Celticsstrong 2021 Historical Draft - VOTES ARE IN

[Who]

Since I got Jokic, my #1 goal is to surround him with players who excel in a half court game. Need a hard-nosed PG who dictates the tempo on both ends of the court. Gimme the best defensive PG in the draft.

With the 2nd pick of the 4th round, the Milwaukee Bucks select Dennis Johnson.

• 3× NBA champion (1979, 1984, 1986)
• NBA Finals MVP (1979)
• 5× NBA All-Star (1979–1982, 1985)
• All-NBA First Team (1981)
• All-NBA Second Team (1980)
• 6× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1979–1983, 1987)
• 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1984–1986)
• No. 3 retired by the Boston Celtics
• Naismith Hall of Famer

DJ was the Marcus Smart of the 80s, only a way better offensive player. I mean, he even won Finals MVP in 1979. Larry has said multiple times that DJ was the best player he ever played with.

I was thinking of picking DJ next as my starting SG rather than PG. I was hesitating because of the combination of DJ and Doc in terms of their outside shooting.

What is funny is - I was thinking to myself "if I had of picked Kawhi instead of Doc like I was thinking - and have the outside shooting at SF - I'd definitely pick DJ". And you have Kawhi.

DJ and Kawhi. Man, that's awesome.

Not sure whether I'd play DJ as a PG or a SG. That flexibility only gives you more options in terms of your next pick. Having Jokic as your main playmaker is such a luxury - more flexibility again in terms of backcourt fits.

I am excited to see what happens with this team. Great mix. 

[Darth_Yoda]

Spurs are VERY happy to announce their next pick.

The MJ before the MJ
The Dr. J before the Dr. J

multi positional, hyper creative, Shot out to the baseline 3pter, great passer/playmaker, excellent ball handler, great rebounder, excellent defender, ELITE athlete.

The HAWK






Connie Hawkins

[Moranis]

Hawkins slid under my radar because his career was so short and he started in the ABA, but he definitely had a couple of great seasons. 

[Who]

Oh, very happy to see Connie Hawkins picked. I had him pegged as an early 2nd rounder. I am shocked he lasted until now. He was first team All-NBA. Top 5 player in basketball.

If I hadn't taken Doc as my SF #1, Hawk would have been my 2nd rounder. Hawkins was my dream target to pair with Moses Malone if I had of taken Moses #1. That was my plan -- re-create that Doc & Moses dynamic of the 1983 76ers.

[Who]

Hawkins was #3 SF on my draft board behind Doc and Kawhi.

[Darth_Yoda]

Oh, very happy to see Connie Hawkins picked. I had him pegged as an early 2nd rounder. I am shocked he lasted until now. He was first team All-NBA. Top 5 player in basketball.

If I hadn't taken Doc as my SF #1, Hawk would have been my 2nd rounder. Hawkins was my dream target to pair with Moses Malone if I had of taken Moses #1. That was my plan -- re-create that Doc & Moses dynamic of the 1983 76ers.

He is too good not to draft imo. After it looking like I could have Hawkins with Drex and Gervin and had to pick Mookie as my PG.

I think the team is balancing out well, definately a transition team with the ability to attack from any position in the half court.

[Darth_Yoda]

Hawkins was #3 SF on my draft board behind Doc and Kawhi.

4th for me.

But Lukily he has the size and wingspan to easily play pf regularly and small ball center.

I really like my trio of wings.

[Celtic Fan Forever]

C: Arvydas Sabonis
PF: Dennis Rodman
SF:
SG: Klay Thompson
PG: John Stockton

Would love some feedback/suggestions on my squad so far.

[RPGenerate]

My pick is a guy who was absolutely electric during the 90's, and he truly ushered in the flashy point guard architype. He was one of the best playmakers during his time as a player, thriving in transition using his speed and his amazing crossovers. Not to mention he was also a good three point shooter. For the eighth pick of the fourth round, I choose...



