[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

 Start by saying the sideline reporter was spot on.  He said Jah didn’t look good in UTah summer league, Simmons looked great, and Fultz looked good so you can see how quickly an impression is made for a prospect.  I realize summer league doesn’t mean much, but just watch how players play, and their ability to adjust, their savvy, ability to pump fake etc.  Everything I saw from Jordan in the NBA, you see all the mental savvy at UNC if you watch his highlights.  The guy did the same stuff in college, and had killer stamina and a real NBA body.  

This draft class looks to be pretty amazing.  They were amazing in the HS AS games and through college.  

Here are some thoughts:

Fultz – played exactly like he did in college.  His pace and space IQ is like a savvy veteran.  He can get into the lane at will.  I don’t like that he dribbles as soon as he touches the ball, he needs to be pass-first in spots.  I dont’ think he (like Kyrie), makes others around him better.  He just is good as what he does and will pass if its there, but he is a classic scorer.  His teammates suck (Isiah Briscoe is trash just like he was in college with his lazy demeanor).  I don’t think he will ever average double digit assists in the NBA.  But my main question for him is his defense.  Even when he started the game in a defensive stance, its not hard for summer league PGs to get past him and he is trying to block the shot from behind.  I can’t imagine him guarding Westbrook or someone shifty like Isiah Thomas…he has no chance.  Fultz is going to need to be protected.  Maybe JJ Reddick isn’t the best running mate since he also isn’t a great defender.  Fultz will be like IT and Kyrie in that they will have to hide him on Defense because NBA guards are going to get past him easy.  Fortunatley Embiid has his back, but this is nothing new.  This was evident even in Washington for Fultz.  Also for Ball, and for Smith Jr.  These guys are going to have to learn to commit to D, and I don’t think Fultz has it in him.  He needs to work on taking command of a game as a passer to help his teammates, and learn a scheme better (if he wants to be elite), if his passing game doesn’t improve, then like Jordan (and Iverson), he needs to carry the team with his intensity and never have an off night, because unlike Jordan (who was a scorer and defender), he can’t play D like a MJ.  

Of course all this may not even be necessary, being that he’s got the great passer in Simmons and the great Intensity in Embiid.  (Embiid is a killer, he outplayed both Anthony Davis and the Greek Freak last year).  Very likely all we need out of Fultz is dribble drive shoot or pass.

 

Tatum – He was definitely impressive.  Able to finish with both hands.  Really nice NBA size (we all knew that at Duke).  His being able to get to a spot and hit the last shot is very impressive.  He carried his team offensively late in the 4th quarter.  Took advantage of a smaller TLC on defense, so it remains to be seen how he does against bigger swingmen defenders, but he can get his own shot.  He can always get his own shot, but like Carmelo, my question for him is how consistently can he do it.  Carmelo is inconsistent and so is Tatum.  Maybe the spacing and his size will allow for him to score and be impactful every night in teh NBA.  I already see him as more polished than Brown on the offensive side.  I was impressed with Brown last year and felt like he was impactful everytime he was in the game.  I think Tatum is better because Tatum has that magnetic effect where he makes others better around him.  There were times during the game where he disappeared but he was clearly their go-to guy in the 4th.  Its probably a fault of the Sixers that they didn’t get Fultz enough touches down the stretch even though their team is garbage.  Back to Tatum, he is a go-to player.  I don’t think he’s athletic enough to be like a Giannis type, but he is very polished.  Again, can he do it every night and against bigger players.  I think Tatum will get tired and his shot won’t be the same in the actual league.  Brown is definitely limited offensively, he is more athletic than skilled although he had some really nice finishes aroudn the bucket, but Brown was definitely benefitting from being a 2nd year player in the summer league, his size and athleticism is just better.

I think Brown and Tatum are some really nice pieces.  Heyward is kind of similar to both of them so they’ll have 3 of the same type of player but thats okay because versatility is key.  

