Celtics coach Brad Stevens said not to read too much into rookie guard/forward Aaron Nesmith not being among the 10 players used in the first half of the first preseason game.
“The best thing about the preseason is no matter win, lose or draw you’ve always got a ton of film to work off of,” Stevens told reporters on his philosophy. “And we’ll do that. It was great to get a chance to get back in there, play, see guys impact the game in different ways. And everything is information right now. So we’ll take that.”
Nesmith was drafted with the 14th overall pick. He did finally check in during the third quarter, making his first 3-pointer before missing his next two. He is already considered by many to be the best perimeter shooter on the team.
More out of Boston
- Rookie point guard Payton Pritchard did play and showed several signs of hope. Pritchard was selected with the No. 26 pick after averaging 20.5 points at Oregon last season. “I was just trying to get in the flow of things,” Pritchard said. “Obviously, it’s a little bit of a different game than college. This is my first time, so a little bit of jitters.”
- The Celtics have provided no further updates on center Tristan Thompson, who very well could miss the season-opener (and more) with a hamstring injury.
- Stevens also liked what he saw of veteran newcomer Jeff Teague, who will lead the charge with the injured Kemba Walker expected to miss time early. “He got us several baskets that were just easy,” Stevens said. “When he’s pushing the ball up the floor, [it] doesn’t look like he’s breaking a sweat. I felt like the only time the ball was moving the way it needs to was when he was in the game.”
