Tag: Aaron Nesmith

Did the Boston Celtics give up on Aaron Nesmith too soon?

Nesmith always seems to have a little extra when playing against Boston, and we can understand why.

The Boston Celtics clinched a 129-124 win at home against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. For the Pacers, former Celtics sharpshooter Aaron Nesmith was the standout player for the team, leading all Indiana players in scoring with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while new Indiana addition Pascal Siakam contributed 23 points.

Nesmith always seems to have a little extra when playing against Boston, and we can understand why, given they did not stick it out with the Vanderbilt alum. But there is a very good case to be made he would be less of a player today than he is if he had not gone somewhere with time to let him spread his wings and develop his game.

Following the game, CLNS Media reporter Bobby Manning and Celtics Blog’s Noa Dalzell appeared on the “Garden Report” podcast to debate whether Boston might have moved on from Nesmith too quickly.

Check out the clip above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Projected starters for the Pacers after a big trade united Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton

This was a huge move for the Pacers!

The Indiana Pacers made a swing for the fences and acquired two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors.

Although it is still unclear if Siakam will sign a contract extension with the Pacers or if he will test free agency this offseason, Indiana will instantly become one of the most interesting teams in the Eastern Conference once Tyrese Haliburton can return from his injury.

When this team is fully healthy, they have a fascinating starting lineup that could potentially make a run much like they did during the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.

Here is what they will likely have on the court when their ideal starting five is ready to play together:

5 Players Bulls should target in a Zach LaVine trade this season

If and when the Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine, here are five players they should be targeting.

Ever since Zach LaVine went down with an injury, the Chicago Bulls have been playing better. Does this mean LaVine was the only problem? No. Does this mean the Bulls should push forward rather than rebuild? No. But it does mean that the front office has some hope, which could be a dangerous thing.

Despite their recent success, the clearest path forward for Chicago is still a rebuild, and that all starts with trading LaVine, something the Bulls are reportedly focused on. By trading LaVine, the Bulls would be well on their way to a fresh start, which is something this franchise has desperately needed for the past two seasons.

But the question is, what should the Bulls be looking to get back in a LaVine trade?

The 28-year-old star makes a ton of money, as he still has three years on his deal after this one (including a player option in the final season). The last year of his contract tops out at roughly $48.9 million.

In order for a team to be willing to trade for LaVine, they need to be comfortable that he would be a part of their long-term future. Otherwise, the risk wouldn’t outweigh the potential reward.

Because of that, there are a limited number of teams who could show interest in LaVine, and that needs to be taken into account when looking at who the Bulls should potentially target in a trade.

With all that in mind, let’s take a look at five players the Bulls should have their eyes on as they seek out a trade for LaVine this season.

Why is Aaron Nesmith thriving with the Indiana Pacers?

The Celtics draft pick struggled off the bench in Boston.

Forward Aaron Nesmith‘s performance with the Indiana Pacers so far this season has been a revelation after his trade from the Boston Celtics the offseason before last to bring Malcolm Brogdon to Boston. He has noticeably gained muscle since joining the Pacers, making him stronger and more imposing on the court.

Nesmith’s physical transformation, and his improved shooting efficiency have both helped the Vanderbilt alum carve out a key role in the Pacers’ lineup. Nesmith’s ability to play freely in Indiana without having to worry if the next mistake gets him benched, vs. his limited playing time and lack of rhythm in Boston are certainly factors behind his growth as a player, but what else could be at work here?

Bobby Manning, host of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast recently talked with guest Caitlin Cooper about Nesmith’s improved play.

Check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Ex-Celtics draft pick Aaron Nesmith on taking a Bleacher Report tweet as motivation

Nesmith recently spoke about a Twitter post made by Bleacher Report that suggested the Pacers didn’t receive anything of value back in return for Brogdon.

Former Boston Celtics draft pick Aaron Nesmith recently spoke about a Twitter post made by the popular sports news outlet Bleacher Report last summer, which suggested that the Indiana Pacers didn’t receive anything of value back in return for their trade for former 2023 Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics in the 2022 NBA offseason, reflects a personal source of motivation following his standout 26-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this week.

The Vanderbilt alum admitted that “I do take things personally — I saved it to my favorites,” indicating that Nesmith used that negative assessment of himself as a player as a source of personal inspiration, potentially fueling his drive to prove his worth on the court with his new ball club.

CLNS Media reporter Bobby Manning discussed all the above after Nesmith’s return to Boston following the Celtics’ 155-104 blowout win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

Check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Takeaways: Cam Whitmore dazzles off bench as Rockets win preseason opener

Cam Whitmore followed up his dynamic summer-league run with 15 points (60.0% FG, 75.0% on 3-pointers) in Houston’s preseason opener, leading the #Rockets to a win over Indiana.

Led by a balanced effort with six players scoring in double figures, the Rockets opened their 2023-24 NBA preseason at Toyota Center with Tuesday’s 122-103 home win (box score) over the Indiana Pacers. Houston is now 1-0 in exhibition play.

