BOSTON -- He mentioned all the right words to fit in with the Boston Celtics.
Defense.
Rebounds.
Focus.
Greg Steimsma has transitioned smoothly into the Celtics system during training camp. In Wednesdays preseason win over the Toronto Raptors, he showcased what he could add to the team if he made the regular season roster.
I hope I showed I belong, that I can play at this level, and that I can help this team whether its three or four minute stretches or whatever it be, practice, whatever it is, he said. I feel I can step in and help them out.
In nearly 18 minutes off the bench, Steimsma recorded seven points, five rebounds, and two blocked shots. Hes proving to be compatible with the goals of the Celtics reserves -- understand your role and contribute to your highest potential in the minutes you play.
Boston Celtics
He played great, which is good," said head coach Doc Rivers. "Its good to see. It was nice because we played him with some of the starters, which we were trying to do, and he blocked shots, he could run the floor, he can make a shot from the elbow. That was great when he just jacked it. That was what we wanted him to do. So it was a good showing by him.
Steimsma, a 26-year-old journeyman, has played in the NBA Development League and overseas. He hopes that the skills he has been honing over the years will be an asset to the Celtics. Steimsma pointed to taking care of the ball, good shot selection, and attention to details as a few of his strengths thats mesh with the Cs system.
Defensively, I just tried to hold down in the paint as much as I can, he said. I didnt get as many rebounds as maybe I wanted to, but I hit a couple of shots, ran the floor. I thought I got that one bucket in transition. Weve got guys that will find you. If you run, youre going to get rewarded. So it was a combination of a few little things.
After getting a few reps under his belt, Steimsma settled in on the court. It also helped to have supportive teammates, coaches, and fans behind him.
I know Bostons a great sports town, he said. They love their Celtics.