Interesting Brad Stevens Quote

[clover]

I'm reading this Men's Fitness Q&A with Brad Stevens and this stuck out to me with the draft in mind:

Q: What are the qualities you look for in a prospective player?

Stevens: A baseline level of talent, then you?re looking for guys that are into the team. Their presence in the locker room raises everybody else on the court. There are a few teams that just exude that. And there are a lot of us who are striving to get to the point where you have that perfect mix.


Now, I'm not saying this is the end all be all of who Stevens wants Ainge to pick...However, it's logical to say that when Stevens puts in his two cents on draft night, he'd likely toss out the names of Randle, Smart & Gordon...Those three, especially the last two, would fit that profile perfectly.

Just something to share that I thought was interesting.

I had the exact same thought when I read that quote yesterday.

[pokeKingCurtis]

I don't think he's bashing getting a top 8 pick. He's bashing the, 'Stevens/Ainge won't pick a scorer' sentiment.

Where'd that come from...?

Stevens has been here a year and hasn't done anything in terms of favoring personnel because...he didn't really have a choice with the roster...

Ainge hasn't made a move...

Gordon would be his first acquisition if anything. So it's not like there's a precedence...

 

[footey]

I'd like the Celtics to mostly target Gordon, cause he can play the three , but Randle and Smart are probably my favorites after him. Good to know Stevens wants them.

Gordon can play the three in some lineups, but is not a three.  I think Ainge will pick whomever he think is the best player, because teams who mess up top picks often do so because they pick out of need.  If he picks another PF, which is likely just given who will be available, it's because he intends to get talent and let the talent sort itself out.  But Gordon is a very athletic 4.  He will not be picked because he can play the three in a pinch.

Semantics.

[nacceltic]

Not to mention Ainge loves combo guards like Daryl Morey loves numbers.
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Danny was rumored to love himself some Tyreke Evans and I can see many similarities between Evans and Smart...That's why I'm buying the idea that Danny would without a doubt pick Smart at #6. I wouldn't have a problem with that.

[indeedproceed]

I don't think he's bashing getting a top 8 pick. He's bashing the, 'Stevens/Ainge won't pick a scorer' sentiment.

Where'd that come from...?

Stevens has been here a year and hasn't done anything in terms of favoring personnel because...he didn't really have a choice with the roster...

Ainge hasn't made a move...

Gordon would be his first acquisition if anything. So it's not like there's a precedence...

 

It was directly referenced in the comment from LB33.

[pokeKingCurtis]

I don't think he's bashing getting a top 8 pick. He's bashing the, 'Stevens/Ainge won't pick a scorer' sentiment.

Where'd that come from...?

Stevens has been here a year and hasn't done anything in terms of favoring personnel because...he didn't really have a choice with the roster...

Ainge hasn't made a move...

Gordon would be his first acquisition if anything. So it's not like there's a precedence...

 

It was directly referenced in the comment from LB33.

I meant where'd LB33's sentiment, that Stevens & Ainge don't like scorers, come from...?

[crimson_stallion]

I don't think this tells you much about the draft that you don't already know.

Marcus Smart
Noah Vonleh
Aaron Gordon
Julius Randle

All of those guys are said to be coach favorites - hard working guys who are highly coachable.  If he (by some chance) slips to 6th you can throw Exum in to that list too, because every team official I've seen speak of Exum has raved about his maturity and intelligence.

I do think the concept of Danny avoiding a scorer is way off mark though.  Boston is in desperate need for scoring, and Smart is the best scorer on that list.  Even if Stevens wants someone who can defend - Smart has been very highly spoken of as one of the best defensive guards in this years draft. Leadership?  Everybody who has known Smart seems to say that he has the ultimate winners mentality, is highly coachable, and is a great locker room guy. 

Right now I have to believe that all the hints point to Marcus Smart as the #1 target for Ainge, but at the end of the day it all depends on what they see as their biggest need. 

Do they want to get a guy who they believe will is the best player right now?  If so it will probably be Smart or Randle. 

Do they want the guy with the highest upside?  If so it will probably be Smart or Vonleh.

Do they want the guy who will fit one of their major holes?  If so it will probably be Smart (scoring) or Vonleh (rim protection). 

I don't really see any scenario where Gordon becomes the most desirable option here.  He doesn't really give the Celtics anything that they aren't already getting from Green and Wallace at the SF spot, and both of those guys are on extended contracts (hence are no risk of leaving in free agency).  On the other hand Rondo and Bradley are both at risk of running either this year or next, so signing Smart would make a LOT of sense as insurance.  They don't have a legit center, so signing Vonleh also makes a lot of sense.  Sully is their most valuable trade asset and is a bit of a health risk, so signing Randle (and trading Sully) also makes some sense.

Unless Boston find a way to trade Wallace (or is set on trading Green) I don't see any real need for Gordon on the roster.  He just doesn't fit anywhere.

[BballTim]

I don't think he's bashing getting a top 8 pick. He's bashing the, 'Stevens/Ainge won't pick a scorer' sentiment.

Where'd that come from...?

Stevens has been here a year and hasn't done anything in terms of favoring personnel because...he didn't really have a choice with the roster...

Ainge hasn't made a move...

Gordon would be his first acquisition if anything. So it's not like there's a precedence...

 

It was directly referenced in the comment from LB33.

I meant where'd LB33's sentiment, that Stevens & Ainge don't like scorers, come from...?

  Someone said Stevens wouldn't want a ball-dominant iso-type of scorer.