Aaron Nesmith "Art of Falling" appreciation thread

[Nomad]

This is a player I've thought would excel since I first saw him spark a 32 point comeback and 60 point Tatum game last season. Alongside Langford, Grant Williams, and Pritchard, he continued to not only shoot well and practice lights out defense, but show abilities as a floor general during Summer League.

Like many, I was scratching my head at his DNPs early in the season, as new coach Ime Udoka relied on veteran talent and the Celtics gave up leads to lose consistently. But in his first game with real floor time Aaron had instant impact.

"Against the Heat Nesmith made the most of his available minutes with Josh Richardson sidelined, dropping 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting. He started by beating Jimmy Butler to the rim and laying the ball high off the glass. He then buried a pair of 3-pointers before the end of the first half when the Heat strayed too far away from him, and he hit another in the second half.

The 2020 lottery pick didn’t just add to Boston’s win with his offense. His defensive intensity in the second quarter helped to jumpstart a 23-3 Boston run that ultimately led to 10 Miami turnovers in the frame. That type of effort stood out to his head coach who was hesitant to take him or the rest of the second unit off the floor at times. At times we would have brought Jayson back in at a point, we went with the young guys who were rolling,” Udoka explained. “They were playing so good defensively that we didn’t want to break the rhythm of that group. Jaylen came back in and did some things, but we really wanted to keep that core in there and reward them for how well they were playing.”

“He’s a young guy that hasn’t played a ton of basketball, and rushed some things early,” Udoka said. He’s a guy who we know can light it up, bring us a spark off the bench, and then being solid on defense is just an added bonus there.” “Whenever my name is called it’s not a shock to me just because I keep the same schedule every day,” Nesmith said. “So whether I play or don’t play, I’m ready to play at all times.”


Fans who remember the chaotic style of play that earned Nesmith the monicker "Crash" last year may need to revise their opinion, as his "art of falling" gambit emerges.

Collecting side... Have been picking up dozens of cards over past six months, including the three 1/1s attached (not sure what to do about photo size limitations on this site). Looking forward to see if Nesmith continues to be a dominant physical presence, while hitting 3s throughout the rest of the season. Could emerge as a reliable sixth man, maybe a starter by next year.

[Nomad]

Was waiting for a decent representation of his contribution to appear on Utube. Note the crosscourt throw to the basket where he out hustles the Heat to rebound Romeo's layup miss. The Al Horford throwdown is also something to behold. Looking forward to seeing what unfolds against Mavs tomorrow.

[bkcardcollector]

nice nebula albeit collegiate :P

[Nomad]

Thanks. Those nebula crusades are one of the nicest looking cards to me. Distinctive also, I don't think they make pro jersey crusades anymore? Got it for $200...

Absolute... it is what it is, some would say trash, but I really like this particular card with the black border and the nike swatch/baskeball/Engineered combo. To me the three-panel cards are aesthetically better than the 4 or 6, so this would be my grail of Absolute.

I was having a think about the Origins... definitely the nicest patch I have seen on a Nesmith-- including all the National Treasure RPAs--with nearly the entire Boston "B". Okay, sticker auto... I think the only pro patch booklets Panini produced in 20-21 are Origins? So for those collectors who enjoy booklets and max patch real estate, this would be grail.

I am really not a fan of Prizm this year, though I have to say the 25k lot with the black 1/1 and the checkerboard Courtside Select currently on eBay is tempting. Personally would not trade my three 1/1s for that lot.

[Nomad]

Now I know all eyes were on Mobley in the buzzer-beater Cavs-Celtics game, justifiably so. But from the other side of the young talent equation, since they are matching up again tomorrow:

The lesson I hope Ime Udoka is starting to learn is, if you take Nesmith off the secondary floor, your lead is going to evaporate. Unless you put in some competent starters immediately (Marcus Smart, Robert Williams). I would make Aaron the secondary captain (or co-captain with Pritchard, develop that chemistry) and run offense and defense through him. He knows how to distribute the ball, problem is no one distributes to him in return. Example: he was thinking of taking it to the hoop, Jabari Parker wanted the ball, he deferred. Some kind of misguided attempt to be LeBron followed.