Tim Hardaway Sr.!!!

[Jvalin]

Here's a question: What position do you guys think Hawkins would be playing in today's game?

Personally speaking, I reckon he would have been an elite small-ball Center! After all, he played 2 seasons at Center in the ABA.

We were talking with Yoda about this yesterday. I believe he plans to use him at PF which would be a great choice too!

[Who]

C: Arvydas Sabonis
PF: Dennis Rodman
SF:
SG: Klay Thompson
PG: John Stockton

Would love some feedback/suggestions on my squad so far.

You have lots of guys who make others around them better. Who do things for others to make the game easier for them.

But you do not have guys who do things on their own or are finishers (except Klay) so the balance feels funny. Lots of guys to set people up but nobody to finish.

I don't think your team can be judged properly at this point because the balance isn't there yet. Some 3-4 man combinations you can see clearly. Yours, I don't think we can see that. It depends too much on the next few picks. How that team balance comes about.

Stockton = floor general setup man
Rodman = possession creator & defender
Sabas = high post facilitator

All players who create for others rather than score themselves.

Then Klay who is a catch and shoot scorer and elite shooter. Not the most complete scorer but very good at what he does. And his shooting and ability to stretch the court also creates for others with improved spacing & defensive attention.

It is possible you have too much setup guys and not enough go-to guys. Or it may work that in your next few picks the team really comes together and everything becomes clear. Not sure.

For now, it's not clear how it'll all come together. But it could.

[Darth_Yoda]

Here's a question: What position do you guys think Hawkins would be playing in today's game?

Personally speaking, I reckon he would have been an elite small-ball Center! After all, he played 2 seasons at Center in the ABA.

We were talking with Yoda about this yesterday. I believe he plans to use him at PF which would be a great choice too!

I got him as my PF right now but small ball center.

I see him as a much better version of Draymond Green.
Can Defend, Ultra athletic, very strong, big hands, long arms, very unique offense.

I just hope my next guy is there when I pick again.

I really fear he wont be, so I am open to trading up!!!!

[nickagneta]

With the 9th pick in Round 4 of the 2021 Historical Draft the Phoenix Suns select:



DEANDRE JORDAN

[Who]

Here's a question: What position do you guys think Hawkins would be playing in today's game?

Personally speaking, I reckon he would have been an elite small-ball Center! After all, he played 2 seasons at Center in the ABA.

We were talking with Yoda about this yesterday. I believe he plans to use him at PF which would be a great choice too!

This was something I was questioning a lot prior to the draft.

I decided Hawkins was an out and out SF who could play some PF minutes. I didn't think he was physical enough to play PF against some of the beasts in this draft. He was more of a finesse defender whose interest in defense was up and down. When he was focused, he was destructive with his length particulary as a team defender. At other times, he let the game pass him by on D.

He was very thin. Sounds like he was malnourished as a child which may have effected his muscle mass. One could argue he'd have more mass today with proper weight training - maybe he would. Maybe he could be like Giannis and really fill out. Become a full time PF.

Then again, maybe he is just a skinny guy. Maybe his childhood poverty & undernourishment has long term implications on his muscle growth (not sure on accuracy of this but I have heard talked about with some brazilian soccer players like Rivaldo and why he struggle to put muscle on).

And even if he can put on the muscle, does he have the mentality to go and be physical? He looks more of a finesse & passive defender to me. Not a banger. Even if he has the body of Giannis, would he use it effectively? Or would he still play the finesse game?

In the end, I wasn't convinced which is why I didn't draft Hawkins as my PF next to Doc = which I thought long and hard about. I really wanted to do it. My dream team scenario was Gervin, Doc and Hawk 2 through 4. Run and gun 70s basketball.

[Darth_Yoda]

With the 9th pick in Round 4 of the 2021 Historical Draft the Phoenix Suns select:



DEANDRE JORDAN

Forgot all about jordan.