NBA: Boston Celtics Getting Significant Help From Rookie

The Celtics’ depth has been a point of concern this season as most of the load is being shouldered by Brad Stevens' core starting five. But over the last couple of games, rookie Romeo Langford gave Boston something to cheer about as his stellar play recently has served a glimmer of hope that the team can still count on its bench moving forward.

With a banged-up line-up, the 20-year-old made the most of his chance to exhibit his basketball tools. In Boston’s last two games prior to Sunday’s match against Oklahoma City, Langford played for about 28 minutes in each, including a career-night against Atlanta where he scored 16, grabbed five rebounds and got three blocks off the bench, not to mention his leech-like defense to several Hawks that helped Boston secure a 112-107 win.

In a report by A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston, Langford said he needed to feel the game for a while first he got into his flow offensively against the Hawks. "It took me a little bit (of time) to get the rhythm of the game," he said. "But once I got running up and down the court a little bit, I felt like I belonged out there."

Celtics fans are obviously ecstatic with the emergence of a potential bench spark plug. But it appeared the players themselves are hardly surprised with their bench crew stepping up at any given time. Just like Langford’s explosion, for instance, the starters are aware that the only thing that derails their contribution is the lack of playing minutes inside their stacked squad.

"Listen, we have a lot of guys on that bench that can actually go and play and really make contributions," said Marcus Smart. "It's just tough for them now because we got so many guys that have been here, more experienced and are already established."

But just like the chance to play against a legend in Vince Carter who has been in the league even before he was born, Langford simply cherished the moment as he hopes to get more opportunity in the future to show what he is made of.

"It's surreal; I'm 20 and I would never have thought I would be playing against Vince Carter," Langford said. "Play with him on (PlayStation) 2K and against him, and now I got to guard him; it's a blessing."