Rookie forward Cam Whitmore followed up his summer-league MVP performance with more dynamic play off Houston’s bench, scoring 15 points in 17 minutes on 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%) and 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%). Houston went +21 as a team in that time, and that plus/minus clip was the best of any player for either team.

For head coach Ime Udoka, Whitmore’s strong showing offers even more to consider as he evaluates his rotation options.

Other players who scored in double-figures included:

  • Alperen Sengun: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks in 24 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 6-of-10 on free throws (60.0%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block in 23 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 5-of-5 on free throws
  • Jalen Green: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 24 minutes; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 0-of-4 on 3-pointers, 1-of-5 on free throws (20.0%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 4 assists in 25 minutes; 3-of-11 shoting (27.3%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Tari Eason: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals in 21 minutes; 5-of-6 shooting (83.3%)

Eason played additional minutes with the starters after an early ejection by Dillon Brooks, who was given a flagrant-two foul less than five minutes into the game for an altercation with Daniel Theis.

The Pacers (0-2) were led by reserve forward Aaron Nesmith, who had 18 points in 20 minutes on 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%).

Here’s a look at key highlights from Tuesday’s game, along with how media members and fans reacted in real-time. As for the Rockets, they will continue exhibition play on Thursday night in Birmingham, Alabama, with a matchup versus the New Orleans Pelicans.

Every player in Boston Celtics history who wore No. 26

Today’s installment focuses on the nine players who wore No. 26 over the years as of August 2023.

The Boston Celtics have more retired jerseys than any other team in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean the rest of their jerseys have little history of interest tied to them.

In fact, with 17 titles and decades of competitive basketball played in them, their unretired jersey numbers pack some of the most history not hanging from the rafters of any team in the league. To that end, we have launched our accounting of that history, with every player in every jersey worn by more than one Celtics player in the storied franchise’s history accounted for.

Today’s installment focuses on the nine players who wore No. 26 over the years as of August 2023.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown have high praise for former teammate Aaron Nesmith after Pacers tilt

“The talent was always there,” said Tatum postgame. “It was just a tough situation, right?”

Former Boston Celtics (and current Indiana Pacers) small forward Aaron Nesmith and star Celtics wing Jaylen Brown exchanged jerseys after Boston’s 142-138 overtime win over Indiana Thursday evening. The pair reunited after Nesmith was dealt to the Pacers over the summer in a trade to bring on reserve guard Malcolm Brogdon.

“That was my little brother,” explained Brown to NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin (via MassLive’s Brian Robb). “We worked out together. I would like to see him do well here and continue to do well. He’s been playing great, playing hard. That’s my guy.”

Boston’s other star forward Jayson Tatum had similar praise for Nesmith postgame.

“I played with him for two or three years I think,” recounted the St. Louis native. “The talent was always there. It was just a tough situation, right?”

“Behind me and JB, there wasn’t a lot of room for opportunity. Super hard worker, really good guy and really just get an opportunity to play with freedom and add value to the team. It shows he’s really valuable to this team.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on Celtics alum Aaron Nesmith’s success sarting for Indiana at the 4

The Boston alum has started to find his way with the Pacers this season.

The Boston Celtics traded away Aaron Nesmith to the Indiana Pacers in search of some veteran depth the team needed to compete at the highest level, bringing on Pacers point guard Malcolm Brogdon for Nesmith, big man Daniel Theis, a handful of deep rotation players and a draft pick.

The results have been by and large positive, but the Celtics had to give up some value in the future to get their veteran presence in the present, and that meant giving up on Nesmith’s uneven development as a player. Since then, the Vanderbilt product has begun to come into his own with Indiana, catching the attention of head coach Rick Carlisle in the process.

Speaking to the press ahead of Boston’s Wednesday night tilt with the Pacers, Carlisle shared how the team saw his leap forward as a player as Nesmith has recently secured himself a spot as a starter with Indiana.

5 players from the 2020 draft class with the most to prove in 2022-23

Rookie Wire took a look at five players from the 2020 NBA draft class that need to have strong 2022-23 campaigns.

The rookie class of 2020 entered the NBA with plenty of hype but faced much uncertainty and other related issues due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The group was not afforded the opportunity of a summer league, and had a truncated training camp and preseason schedule due to the nature of the 72-game schedule that year. Certainly, the class had its fair share of hurdles it had to overcome.

Since then, several players have emerged and had tremendous starts to their careers, including NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton. Elsewhere, others have needed additional time to get going due to various factors.

Now, with the class entering its third year in the NBA, several players — including some high draft picks — have yet to really take off and are still looking to find their footing. The class is extension eligible next summer, and many still need to prove themselves.

As a result, we decided to take a look at some of those draftees that enter the 2022-23 campaign with a lot to prove for their respective teams ahead of such an important season.