Hugo Gonzalez’s debut included frustrating moments — and a ton of promise

LAS VEGAS — Late within the second quarter of his NBA Summer time League debut, Hugo Gonzalez was visibly displeased.

The 19-year-old Celtics rookie had simply gone 1 for five from the free-throw line, and summer time league head coach Matt Reynolds yelled encouraging phrases at him from the sideline:

“There’s loads of recreation left!”

Gonzalez didn’t essentially have a nasty begin — his recreation started with a putback layup, which he instantly adopted with a deflection.

However the missed free throws caught.

“I’m not permitting myself to overlook like I did right this moment,” Gonzalez stated. “After I’m getting upset due to right this moment’s recreation, it’s due to the free-throw line.”

All in all, Gonzalez was strong in his debut recreation — he completed with 12 factors, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. And, defensively, Gonzalez was relentless, pressuring the ball and tallying two blocks and a steal.

“That was a wonderful tone that he and our backcourt set all through the course of the sport,” stated Reynolds.

Reynolds additionally praised Gonzalez’s decision-making, noting that the Spanish rookie made a number of good reads that didn’t translate in factors.

“I assumed that he created some benefits that we didn’t capitalize on, some that he might need simply had a troublesome roll across the rim or a kick out that we missed, however I assumed he was actually composed down the stretch,” stated the Celtics coach.

For Gonzalez, the debut was a difficult one, with the tempo, specifically, posing an adjustment.

“It was onerous,” he stated. “I used to be feeling truly fairly drained, however you gotta battle towards that.”

However there weren’t any nerves, he defined, pointing to his breadth {of professional} expertise and time enjoying in Europe. And, as he fielded questions in each English and Spanish, he got here off as a professional.

Teammates have been impressed with the rookie up to now. Middle Charles Bassey, who was a late addition to the Celtics’ Summer time League roster and is coming into his fifth NBA season, pointed to an offensive bag that Gonzalez didn’t essentially showcase in his debut.

“He loves that Euro step floater,” Bassey stated. “I’ve by no means seen anyone block it. I attempted to dam it — I couldn’t. He’s a superb participant.”

The Celtics got here away with a 92-78 victory of their first Summer time League recreation. In the end, that’s what was most vital to Gonzalez.

“I feel that we carried out very well,” Gonzalez stated. “We received the sport; that was the principle goal. Earlier than considering of particular person stuff and all the pieces, we received the sport. That’s what we’re right here for.”

However he was caught on the free throws.

“I’m not permitting myself to do this once more.”