There were no grainy videos of the likes of man child; Al Jefferson, the Spanish Magician; Sergio Rodrigues, or Honka Playboy; Petteri Koponen.
No one is looking for that home run this year, as the Celtics fortunes have reversed and are more closely linked with the outcome of the free agency period than the draft, where they are blessedly out of the lottery and have only the 30th and 60th picks.
While there could be a decent player at 30, Danny Ainge was quoted yesterday as saying he didn't think a player drafted at 60 has ever made an NBA roster.
The daily news papers have all covered the possibilities; grabbing an underdeveloped Euro big man to play overseas a season or two......finding a sweet shooting swingman, who plays some defense as insurance for possibly losing James Posey and/or Tony Allen, but I like best the thinking of Buddy Thomas of "The South Coast Standard Times "
The Celtics can afford to tinker in tonight's draft so why not tinker with the power forward position, which is old in age and marginal in talent. If this team could develop a young rebounder who can score from the inside — someone to complement the kiddie center tandem of Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis — he would be the first one on the roster.
Here are five young guys who just might fit that role.
Richard Hendrix: The 6-foot-9, 260-pounder averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds for a mediocre University of Alabama team last season, but anyone who can lead his team in rebounding in 19 of 35 games (with a high of 23) and score off the offensive rebound is worth a look.
J.J. Hickson: Another 6-9 banger from North Carolina State whose strength is defense. He's projected to go somewhere between 21 and 27, but if he's there at 30 the Celtics just might be willing to take a shot.
Nathan Jawai: He's 6-10 and 270 pounds, which qualifies him to earn the title of "Bigger Baby" if he's drafted and makes the Boston roster. He's been playing in Australia and may not be ready to make an impact in the NBA, but he's a bull who could develop into a big-time rebounder and shot-blocker in the future.
Ryan Anderson: Averaged 27 points and 12.5 rebounds as a sophomore at California this past season, which probably means at 6-10, 235 he'll be gone somewhere around 20. Since he's reportedly not bullish enough on the inside, that would probably be OK with the Celtics.
Nikola Pekoviv: He's 6-11, 243 out of Serbia and averaged 18.9 points and 6.9 rebounds, and reportedly not afraid to mix it up down low. Sounds like a great fit to me.
Many of the mock drafts have the Celtics taking DeVon Hardin, a more defensive minded big. Here is his profile from Hoops Hype .
DeVon Hardin 6-11 C California / Senior
Promising big man with the physical tools and upside NBA scouts crave. Excellent wingspan, combined with great frame and fantastic athleticism, makes him the type of big body every team needs inside. Runs the floor well, hits the glass, and is a very good finisher inside. Excellent lateral quickness defensively. A bit of a tease, doesn’t always play up to potential. Very limited offensively-- average hands, no face up-game, no left-hand, and unpolished footwork in post. Intensity wavers, gives up space inside, and is often in foul trouble. Not productive enough in senior year. Average shot-blocker. Young for his age, has solid intangibles, and still has great upside if the light bulb ever comes on.
Comparison: Brendan Haywood Stats: 9.3ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Rookie season salary*: $957,120 Ranking: 7th Center / 4th Senior
Which ever way Danny goes, we'll be there, through both picks.
Celtics Blog reporter, Steve Weinman will join us from the venue at Madison Square Garden and we are expecting a corespondent from Draft Express.
There is also a chance we will close the show with "our man from Connecticut" as we did last year, who called in on his long drive home.
We hope you will join us.
If you want to participate in the show you can call our toll free number (1.866.751.9649), send us an e-mail to CSL@CelticsBlog.com, or join us in the “Pit” (the chat) during the broadcast.
Topic: Celtics Stuff Live! Draft Show-Tonight. 9-11PM, EDT. (Read 1471 times)