Reality check for the people counting on Fab

[arambone]

honestly I believe they are all in the same boat. None of them are any better then the other. Well expect Melo would be last since he is clueless on O. But relying on Darko and Collins is no breath of fresh air.

I think too many people sleep on Sullinger as a 5. Guys only an inch shorter and weighs about the same as Dwight Howard. In todays NBA where alot of good teams play small there is no doubt Sullinger can be an effective 5.

Celtics drafted two guys who project as average or better NBA centers, for different reasons. That's a hell of a draft.

[Eja117]

Melo can do several things that Perk couldn't do as well even at his pre-injury peak.

-Taller
-Longer
-Way better shot blocker
-faster off-ball rotating speed
-Way better passer
-Faster up and down the court
-Same or better free throw shooter
-Way better jump shooter with much longer range to stretch the floor. (There was never a need for opposing bigs to leave the paint if Perk went outside of 6 feet. Melo will be able to pull opposing bigs out to 15 feet.)
-Comparable rebounder
-Similar hands (not great, not horrible)


It's funny how every big looks better playing next to KG and Rondo. Perk was a very mediocre player who looked great next to KG and parlayed that into a ridiculous contract that OKC may very well amnesty at some point.

Bass looked better next to KG than he ever looked before.
Semih Erden looked decent next to KG and Rondo, but never did anything after leaving.

Hollins looked way better next to KG and Rondo, after getting cut by the lowly Cavs.

Stiemsma looked way better than he ever looked before, and KG and Rondo made him look like a competent NBA player for the first time.

Big Baby looked better in Boston than he did with the Magic when he left.

Melo is equal or superior to Perkins in every way except possibly man-to-man defense and the wisdom that comes with experience.

Why would we be shocked when KG and Rondo make Melo look like Tyson Chandler or a poor-man's Tyson Chandler?

Is Melo going to be expected to take the ball up the court?
Is Melo going to be expected to be a play making passer from the center spot?
Is Melo going to even touch the ball more than absolutely necessary, even though Perk was never passed to unless he was wide open?

When Melo makes a stupid pass, why would we give him more grief than we gave Perk when he made several knuckle-headed passes every single game, even at his apex?


Melo is an elite shot blocker already, possibly top 10-15 in the NBA. He has elite help defense instincts, and the vision, footwork and athleticism to rotate very quickly for a big man.
He shot a very high FG% in limited touches for 'Cuse. The guy can finish, the guy can catch and finish lobs from Rondo, and the guy can hit 15 footers at an acceptable rate for a big man.

I think Melo will be better than the current version of Perk by February at the latest. He has most of the same weaknesses as Perk, who looked like a 10 Million dollar player next to KG and Rondo.

And Melo's rebounding will be decent at worst, now that he's playing man to man defense and is more experienced and confident. At the very least, Melo has the length, instincts, vision, and athleticism to tip many many rebounds to his teammates.

Even if Melo gets sent to Maine because of our depth, don't be surprised if he makes a major impact by the playoffs, making us remember that Collins and Darko were the minimum salary insurance stiffs that they are.

Melo could be a 10-8-3 guy by the end of the year, easy. Most big men make stupid turnovers. Even the legendary Perk.

But waaaiiittt a second. By that theory Darko and Collins will be awesome too, right?

[arambone]

"But waaaiiittt a second. By that theory Darko and Collins will be awesome too, right?"

Well, they will probably look better than they have recently, although Darko might wilt like Kristic or JJJ.

But yeah, Collins probably won't look particularly worse than today's post-injury version of Perk.

I think Melo will play like a much more athletic version of Stiemsma. That's a pretty darn good player, and hopefully Melo gets there this year, even if it doesn't happen until after a trip or two to Portland.

Melo can also hit that mid-range shot just as well.

But yeah, against the Lakers and Sixers, Collins will probably be a better defensive option against Dwight and Bynum than Melo.

Against faster 5's or against teams where help defense from the center is the top priority, I see Melo being the best Non-KG option the Celtics have.

Melo's weaknesses can be hid very well on this team.
If he is able to develop an effective post move or two, his value to the Celtics skyrockets.

[ACF]

If he can be BJ Mullens, I'll be happy.

[celticinorlando]

melo will spend much of the season in Maine

[mgent]

Gotta love the irony here.  A reality check for people counting on Melo that is completely oblivious to the fact that we have another 20 year old big picked in the 20s that almost everybody expects to immediately contribute in the rotation.

[Eja117]

Gotta love the irony here.  A reality check for people counting on Melo that is completely oblivious to the fact that we have another 20 year old big picked in the 20s that almost everybody expects to immediately contribute in the rotation.

That guy showed way more in both college and summer league. There's legit reason to be excited about him, especially because his back seems fine, which he wouldn't have slipped as far had there not been a flag there.

[Celtics4ever]

He struggled against guys with length in summer league and in college.   Still he has a nose for the ball and good hands and is a load.   Just got to realize that occasionally he is going to be blocked ala Big Baby style.   I was excited about Sully and I thought he was a dud.

Melo is a project but he is an athletic seven footer.  His hands are suspect but he has timing.   You can't teach timing but you can improve hands easily with drills.  Shot blocking timing is a gift you either have it or you don't.  He has it.

[Freeease1]

Keep Melo in Boston most of the year in order for him to get the K G Treatment and Influence. That will be worth the year. all the while, he can work on his skill development and Body and conditioning under the watchful eye of Doo and CO.

[OsirusCeltics]

Well he is a rookie so I expect absolutely nothing from him. Any progress he achieves is all gravy to me

I basically think all rookies are invisible until they can prove anything to me by their 2nd season

[arambone]

One thing the rookies have going for them is that the Celtics have a high number of back-to-back games.

I expect all three to get decent minutes in the 2nd of back-to-backs within a couple months.

[pearljammer10]

He'll be in Maine for a couple years.

[CelticHooligan3]

One thing the rookies have going for them is that the Celtics have a high number of back-to-back games.

I expect all three to get decent minutes in the 2nd of back-to-backs within a couple months.

Excellent point Arambone, and i wouldn't even be surprised to see it from the first week. The more conservitive we are with the vets, the better.

And hopefully it sets a good precedent for the whole regular season. Plenty of rest for the vets and some solid minutes for the rooks.

[BballTim]

He'll be in Maine for a couple years.

  They generally don't send players to Maine until they reach the part of the season where they don't have time to practice.