There are six Boston Celtics players currently involved in FIBA World Cup competition, each with two games under their belts. Here are my ratings thus far, solely based on the statistics via USAB.Com.
Number 1: Kemba Walker
There is no surprise here. Kemba has been vital to Team USA's 2-0 record. In 25.0 minutes per game, he has averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals. And he has shot 50% on field goals and 36% on 3-pointers. His quickness on offense and dedication to defense has put tremendous pressure on the opposition.
Number 2: Jayson Tatum
Jayson's shooting has been off, only hitting 32% of his field goals and 25% on treys. But he has averaged 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game. With 24.5 MPG of floor time, Coach Gregg Popovich obviously sees Tatum's importance to the cause. Jayson is expected to miss the following two games with a moderate ankle injury.
Number 3: Vincent Poirier
Poirier has only logged 14.0 minutes per game for France, but he has made the most of them. He has averaged 7.5 PPG and grabbed a total of nine rebounds, three of which were on the offensive end. In the two winning contests (France is now 2-0), Vincent has hit 5-of-7 on field goals and 5-of-5 on free throws.
Number 4: Marcus Smart
While averaging 16.0 minutes per game, Marcus has averaged 4.5 PPG, 2.0 RPG and 1.5 APG while shooting 43% (FG) and 33% (3's). But as Celtics fans know, Smart's stats don't tell the whole story, and he has played well at the point when Walker is out.
Number 5: Daniel Theis
In FIBA exhibition, Daniel did quite well, but after two World Cup contests - not so well. In decent minutes (19.5 MPG) for Germany, he has averaged only 7.5 PPG. He has hit only 33% of his field goals and has missed all four of his 3-point attempts. But his 16 total rebounds (5 of them offensive) give Boston Celtics fans hope for a good NBA season for him.
Number 6: Jaylen Brown
In 12.0 minutes per game, Jaylen is only averaging 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds. He is 1-of-5 from the field, 0-of-1 on 3-pointers and 1-of-3 on freebies. Thus far, he seems to be out of the picture for Team USA. One of my dedicated and knowledgeable readers gave some insight, citing his thoughts on Brown's performance in the win over Turkey:
We intend to closely follow all six Boston Celtics as they battle for the World Cup Title. Stay with us.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and @_Celtics_Center
Number 1: Kemba Walker
There is no surprise here. Kemba has been vital to Team USA's 2-0 record. In 25.0 minutes per game, he has averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals. And he has shot 50% on field goals and 36% on 3-pointers. His quickness on offense and dedication to defense has put tremendous pressure on the opposition.
Number 2: Jayson Tatum
Jayson's shooting has been off, only hitting 32% of his field goals and 25% on treys. But he has averaged 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game. With 24.5 MPG of floor time, Coach Gregg Popovich obviously sees Tatum's importance to the cause. Jayson is expected to miss the following two games with a moderate ankle injury.
Number 3: Vincent Poirier
Poirier has only logged 14.0 minutes per game for France, but he has made the most of them. He has averaged 7.5 PPG and grabbed a total of nine rebounds, three of which were on the offensive end. In the two winning contests (France is now 2-0), Vincent has hit 5-of-7 on field goals and 5-of-5 on free throws.
Number 4: Marcus Smart
While averaging 16.0 minutes per game, Marcus has averaged 4.5 PPG, 2.0 RPG and 1.5 APG while shooting 43% (FG) and 33% (3's). But as Celtics fans know, Smart's stats don't tell the whole story, and he has played well at the point when Walker is out.
Number 5: Daniel Theis
In FIBA exhibition, Daniel did quite well, but after two World Cup contests - not so well. In decent minutes (19.5 MPG) for Germany, he has averaged only 7.5 PPG. He has hit only 33% of his field goals and has missed all four of his 3-point attempts. But his 16 total rebounds (5 of them offensive) give Boston Celtics fans hope for a good NBA season for him.
Number 6: Jaylen Brown
In 12.0 minutes per game, Jaylen is only averaging 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds. He is 1-of-5 from the field, 0-of-1 on 3-pointers and 1-of-3 on freebies. Thus far, he seems to be out of the picture for Team USA. One of my dedicated and knowledgeable readers gave some insight, citing his thoughts on Brown's performance in the win over Turkey:
David Anthopoulos: Pop (Gregg Popovich) seemed a little pissed off at Brown for good reason. In the first half, on defense, instead of putting his arms straight up, he touched the shooter's arm after a shot in the post that didn't go in. Pop yelled--you could read his lips--and put his own arms straight up to illustrate. Then Brown missed the front end of two free throws by simply not focusing, and then he missed another, this time one of those International Rules 1-shot fouls where the shooting team keeps the ball after the shot.
We intend to closely follow all six Boston Celtics as they battle for the World Cup Title. Stay with us.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and @_Celtics_Center
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