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 Mhykhailiuk 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. Mhykhailiuk 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, Mhykhailiuk shot 42.4 percent from beyond the arc in 32 games with the Knicks and Hornets last season.
Mhykhailiuk has certainly bounced around a lot now. This being his seventh team, while entering season No. 7 amongst many transactions, the marksman believes he will not have any meshing difficulties.
"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," Mhykhailiuk 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."
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. Mhykhailiuk understands that his, and each and every one of their games can accentuate Boston differently.
"Everybody's different players," said Mhykhailiuk. "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, Mhykhailiuk 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.
"As for me, I've been in the league, what, this is my sixth year, so I feel like everybody runs, mostly the same stuff, just different names, so it's not that hard," he said. "I just come in here, learn it, get it here earlier, try and learn all the plays, all the guys, how they play, and just adjust to that."
Mhykhailiuk 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 tomorrow night as the Celtics take on the Philadelphia 76ers in their third preseason contest.
More must-reads: