Boston Celtics fans didn’t have to see Khris Middleton drop 40 points in an NBA Finals game to know he’s pretty damn good.
And to see the former second-round pick evolve over the years, from being a sign-and-trade throw-in so the money would work to a three-time All-Star working over teams regularly, is indeed impressive.
Middleton is a classic example of what happens when a young, seldom-used player gets put in the right situation with the right coach, to thrive.
That’s why the coaching change in Boston, albeit jarring at first, may be the key to unlocking the potential of a roster that’s long on youth, potential, and opportunity.
New Celtics coach Ime Udoka is with Team USA as an assistant coach, getting plenty of face time with the franchise’s star, Jayson Tatum.
But for the Celtics to re-enter the conversation as a top-flight team in the East, Tatum will need help from others besides fellow All-Star Jaylen Brown.
After speaking with some league executives and scouts this week, the one player all believe has the most potential to break out among Boston’s young core, is Aaron Nesmith.
The 6-foot-5 wing appeared in 46 games last season, averaging 4.7 points along with 2.8 rebounds while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from 3-point range.
“I would go with Robert Williams, but his health is a huge concern,” an Eastern Conference scout told Boston Sports Journal. “You don’t have those concerns with Nesmith who seemed to get better and better the more opportunities he got to play.”
And that should only continue, according to one league executive.
“Nesmith seems a good bet to get better with more consistent minutes, which I imagine he’ll get this year,” said an Eastern Conference executive. “Not just because of his skills but also his health. Remember that old saying, ``your best ability may be your availability?”’
Nesmith’s coach at Vanderbilt, former NBA All-Star Jerry Stackhouse, told CLNS Media’s The A-List Podcast, that Nesmith will be an All-Star in five seasons.
Is he a little biased?
Absolutely.
But when you look at Nesmith’s rookie numbers compared to Middleton (the player Nesmith is most often compared to because of their size, length and the fact that they went to the same high school), there’s reason to be optimistic that he’ll be better.
KEEPING TABS ON TATUM’S HEALTH
When Team USA announced that Jayson Tatum (knee soreness) would not play in their exhibition game against Argentina earlier this week, it certainly raised more than a few eyebrows from Celtics fans.
So much of Boston’s potential rides on the shoulders (and legs, and arms, and …) of Jayson Tatum this upcoming season. He was listed as day-to-day and all indications at this point appear as though it’s not something serious.
And it doesn’t hurt that his head coach is on the staff, so you get the sense that if Tatum’s healthy comes into question, Udoka will quickly speak up and make his voice heard.
AINGE’S RETURN TO THE FRONT OFFICE?
In an interview with the Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy, Danny Ainge indicated that if he has his way, he’ll be back with an NBA team eventually.
“I want to work again,” Ainge said. “I just don’t want to do the crazy lifestyle that I had for the last 18 years. I have nothing right now. I just got done with a long walk and swim this morning. And taking my wife to tennis. We just got back from spending lots of time with our parents that we haven’t seen since the pandemic started, so we had some good times with our family and there’s nothing on the horizon as I see it.”
Ainge putting his Wellesley home for sale led many to believe that he was definitely leaving New England, potentially for another NBA job.
"The (Wellesley) house is for sale but we’re not moving for sure,” Ainge said. “We’re not certain on that.”
YAM MADAR UPDATE
The Celtics’ second-round pick last year (47th overall) Yam Madar, is expected to be on the Celtics’ summer league roster that will compete in Las Vegas next month. Depending on how he performs, Madar and the Celtics may pursue a buyout with his team in the Israelia League, Hapoel Tel Aviv, which reportedly has one year remaining