I doubted Tatum because of consistency, his shot was never automatic, but he showed the advantage of being 6’8”.  Kid has a great body which is a big advantage in the NBA.

 

Fultz isn’t the most athletic guard in one of the premier positions i nthe NBA.  Fultz will struggle on defense against anyone quick and shifty.  Tatum stood out in that 4th quarter.  He can get his own shot. I know Fultz will be able to get his own shot just because of pace and space.  Will Tatum against more physical swingmen in the league.  

Philly vs. Boston will be a lot of fun for the next 5 years.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dell87Participant]

I know it’s only one game but  IMO Tatum was very Paul pierce like in the fact that he’s a versatile natural scorer . Defense was decent not great . Him and brown looked awesome on the wings. Wether Boston decides to go veteran or young, their future is bright. 

In a few years they may have a potential lineup of

Pg. Smart 

SG. Brown 

Sf. Tatum

Pf. Porter 

C. Ayton,/Bamba

 

This is if they decide to let Bradley and IT walk . Or if this current team cant sign that big free agent and get over the hump and make it to the finals. Either way I think this teams future is real bright 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dell87Participant]

 On a side note Nader Zizic and omeyjlie looked good tonight too

[bdmoteParticipant]

 I was really impressed by Fultz, was it just me or did anybody else think that he is just really really smooth

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

of anyone in the next draft class.

In the same way I matched Fultz to Westbrook…

Ayton wouldn’t stand a chance against someone like Embiid.  Ayton reminds me of a poor man’s Patrick Ewing.  I’ll be honest, its mostly because of his doofus personality.  He isn’t a killer.  I think it’d be fun to see Ayton vs. Embiid…

Bamba looks really good but he’s just undersized.  Soemone like Embiid would crush him due to lack of strength.

And Porter looks the part, but to me is softer than what i expected about Tatum.  May be wrong again, but I am not a fan of Porters.

That lineup is solid except for Smart at PG…there are too many good PGs in the league for Boston to start Smart.  I would definitely resign Isiah Thomas to play with those other 4.  And also…don’t forget Heyward.  I am fairly certain he comes to Boston….

 

 

  

[Dell87Participant]

 I put Smart in that lineup because he is going to be WAY CHEAPER than IT if we don’t re sign him.  Plus I know he’s not the best offensive player but defense and hustle still counts for something. All we would need Smart to do is what Beverly did in Houston  . And yes Ayon would struggle against Embid at first , but eventually they would equalize each other. We’ll see what Porter does in college this year , but if he’s the next Durant like people think then getting him would be awesome 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Semi:  I like that SMU kid.  Looks like a gamer.  Look for the Baby Celtics to get even deeper…

Jaylen Brown: did what we all thought he could.  Get to the bucket at will and score.  Hit shots.  Be a go-to guy who showed off his 2 guard skills.  Also hauled in 13 boards or something like that…  

Tatum: looked great.  very efficient.  smooth.  then he THROWS IT DOWN over guys.  Then he SHOOTS a mid-range straight away jumper to win the game.  Reminds me a bit of Reggie Lewis although I only remembered his last couple of seasons in Boston, especially his great (and final) games against the Charlotte Hornets in the first round.  Scored in the mid-range, outside, and inside.  Also finished with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and FIVE STEALS.  Looked both polished and poised.  Also showed more intangibles than did Markelle Fultz.

Ante Zizic: Inside depth for the Celtics.  They waived Tyler Zeller so look for Zizic to fill that role as a 3rd string center.  

Markelle Fultz: showed his scoring skills.  Didn’t remember him passing the ball.  Missed a free throw late.  Missed the final shot (got blocked by Jaylen Brown).  Didn’t exude any leadership qualities, but he did have those chasedown blocks.

