimmy Butler https://t.co/9gDRHCy90c
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) October 7, 2015

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Otto Porter picking where he left off in the playoffs last spring looking VERY comfortable out there tonight. Of course it was against an NBDL team in the Sixers but he is learning to play off Wall very well it seems.  Nene gained at least 30 lbs since the spring and not the good kind of weight, he's a complete fat tub of lard right now.

 

[luckiestman]

Watching David Lee passing the ball around, wow, it's like taking a bench player off the globetrotters and putting him on the Washington generals. Interested to see this team against stiffer competition

 

[ifmanis5]

Watching David Lee passing the ball around, wow, it's like taking a bench player off the globetrotters and putting him on the Washington generals. Interested to see this team against stiffer competition

Good point, he's out to prove a point this year. He's still a very well rounded offensive player and he'll be highly motivated. Defense, well...

 

[luckiestman]

Amir, David Lee and Isaiah Thomas stay healthy, we're getting the 2 seed in the East. Calling it now

 

[bowiac]

Amir, David Lee and Isaiah Thomas stay healthy, we're getting the 2 seed in the East. Calling it now

I think we're better off without David Lee, but I've been on the train since July.

 

[luckiestman]

I think we're better off without David Lee, but I've been on the train since July.

I hope your right. I like watching Lee play though. Hopefully Stevens can find a way to hide his deficiencies on the defensive end

 

[ifmanis5]

Amir, David Lee and Isaiah Thomas stay healthy, we're getting the 2 seed in the East. Calling it now

538 agrees with you: http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/nba-boston-celtics-preview-carmelo/

 

[luckiestman]

538 agrees with you: http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/nba-boston-celtics-preview-carmelo/

 
 
I have to say I don't like this buzz. I hope it is all correct, but it has me more worried. I would have preferred if they could lay low. 

 

[soxhop411]

Los Angeles Lakers ‏@Lakers 18m18 minutes ago
Per @LakersReporter: Kobe Bryant has a left lower-leg contusion. He will not return tonight.

 

[Fishy1]

"Jordan Mickey was "dominant" during Tuesday's practice, according to Brad Stevens. Stevens says he was the best player on the court."
 
https://twitter.com/celtics/status/654312928099860480?s=02
 
All aboard the hype train.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Preseason game vs the Nets tonight.

Amir Johnson is knocking down threes and Kelly O is sporting Gigi Datome's bun.

 

[tims4wins]

"Jordan Mickey was "dominant" during Tuesday's practice, according to Brad Stevens. Stevens says he was the best player on the court."
 
https://twitter.com/celtics/status/654312928099860480?s=02
 
All aboard the hype train.

So in other words he'll be traded in like a week

 

[Eddie Jurak]

So in other words he'll be traded in like a week

Nah. No one is offering enough for him to make it worth doing a deal, even if you assume they DON'T like him (which is probably false).

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Jarrett Jack picks up a flagrant 2 for delivering a textbook shoulder check to Jerebko on a fast break.

Maybe we can kill 2 birds with one stone by having the Bruins sign Jack to play defense for them, further weakening the Nets and improving the draft pick the C's will get from them.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

RJ has knocked down 3 threes.

 

[luckiestman]

RJ has knocked down 3 threes.

He can shoot. On the other hand, Zeller can't make a layup this year

 

[luckiestman]

Nets showed up for a scrimmage and the Celtics are acting like this is game 7 of the Finals

 

[tims4wins]

Isn't that basically the line from Rudy

 

[Eddie Jurak]

RJ also had a nifty steal on defense, leading to one of his threes. I think he will challenge for minutes this year.

If Stevens is comfortable with Smart and Rozier handling the point, I could see them getting rid of Turner to resolve the roster crunch. His main value is as a ball handler on a PG-challenged team.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

https://twitter.com/zachlowe_nba/status/654452688575430657

 

[luckiestman]

I did not know Amir was this good. I didn't know he could move like this.

 

[luckiestman]

Isn't that basically the line from Rudy

Great movie

 

[bowiac]

I did not know Amir was this good. I didn't know he could move like this.

Dude is great. While he doesn't vertical athleticism, his lateral speed is great for a big. He's the reason I was so high on the Celtics coming into the year. Just need to hope he stays healthy.

 

[Sam Ray Not]

Amir Johnson's been an advanced stats darling for years. By prior-informed RAPM, he was the #27 ranked player in the NBA last season (+3.5 total +1.9 offense, +1.6 defense).

 

[Kliq]

I just love this rookie class. I love the guys on top like Towns, Okafor and Mudiay, I like the mid-round guys like Montrez Harrell and Hunter. I think this is going to be a great year for this class.

 

[AMS25]

Amir Johnson's been an advanced stats darling for years. By prior-informed RAPM, he was the #27 ranked player in the NBA last season (+3.5 total +1.9 offense, +1.6 defense).

 
I love Amir. I've had him on my fantasy team twice. Lots of rebounds, some blocks, and a fairly high shooting percentage. He wasn't getting much playing time last year on Toronto. It'll be interesting to see how he plays for the Celtics.

 

[Fishy1]

Hunter has been impressive with his shooting and passing.

 

[ifmanis5]

Sully's new hairdo is a bit of a reach.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

RJ getting a look at PG...

 

[teddykgb]

I'm falling in love with Hunter. Does so many little things well, back to back air balls aside

 

[ifmanis5]

Sasha huge flop. He is still a bitch.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Can't be good for Sully that he is playing in the 4th quarter of this game.  With Hunter, Young, Mickey, and Walden.

 

[luckiestman]

Mickey can really jump. Don't remember the last Celtic that could get in the air like that. Dee Brown maybe but that was a different kind of thing.