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Forgive the Twitter play-by-play. The intersquad scrimmage was only open to season ticket holders, but there were plenty of beat writers and bloggers with the highlights. Before the game, Brad Stevens talked about using the live action to see what combos work:
"We have to find the right combinations for our team. I think that's the No. 1 thing," he said. "We have a lot of guys that are very capable. But just like anything else, sometimes guys don't fit great. Sometimes guys do. The sooner that we can find it, the better. I've got thoughts in my mind on how certain guys will fit. We've got data on how certain guys will fit that have been here. But with a new team and a new season, it's good to see it all live early on. So that goes into, again, when you're making these pairings, just some of what you want to see."
Starting lineups: Green - Thomas, Crowder, Jerebko, Johnson, Olynyk White - Smart, Bradley, Turner, Lee, Zeller
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) September 29, 2015
White: Smart, ET, Zeller, Lee, Hunter, Sully, AB, PJ3. Green: Rozier, IT, KO, Amir, Jonas, Jae, Young, Mickey
— Sam Packard (@WEEICeltics) September 29, 2015
What will become a familiar sight - Thomas passing out of a double team and hitting Amir Johnson rolling to the rim.
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) September 30, 2015
Also, Amir Johnson has looked good as a roll man for Isaiah Thomas. Just slammed one home after Thomas drew two defenders, dumped it off.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) September 30, 2015
Not many surprises here, outside of maybe Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko starting at the 2 and 3 for Team Green. It does speak to their versatility however and those two could easily slide down and play big at the 4 and 5. There has been some concern that Team White--presumably the starters--would have trouble scoring, but adding Turner (instead of Crowder) and Lee (instead of Sullinger) could help. Both could help Smart with playmaking responsibilities and that could ease the burden off the second year pro.
As expected, Stevens surrounded Isaiah Thomas with shooters like Jerebko and Olynyk and the team's best PnR roll man, Amir Johnson. Stevens said:
"We're going to play similar when he's in the game to when he's not, but not the same. And that's what we did last year," Stevens said. "Kind of our breakdown offense lends to playing through bigs if we need to, but also being spread and spaced enough that if we've got a guy like Isaiah on the floor he can take advantage of that. So I think simple's probably better with him on the floor. I think spacing and getting the ball up the floor and having shooters around him. I've said that a couple of times. As we look at our bigs and our combinations, that's going to be important."
Nine points in less than 4 minutes for Kelly Olynyk so far. No MVP chants yet but it's early.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) September 29, 2015
And someone besides Avery Bradley takes a shot for the white team. #Celtics
— Jared Weiss (@CLNS_JaredWeiss) September 29, 2015
By the end of the game, it sounds like Kelly Olynyk was the MVP of the three period scrimmage. He finished with 17 points, scoring inside and out and more importantly, with confidence. He's talked about how playing for Team Canada this summer has him ahead of the game heading into training camp and it showed.
Undersized Rozier shows tough defensive effort against Sullinger.
— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoNBA) September 29, 2015
Isaiah Thomas just showed off his one-foot, Steve Nash-esque jumper for the first time. Drained it.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) September 29, 2015
Consecutive 3-pointers for Perry Jones III. When will the #KeepPJ3 hashtag start trending?
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) September 29, 2015
After a lazy Evan Turner turnover, Mickey runs the floor to finish and and-1 from Terry Rozier. Also, David Lee sure can pass the rock
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) September 29, 2015
Celtics players all gathered around Make A Wish visitor Brooklyn Pierce as he's honored during break. https://t.co/JBdqexI1xg
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) September 29, 2015
James Young clunks a 3-pointer off backboard, gets ball back, drives and converts a tough reverse layup.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) September 29, 2015
Nice start for Jordan Mickey, couple plays after hitting a jumper, goes up and swats Marcus Smart at the rim.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) September 29, 2015
Good to hear that the rookies plus James Young didn't back down, that PJIII could make it interesting come cut down, and that the vet David Lee showed flashes of his All Star self. I don't think this group will make it into the rotation much (although I'm warming to Lee taking minutes away from Sully and Zeller, especially if they don't sign extensions), but it's always encouraging to see what the team has cooking down the road.
Jonas Jerebko with his fourth 3-pointer, hasn't been talked about much in camp but is fighting for playing time #celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 29, 2015
Hot damn Terry Rozier is quick. He missed the lay up, but his speed is impressive
— Sam Packard (@WEEICeltics) September 29, 2015
The green team is really into this one. Isaiah, Amir and Crowder are on the bench standing, clapping and yelling on like every good play.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) September 29, 2015
David Lee is a much better passer than I thought, especially when he's grabbing rebounds and starting the fast break. #celticstalk
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@SherrodbCSN) September 30, 2015
Hunter quick-release three off a handoff. "Bang," one of his teammates shouted before it swished. Then Rozier hit his second three.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) September 30, 2015
I mentioned this on Media Day, but there's just something very exciting about what's happening with this team. Whether it's the energy of the young guys or the leadership and enthusiasm coming from the veterans, it's just awesome to hear about how Ainge's plan of not necessarily finding the most talented players but targeting high character, high motor individuals to build a team and franchise is working out.
That's a wrap on open practice! The Green team takes down the White team, 63-59.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 30, 2015
Green 63, White 59, Final. Who impressed? Jerebko, Jones, Olynyk, Jordan Mickey. #Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 30, 2015
Let's Go Celtics chant as team huddles after practice. https://t.co/KDS0scImJd
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) September 30, 2015
After open practice, Celtics youth & athleticism will allow them to get out & run. Stevens will have a lot to get creative with this season.
— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoNBA) September 30, 2015
The @T_Rozzay3 speech to #Celtics fans after the open practice. pic.twitter.com/xwBiSZ3Tiu
— Jared Weiss (@CLNS_JaredWeiss) September 30, 2015
Let's go Celtics indeed.
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