Random Thoughts as the Preseason Comes to a Close

 Training camp is over.  The preseason is behind us.  The Celtics have until Monday to make some tough decisions.   They waived Marcus Georges Hunt, Jalen Jones and Damion Lee on Thursday, but that was expected and these three will more than likely end up in Maine.



On Wednesday, it was thought that Ben Bentil would also end up in Maine but on Friday,  the Celtics waived him and he said that he would seek an opportunity with another NBA team.  That left the Celtics with 16 guaranteed contracts on the books.  Danny said that Gerald Green will be on the opening day roster so he seems to be safe.

That leaves the final spot between James Young, RJ Hunter and Demetrius Jackson.  Even though Jackson was a second round pick, it seems as though he has the inside track to stay with the team and possibly spend time with the Red Claws.  Danny is reportedly shopping both Hunter and Young around the league, hoping to pick up a second round pick for one of them.

But the problem with that scenario is that teams know that Danny is in a bind and has to cut one of them if he can't make a trade.  So why give up a pick if they can wait until Monday and pick whoever is waived up for nothing?   As far as the two players go,  it's a tough choice.

Hunter is entering his second season and in the preseason he averaged 7 points and 1.4 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per game.  He shot 43.2% from the field and 29.2% from beyond the arc.   Young is entering his third season and averaged 5.6 points, and 3.6 rebounds in 17.1 minutes per game in the preseason.  Even though he has been in the league one more year, Young is still 1 year younger than Hunter.

Hunter seems to have a better all around game while Young is more athletic.  Young still looks more lost on defense but neither is a lock down defender.  Whichever player stays with the Celtics will more than likely still spend time in the D-League.  It's interesting that Hunter is pretty much even with Young after one year in the league while it has taken Young 2 years but yet, Hunter is older.  Not an easy decision and I'm glad I don't have to make it.

With the roster at 16 guaranteed contracts and a cut coming by Monday, the Celtics yesterday announced the signing of Ryan Kelly.  Kelly is a 6’11" stretch four.  He was a  2013 2nd round pick (48th)  by the Lakers.  Over his 3 year career with the Lakers,  he appeared in 147 games playing 20 minutes per game and averaging 6.5 points and 3.3 blocks.  He shot 38% from the field and 31% from beyond the arc. 

Danny seems to go after guys who have a big game against the Celtics and that would include Kelly.  He scored 20 points in his rookie year in a Laker win over the Celtics but other than that,  he really hasn't done much.   He spent the preseason with the Hawks who waived him and the Celtics picked him up as soon as he cleared waivers.  Unless the Celtics make a multi-player trade to clear up roster space, Kelly will more than likely fill an affiliated player slot on the Red Claws.  Ben Bentil would have filled this slot but he decided to seek out an opportunity on another NBA team.

Now for an injury report.  Marcus Smart injured his ankle in the final preseason game and is questionable for opening night against the Nets.  It could have been a lot worse so I'm glad it was just a sprained ankle.   Kelly Olynyk is not expected back until mid-November while he continues to rehab his shoulder after surgery.   Other than that, it seems as though the Celtics are fully healthy.

Shoulder rehab hasn't kept Kelly Olynyk from doing other fun things besides basketball.
In an unrelated injury report,  it seems as though Jared Sullinger has missed all but the first preseason game for the Raptors with a foot injury.  He is questionable for the start of the regular season.   This is how Sully's problems happened in Boston.  He got in shape every off season and came back excited and ready to go and then an injury would side track him.  By the time he got back on the court,  his weight would start to creep back on and his conditioning was off.  I love Sully and I'm pulling for him to do well, even if it is with a division rival.

Terry Rozier was a bright spot in the preseason for the Celtics.  He was booed on draft night and then he spent much of the season on the bench and in Maine and then in Summer League, he surprised a lot of people with his play and then came into training camp even better.  He may be the league's most improved player this year.  He's definitely earned a spot in the rotation.

The Celtics defense should be crazy good this season.   Avery Bradley, Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Jae Crowder are all excellent defenders and a lineup with any 3 or 4 of those guys plus Al Horford will be one scary lineup.  Defense wins championships and the Celtics are well stocked with above average defenders.

I know that some people were less than pleased when the Celtics took Jaylen Brown with the third pick in the draft but he has changed a lot of minds since then.   He is a very quick learner and has played very well in training camp.  He has a calm and presence that you just don't often find in 19 year old rookies.  He's going to help the team this season and will definitely be in the rotation.

Just 4 days until the Celtics open the season against the Nets.   We saw in the preseason that the Nets are definitely going to play hard this season but they also don't have the talent to pull themselves out of the basement.   The Celtics should get another very good lottery pick in spite of their new found effort on the court.  Finally,  one fan at the last Celtics preseason game that was televised on ESPN got his 15 minutes of fame in a very strange way.

 Time to root against the Nets and for the Celtics!    I can't wait for the season to start!  It's going to be a fun one!!! 

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