Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from preseason opening win vs. Magic

Boston Celtics takeaway #3: The legend of Nesmith grows

With just one shot and one miss in the first half of the Boston Celtics first preseason game, and a Juan Hernangomez start, my “start Nesmith” agenda had gone out the window.

However, in the fourth quarter, it came back, and now looks better than ever. Even while playing the 10th-most minutes last night (15), Aaron Nesmith was the third leading scorer with ten points on 4/5 shooting from the field, and 2/3 from deep.

After virtually no impact through the first 3.5 quarters, Nesmith exploded late. The scoring outburst started at the 5:13 mark of the fourth quarter, and by the 55 second mark, had scored all 10 of his points. He almost singlehandedly brought the Celtics back into the game, the score being 89-81 Magic before he scored, to 97-95 Magic when he was done.

Romeo Langford capped it off with the game winner, but Nesmith was the true catalyst of the win, without an ounce of doubt.

But it was the way he was playing that proved, for me, that he could be a starter with this team. His movement off the ball late in this game was exceptional. Nesmith was looking like Klay Thompson, the way he was weaving through players without the ball, finding himself in the perfect spots for an assisted jumper.

I have alluded to this characteristic being the absolute perfect fit for the ‘Jays’ in the starting lineup, but I’ll say it again and again until it happens. With his lack of ball-dominant play, exceptional catch-and-shoot ability, and off-ball motion, he would take pressure off Tatum and Brown with his perimeter gravity.

The perfect fit is an understatement. Not only would the Jays thrive off of him, it goes the same vice-versa. Per basketball index, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were 3rd and 4th in scoring gravity last year, or 1st and 2nd amongst forwards. Whether this holds up in a full season is to be determined, however they should stay near the top. They both efficiently score from all three levels, so with the draw they get from defenders, Nesmith could be one of the best catch and shoot players in the NBA.

#StartNesmith.