Player grades: the battle for the Celtics’ last rotation spot

The Celtics picked up proper the place they left off on the finish of final season: successful basketball video games by plenty of factors.

We noticed what we wanted from the starters. Jayson Tatum didn’t neglect easy methods to shoot, and Jaylen Brown continued on his warpath. My broader takeaway from the 2 preseason video games in opposition to the Denver Nuggets is that the Mazzulla Ball Machine continues to roll no matter who’s on the court docket.

Contemplating that, listed here are the up to date finish of the rotation energy rankings, or as they’re extensively identified, the Oshae Brissett Memorial Energy Rankings. I’m additionally handing out grades based mostly on the primary two preseason video games as a result of grades are enjoyable after they don’t contain me sweating out whether or not or not I’ll move tenth grade geometry.

Please observe that the grades are relative to expectations, not in a vacuum. For instance, Jaden Springer is coming into his fourth season. We have to maintain him to a better commonplace than Jordan Walsh. Baylor Scheierman is getting over some rookie jitters. JD Davison has been via this earlier than.

Jordan Walsh – B+

We noticed extra encouraging indicators from Jordan Walsh in his second preseason sport. The position of the tenth man on this Celtics staff is evident: play sound protection with out fouling, be in the appropriate spots, struggle for defensive rebounds and battle when you end up caught in a mismatch. On the offensive finish, shoot while you’re open, struggle for good spacing and make fast selections. Walsh ticks all of those containers via two preseason video games.

We wish extra of Walsh’s three-point makes an attempt to fall. I imagine that he’s a succesful shooter. Walsh shot 36.1% from three on 5.7 makes an attempt per sport within the G League final 12 months. What I proceed to note and luxuriate in is Walsh’s exercise on offense. Walsh isn’t simply sprinting to the nook and letting the motion unfold round him.

On this play, Payton Pritchard and Xavier Tillman do a wonderful job of getting the Nuggets in rotation and creating a bonus for the opposing facet of the court docket. As a substitute of simply ready for the swing move from Tillman, Walsh acknowledges Hunter Tyson isn’t in a position to make it out to Sam Hauser if he units a down display. Tyson doesn’t attempt to get out to Hauser, nevertheless it’s only a easy play that has a optimistic affect on the offense.

Walsh didn’t do something unimaginable within the second preseason sport however he’s beginning to make me imagine he’s able to enjoying 10-Quarter-hour an evening with out too many points.

Jaden Springer – C-

This was a greater sport from Springer. I assumed the protection flashed within the second preseason sport. Choosing guys up full court docket mixed with nice display navigation is the kind of stuff Springer is thought for and that’s what we noticed within the second preseason sport in opposition to the Nuggets. Springer’s protection can’t be inconsistent. When Springer is on the court docket, I need to really feel his vitality. Six-foot-four guards who aren’t explosive athletes with restricted offensive video games will not be a valued participant archetype within the NBA. If Springer goes to be impactful, he must do it on the defensive finish. It was good to see Springer hit a three-pointer, nonetheless, I nonetheless don’t belief the shot. Springer is a 27.4% three-point shooter throughout his G League and NBA profession.

Baylor Scheierman – D+

If I used to be breaking these rankings into tiers, there could be a transparent tier break after Springer. Baylor Scheierman at the least bought the memo to let it fly. Baylor bought up 5 three-pointers in twelve minutes in his second preseason sport. I’m not fearful about Baylor’s three-point shot long-term, however he has not been correct to begin his Celtics profession. Going 1-7 from three over his first two preseason video games, however I’m certain Joe Mazzulla is pleased that he missed nearly all of them. One factor that seems to be carrying over from Baylor’s profile as a prospect is his rebounding. Baylor pulled down three rebounds in his twelve minutes of motion. I’m a fan of Baylor’s concentrate on the defensive glass adopted by an aggressive push in transition.

Drew Peterson – B

Drew Peterson has discovered his manner onto the Oshae Brissett Memorial Energy Rankings. I can solely think about how a lot this implies to him. I’m undecided if Drew Peterson is an NBA participant, however I like his sport. He matches the Mazzulla Ball description — capturing with measurement, plus the flexibility to place the ball on the ground. Drew is a succesful shooter, ball handler and passer on the G League stage. Is he a shooter, ball handler, and passer on the NBA stage? In all probability not, however I see the imaginative and prescient.

Lonnie Walker IV – D

Lonnie Walker discovering his manner into the Celtics rotation appears like a protracted shot at this level. It’s unsurprising that each Walker and Scheierman are the 2 guys that look the least snug contemplating how a lot time they’ve spent within the Celtic’s system. Nonetheless, Lonnie is in a troublesome spot. On one hand, you may perceive Lonnie wanting to face out to make the choice to maintain him on the roster powerful on Brad Stevens; however, forcing out of rhythm pull-up midrange jumpers is just not the way in which to endear your self to move coach Mazzulla.