Welcome to Boston, Xavier Tillman!

[flintsky21]

I kinda like it. A bruiser that brings somewhat of a presence in the paint. Better equipped than Grant Williams to play small ball 5 and relatively young too. Not bad, Brad.

[Romeiro Celtic]

My buddy Jake is worth the follow

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He doesn't seem to be the quickest defender, but he compensates a lot with his positioning and foot work. Definitely a guy who knows his strengths and weaknesses. Very smart guy it seems too, knowing exactly when to strike for the loose ball or the block as he is not foul prone.

I liked his additon, I think he's better than Kornet right now, but Luke is already fit in into our system, so I think he'll be more of a depth guy. Certainly an addition to think for the future, since he can still develop and get better from learning from Al.

I'll give this trade a grade of B+.

[zoyathedestroya]

Where's the extension announcement?

[GoGreen]

Two 2nds for this guy? Idk much about him so maybe bread l Brad found a diamond in the rough. We'll see

[djFan71]

Seems like a good deal for someone to throw at a bunch of different guys in the playoffs for minimal cost. A couple 2nds to upgrade Stevens to what we kinda hoped he’d be.

[LewisnotMiller]

Welp...this is the sort of guy I wanted us to get. A big who could play with either Horf or KP defensively if we need him to.
I'm not sure if Tillman would have been my choice, I worry about him being playable at the offensive end, but defensively he gives us some of what Al does, albeit hopefully in limited minutes.

Price seems fine to me.

[31to6]

for a team that may need to go through (in reverse order) Joker, Giannis, Bam, Embiid, Randle, and/or Cleveland to win a title — adding one of the best defensive “bigs” in the league is a great move.

Another thing that occurs to me: Brad, again, paid a fair price. He consistently buys the right groceries, and pays what it costs. Danny (I’m gonna say it!) couldn’t do that for the last several years of his tenure because (here it comes!) of ….


HIS HUBRIS!

[Green89]

Good move. What's next, Brad?

[31to6]

Brad to the league:

Watch on YouTube

(also something you will very rarely see Tillman do:)

[zoyathedestroya]

Like Draymond Green, Tillman was born in Michigan and played for Michigan State. Also an undersized but tough defensive player. Unlike Draymond Green, Tillman won't punch his teammates or go UFC on his opponents.

Dunno who this guy is, but anyone calling a Brad Stevens acquisition a basketball genius is good in my book.

Watch on YouTube

[KamikazeK]

Two 2nds for this guy? Idk much about him so maybe bread l Brad found a diamond in the rough. We'll see

Defense.

[Hal14]

Like Draymond Green, Tillman was born in Michigan and played from Michigan State. Also an undersized but tough defensive player. Unlike Draymond Green, Tillman won't punch his teammates or go UFC on his opponents.

Dunno who this guy is, but anyone calling a Brad Stevens acquisition a basketball genius is good in my book.

Watch on YouTube

Good find with that video, since lots of people on here and on Twitter are saying Tillman sucks on offense.

I didn't not realize he was that good of a passer, although some of his assist % numbers look pretty good for a backup big.

I like this video as well, since it gives a glimpse into his basketball IQ..seems like a guy who really understands the game and how to play his role effectively.

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[zoyathedestroya]

Tillman is also tasked to clothesline Tatum anytime he takes an ill-advised iso stepback three.

[playa-hater]

I wish people would stop looking at his offensive numbers this year. If he did that every year then fine. He was playing in a half season long "garbage time" on the disaster team of this year.

IF/WHEN he gets a steady role he will be fine. All while being a solid and versatile defender.

[playa-hater]

Tillman is also tasked to clothesline JOE anytime he takes an ill-advised iso stepback three.

FIFY

[Fencer reregistered]

Seems like a better fit than Drummond, in age, defensive style, and even the passing.

[24istheLAW]

Very interesting!

Playoff track record is a substantial plus.

Offensive production is TBD but I'm not super worried. If he's the defender his résumé defending the stars paints him to be, you live with it. KP and Horford can both hang out away from the basket effectively themselves.

Rob Williams was a much better rim-running threat, obviously. But if this guy is just a more subtle version of a defensive menace at C, then in the big picture Brad might have used 2nds to replace Rob in the rotation while parlaying the flashier asset into an upgrade elsewhere on the roster.

[JimmyFromNz]

Happy with the trade. B+, pretty much no downside.

No need to fret about 2nd rounders, this is the best opportunity to win a championship since 2009, these smaller consolidation moves are crucial to that.

Whether it's spelling Horford and KP over the next 2 months to keep them playoff fresh, or even providing his own cameo come playoff time through size, defense and added versatility in situations that dictate it.

[zoyathedestroya]

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[Fierce1]

I kinda like it. A bruiser that brings somewhat of a presence in the paint. Better equipped than Grant Williams to play small ball 5 and relatively young too. Not bad, Brad.

Exactly!