A story of weak draft, late pick
Ready yourself for anything tonight, but expect very little. The Celtics will probably keep the 25th pick and select some relatively small name who will in all likelihood make little to no impact next season. Or maybe they’ll trade the selection for whatever they can get because they don’t expect anybody that late in the draft to contribute. Or maybe they’ll trade up a few spots and select another relatively small name who will probably spend next year picking splinters from his rump.
Don’t be completely blind-sided if the Celtics use the draft as a springboard to trades, to change, to evolution, but don’t expect any substantial, franchise-altering trades. The chances, of course, that Danny Ainge drastically changes the team’s nucleus tonight remain small. But Ainge—for better and for worse—has always shot first, then asked questions later. He maintains that he would have broken up the Larry Bird-Kevin McHale-Robert Parish triumvirate before the trio broke down, and he has already broken up Boston’s unbeaten starting five. Assume that if Ainge believes he can find proper value for Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce or even Rajon Rondo, one or more star Celtics will find himself in the market for a new home.
Short of a trade, the draft will be bland, at least from Boston’s perspective. A weak draft, two low choices—the Celtics are more likely to find another Allan Ray than the next Ray Allen. We can get excited about Jimmy Butler (and his fantastic story, and his reportedly otherworldly attitude), but we should remember that he’s not nearly as talented as Jeff Green, and that we (or at least I) spent most of last season cursing at Green under our breath. We can get excited about Nikola Vucevic, but is he really the type of player an NBA team should trade up to acquire? We can get excited about Jeremy Tyler, but he was underwhelming while playing in Japan; what’s to say he will make an impact in the NBA? We can get excited about this shooter, that rebounder, or that scorer, but whoever becomes the 25th pick could very well play more D-League games than NBA games in 2012.
“When we’re drafting where we’re drafting — I’m not trying to put a negative spin on this, I’m trying to be realistic — the 25th pick in the draft is probably not going to help us immediately,’’ Ainge told the Boston Globe.
“But there are some players that we’re thinking can fill our roster, will fit in with the personality of our team, and have a work ethic and make our team better in practice and add depth to our roster.’’
Translation: expect the Celtics to draft Luke Harangody, not Paul Pierce. Expect Avery Bradley, not Rajon Rondo. Expect Von Wafer, not Ray Allen. Expect tonight to unfold with barely a whisper, with a lower-tier prospect who might one day boost Ainge’s status as a diamond miner (or, perhaps more likely, become the next J.R. Giddens).
The Celtics need to fill a lot of roster spots this offseason. They need size, and a backup point guard, and now that I’m thinking about it, an entirely new bench. Change will come. But tonight, blandness seems far more likely.
Related posts:
Celtics Blog, Draft Central | Jay King | June 23, 2011
Boston Celtics, Danny Ainge, David Stern, Jeremy Tyler, Jimmy Butler, NBA Draft 2011
While all the ‘experts’ have said this draft contains few stars, they have all said that quality bench or role players can be found. That said here’s a BOLD idea for the Cs since that word has been bandied about the last few days. Draft as planned and find some rebounding and size. Then, and here’s where ‘bold’ comes into play, do not let Doc do what he has done since he arrived as coach and instead force him to play the bench and new players. With an older team the Cs know what it takes in the playoffs, as they make their last formal Big 3 title run. We’re likely to get at least one very good role player tonight (move Davis and pick to move up?) and may luck into two but with the quality of bench we currently have (Green, West (start him and have RA be the 6th man) Bradley, Murphy, Wafer) there is more than enough ‘role’ player talent BUT IT HAS TO BE USED beyond Green and West. Murphy is a very good rebounder but he can’t do so sitting on the bench all game but for a few minutes or garbage time. Use him in a ‘Rodman’ type role.
What I truly would like to see is for the Cs to change their game operating model and experiment more by playing these players more minutes and resting the core 3 (KG/PP/RA) more, and even RR so Bradley can contribute more. What’s to lose by doing so? Maybe the damn injury bug for one and maybe we get the type of bench that can bring real sustained and added value to the starters’ efforts so that when the playoffs arrive we have the deepest and most interchangeable team capable of beating the Heat, Bulls, Mavs or Lakers for banner #18. Go Cs…
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As usual, James, your comments about Baby and Green make me puke, but I agree with you that playing the bench consistently must happen. Doc has done it before, so maybe there is hope.
As for Rondo, give him more bench time and insist that he play 100% when he is on the floor. This kid can dominate games, and anything less is no longer acceptable from him.
And good work propagandizing for Ainge, Jay. He’s a gambler who has become reckless. No excuses for him until he makes up for The Trade. You don’t get to take a reckless gamble like he did and then just shrug your damn shoulders as he has done, as the media have let him do without calling him on it.
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I just hope and pray that Danny doesn’t pull off another insane move tonight. I don’t know what I fear more – what Danny might do, or what his legions of defenders will say to justify it.
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paul…I actually like Green a lot, ergo my support for the trade. Sometimes I don’t think you read all my posts or remember my comments, as I have been very consistent. I really believe Green will be 100% better and more at ease this coming season and should average at least 10-12 pts and 6-8 rebs per game. As for Davis, I’m just tired of his me first attitude. Go Cs…
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Revisionists continue to blame the Perkins trade for the lack of a title. Let’s examine the reality: Perkins rejected the Celtics best offer before his final season in order to seek a bigger paycheck. If he played out the season in Boston he would have been gone come opening day. Let’s face it, he was a non-factor for the Thunder in their failed playoff run. While it’s true Nened Krstic bolted after finishing the season, if the Celts retain up and comer Jeff Green they will have received something for Perk. He is a good all-around player with a good head and motor. He allows Pierce to sit without throwing in the towel. And by the way another poster wants to “combine Baby with a pick “. Well, we have the pick but we don’t have Glenn Davis, who has finished his contract. Who do I want in the draft? How about a solid rebounder who can bang bodies and make free throws? Is that asking too much?
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[...] Select JaJuan Johnson Celtics Town Introducing Orpster: The New Sports Stock Market A story of weak draft, late pick Celtics open to trading the 25th pick ProJo Brooks ready for the waiting gameMass [...]
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