The Boston Celtics summer league is now complete. Despite finishing with a 2-3 record, there were some exciting games over the past week, with several members of D.J. MacLeay’s rotation making a strong impression when given the chance. Even Jordan Walsh, who had struggled in previous games, managed to redeem himself with a standout performance on Sunday.
However, it was the two new rookies for Boston who stole the show. We have already discussed Baylor Scheierman and his potential impact on the team. Today, we shift our focus to Anton Watson, the other new addition to the Celtics rotation. The young “tweener” had a solid showing in the Summer League, averaging 11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 51.1% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc.
Instead of examining every aspect of Watson’s game, we will concentrate on the areas that could secure him a role in Boston or Maine: off-ball cutting, perimeter playmaking, catch-and-shoot threes, and defense. While Watson possesses a diverse skill set, these areas are likely to define his early role in the team as we approach training camp and the start of the season.
Off-ball cutting
In his final season at Gonzaga, 17.1% of Watson’s offensive production came from off-ball cutting, where he shot an impressive 66.2%. This skill could be crucial for generating scoring opportunities at the NBA level, given the limited touches available.
While Watson showcased various offensive play types in the Summer League, his cutting ability could be his primary weapon in the pros to create scoring chances for himself and his teammates.
Beyond cutting towards the rim, Watson could also utilize his cutting skills on the perimeter through exit screens or pin-downs, allowing him to flow into a shooting motion or provide secondary creation.
Watson’s effectiveness without the ball is a promising sign for his potential in the team.
However, Watson’s lack of size raises concerns about his interior scoring in the NBA. At 6-foot-8, he may struggle against stronger opponents and will need to enhance his interior scoring game to become a multi-level scoring threat.
Improving his strength and adding versatility to his scoring game will be crucial for Watson to succeed at the next level.
His smaller build may limit his effectiveness in post-ups in the NBA, as evidenced by his college stats, where he shot 47.7% from post-up opportunities.
Nevertheless, Watson has shown potential as a post-passer, demonstrating good vision and quick decision-making when operating in the post.
While post-up plays are primarily reserved for other players on the team, Watson’s versatility in this area could be an asset in certain situations.
His role in the Summer League is likely indicative of what he would be asked to do in the NBA and G-League moving forward.
A perimeter hub
Watson’s ability to operate on the perimeter could be key to securing a spot in the Celtics rotation. His role in Joe Mazzulla’s offensive system, which emphasizes a five-out offense, requires him to be a reliable scorer, creator, and screener on the perimeter.
Watson’s offensive contributions in the Summer League showcased his willingness to move the ball, engage in various actions, and capitalize on spacing to create scoring opportunities.
His performance in these scenarios suggests a good fit within Boston’s system, where he can contribute as a perimeter player.
Watson’s perimeter game shares similarities with Al Horford, showcasing his versatility as a screener, perimeter scorer, and post creator. Learning from Horford could further enhance his offensive abilities.
“Shooting is obviously a big piece… Learning from him is going to be huge for me… Shooting is going to open up my offensive ability, but defense is where I’m strong at.” – Anton Watson
Catch-and-shoot 3s
Watson’s catch-and-shoot numbers have improved over the years, culminating in a 41.4% conversion rate in his final season at Gonzaga.
In the Summer League, Watson continued to showcase his catch-and-shoot abilities, hitting 33.3% of his attempts.
His proficiency in relocating to the corner and providing a catch-and-shoot option for his teammates could be crucial for his development as a perimeter threat.
Repeating successful plays like these will be essential for Watson to establish himself as a reliable three-point shooter in the NBA.
Watson’s ability to capitalize on dribble-drive penetration and hit corner threes will be a valuable asset for Boston’s offensive scheme.
His success in hitting corner threes in the Summer League bodes well for his future role in the team.
Continued development in this area will be key for Watson’s offensive growth.
Additionally, his capability to hit pull-up shots adds another dimension to his offensive arsenal.
Defense
Watson’s defensive performance at Gonzaga raised some concerns, especially when guarding on the perimeter and in isolation situations.
While he showed improvement in the Summer League, Watson needs to work on guarding in space and adapting to quicker opponents.
His defensive role will likely involve guarding the corner, providing rim protection, and switching on screens, where his size and agility can be beneficial.
Watson’s defensive versatility and ability to guard multiple positions will be crucial for his impact on the team.
While he has shown potential as a defender, Watson needs to refine his skills, particularly in guarding against quicker players in isolation situations.
Improving his defense will be key for Watson to secure a consistent role in the team.
Despite some defensive challenges, Watson has the tools to become a reliable defender in the NBA with continued development.
His defensive progress will be crucial for his chances of cracking the rotation in the future.
Final thoughts
Watson’s impressive showing in the Summer League and potential fit within the Celtics system highlight his ability to contribute at the NBA level.
However, his defensive improvements will be crucial for his long-term success in the league.
With the Celtics’ track record of developing talent, Watson has a promising future if he can continue to progress defensively.
As we await his progress in Maine, Watson’s development will be an interesting storyline to follow.
This article was originally posted on CelticsBlog from the “Celtics Chronicle” newsletter.
