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Boston Celtics commentary: Ante Zizic’s time in Boston over before it started

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITOR'S NOTE: THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO BLACK AND WHITE) Ante Zizic of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITOR'S NOTE: THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO BLACK AND WHITE) Ante Zizic of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics traded 2016 first-round pick Ante Zizic in the deal for Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving, ending his brief career in Boston.

It was great knowing you Ante Zizic.  As part of the blockbuster deal that also included Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder going to the Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving joining the Boston Celtics, the Croatian center will take his talents to the state of Ohio.

Drafted 23rd overall in the 2016 NBA draft, Zizic was stashed overseas where he emerged as the top big man in the Adriatic Basketball Association.  He impressed, boy did he impress while playing in the top Turkish league.

The next big hope

Just 19 years of age, the 6-foot-11, 240-pound big man highlighted his play in the league with a monster game back in October of 2016.  Zizic scored 37 points and pulled down 20 rebounds in showcasing a glimpse of dominance that had Boston Celtics fans drooling.

In fact, Ante Zizic was seen as a solution.  He was a young project who displayed overseas that he was ready for the NBA.  His combination of toughness, rebounding and upside showed promise that the Boston Celtics could have the next Jusuf Nurkic or Nikola Jokic.

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Lauded by former Celtics forward Dino Radja and former Cavaliers head coach David Blatt, Zicic became a phenomenon many (not all) Celtics fans became intrigued to watch play.

And then the NBA Summer League happened

With rookie Jayson Tatum and second-year man Jaylen Brown taking the spotlight, and rightfully so, Zizic’s play in the early portion of the summer league was underwhelming.  Not only didn’t he look like that dominant force that shook Turkey, he looked slow and lost at times.

It was a quick reminder that the young man is a project who needs time to grow.  Suddenly, that big man that Austin Ainge said, “punishes men physically,” became a projected bench warmer for the 2017 season.  However, he did turn things around.  By the end of summer league play, he started showing signs of the player who displayed dominance in Europe.

Related Story: Boston Celtics commentary: It’s time to jump on the Ante Zizic hype train

Part of those struggles were due to adjusting to the faster pace of play and finding his comfort level.

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"“I think he’s just getting comfortable with the game,” Celtics summer league coach Walter McCarty said back in July.  “A lot of times he goes to the rim, he’s sealing for such a long time that by the time the play happens so fast and gets down court, he’s a step behind.  So I think he’s finding the medium of sealing, it’s not there, don’t get the offensive rebound, I don’t have it, recognize it, and get down the court.”"

McCarty noted Zizic learning the terminology as part of his learning process.  Almost two months later, his journey and destination of growth now takes him to Cleveland.  A place where he will have an opportunity to play with the best basketball player in the world.  That is, if LeBron James wants to keep him around.

While Cavaliers fans may scratch their heads as to who this kid is, Celtics fans know what his ceiling could be.  Former Cavaliers head coach David Blatt knows what his capabilities are and Ante Zizic, himself, feels he can play in the NBA.  He just thought he would do it wearing green.

Next: Boston Celtics: Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and the path to banner 18

We all did.  And who knows, Ante Zizic may be a factor the next time these two teams face off in the playoffs.  Let’s just hope he doesn’t make Danny Ainge regret including him in the package that brought Kyrie Irving to Boston.

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