Well, another Celtics’ summer league has come to an end.  Being their last game, the Celtics sat a lot of their top guys.  JD Davison, Neemias Queta, Drew Peterson, Jahmi’us Ramsey, and Jaden Springer all sat this one out.  Because of this, I am not going to make this one a true game review but rather I am going to give my overall Summer League impressions of the interesting guys.  I am going to preface this by pointing out that when I say I like someone, or that someone looked good, it doesn’t mean I think they are going to be great, or an all star or even a starter in the NBA.  You don’t have to be a hall of famer to be a good player.  Second thing I want to point out is that the Celtics rotation this season is set.  Barring injuries, there is no room for any of these guys to play (Queta the obvious exception as he’s in their rotation with Porzingis out). Some of them, however, may be able to take advantage of an opportunity if one should arise.     

Baylor Scheierman—I thought Scheierman looked pretty good in his pro debut.  He had his best shooting night in the last game.  I think the three-point shooting will come once he adjusts, or rests up.  He hit a three from the logo tonight in case anyone doubted his range.  What impressed me most about Scheierman was his passing ability.  He made so many good passes in just these four games.  He appears to have great court vision.  His hustle also impressed me as he had great effort going for rebounds and lose balls.  He also showed his ability to get into the paint and either finish or create for others.  His offensive game will absolutely transfer to the NBA.  The question will be, as he said during today’s game, if his defense will.  If he can hold his own on the defensive end, he will be at least a solid role player in the NBA.  He has the potential to be more than that.  As for his role this year for the Celtics, it’s most likely going to be injury insurance for Sam Houser.  He actually has more skills than Houser with his passing and his ability to create his own shot.  But Houser is as good of a spot up three-point shooter as there is in the NBA.  It will be hard for Scheierman to out do him in that role and right now, that’s the role the Celtics need filled.  But if he takes advantage of what chances he gets, he would be a cheap replacement for Houser in the future. 

Anton Watson—I liked what Watson showed this week as well.  His three-point shooting improved every year he was in college and it showed.  He shot it well from deep and has a nice smooth shot.  It wouldn’t surprise me if he got even better with more work.  He also showed good touch around the basket and today he even broke out some post moves.  He’s only 6’8” so posting up will be a match up thing but it’s good to see he has those skills.  His defense will also determine if he ever sees the floor for the Celtics.  He seems to have the body and athleticism to defend multiple positions.  He seemed to have some nice instincts in the paint as well.  If his defense gets to where it needs to be, he could be a very good D and 3 guy.  He would seem to be fourth on the depth chart even with Porzingis out so his opportunities should be rare.  Eventually though, could he develop into a possible Horford replacement?  Everyone loves, and should love Big Al but he is basically a D and 3 guy now.  A very good one.  There aren’t many ways the Celtics can improve the team going forward.  Hitting on a guy like Watson would go a long way to keeping their Championship window open. 

Neemias Queta—As I mentioned, Queta is the one guy who played on the Summer Cs who will definitely get a chance to play this season.  Queta only played two games but he looked goo in both of them and with his NBA experience, he didn’t need to keep playing against this competition.  Queta still needs to work on his finishing in the paint.  As side from that he looked as good as he should have. 

Jordan Walsh—On the other hand, Jordan Walsh did not look as good as he should have.  Walsh finally had a good game this last time out.  Well, he played very well.  He actually managed to go zero for ten from the three-point line.  I spelled that out so you wouldn’t think it was a type-o.  He did not make a single three pointer in the 4 games.   He shot a respectable 36.1% from three in Maine this season.  You’d expect better.  He did a good job in this one attacking the hoop and either finishing or getting fouled.  The first few games he seemed out of control.  Not so much in this one. He’s usually all over the place.  He was drafted as a project and he is clearly still developing.  He is actually three years younger than the two rookies.  He has time.  Hopefully the coaches in Maine can help him figure it out. 

JD Davison—JD had a good Summer League statistically. He shot very well both inside and outside the three-point line.  The three-ball percentage was a nice surprise.  Hopefully that’s a sign of things to come.  He also averaged 6 assists.  The inability to handle pressure without turning the ball over is his big weakness.  NBA teams will take big advantage of this.  He needs to work on his handle in traffic if he ever wants to take the next step to the NBA.  His decision making could improve but it can be hard to judge that when guys have not played together.  Being unsure of what your teammates are going to do or where they are going to be can lead to bad decisions.  This makes Scheierman’s decision making even more impressive.

Jaden Springer—Springer only played the one game but as I said in that write up, he looked like a man among boys.  He is just too good for this level of competition.  That’s not saying he’s great or anything, or even particularly good.   But he is better than rookies and G Leaguers.  Will there be a role on the Celtics for him?  Well, maybe.  If the Cs decide to try and keep the Jays minutes down this season after playing so many games last season, and with Tatum playing in the Olympics, there could be a spot for Springer.  White and Holiday played a ton as well.  There could be room for one more wing in the rotation.  Springer could take the role (or one of the rookies could).  His big thing will be in training camp and the preseason.  Can he be nearly as effective as he was against real NBA competition.  We shall see.         

Jaelen House—With everyone sitting this last game, Jaelen House got to start and play 32 minutes.  He had a nice game.  He led the team in scoring with 18 and dished out 9 assists.  It was a volume scoring night for Eddie’s boy but still a nice night.  He also didn’t seem as diminutive in this one.  If his three-point shot becomes more consistent, I really think he could be a good third PG for someone.  A change of pace guy.  Someone who can be the back up for a few games if one of the top PGs has to miss some time.  Will that be with the Celtics?  Probably not this season.  I could see him signing in Maine and them developing him in their system.  I don’t know when teams will start signing guys to G League contracts but we will see if the Celtics liked him enough to try and keep him around or if someone else wants to give him a better opportunity. 

Killian Tillie—Speaking of guys I would like to see end up in Maine, Tillie didn’t look bad out there.  He shot the ball from deep very well and did some good rim protecting throughout the Summer League.  His rebounding wasn’t anything to write home about but he is obviously going to have flaws.  As I mentioned last time, he has good size and can definitely spread the floor.  It would take a rash of injuries for the Celtics to need him but he would be a nice guy to have just in case.  The Celtics were not the only team watching him so he could get a better offer. But if not, I hope he sticks around.  Maybe the Cs can sign him to their third two-way contract (I believe NBA teams have 3 of them now).   

The Rest—Jahmi’us Ramsey did not play so he clearly did not do anything to change my mind about him.  I just don’t like his game.  I still don’t see it with Ron Harper Jr.  He just seems as average as average can be.  Tyler Cook played pretty well but nothing about his game stuck out and as for Drew Peterson, I would say the same thing.  Drew is actually on a two-way contract with the Celtics.  If I were them, I would sign Tillie to a two-way and cut Peterson and sign House.  But then I guess having two PGs on two-way contracts doesn’t make sense. 

So that does it for the Summer Celtics.  Tatum, Holiday, and White will be playing for team USA through the Olympics.  Then that’s it until training camp, which should open around October 1^st.

Editors note–I put this out at 12:30 Am and at 12:32 Am they announce the Celtics have another Summer League game to play. I thought only the teams that made the play-offs kept playing. With everyone who sat in this one, I can’t imagine who will play in that one. If anything interesting happens I will write about it. If it’s more of the same, this will still be my overall review.