The time is now for Romeo Langford
Every fan, media member, and NBA executive knows that Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge wishes he’d have won that coin toss and taken Tyler Herro. Romeo Langford probably knows it too. That isn’t to say that Langford is a bust by any means. He was never fully healthy during his first year as a Celtic and is a more raw prospect than Herro.
Herro came into the NBA as a high-IQ player with B+ ball-handling and passing skills to accompany a silky jump shot and a fearless demeanor. On top of that, Miami is the perfect fit for him both in terms of attitude and play style.
Langford was a bonafide potential pick, as is evident by the way they worked on changing his shooting form from the moment he stepped into their facilities. There is nothing wrong with being a potential pick, especially when you possess the physical tools that Langford has. He can still turn into a very special player with the right coaching and the right work ethic.
The good news is that Langford is on a team with a great coach and an organization that has a track record for developing young guards and wings. If you would have compared Herro and Langford at the end of the regular season, you may have said Langford’s physical tools gave him the higher ceiling and Herro’s pre-existing skills gave him the higher floor.
The bad news is that looks like it may not be the case anymore. Despite not having anywhere near the ideal NBA body, Herro has shown he can be a very good player in the league — better than what most people considered he could ever achieve.
Herro and Langford are in very similar situations — picked one spot apart to contending teams — yet they have very different stories. Herro is a Honda Accord which is off driving 90 on the freeway. Langford is a Mercedes that you have to crank the key eight times to just get it out of the driveway. The Mercedes is a much better car, but you’d rather go 90 mph in an Accord than go 0 mph in a Mercedes.
Both young players are just starting their careers, but the two may forever be tied together much in a way like Luka Doncic and Trey Young. Not only is it a Miami versus Boston thing, it’s an Indiana versus Kentucky thing.
The only thing to say about Langford’s rookie season, whether you’re referring to injuries or the on-court product, is it was disappointing. This is a crucial offseason for the young Hoosier as he strives for improvement in the shadow of Tyler Herro.