Boston Celtics: Romeo Langford is poised to make impact in third season

The Boston Celtics are expecting a productive and healthy season out of their 14th overall draft choice from three years ago, Romeo Langford. The Celtics have been patient in dealing with the handful of injuries that have held Langford back over the last two seasons. However, he has been impressive so far in this year’s Summer League for the green and white.

As he embarks on a new season, Langford knows that time is limited for young athletes to make their mark known on a team. With that said, this could be a make-or-break year for Langford to show the Celtics what he can bring to the table. Teams can usually tell what a player has to offer by his second or third year in the league. As for Langford, that time is now.

The Celtics initially drafted Langford as an elite scorer from the wing position. However, despite an injury to his shooting hand that later required surgery after Boston drafted him, Langford was still considered one of the best scorers coming out of the draft in 2019. In doing so, he averaged 16.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game during his only season at Indiana University in 2018-19.

Romeo Langford looks recharged and is ready to show the Boston Celtics what he can bring to the table this season after a great Summer League outing.

We’ve seen glimpses of what Langford is capable of on the court. The third-year Indiana product has a unique ability to get himself to the rim and has the potential to be a true contributor on offense. With that said, however, Langford has been more impactful on the defensive end during his time in Boston. Furthermore, he’s often been referred to as being one of the best one-on-one defenders against guards on Boston’s roster.

The way you made it on the court on a Brad Stevens-led team is through defense and all of the young guys on the team know that. Langford knew for him to find time on the court that he would have to increase his defensive intensity, and that’s exactly what he did.

Langford on his defensive impact:

"“I think it’s just one less guy that our team has to worry about. I feel like I’m my best in isolation things and not letting my guy go around me. So with that being said, it means the team doesn’t really have to overhelp as much and give up more threes when it comes to the guy that I’m checking.” – Romeo Langford, via Brian Robb of MassLive"

Entering his third season, Langford has a solid idea of what he’ll need to do to show the Celtics what he can bring to the table. How did he start with this process? Langford got a fresh new haircut and changed his jersey number in hopes of starting this season off on a new slate.

Throughout Summer League, Langford is averaging 11 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from behind the arc. It looks like the game has finally slowed down for him, as he’s more fluid with maneuvering around the court and definitely more confident in himself as a scorer.

Langford’s impressive Summer League prompts the question: did he make any changes to his shooting motion this offseason?

"“I didn’t make any tweaks over the summer. Just more about seeing the ball go through. I’m a lot more comfortable with my shot and I’m getting back to normal with how I was back in high school a little bit. I didn’t make any tweaks with my shot over the summer.” – Romeo Langford, via Brian Robb of MassLive"

After hearing the full interview between Langford and Robb, I perceive that Langford sees the court differently and is looking forward to being a contributor this season. This is mutual, as the Boston Celtics are also looking forward to a motivated and recharged Langford.