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Boston Celtics: Daniel Theis is the Forgotten Rookie

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 5: Daniel Theis #27 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 5, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 5: Daniel Theis #27 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 5, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Daniel Theis is quietly having a great rookie season for the Boston Celtics

When the Boston Celtics started this season, there were a lot of reasons to be uncertain about their roster. Having just four players returning from an Eastern Conference appearance was just the start. The Celtics also went in knowing they had one of the youngest cores in the NBA, with multiple players coming from overseas.

Every single player had to be aware of the coming transition period, and Daniel Theis may have been in the most interesting position. He is a rookie coming from Europe, that was expected to bring NBA ready defense and three point shooting.

There may not be a more difficult assignment to put on a rookie who only has experience overseas, but that was the situation Theis had to deal with. His role has been a bit inconsistent and up and down, but he is turning into one of the most underrated players on the team.

When you consider what he has accomplished given his situation, Theis is looking like a player that could have a long future with this team, and will be a major factor all season long.

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Obviously, you cannot be putting him in the highest rookie ranks in the NBA. When you have a class with players like Jayson Tatum, Ben Simmons and Donavan Mitchell, someone of the caliber of Theis simply does not have the ability to match them.

That, however, takes nothing away from the remarkable rookie campaign Theis is having, and one of the most unbelievable parts is how little he looks like a rookie. He seems to be avoiding all the issues that many rookies run into, and when you look at his track record overseas, there really is nothing about this player that makes him feel like a rookie.

When you look at all the young players on the Celtics, Theis almost feels closer to a veteran out there. He is a lot older than most NBA rookies, but that does not diminish the fact that he has already proven that he can keep up with NBA talent, and this could just be the very beginning.

You can start with Theis’ motor and mentality on the court. If you want to get minutes with Brad Stevens, you need to be doing the little things no matter who you are. Right away, you could see Theis would have that impact. He is one of the best rebounders on the team, and shows no issues of being undersized because of how aggressive and strong he is on the boards. You see the plays he makes on loose balls on defense, and it is no surprise how quickly he earned the trust of the coach. His minutes are limited, but he has been effective enough to average over a double double per 36 minutes.

The fact that Theis is able to have this role as a rookie is one of the reasons he looks nothing like a rookie. He is constantly given difficult assignments in small ball situations, and is one of the biggest reasons why the Celtics are so improved on the boards this season.

Theis being able to take on and be successful in such a difficult defensive role is how he earned trust so quickly, and is a prominent part of the rotation right now. What makes him look absolutely nothing like a rookie is the potential he combines that with on offense.

The Celtics have spent a lot of resources trying to find stretch forwards who can defend in small ball situations. Theis initially felt like a shot in the dark, hoping maybe the overseas defensive player of the year could translate immediately. Somehow, that shot is working out better than almost any other option.

When you look at Theis’ raw numbers, he is leaving a lot to be desired from three point range, but the product you see on the court suggests something a bit different. Theis looks comfortable, always taking shots within rhythm. He has reliability close to the rim, and does not disrupt anything the rest of the team is trying to do.

How big of a role Theis ends up getting come playoff time will have a lot to do with how much he can improve as a raw shooter, but the importance is that Stevens is able to trust him on both ends, and that is the most surprising thing from a rookie.

On offense and defense, Theis does not make the mistakes that hurts the team at any point, and he is getting to the point where defenders have to respect him. If he is left wide open, he can do damage as a shooter. If he is not left open, he will not force anything and can help open up more space on the inside.

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It is easy for a rookie to get lost in what is shaping up to be one of the best classes we have seen in years, but Theis is looking like a player that can have a long NBA career. He fits that ideal small ball three and D mold, and the Celtics have shown a willingness to be patient with shooters. Theis already does enough good things to stay on the court, but if that three point shooting comes around it will be impossible to ignore him.

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