technical details
  1. is_video => true
  2. alias => "boston\/\/celtics\/2020-nba-restart-defense-key-romeo-langfords-development-celtics"
  3. nid => "966411"
  4. title => "2020 NBA Restart: Defense the key to Romeo Langford's development for Celtics"
  5. is_chrome_page => false
  6. article_body => "<p>Romeo Langford has spent most of this season watching.&nbsp;Waiting.&nbsp;Wondering when he would get on the floor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Most of Langford\u2019s lack of playing time stemmed from a series of random injuries that derailed his growth and with that, opportunities to prove himself.<\/p>\n<p>But in the latter stages of the Celtics\u2019 season \u2014 prior to it being suspended on March 12&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;Langford got some love from Brad Stevens in the form of playing time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"wysiwyg-center\"><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb76e2c06579?site_id=Dig_RSN_Bos&amp;creative_id=nbcsbos1938&amp;cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&amp;cp_1=boston&amp;cp_2=alerts&amp;cp_3=nbcsbos1938\" target=\"_blank\">Download the MyTeams app<\/a> for the latest Celtics news and analysis<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Drafted by the Celtics with the 14th overall pick last year, Langford saw action in Boston\u2019s last six games, and nine of the last 10.&nbsp;It was the most consistent stretch of playing time he had seen all season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>And while injuries certainly opened the door for him to see some action, it was Langford\u2019s play \u2014&nbsp;especially defensively \u2014&nbsp;that endeared him to both Stevens and his teammates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It was a 127-117 win in February at Minnesota that opened the eyes of many to how Langford\u2019s best contributions at this point lie on the defensive end of the floor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/boston\/celtics\/2020-nba-restart-celtics-benefitting-marcus-smarts-improved-offense?int\" target=\"_blank\">Blakely: Smart's offense could be a key for C's in playoffs<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In that win, Langford defended 10 different Timberwolves players who were a combined 1-for-7 when he guarded them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey can try me; a lot of people try me,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/boston\/celtics\/theres-lot-love-about-what-romeo-langford-doing-defensively-celtics?b\" target=\"_blank\">Langford told NBC Sports Boston following the &nbsp;win<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s just funny to me. Because I know what I can do defensively.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>So does Stevens, who went almost exclusively with Langford after Jaylen Brown fouled out of the game. And when teams tried to go directly at Langford, Stevens didn\u2019t adjust but instead allowed Langford the freedom and opportunity to hold his own.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To his credit, he was up to the challenge.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen [teams] isolate him late, I feel really good about Romeo being isolated,\u201d Stevens said at the time. \u201cHe\u2019s got great length, great agility.\u201d<br>&nbsp;<br>But with the NBA restart and most of the Celtics at the top of their game health-wise, opportunities are likely to be few and far between for Langford. However, the Celtics now have the confidence knowing that if called upon, he\u2019ll be ready to contribute defensively which is critical to Boston\u2019s success.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Celtics Talk Podcast: A C's-Lakers Finals in NBA bubble?&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/link.chtbl.com\/RJkwuSSg\" target=\"_blank\">Listen &amp; subscribe<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=bu1QlA5iX_U\" target=\"_blank\">Watch on YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/celtics-talk\/episodes\/cd632c0e-ec01-4260-b40d-c543b1af25dd\/embed?theme=light-custom\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe> \n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n"
  7. author => "A. Sherrod Blakely"
  8. mps => {"author":"A. Sherrod Blakely","league":"","sport":"","sponsor":""}
  9. published => "1595430900"
  10. created => "1595426828"
  11. changed => "1595432617"
  12. status => "1"
  13. hero_image_credit => "AP Photo"
  14. section => "Celtics"
  15. team => "Boston Celtics"
  16. image => {"uri":"public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/boston\/2020\/07\/22\/oc_reintro_bench_digital_1920x1080_1766708291997.jpg","alt":"oc_reintro_bench_digital_1920x1080_1766708291997.jpg","title":"Reintroducing the Celtics: A Look at the Bench"}
  17. video_url => "https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/boston\/video\/reintroducing-celtics-look-bench"
  18. is_mediaid => true
  19. mediaid => "7EDrUQcLPAvg"
  20. video_autoplay => true
  21. video_automute => true
  22. mpx_account_id => "BxmELC"
  23. player_id => "boston_article"
  24. chrome_data => "{\"league\":\"\",\"sport\":\"\",\"sponsor\":\"\"}"
  25. sponsor => ""
  26. region => "boston"
  27. fb_url => "https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dialog\/share?app_id=318214485357680&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fboston%2Fceltics%2F2020-nba-restart-defense-key-romeo-langfords-development-celtics&display=popup"
  28. tw_url => "https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=2020%20NBA%20Restart%3A%20Defense%20the%20key%20to%20Romeo%20Langford%27s%20development%20for%20Celtics&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fboston%2Fceltics%2F2020-nba-restart-defense-key-romeo-langfords-development-celtics&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fboston%2Fceltics%2F2020-nba-restart-defense-key-romeo-langfords-development-celtics"
  29. mailto => "mailto:?subject=2020%20NBA%20Restart%3A%20Defense%20the%20key%20to%20Romeo%20Langford%27s%20development%20for%20Celtics&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fboston%2Fceltics%2F2020-nba-restart-defense-key-romeo-langfords-development-celtics"
  30. type => "article"
  31. meta => {"file":"\/mnt\/gfs\/rsnunited\/sites\/default\/files\/archive\/article\/boston\/celtics\/2020-nba-restart-defense-key-romeo-langfords-development-celtics.json","assets":["public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/boston\/2020\/07\/22\/oc_reintro_bench_digital_1920x1080_1766708291997.jpg"]}
  32. orig_image => {"uri":"public:\/\/2020\/07\/22\/oc_reintro_bench_digital_1920x1080_1766708291997.jpg","alt":"oc_reintro_bench_digital_1920x1080_1766708291997.jpg","title":"Reintroducing the Celtics: A Look at the Bench"}
  33. article_type => "article"
Celtics