But Nesmith is constantly waiting to snipe at perimeter and no one looks to him unless they are in trouble and he is their last resort. And the pass doesn't usually reach him. So no rhythm developed (same could be said with Tatum's picked off attempts to reach Romeo Langford). How much healthier to move it through him more, as he will either judiciously shoot or distribute.

Aaron's defensive play is gritty, look at how Jarrett Allen resorted to bodying him to get position, but it's exactly what's needed. He knew that his mission was to protect the lead and he has been instructed not to be flash on offense at all, just slot in. Let's hope the young player development program we were led to expect under Brad Stevens starts up again.

[Nomad]

Nesmith unchained on D against CURRY and the entire Warriors. Had a similar highlight against Giannis the previous game. Nice way to take the reins on the biggest stage. Bulwark during the comeback and obv didn't play at the end, when the Cs gave it up. More consistent playing time to get that 3 going and work on approach to basket...

[Nomad]

No players were harmed in the making of this photo.

For Celtics fans this should be an interesting run against the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks. With COVID protocol decimating starting lineup I look for Nesmith, Pritch, and Romeo to step it up.

[PLB9eight]

Originally Posted by Nomad

No players were harmed in the making of this photo.

For Celtics fans this should be an interesting run against the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks. With COVID protocol decimating starting lineup I look for Nesmith, Pritch, and Romeo to step it up.

At least Pritchard did something


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by PLB9eight

At least Pritchard did something


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What I like on C's, everyone is a star.... (in case you're serious, look at when the Celts give up their lead. Not while "free" Nesmith is on the floor).

[Nomad]

Anyone heard of Justin Jackson or Brodric Thomas?

[Nomad]

Great article here about Nesmith's defensive impact against the Knicks on a night he went 0-5. The first article that actually described what I have been watching the past month, comments are interesting as well. Not all highlight-reel watching yayas.

Glad to have locked in the Recon 1/1 and the Natty Treasures /99 "yin yang C" RPA, each for only a few hundred. Massive pre 2022 firesale?

Oh, and free Nesmith.

[tsszen]

I love Nesmith. It was refreshing to see his energy and effort on a Celtics team that always seemed so lazy and disconnected from the game.

I really don’t enjoy watching the Celtics anymore but Nesmith was one of the very few players who put forth any real effort while on the court.

[Nomad]

If I am not mistaken Nesmith, beyond the usual No-3 D had the highlight of the Sixers game with his throwdown dunk and sideline hype.

Aaron also had a nice fade jumper go in that Matisse Thybulle flopped on. I think that was the first time someone ever flopped on Nesmith, he looked bemused. And took his foul. This is not the complaining rookie of last year.

Watching on replay, I was asking myself how the Celtics lost in the end, if "free" was this on point with Pritch and Tatum. As usual it was because Coach Ime took him out of the game with 5:00 left in favor of Jaylen Brown. (All the respect in the world to the better half of the two Js....) And Embid mopped the floor.

This was a nice sum up from Utoob "Nesmith turned into prime Heat Lebron for 3 seconds"

[Nomad]

Young Nesmith, back on the bench and not playing, trying to avoid the elephant in the room, Robert Williams' thousand-mile stare (after losing an argument with Brown about defensive strategy).

[Nomad]

I realize there is no Devin Vassel thread, but someone on thread recommended him, as comparable. He made a couple remarkable throw downs. He also seems like a genuinely nice guy. Here, consoling Jaylen Brown after the game.

[Nomad]

Interesting thing is, I've seen this card floating around eBay a few times. No one seriously thinks a /25 Nesmith green pulsar Prospects is in the wild for 23 bucks, I hope.

[sportsfanatic]

Nice attempt at pumping Nesmith. Is it working?

[Nomad]

I don't know, I just comment randomly on hobby things that interest me. And make me go hm...

Interestingly, the most astute Celtics commenter I know talks about the Cs cleaning the entire veteran slate and building around Tatum, Brown, the 10th round pick, Langford, and Nesmith next year. Throw Pritchard in there for good luck. Maybe keep Richardson, assuming Horford decides to retire. Of course, this probably requires going for Lillard, Sabonis, or Beal.

I like Lillard the best, but Pritchard has a lot of fans in Portland and they might press for him as part of any trade.

