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Boston Celtics: 5 takeaways from 2017 NBA Summer League

By Josh Cornelissen

WALTHAM, MA - JUNE 30: Jayson Tatum, left, and Jaylen Brown chat during a drill during the Boston Celtics' summer league at the Celtics practice facility in Waltham, MA on Jun. 30, 2017. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
WALTHAM, MA - JUNE 30: Jayson Tatum, left, and Jaylen Brown chat during a drill during the Boston Celtics' summer league at the Celtics practice facility in Waltham, MA on Jun. 30, 2017. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 5: Cory Jefferson #55 of the San Antonio Spurs and Ante Zizic #54 of the Boston Celtics box each other out on July 5, 2017 at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 5: Cory Jefferson #55 of the San Antonio Spurs and Ante Zizic #54 of the Boston Celtics box each other out on July 5, 2017 at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Ante Zizic isn’t ready to start

The Boston Celtics were forced to cut ties with most of their frontcourt rotation, revoking their rights to Kelly Olynyk and letting Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko walk. In cutting Jordan Mickey, they eroded some of their future depth as well.

With Al Horford preferring to start at the 4, it was rumored that Croatian center Ante Zizic may start for Boston to start the season.

Zizic was the 23rd pick in last year’s draft, and spent last season in the Adriatic Basketball League and the Turkish Basketball Super League. At 6’11” and 240 lbs, he fits the physical profile for a center, and he put up solid numbers at KK Cibona and Darussafaka Dogus. With Darussafaka, Zizic played under former NBA head coach David Blatt, who oversaw the development for the young big.

Coming into Summer League, the Celtics were buzzing with excitement over their young center prospect. “He’d be a top 10 pick for sure in this year’s draft,” said assistant GM Mike Zarren. The excitement is still there, but the buzz has been muted after his run in Utah and Las Vegas.

While he didn’t fall on his face, he also did not play with any level of polish. Zizic played with a high motor, attacking the glass (8.5 rebounds in just 18.3 minutes per game). But defensively he missed rotations, didn’t time his leaps well, and struggled to move laterally to contain on the perimeter. Offensively he has little to offer away from the rim.

There is both plenty of potential and the work ethic to see it through, and two weeks of games doesn’t change his ultimate destiny in the league. By next season he could be a valuable starter for this team. Until then, he needs to learn off the bench, a move now enabled by the addition of Marcus Morris (or the signing of Aron Baynes) to start for Boston. Zizic still has some work to do.

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