Celtics

Romeo Langford has spent most of this season watching. Waiting. Wondering when he would get on the floor. 

Most of Langford’s lack of playing time stemmed from a series of random injuries that derailed his growth and with that, opportunities to prove himself.

But in the latter stages of the Celtics’ season — prior to it being suspended on March 12 — Langford got some love from Brad Stevens in the form of playing time. 

Download the MyTeams app for the latest Celtics news and analysis

Drafted by the Celtics with the 14th overall pick last year, Langford saw action in Boston’s last six games, and nine of the last 10. It was the most consistent stretch of playing time he had seen all season. 

And while injuries certainly opened the door for him to see some action, it was Langford’s play — especially defensively — that endeared him to both Stevens and his teammates. 

It was a 127-117 win in February at Minnesota that opened the eyes of many to how Langford’s best contributions at this point lie on the defensive end of the floor. 

In that win, Langford defended 10 different Timberwolves players who were a combined 1-for-7 when he guarded them.

“They can try me; a lot of people try me,” Langford told NBC Sports Boston following the  win. “It’s just funny to me. Because I know what I can do defensively.”

So does Stevens, who went almost exclusively with Langford after Jaylen Brown fouled out of the game. And when teams tried to go directly at Langford, Stevens didn’t adjust but instead allowed Langford the freedom and opportunity to hold his own. 

 

To his credit, he was up to the challenge.

“When [teams] isolate him late, I feel really good about Romeo being isolated,” Stevens said at the time. “He’s got great length, great agility.”
 
But with the NBA restart and most of the Celtics at the top of their game health-wise, opportunities are likely to be few and far between for Langford. However, the Celtics now have the confidence knowing that if called upon, he’ll be ready to contribute defensively which is critical to Boston’s success.

Celtics Talk Podcast: A C's-Lakers Finals in NBA bubble? | Listen & subscribe | Watch on YouTube