Rookies don't usually start games unless their names happened to be Larry Bird or Magic Johnson. And Brad Stevens is not high on major playing time for first-year guys anyway, so why broach this?
Because the Celtics have needed a constant-motion shooting wing for a long time. I mean someone with reasonable size and mobility that never stops moving without the ball and has the capacity to handle the pass for a stop-and-pop or move to the basket.
That is what Nesmith is known for. Can he handle a starting assignment? I don't know, but it needs to be tried. Newly-acquired Jeff Teague has been projected by some to start in place of the injured Kemba Walker at the PG spot, but my choice is Marcus Smart, alongside the Jay Team and Daniel Theis or Tristan Thompson.
Brad Stevens may be a brilliant coach, but he can never be labeled as bold or remarkably innovative. Put Aaron at the SF spot - keep him in there despite miscues that may occur - and run some plays for him to see what he has. It may fail, but there is little to lose, except for that label of "lack of boldness" that sometimes is attributed to Brad Stevens with regards to his young guys. On NBA TV, Nesmith was named as "the most-exciting rookie to watch" this season. Let's see what he can do!
Brad Stevens best coaching job of now long tenured NBA career (starting his 8th season) was in 2017-18 when the Hospital Celtics made an extended run missing the finals by 1 game. (Actually - 5 minutes)
ReplyDeleteBrad was forced to give major minutes and responsibilities to the children. His coaching was masterful. Rookie Jayson Tatum, second year player Jaylen Brown, rookie Daniel Theis, 3rd year player Terry Rozier.
Brad should take advantage of these early injuries to give MAJOR minutes to our 2 rookies and second year player Grant Williams.
My preference is also for Nesmith to start but alongside Teague because. Marcus Smart needs to our 6th man in order for the Celtics to
be the best version of themselves.
That 2018 playoff run was iconic and unexpected, at least by me. But Brad had no choice, as you said. He HAD to play the kids. Worked out pretty well.
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