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Indiana Basketball: Reviewing Romeo Langford’s first NBA season

By Trevor Gersmehl

Romeo Langford, Boston Celtics (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Romeo Langford, Boston Celtics (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Romeo Langford #45 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at Staples Center on February 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Romeo Langford #45 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at Staples Center on February 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

Romeo Langford is on the perfect team

The Celtics took Langford as a high upside pick and didn’t expect him to make an immediate impact. Boston has a very strong backcourt with Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Kemba Walker, so they can afford to groom Langford at a slower pace. This is the exact situation Langford needed to thrive as an NBA player.

Coming out of college, the main knocks on Langford were his shooting motion and his effort level (especially without the ball on offense). He is in the perfect place to succeed with those shortcomings.

As I mentioned earlier, the Celtics are prioritizing Langford’s jump shot, and there are little things he is doing a lot better than he did at Indiana. For instance, he has developed the habit of having his hands up and ready to catch-and-shoot off the ball. He is progressing, albeit slowly.

As for effort, Brad Stevens does not tolerate anything but a player’s best. If Langford wants to play, he will have to bring tremendous effort. It’s as simple as that.

Players are often evaluated based on their stats and on-court dazzle, but not based on their organization. Players who are drafted by successful franchises tend to thrive, while players drafted by doldrum franchises suffer in terms of development. The Celtics are a top-tier NBA franchise, and they will do right by Langford.

Next. Indiana Hoosiers: Building a perfect Big Ten conference. dark

Langford’s rookie season won’t land him on an all-rookie team, but he showed signs that he could be a successful NBA player in a few years. Make sure to keep tabs on his NBA career, because – although it may be slow and gradual – Langford will improve every year.

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