I could see a three way trade emerging with the Kings as a hub and Haliburton or Fox somehow involved.

Outside the box, I would like to see Nesmith to Mavs for Tim Hardaway Jr. straight up, or to Warriors for Wiseman.

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by Nomad

I don't know, I just comment randomly on hobby things that interest me. And make me go hm...

Interestingly, the most astute Celtics commenter I know talks about the Cs cleaning the entire veteran slate and building around Tatum, Brown, the 10th round pick, Langford, and Nesmith next year. Throw Pritchard in there for good luck. Maybe keep Richardson, assuming Horford decides to retire. Of course, this probably requires going for Lillard, Sabonis, or Beal.

I like Lillard the best, but Pritchard has a lot of fans in Portland and they might press for him as part of any trade.

I could see a three way trade emerging with the Kings as a hub and Haliburton or Fox somehow involved.

Outside the box, I would like to see Nesmith to Mavs for Tim Hardaway Jr. straight up, or to Warriors for Wiseman.

I have seen a lot of really, truly terrible trade ideas on this board but man, this one really takes the cake.

[Nomad]

They are probably completely unrealistic.... but the Wiseman makes sense because the Cs could use his length around the hoop and Timelord's injuries are not going away. Also Aaron would benefit from mentorship under Curry, Wiggins, Green. Warriors would also save a little money on their bloated budget, cause Wiseman is outgrowing his rookie contract sooner than later.

Hardaway Jr. is the kind of player who would fit well in Boston alongside Jaylen Brown, and balance the Tatum show. Aaron would add protection for Porzingis and Donc. And they could probably get Hauser in the deal.

[Nomad]

The bad news for Nesmith fans is that he was demoted to G League. The good news is that that means the Celtics have decided to develop him, not trade. And he actually put on a nice clinic in Maine with 22 convincing points and numerous assists from all around the court. Just showing how he would organize the team, with Hauser and a couple other prospects. Fernando was doing some good directing and scoring as well. Reminds me of solid G League basketball, with committed fans.

My other take is that the coaching staff on Cs may have direct orders to bolster the 3rd-years and vets. Maybe angling for a big trade while treading water? Crunch time 2022 decides whether the idea of building a Nesmith collection went boom or bust.

[kingofsnake]

Nomad, I dislike reading your posts. Good luck with your pumping, but not really.

[Nomad]

Some people don't enjoy solid informative writing. They think original thought is a pump, because they exist in a world of entitlement. Anyway thanks for the honest opinion, every comment makes me grow... that's the art of falling.

Interesting thing with Nesmith, he was already back in Celtics uniform in the Garden by the time they took on Sabonis and the Pacers Monday night. So basically G-League was a kind of workout to make sure he is in form after protocol, and he passed. Also he probably volunteered, just to hang out with his buddies Hauser and co.

Tatum was the star of that game and he came out with clutch shots that define legacy. But the Celts almost lost it on defense in the 4th because they did not have a Nesmith equivalent. (Not only my opinion, look up some WAR type stats). Interesting too to see the Celts' announcers talk up Sabonis so vociferously. I think there is serious chance of him joining Boston and we may see some players he was up against go to Indiana before too long.

[Nomad]

Putting my finishing touches on a project that I hope will prove that you don't need a big budget to create a top 10 rookie collection. Just comparing the autos on my Gold and Green Prizm draft issues. These two serial numbered runs only, I believe, you get the full seven lettered OG Nesmith signature. By the third batch of stickers, he had already adapted his game and come up with the more contemporary John Hancock. But the old ones are sheer Picasso.

[Nomad]

Pretty revealing take on Aaron Nesmith by Brad Stevens. The fact that the Celtics' GM and former coach is talking about him like this at this late date is encouraging. At the same time I think Celtics are keeping trade opportunities open, as the title of the Heavy piece suggests. (I wouldn't mind seeing him on the Mavs as part of a deal for Brunson).

Also, learned what the Miami action (corner DHO into a screen) is and how Hauser successfully set up Nee for it in G League. I think that game was actually a run through of some stuff we're going to see in the Garden.

And also finally remembered where Nesmith initially coined The Art of Falling. It was in response to the nickname "Crash."