Nesmith waits for his chance
Thompson rests in second of back-to-back
In something of a surprise, the player drafted by the Celtics at No. 26 last fall has won a place in the rotation while the talented shooter taken at No. 14 is still feeling his way along.
But if Aaron Nesmith is still, quite understandably, acclimating to the speed of the
NBA game, his time will come, says BradStevens. It just so happens that Payton Pritchard’s own rare shooting ability, combined with point guard skills that the Celtics greatly need in the absence of Kemba Walker, has created an earlier rotational opportunity.
“Obviously, you can only play five guys at a time,” Stevens said before the Celtics game against Memphis on Wednesday night.
“We’ve got several guys that are high-minute players at (Nesmith’s) position,” said the Celtics coach. “Very often it’s hard to crack when you’re in an eight or nine-man rotation. And three of our (centers), in our nine, are guys that will play the five most exclusively. So it’s a unique situation right now from standpoint.
“(Nesmith is) doing everything that he needs to do. He’s working really hard. He’s a guy that does not have the same level of experience as others but will catch up quickly because of his work ethic, his personality, who he is and everything else. The biggest key for him is just stay upbeat. He’ll get plenty of opportunities as this season goes along and whether that happens tonight, whether that happens down the road, I have no doubt that he’ll be ready.”
The rookie did get some run (5 points in 20 minutes) in a blowout victory Wednesday night thanks in large part to a career-high 42 points from JaylenBrown in three quarters.
Banged up
JaysonTatum finished Tuesday night’s win in Indianapolis not only with 27 points, but also a sprained left thumb. No problem. The Celtics forward was cleared to play against Memphis.
Tristan Thompson, as part of a management program for his sore hamstring, was given the second night of the backto-back swing off.
Javonte Green, who logged significant time against the Pacers, missed the game due to so-called “health and safety protocols.” No timeline was given on his return, and Stevens declined to say whether his forward had tested positive for COVID-19.
“I’m not supposed to talk about any of that stuff,” said Stevens. “I don’t know how long he’ll be out. But, obviously, what he was listed for is why he’s out. And we’ll go from there.”
Pritchard doesn’t cross the line
NBA rookies can suffer from any number of adjustment issues, almost always involving the increased speed of the game.
But that part hasn’t affected Pritchard thus far. Instead, as jokingly alluded to by Stevens, the point guard had an issue over the first three games stepping out of bounds.
He finally made it through Tuesday’s win over the Pacers without literally stepping over the line.
“That was a big accomplishment,” said Pritchard. “I had been struggling stepping out of bounds. I don’t know why. That never happened in college.”
Finishing, on the other hand, has been a cinch for him.
Over the first four games he shot 59% (13-for-22) overall and an equally smooth 56% (5-for-9) from downtown.
“As far as finishing goes, I think it’s just getting more comfortable out there and finding angles and where I can get to the rim and all that,” he said. “Everything’s coming at me fast. So I’m still figuring things out and also where to throw lobs and get my teammates easier shots.”