LAS VEGAS — In postgame media scrums, head coaches get requested about gamers’ performances nearly each evening. Normally, whereas they praise the participant they’re requested about, additionally they oftentimes ensure that to not gasoline them up an excessive amount of.
So, it was a noteworthy second when Celtics Summer season League head coach Amile Jefferson completely lit up when he was requested in regards to the play of 25-year-old guard John Tonje.
“He’s one of many guys I’m most happy with as a result of he desires to make it,” Jefferson stated after the Celtics’ Wednesday evening win over the Sacramento Kings. “And when a man desires to make it, and when a man desires to be within the NBA, that’s the way you look. If any person desires to understand how laborious it’s to be within the NBA — you’ll be able to all see how good he’s. He’s given himself a extremely good likelihood. He’s undoubtedly an NBA participant.”
Tonje did every thing he might to point out that by 5 Summer season League contests, averaging 14.8 factors per sport and taking pictures 45.2% from past the arc.
However extra essential than his offensive contributions was his defensive influence, as a result of few questions exist surrounding Tonje’s capability to attain a bucket. (The Celtics guard averaged 18.1 factors per sport on the Maine Celtics final 12 months, highlighted by a 42-point outing in March).
Tonje made impactful performs on the defensive finish all Summer season League lengthy, whether or not that was a chasedown block or a pick-pocket. Within the Celtics’ extra time win, he secured the game-winning steal and go-ahead layup to solidify the victory. A number of instances all through the event, he showcased flashes of defensive excellence a step above his defensive status.
On Saturday, after a 14-point outing in opposition to the Orlando Magic, he credited his participant growth coach, Nana Foulland, for placing him in positions to succeed.
“Defensively, I gotta give a particular shoutout to a coach named Nana who’s really standing proper right here in entrance of me,” Tonje stated, as Foulland hovered behind the scrum. “All summer time, we’ve been centered, making an attempt to get higher and dealing on weaknesses, and he hasn’t been afraid to inform me what I have to get higher at. We simply actually acquired after it this summer time, and I feel it confirmed a bit of bit in summer time league.”
John Tonje eyes one other alternative within the NBA
Tonje joined the Celtics on a two-way contract midseason final 12 months. However whereas fellow two-way participant Amari Williams signed a second two-way contract earlier this month, Tonje didn’t. As such, he arrived in Las Vegas a free agent in pursuit of one other likelihood within the league.
Amile Jefferson believes Tonje did sufficient to point out he belonged.
“Everybody needed to see the protection from John, and I feel he confirmed that at a brilliant excessive stage,” Jefferson stated. “I’ve talked your entire week about how proud I’m of the hassle he’s given, and most of that has come defensively. Clearly, he’s a high-level shot-maker in any respect three ranges. He can get to the rim, he can shoot the mid-range, and he can catch and shoot the three and off the dribble. And so, you simply need to see, for his place, are you able to guard the ball? Are you able to strain the ball? Are you able to be in your shifts? Are you able to be the place you have to be? And I feel he confirmed that he can try this at a excessive stage.”
Tonje could or could not find yourself in Boston subsequent 12 months. Williams is already on one among three two-way contracts, whereas Milos Uzan and Tucker DeVries will each get the prospect to compete for one whereas on coaching camp offers. Dillon Mitchell, the Celtics’ standout fortieth total choose, can also be a possible candidate for a two-way contract, assuming he doesn’t get signed to an precise roster spot.
No matter what occurs subsequent, Tonje’s personal self-belief is plain.
“I’m fairly assured,” he stated with a smile. “I’m fairly assured — perhaps even delusional. I can’t lose that. I feel I’m an NBA participant, and that’s what I’m striving to get to, and be at. So I like the place I’m at proper now, and I’m simply gonna maintain working.”
