Training Camp Report - Nov. 3, 2022

The wait is finally over. Only one more sleep until Maine Celtics basketball is back at the Expo. 

Two days after conclusion of the NBA G League Draft on October 22, the Celtics assembled a group of 15 players to bring into training camp and compete for spots on the 12-man opening night roster. Following a week-and-a-half of intense practices and hard-fought team scrimmages, head coach Alex Barlow and his staff have finalized their roster, implemented the playbooks and gotten each player on the same page with one another as the 2022-23 season quickly approaches. 

With Barlow at the helm, Maine fans can expect the team to play with pace, be active and aggressive on defense, and move the ball to create open looks for each other offensively. This season’s squad has traded some of last year’s three-point shooting prowess for athleticism, size and speed, creating a recipe for a Celtics team that could produce some other-worldly highlight plays. Rookie point guard and Two-Way player JD Davison has already developed a chemistry with his bigs, particularly fellow Two-Way player Mfiondu Kabengele – Davison is electric in the open-court and makes tons of tough plays in traffic. Along with “Fi,” former San Antonio Spur Luka Šamanić will man the frontcourt and offer a floor-spacing presence and give the team imposing length and strength on the interior. Reggie Kissoonlal has a chance to contribute off the bench and has flashed impressive hops and rim protection ability in practice as he makes the jump to the G League from the professional ranks in Denmark. When the Celtics want to lean into “small-ball” and play with even more pace and space, G League champion Marvin Smith Jr. has worked himself into being an option as the small-ball five. 

There are a couple of returners to Maine this season; Denzel Valentine, the most experienced NBA player on the roster with 256 career appearances, brings consistent two-way play and a team-friendly approach to the game. Last season against Greensboro on March 30, Valentine notched a triple-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Don’t be surprised if he adds a few more triple-doubles to his career total this season, too. Another returner is Eric Demers, who arrived at camp fresh off a preseason contract with Boston, a full G League season under his belt and experience gained from a stint with USA Basketball during the 3x3 Nationals. Always a sharpshooter, Demers has steadily expanded his game since turning pro. 

Though the team doesn’t anticipate finishing with the second-most total three-point makes and attempts again this season, there are still plenty of shooters throughout the roster. Marial Shayok, an All-G League Third-Teamer with Delaware in 2020, has been ripping down the nets in drills and during live-action. Scottie Lindsey led the G League in three-pointers made last season with Windy City and could fill a crucial three-and-D role. Both Lindsey and Shayok are comfortable operating as a secondary ball-handler, adding an intriguing layer of versatility to Maine’s offense. Roxbury native and Providence product A.J. Reeves is as much of a walking bucket as he was with the Friars – Maine fans should be on the lookout for some microwave scoring bursts from the rookie wing. 

Whenever Davison is up with the big club, former Butler Bulldog Kamar Baldwin is likely to assume the role of starting point guard, and otherwise will be charged with maintaining the pace and setting the table for his teammates on the second unit. Former Westchester Knick and Santa Cruz Warrior Kendall Smith has impressed during the preseason with his ability to initiate offense as the lead guard or slide off-ball and hunt his own shot depending on who he’s sharing the floor with. 

Maine has an exciting roster, deep with impact players and potential NBA call-ups. Just a year after setting the franchise record for call-ups in a season, this bunch is primed to add to the list of players to take the next step and fulfill their NBA dreams.