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The Celtics have a sizable hole at center, with Kris Humphries gone to Washington andVitor Faverani the team’s most viable big man after a shaky rookie season. Boston coachBradStevens used various combinations at center but never one that worked consistently, leaving plenty of opportunity for Zeller.
Zeller is a legitimate 7 feet and averaged 5.7 rebounds in just 26 minutes per game as a rookie two years ago. When training camp begins Sept. 30 in Waltham, he could be the favorite to start in the middle this season.
“I think I can rebound, be a big body, just the ability to run the floor, get out and try to push the pace,” said Zeller. “I think that’s the goal [to start] anywhere you go, and that’s my goal this year, but I have a lot of work to be able to earn that spot. I think it’s a great opportunity.”
The primary goal for Zeller over the summer was to increase his weight by 15 pounds. He said he felt he was at a disadvantage playing at 250 pounds and wants to begin camp near 270.
“I think that’s a reasonable weight for a 5-man [center],” he said. “You got guys likeDwight [Howard] and others who are 300 pounds, so you have to be able to hold your own against them but you’ve also got be able to move with the guys who weigh less than that.”
With a glut of power forwards, including Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger, and Brandon Bass, the Celtics are ecstatic that Zeller is a legitimate center. “I think I’ve always been a center, I really actually don’t know how to play power forward,” he said.
Boston Globe – Jeff Green of Celtics expects to raise level of his game (Sunday Notes)
A common theme during any rebuilding scenario that the Celtics have been through is this: they need a center. Excuse me, today that has been coined: “they need rim protection.” Either way, they need a big man that can rebound and defend. For years, once Robert Parish was done, they went through a forest of trees that didn’t have much skill, or enough to make a difference. Some power forwards would masquerade as centers, and maybe you can get away with that but you better be rock solid everywhere else. Or, have a championship contending 4 starters (Pierce, KG, Ray, Rondo) so that a guy like Perk could fit his role perfectly.
With the chasm at center on today’s team, young Tyler Zeller has a huge chance to make a good impression. Most would say the starter’s job is his to lose, and when you scan the roster it’s a logical argument. That’s good because apparently Zeller doesn’t even know how to play power forward. Zeller is actually one of the handful of intriguing aspects to watch for once camp opens in a week or so. Let’s hope he’s closer to a Robert Parish (calm down, not saying he’s anything close) than a Mark Blount (again, easy, I’m not saying he’s that bad either).
On Page 2, Antoine Walker considers himself a Celtic
I got mine [an NBA championship] with the Heat, but I feel like I’m a Celtic. Obviously, I appreciated when Paul and Ray and Kevin did what they did for Boston. Number 17. I feel good because I was able to get one. If I was sitting here and I never got a championship it would probably hurt, but I do feel good about it. Getting honored here in New England makes me feel special about the situation. I’m a Celtic. Definitely.”
Boston Globe – What they were thinking
Walker was in town earlier this week and was honored at “The Tradition.” Walker was asked by Stan Grossfeld (who took the picture in the link above) what his thoughts were, and Toine, despite winning a ring in Miami, still considers himself a Celtic.
Finally, C’s members attend a gala and Vitor attends a Slaine show at the Middle East
Once again, from Washburn’s Sunday Notes:
Several members of the Celtics’ organization were scheduled to attend an event Saturday night to support Shooting Touch, a local nonprofit that uses basketball as a platform for health education and social development for youth in underresourced areas of the world. Expected to attend were Celtics coach Brad Stevens, assistant GM Austin Ainge, and players Kelly Olynyk, Phil Pressey, James Young, and Marcus Smart.
Below are some images from the gala (gotta love Kelly Olynyk sporting a backwards baseball cap at a gala), as well as one of Vitor at the Slaine show:
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