Ben Simmons is gonna run point guard in Philly so Fultz doesn’t have to pass the ball and get other guys involved BUT Fultz is a guy who needs the ball in his hands.  Hmmm… solid 3 point shooter, not great.  Will Fultz be as effective OFF the ball? 

Should the Sixers have taken Lonzo Ball once they moved up?  Wonderous passer, good ball handler, great leader with intangibles who can either be a big point guard (with solid hops and a decent wing span), or a 2 guard who can spot up for 3’s, cut, and rebound at a fairly high rate.  

Simmons and Lonzo would have been a SUPER TOUGH backcourt to guard.  Then you have Embiid inside, Saric at the 4, with TLC, Covington, and Justin Anderson going after that other wing spot.  

You would have passers, size, length, and playmakers everywhere.  

Who knows…

I think that Philly will run tons of Simmons/Embiid pick and rolls.  Guess that leaves Fultz as the third option on offense and secondary ball handler.  Maybe they stagger minutes and let Fultz be the go-to scorer with their bench guys. 

Jonah Bolden: high motor.  active. versatile. if he can get his shot down he should be a key player for the Sixers.

First take: Boston won the trade.  Tatum looks like the better player all-around and they ALSO got a probable mid-late lotto pick out of the deal (Lakers first rounder next year (protected) or the Sacto ’19 pick).  Tatum also fits in a young rotation that has Brown and Smart as two other perimeter guys.  Then you have Zizic as a front court guy.

It will be interesting to see if the Celtics can straddle that line between Win Now and Win Later.

Guess it will depend on if they can get Gordon Hayward.  

If they can then they MIGHT edge out the Cavs to be the best team in the East.  If they can get to the Finals then I think they will go ALL IN for 2018-2019.  They have to resign Avery Bradley (or let him walk/trade him), but they get the Nets pick, possibly the Lakers pick, plus their own pick… so they should be LOADED with young assets, AND I think Boston will look like a more enticing free agent destination.

So, the gameplan looks like: Get Hayward.  See if you can resign AB at a bit of a discount OR trade him for an expiring contract plus picks during the draft… if the Nets pick HITS and if the Lakers pick ends up in that 7-10 range which I think it might, then the Celtics have a great shot to get back to the Finals and an outside shot to win the title.  The C’s are/will be super loaded on the perimeter and can match up ok with the Warriors.  Then if the Celtics get one of those top big men in the draft (Ayton or Bomba) then they can really go at the Warriors inside.  

Back to Tatum: if he gets the minutes he could be a front runner for ROY.  I think it will be between Lonzo Ball and Ben Simmons.  Even if Tatum doesn’t get a ton of minutes he should still be a top 5-10 rookie.  Fultz will probably put up numbers, but I think he won’t add much to their win total (count on Embiid and Simmons for that.  Maybe even TLC and Reddick).  Fultz might not be the guy.  OR, he fits in ok. Maybe not a grand slam pick for the Sixers.  

If you look at all-around skill sets, Ball/Tatum might be the best.  Would those guys fit better on Philly?  Maybe…  Although Ball might be a guy you need to give the keys to (but Simmons might be the same type of player).  

With Tatum I saw an efficient scorer and a guy who can make plays.

With Fultz I saw a ball dominant scorer.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 If I am Boston, I really hope I can get Gordon Hayward.  As a guy for the future, and a guy who can help you win NOW (ok, as part of a 3 year plan that starts NOW).

I would start scouting Miles Bridges.  In the NBA even the team with the WORST record only has a 25% chance at the top pick.  And, who knows, the Nets might gel and win a few games…  So, outside the freshman, Miles Bridges is the best guy on the board.

With a team led by IT, AB, Smart, Brown, Gordon Hayward (Beantown’s dream), Tatum, and Horford/Olynyk/Zizic as the bigs, they can put Hayward at the 2, Tatum at the 3, and Bridges at the 4 in lots of different small ball rotations (with IT, Bradley, or Smart as the point guard).  Then you hope one of those centers develops enough OR you face the Warriors, a team who is SUPER LOADED at every position EXCEPT center.

