Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Svi Mykhailiuk Makes Case for Roster Spot in Impressive Celtics Debut
The ball swung around the wing in the bench view of the Knicks. Dalano Banton hesitated and kicked it to Lamar Stevens, who set and fired. It bounced off the front of the rim, as galloping in confidence toward an open interior was one of the newest Celtics, wearing number 50. Svi Mykhailiuk came out of the rafters and put back the two-handed jam.
Boston fell to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden Monday night, but some of their new bench pieces fighting for a roster spot widened the eyes of many. Mykhailiuk was one of them, impressing with his offensive game.
The swingman signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Celtics entering September. Known for his three-point shooting abilities, Mykhailiuk shot 42.4 percent from beyond the arc in 32 games with the Knicks and Hornets last season.
Mykhailiuk has certainly bounced around a lot now. This being his seventh team, while entering season No. 7. But the marksman believes he will not have any trouble meshing with his new teammates.
"As for me, I've been in the league, what, this my sixth year, so I feel like everybody runs mostly the same stuff, just different names, so it's not that hard," Mykhailiuk said. "I just come in here; just learn it; get it here earlier. Try to learn all the plays, all the guys, how they play, and just adjust to that."
Mykhailiuk understands that adapting to Boston’s schemes both offensively and defensively will not be anything short of a challenge.
“Probably just to learn how everybody plays and play off them,” Mykhailiuk said. “Because you know the main guys, you just got to learn how they play and just build your game based on what they do.”
Multiple of the other non-guaranteed signings—Banton, Stevens, and Neemias Queta -- also made their strengths felt. The Ukrainian guard knows he will be in competition with them and potentially Sam Hauser and Oshae Brissett for rotation minutes. Mykhailiuk understands that his, and each and every one of their games can accentuate Boston differently.
"Everybody's different players," said Mykhailiuk. "Dalano, more of a point guard, Oshae, more of a defensive type of player, but he's really aggressive on the offensive end, getting rebounds and playing aggressive. (He) can make an open three, so I feel like everybody has their own skillset, which is very valuable to a team."
In his last 10 games with Charlotte last season, Mykhailiuk averaged 16 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds, shooting 45.2 percent and 39.4 from distance. He certainly has an urgency to be a help to this Celtics' team in getting them over that championship hump. Especially, with his pursuit of a permanent home.
Mykhailiuk hit three triples, shot 5-9, and scored 15 points as a plus-four in 26 minutes. His first outing will surely put a stamp on Boston's rotation mindset and beyond. His usage and run will be interesting Wednesday night as the Celtics take on the Philadelphia 76ers in their third preseason contest.
Further Reading
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The Latest on a Potential Celtics Extension with Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday Shares His Thoughts on Celtics Debut
Kristaps Porzingis Comments on Preseason Debut with Boston Celtics
Sensing Celtics' Excitement, Intensity, Paul Pierce Believes Jrue Holiday's 'The Missing Piece'
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
