The Celtics have trotted out quite a few different starting lineups this season, thanks to all the injuries they've dealt with. Of course, the ideal starting five is Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Daniel Theis. Marcus Smart has started a fair amount, and we've seen Enes Kanter, Grant Williams and Semi Ojeleye sprinkled in, as well.
Up until Wednesday, the most surprising Celtics starter of the 2019-20 season had been Javonte Green. But, at that point, he had at least appeared in 38 of the Celtics' previous 48 games.
Before Boston's 116-100 win over the Magic, Romeo Langford had only played in 14 NBA games. Yet he somehow got the start on Wednesday. (For a complete recap of the Celtics' win, click here.)
And Langford actually looked pretty good. He logged a career-high 28 minutes, scored eight points (tying his career-high) and blocked the third shot of his NBA career.
"I think he is going to be a really good player in this league," Gordon Hayward said of Langford after the win. "He came out and was a little passive — I told him that there in the second half. Then he made some good drives and finished strong. For him, how young as he is, I think he's ahead of the curve, there's no doubt about that. I think he's going to be a really good play. It's was good to see him get a chance to start and I thought he did well."
Ahead of the curve for a 20-year-old? Yes. Ahead of the curve to the point where he can be a consistent contributor for this team now? That's a different story.
Romeo Langford closed out his first career start with a dunk ------------------ ------------ (-- @MetroByTMobile ) pic.twitter.com/dzUMiVLgss
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 6, 2020Langford's athleticism and ability to get to the rim with ease are his greatest qualities. Those were both on display Wednesday.
Specifically, Langford's athleticism was put to the test on the defensive end all night. He had a tough assignment, going up against Evan Fournier. The Magic wing still got his fill over the course of the game, but the Celtics rookie stayed with him throughout.
Langford's lone blocked shot was on a Fournier layup attempt, and he also drew a charge.
"It helped a lot that I knew all I had to do was guard him the whole time," Langford said. "I felt like I did a good job of that. Going in, once (Brad Stevens) told me that, I went in and just watched some film and got prepared for that."
Romeo defense lets gooooooooo pic.twitter.com/qGkfHWRKvt
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) February 6, 2020Langford is still somewhat of a head-scratcher when looking back at where he was taken in the 2019 NBA Draft, but it's still early. Clearly, there's something there. It just might take a while before he's where Boston would like him to be.
Now, the real question is: did the Celtics start Langford on Wednesday, against a playoff team and right before the NBA Trade Deadline, to showcase him for possible suitors?
Between their draft capital and the number of young guys on the roster, the Celtics have assets to offer sellers at the deadline. Langford could easily be the guy who gets moved.
Vincent Poirier might be the player fans want to see go, but he isn't as easy to move as Langford and the other rookies. Also, remember Danny's word from the other day:
"We probably have, I think, too many really young guys."
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