Best case scenario: the Nets pick is top 2, so you get a center.  Then the Lakers pick is conveyed to you and you get Miles Bridges as a hard-nosed, but polished, combo forward.

Overall though, they need Hayward.  Can play the 3 or the 2.  Gives them so many options in different lineups.  Then you get AT LEAST the Nets pick next year.  

 

 

 

 

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Wouldn’t Miles Bridges be a little redundant with Jaylen Brown? 

[HeroescantdieParticipant]

Fultz fg percentage was just 37.5 shooting 6/16, seems his jump shot form was not the same when he was in Washington, alhtough it goes it, it seems also the release was slow. Want to see more assist from him. I don’t think he’ll be efficient enough when matched up against elite pgs, will struggle defending elite pgs also. Tatum was impressive though, amazing how clutch he is and his foot work is. He’s like the finese version of Brown, Brown was a beast and is like a train bulldozing his way to the hoop, even his 3pt shots look like he’s full of power (look at the way he shoots, not requiring too much muscle cause he’s powerful lol). Great game, can’t wait to see Lonzo, Josh Jackson, Fox and Dennis smith

 

 

[BleedGreen808Participant]

Getting stronger will be the biggest thing with Tatum.  A number of times he got pushed out of position when he was trying to post up.  All in all it was a nice debut for him with 21pts 7rebs 3asts 5stls.  

 

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

1) They got an another asset-Like ainge always tries for.

and

2) Taytum is one of the most verstile prospects who is probably the most well rounded in the top 10.

Watching Futlz vs Taytum proved the following though:

Celtics wanted versitality-Hence the Taytum pick.

The Celtics didn’t want to be forced to take Futlz who doesn’t bring as much versitality+Is sort of similar to Brown..

Futlz looks to score rather than the right play vs Taytum tries to  make the right system play of the two.

Taytum needs to get stronger legs-He looks top heavy vs his lower body looks a little skinny.

I could see Futlz needing to learn how to pass a little more as he will need to have to figure out how to still be productive if his shot isn’t falling..

It is still early days yet but both should have a solid rookie year ahead and it will be interesting to see who ends up having a better career when all is said and done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

 After reading what you said about Fultz, I totally agree and it proves my point that Fultz is ideally 2 guard not a point guard. Fultz looks to score at every opportunity. Yes, he can defend and pass, and understands the game. But his scoring ability is elite. His passing is pretty good and yes I admit at times he can play the point but I don’t want him as my full time point guard. I want him as my full time 2 guard because that is position that best suits his aniliies.

[SubZeroParticipant]

Tatum definitely showed off some impressive moves, but from what I saw in the 2nd half he took some realllll dumb shots. There’s not really any pressure in the summer league since he’s 1 of the 2 best players on this roster, but he’ll have to learn how to pick his spots better and not just throw the ball at the rim after he tried backing someone down but couldn’t move them

Jaylen Brown for most of the game looked like an All Star and the best player on the court, but then would come down and make a super dumb play

Fultz was good but I didn’t see much passing from him and he struggled to finish at the rim

Oh and can we please show some love for Bam? Miami fans on twitter were so heated(lol) when they took him but he’s been great in the summer league. Shot 4/16 in the 2nd game but he made up for it with rebounding and defense, 1st game had a nice 14-10-3, and last night had a monstrous 29-11-2 on 8/14 shooting and maybe most impressive, 13-17 from FT

[SubZeroParticipant]

Also, didn’t see anyone talk about him but Abdel Nader played really well. No idea who he is but he did a lot of good things

[EndlessknightParticipant]

People seem to be greatly discounting the fact that this was Fultz first game in nearly 6 months. He look great for the first 3 quarters, going 6-11, then he hit the wall.

Give him some time to get in game shape/rhythm before passing judgement.

[Author]

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