In search of KG's heir

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

There's been tons of speculation as to what the Celtics will do in the upcoming draft, and plenty of opinions about what they should do. There are a lot of talented players in this draft, at various positions, so Danny has a lot of options, and there are a lot of possible directions he could choose, each of which has its pros and cons. From my point of view, the one thing that Danny absolutely needs to be concerned with starting yesterday is finding KG's heir.

I hope we all realize KG's importance to this team, because it goes way beyond the stats and is in fact the main factor in Boston's recent run of five consecutive successful seasons: this guy is a leader, the defensive genius, the team's anchor. No disrespect intended to Paul, Ray or Rajon, but KG—as I'm sure those other three will tell you—went so far as to change the culture of the Boston Celtics.

Is KG as great as Russell? An intriguing topic for debate, but each player is his own person. All I know for sure is that KG is the primary reason for the Celtics' return to glory in 2008, and that his knee injury is the primary reason the Cs didn't taste more glory in '09, '10 and '11. Rondo might be the straw that stirs the drink, but No. 5 IS the drink.

Which is why Danny needs to be looking high and low for his successor. I don't use the word "replacement," because as I said, each player is his own person, and no one can be replaced. You can, however, find people who are cut from a similar cloth, and if Boston is going to have more glory anytime soon, it will need a Russell-like, KG-like guy: someone who's a defensive mastermind (individually and within the team concept) and who has the utmost passion and intensity for the game, and for playing it the right way—not necessarily as demonstrative as KG, but just as mentally intense and focused.

I don't know this draft's players real well; perhaps some of you might be able to shed some light for me on whether anyone in this class has that KG-like mentality and drive. And you know, maybe KG, when he first came into the league, wasn't everything he is now as far as a defensive genius and team leader; I'm sure the raw material was there, but it was likely in need of fine-tuning, so if there's any KG-like player in this year's or next year's draft, I'm sure he too is in need of refinement—but as long as he has the raw material, I'll be happy. The question is, does that player exist?

All I know is that that's the type of player we're going to need going forward. We've been fortunate to have KG on our team for the last five seasons, and we'll be more fortunate still if he decides to stick around another season or two. I can't believe it's been five years already; I'm already missing KG, even though he isn't gone (yet). Like I've said before, I'm not much for cussing, but I'm not sure anything in basketball gets me as fired up as seeing KG verbally spew (and flex his arms and thump his chest) after he makes a great play. His level of desire and intensity is just off the charts, and even though no one can be that emotional all or even most of the time (not even KG, and especially not those of us who spend much of our time doing the decidedly unemotional task of sitting at a keyboard), he provides a great model of dedication that we should all aspire to.

So, Arnett Moultrie—are you like that? Fab Melo? Meyers Leonard? Any takers? I hope so. And if you are, I hope you become a Celtic.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

It'll be tough to find someone with that kind of passion and intensity.

Im not seeing it in this years class, but Moultrie is a very far similar to KG. Aside from defensive skills and the passion, Moultrie is a solid rebounder, has a mid range game and a post up game.

[Mr October]

The closest thing to KG's heir is Anthony Davis. And he's a lock for New Orleans. No one else comes close.

KG was a top 3 PF of all time. That is extremely hard to replace. Just as Larry Bird was hard to replace. There will be players with similar skills, but rarely do you find a big man with that maniacal desire to work on his game and win.

Hopefully it won't take 15 years to find another great one.

 

[mctyson]

KG is a singular, unique talent.  Remember: players went to college then the NBA before KG.  He restarted the straight to pros movement.  It's because he was that special, even at 18.

You are not replicating him.

[indeedproceed]

"You said there will be another Larry Bird. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird." -  Magic Johnson

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I think I made it pretty clear in the OP my belief that there will never be another KG. I'm looking for someone like him, just as KG, as far as his intensity and will to win, was like Bird.

[clover]

I think I made it pretty clear in the OP my belief that there will never be another KG. I'm looking for someone like him, just as KG, as far as his intensity and will to win, was like Bird.

Asking for another best player on your team at the 4/5 is a lot.  I think Danny's best, wild, upside hope in this draft, if he moves up, is a future All-Star who can be one of a new 'Big Three' on a championship team.  My guess of the C's best shot at that, drafting somewhere from 5 to 21, is Quincy Miller if he can play the 3 well defensively.

I think the best big man he could hope for is probably Leonard or Drummond and he can be one of those Big Three, I don't know.  But I would be shocked if it turned out he could fill KG's shoes.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I think I made it pretty clear in the OP my belief that there will never be another KG. I'm looking for someone like him, just as KG, as far as his intensity and will to win, was like Bird.

Asking for another best player on your team at the 4/5 is a lot.  I think Danny's best, wild, upside hope in this draft, if he moves up, is a future All-Star who can be one of a new 'Big Three' on a championship team.  My guess of the C's best shot at that, drafting somewhere from 5 to 21, is Quincy Miller if he can play the 3 well defensively.

I think the best big man he could hope for is probably Leonard or Drummond and he can be one of those Big Three, I don't know.  But I would be shocked if it turned out he could fill KG's shoes.

I know I'm asking for a lot, but there's nothing wrong with aiming high.

And of course, in the early stages of a player's career, it may be hard to tell who's going to do what. Maybe one of this year's draftees (other than Davis) will turn out to be a great big man. If that's the case, I hope we draft him.

[aporel#18]

KG's heir is not in this year's draft. This team needs an athletic, defensive ace big man to pair him with Rondo ala Cousy/Russell. Anthony Davis won't be a Celtic, sadly.

I think the best shot at it would be trying to get Nerlens Noel next year. He's still too young to be sure thing, but he could be that guy. But tanking is not the way (unless Stern has decided he'll compensate the Celtics for everything he's done before) to get him. The best way is picking 2-3 good prospects this year and showcase them in order to trade one or two to get a good pick. Maybe Steamer/JJJ/Moore/rookies can bring enough potential, or maybe Bradley is the piece to move.

I hope the Celtics retool next year, giving lots of rest to the starters, and more minutes to the youngins to raise their stock.

[clover]

I think I made it pretty clear in the OP my belief that there will never be another KG. I'm looking for someone like him, just as KG, as far as his intensity and will to win, was like Bird.

Asking for another best player on your team at the 4/5 is a lot.  I think Danny's best, wild, upside hope in this draft, if he moves up, is a future All-Star who can be one of a new 'Big Three' on a championship team.  My guess of the C's best shot at that, drafting somewhere from 5 to 21, is Quincy Miller if he can play the 3 well defensively.

I think the best big man he could hope for is probably Leonard or Drummond and he can be one of those Big Three, I don't know.  But I would be shocked if it turned out he could fill KG's shoes.

I know I'm asking for a lot, but there's nothing wrong with aiming high.

And of course, in the early stages of a player's career, it may be hard to tell who's going to do what. Maybe one of this year's draftees (other than Davis) will turn out to be a great big man. If that's the case, I hope we draft him.

Could Danny trade up with Charlotte for the #2 without giving up Rondo or Bradley--and then land Thomas Robinson?  He could be the best hope for your wish, I guess.