Emotional Grind of Boston Celtics' Matt Ryan Starting to Pay Off

Matt Ryan scores 23 points including off-balance 3-pointer for the win. He delivers emotional post-game speech, detailing his days as a DoorDash driver to now being a Boston Celtics player.

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LAS VEGAS – Boston Celtics wing Matt Ryan came into the NBA summer league slate of games in Las Vegas as one of the better long-range shooters.

He didn’t disappoint, delivering an efficient performance that included the game-winner with less than a second remaining that lifted the Celtics to a 111-109 win over Milwaukee.

Ryan’s 23 points were impressive, for sure.

But it was his post-game presser that really left an indelible impression on anyone within earshot or is on social media.

I asked Ryan about his journey to get to this point, the hard work that he has put in, and what it means to see it all pay off in moments like the one we saw on Monday when he drained an off-balance 3-pointer that even he didn't think had a shot at going in.

"I thought it (the shot) was left. I thought it was long," Ryan said.

Like Ryan's emotional post-game presser, that shot - and so many more we've seen this week - was right on time.

“It’s pretty emotional,” said Ryan, who couldn’t hold back shedding a few tears. “I don’t know if you heard my story, but I was driving DoorDash a year ago. To be here, to be a part of the Boston Celtics, it’s special…it’s special.”

And the play of Ryan thus far in summer league has been pretty special, too.

Of course, you never want to put too much stock in how a player performs in summer league, knowing their impact and their role once the regular season begins, will likely be very different.

But in talking with NBA scouts here in Las Vegas about Ryan, the shooting is obviously something they like.

However, one NBA scout believes the talent is just part of what he believes will pave the way toward Ryan being more than just a fringe NBA player.

“He’s just a tough-minded kid,” said the scout. “He’s been through some stuff that, for him to be here, clearly made him a tougher, humble kid who is willing to fight to stay in this league. I like him; I like him a lot.”’

So do the Celtics who have little choice but to give serious thought to keeping Ryan around in some capacity heading into this season. If not, they run the risk of him becoming Max Strus 2.0.

Strus was originally signed by Boston to a two-way contract but was waived before ever playing a game for Boston. He eventually found his way to Miami and worked his way into a starter who was a factor in Miami finishing this past season with the best record in the Eastern Conference.

“Matt’s going to help some team, very soon,” said the scout. “He’s worked too hard and to be frank, he’s too good a shooter in a league that’s always looking for shooters, to not get an opportunity to play real minutes, and, knowing Matt, he’ll make the most of it and never look back.”

Here are the Stars and Studs from Boston’s two-point win over Milwaukee.

STARS

Matt Ryan: The 3-pointer he hit to win the game, twisted ankle and all, was impressive. But that was just the last of many big shots made by Ryan whose play is drawing considerable interest from scouts here in Las Vegas. He would finish Monday’s game with 23 points which included connecting on 6-for-11 3-pointers.

Sandro Mamukelashvili: The Celtics had problems defending Sandro Mamukelashvili all game, with his points coming from point-blank range and from behind the 3-point line. He had a near double-double with 28 points and nine rebounds.

STUDS

Mfiondu Kabengele: Lots of good things seemed to happen for Boston when the former first-round pick out of Florida State was on the floor. He would tally a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds to go with four assists and two blocked shots. Just as significant was the Celtics being a plus-26 when he was on the floor.

If you like reading Full Court Press? Please subscribe and leave your thoughts, ideas, etc in the comments section. And if you want to get your friends on the Full Court Press team, forward away. You ️can also follow Sherrod's Facebook page at @sherrodblakely.