2025 CelticsBlog Fantasy Draft: '05-'25 Edition

[Donoghus]

No Tim sightings?

Apparently.  Did he leave anyone a list?  I can wait another couple of minutes

[smokeablount]

I am good to wait a few minutes too. I should be able to pick quickly. I haven't heard from him

[Donoghus]

I am good to wait a few minutes too. I should be able to pick quickly. I haven't heard from him

You cool with me waiting til 1130 EST time to pick?

[Moranis]

I like Edwards a lot, I just don't think he can function well next to someone like prime Lillard.  Edwards has a high usage on a high volume.  He has always been the #1 option and that is how he has created his shots and scoring.  I've never seen him function off the ball as a 2nd option let alone a 3rd option.  He could maybe do it, but I think adding Lillard will stunt or mute what makes Edwards so good.  And that is more about Lillard than Edwards.  I just dont know about Lillard.  Never had to share the ball, never had to function as a 2, etc.  I just see him as a guy that works best when it is his team with free reign. And while he is a good passer, I dont think he is a great one and he is obviously a poor defender which will be magnified here (and he doesn't have good size, strength, etc.).

[smokeablount]

I am good to wait a few minutes too. I should be able to pick quickly. I haven't heard from him

You cool with me waiting til 1130 EST time to pick?

Yes

[Who]

I had a hard time with Lillard.  Bad defensively and fairly ball dominant. Incredibly great shooter, but just wasn't sure how he'd do in a 3rd or 4th scorer type role.

Doesn't the same apply to Luka and JB, though?

JB has never been a #1 option, that is different than guys used to being the man. JB also plays defense something Lillard has never done.

Luka is the 2nd ball handler on my team. LeBron then Luka, with Shaq getting post touches.  Shaq in 05 only had 15 FGA, which is basically a high level 3rd option in the modern game (that is also part of the reason I took Shaq and not Embiid).

It is 15.0 FGAs + 10.5 FTAs. So more like 20 FGs per game. Plus 3 turnovers. 23 scoring possessions. In a slower paced era. Miami had 91 possesions a game. Shaq played 34mpg. So roughly 23 possesions out of 64 possessions he was on the floor ended with Shaq taking a shot (FGA or FTAs) or losing the ball. About 36% of the possessions. Not including assists. Probably more like 40% of the offense with assists included. 

The high number of FTs disguise how much the offense was running through him.

Still less than Embiid obviously.

[Timdawgg]

Sorry guys. I Completely forgot. I am traveling for work so I completely forgot. I can pick in the next 5 mins

[Donoghus]

Sorry guys. I Completely forgot. I am traveling for work so I completely forgot. I can pick in the next 5 mins

No worries.  Certainly know how life gets in the way.  I'll wait.

[smokeablount]

Sorry guys. I Completely forgot. I am traveling for work so I completely forgot. I can pick in the next 5 mins

No worries.  Certainly know how life gets in the way.  I'll wait.

You got it Timdawg. Take 5 and make your picks, glad you're back

[smokeablount]

I think that's great value especially as a bench guy, for an offensive behemoth like Amare. Prime Russ off the bench also seems like a lot to handle.

[snively]

The speed and athleticism of timdawgg's group - with the exception of Harden - would be a lot of fun to watch.

Rondo/AK/AD/Amare flying around the court.

[smokeablount]

Rather than go with a true 6th man, the OKC Thunder are going with a hybrid 6th starter.

DPOY, 2nd team all NBA, 10th in MVP voting, a .200 WS/48, elite 2-way stretch big that is happy to be a 4th or even 5th option on offense, and he can even play the 3-5 positions in a pinch.

He might start over Rudy if we think Rudy is too much of an offensive liability. He could play 4 with Rudy, stretch the floor and be a good rebounder and passer, and allow for a giant starting 5 of SGA, Klay, KD, EM, Rudy. He shoots over 36% from 3 on about a quarter of his shots, with a 60% eFG.

The OKC Thunder select 24-25 Evan Mobley!

[Jvalin]

Westbrook is one of the most polarizing players ever. Was curious to see where he'd get selected.

Two more MVPs are still on the board. Fully expect one of them to get picked. Not sure what to expect for the second one.

[Roy H.]

Nobody is scoring on Dons.

[Who]

Amare is the 2nd best scoring PF in the draft after Dirk in my opinion. I'd take his scoring arsenal & scoring mentality ahead of Giannis, AD, KG, Pau.