Having watched both Maine games, I thought I'd drop a quick impression of a few of the players, especially the ones that we're familiar with.

Maine lost the first game against the Nets, mostly due to a poor start where they looked pretty ragged and disconnected. Plenty of first game jitters to go around, especially from bench players. They mostly dominated the second game though when they easily handled the Blue Coats (76er's).

The difference between the NBA and G-League is on full display in every game. There's a lot of talent on these teams and a lot of players who can shoot very well, but it makes it easier when defensive rotations are a step (or more) slower. It's really on the defensive end that the difference become glaring so you have to take a good offensive showing with a grain of salt if you're expecting it to translate to the big league.

Davison: One of the best players in the G-League. He's expanding his game a bit into other areas but excels at controlling the pace. He's shooting well from outside and can get to rim almost every time he wants to. A new twist he put on display in the second game was some bully-ball. Yes, when a slender 6'1" guard was on him, he turned his back and the kid (Mintz) had no chance. Davison was moving him as much as 3 feet at a time. The second game is worth watching for those sequences alone. After two games he's averaging 30 points and 13 assists.

Scheierman: After seeing him with the big club, I was concerned. But, with Maine, he's found his stroke and his confidence is high. The dude can shoot. Like many shooters, he think that the ball is going go in EVERY time and probably has a few too many heat-checks, taking shots that are definitely rushed. I know that people consider him the second coming of Hauser but his game is really more like Pritchard. If he could tighten his handle, learn when to pass and when not too, he'd be a taller version of PP. That's a pretty good ceiling. One of the Delaware announcers even likened him to Pritchard when he tossed in a half-court buzzer beater at the end of the half.

Skapintsev: I like this kid. He's not athletic, doesn't have speed or bounce, but has good court sense. He plays positional defense and has some excellent passing skills. It's hard to tell were his ceiling is but he could be a diamond in the rough. He has good hands and a nice touch around the basket, and his foul shot looks smooth, but he hasn't launched a three yet. Adding conditioning and muscle, and a year of watching Jokic film, and he might be ready to move up. He's 26 though. If he was a few years younger and playing like this, I'd be excited. Still, I'm going to keep watch on this one. Remember, Jokic wasn't Jokic, until he was.

Watson: I admit that during garbage time in Boston, he looked lost to me and had me scratching my head. But in Maine, he looks much more settled and that raw talent shows. RAW talent. His outside shot looks good as long as he had time to set his feet and spot the basket, but he'll need a lot of work before he's ready to be a true outside threat. His on-ball defense is good and he his athleticism and length sometimes bail him out when it isn't. He still has a lot to learn but there's good material to work with. Another good late second round pick by Stevens.

Harper Jr.: It's hard to pick out one area where this kid excels, but he's also fairly solid (G-League solid) in every aspect of his game. He doesn't make too many mistakes defensively, he can bring the ball up the court and initiate, he can finish at the rim, and he has a good outside shot. He will also mix it up in the trees going after rebounds. After initial jitters in the first game, he's played within his game. There's a reason he's a starter, but while he does well in all areas, none of them translate to meaningful NBA minutes... yet.

Hanson Ward: (backup center) This kid has bounce like he's collecting frequent flyer miles. Lucky and the Jet Blue Crew have nothing on this kid. Keywords: raw, energy, rim-protection. Unlike Skapintsev who plays positional defense, this guy relies on his ability to fly. A definite vertical threat, he also shows a good stroke on foul shots, so there's more than just athletic talent there. This superman's kryptonite is fouling. It will take time, but he could learn to shine. Meanwhile, he puts on a good show. He's worth watching.

Schakel: Last year, Schakel was a microwave scorer. He still has his quick-release shot, but is trying to be more this year. Like Harper Jr., he's a well-rounded player and could probably be sitting at the end of rotation on a weak NBA team or on a 10-day 'break glass' contract. Hopefully, he gets a shot somewhere, but for now, just enjoy having him in Maine.

Scrubb: We all hated seeing Scrubb go down last year. He's trying to make a comeback and the rust is showing. He didn't see the floor during the first game, so I expect he'll continue to improve as the season goes on.

The Maine (Red Claw) Celtics are fun to watch. Yes, sometimes it's chaotic and cringeworthy. But they put their heart into the game EVERY minute. These are young men, fighting for their career during meaningful minutes. They're not trying to showcase in a couple of minutes at the end of a blow-out. They're showcasing for 20-30+ minutes while trying not to look like they're showcasing. If you're a Celtics fan, you need to be watching, because these kids are Celtics.