The Celtics have their own pick and the Clippers pick in next years draft. The Clippers pick is Top 10 Protected (meaning that if it ends up in the top 10 Los Angeles keeps it until next year), but with the CP3/Chauncey/Butler deals theres no way they finish bottom 10 in the league.
I don't think the Clippers are a contender yet and I still don't think the pick will be lower than 18-20 range.
With two picks between 18-25 (projected) the Celtics could stay put or possibly package picks to move up. Here's a few guys i'm looking out for.
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One of the guys I think could really flourish as a part of the future is Khris Middleton out of Texas A&M. He's a sophmore SG/SF, 6'7" with a 6'10" wingspan, 210 lbs.
NBADraft.net compares him to Michael Redd and Gordan Haywood.
Strengths: Middleton is a late blooming prospect with solid size for a SG/SF at 6’7 210, and he’s still growing into his body … An underrated athlete ... Silky smooth operator on offense, and can score effectively at all 3 levels … Has a sweet jump shot … Soft touch, and is consistent out to about 22 feet, and shows raw NBA range … Able to make shots off screens, spotting up or off the dribble … Functional in the triple threat … Likes to operate in the mid-range area, most comfortable from 15-18 feet, and utilizes a nice pull-up game and an interesting blend of runners in his arsenal … Middleton can stick the 3 ball with his feet set, and he has the release speed and form to get his shot off against contests effectively … Plays the game at his own pace, and has a very unique and unorthodox style of play … Very unselfish and won’t go outside of the offense to get his own shots or production very often, which will benefit his eventual transition to the pros … Doesn’t need to dominate the ball at all to make his presence felt on the court … Nice passing skills … Will contribute some on the glass … Appears to be very coachable, team player, and he still has upside remaining as he get stronger and fills out his frame …
Weaknesses: Middleton right now needs to work on getting stronger to maximize his athleticism and ability to withstand tough defense … There are times when he can get pushed around on both ends by physical play … Middleton also would be well-served to continue to work on his ball-handling some more, were he’s currently mediocre … He does sporadically make moves with the ball that show his potential, but he’s not consistent with it yet and he’s not a guy who operates all that effectively in pure isolation sets … Doesn’t handle double-teams or extra defensive attention all that well … Can struggle to finish around the rim at times due to a lack of explosiveness and strength ... Could stand to get more aggressive and play with more urgency … Middleton is a middle-of-the-road defensive player, and he can struggle with on-ball defense at times … A bit upright in his stance and middling lateral quickness …
Overall: Middleton’s late blooming status and promising Soph. season making him a prospect worth keeping an eye on … He’s a good shooter with a smooth, unselfish floor game and the tools that project well to the next level as a complementary piece … He isn’t the best defender, but as he grows into his body he can be an even better player and prospect, as it looks like he hasn’t peaked physically or athletically yet … He’s be a shortlist Big XII Player of the Year candidate and a possible 2012 lottery pick ...
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Then of course...
Austin Rivers: 6'4",203 lb, SG
Rivers will most likely go high because of his NBA pedigree, but if he stuggles in his freshman year the stock could slightly drop. If Austin falls out of the top 12-13 I'd look for Danny to make a move for him. Rivers is undoubtedly the type of scorer Boston would need after Pierce retires.
Strengths: Rivers is a 6’4 guard with enough size and length (6'7 wingspan) to function as both a PG and a SG … A good athlete, with excellent fluidity and agility, and adequate explosiveness, speed, and quickness … Really good at changing speeds, and displays more of a smooth, controlled game than most players his age … Great 1st step … Shows sound ball-handling skills, and has few problems creating for himself off the bounce … A natural scorer … Able to score at all 3 levels very well …Very good shooting skills, with NBA range already … Is a threat to make jumpshots off the dribble from as far as 25 feet, which is intriguing … Plays with aggressiveness, and is a playmaker with the ball in his hands … Clever finisher around the rim, who utilizes reverses and the net and rim to shield shot-blockers from the ball … Uses floaters and pull-up jumpers well when cut off by defenders before he makes it all the way to the hoop … Can score in bunches, and is fearless about getting his shots up … Pretty good pick and roll player … Can certainly play up-tempo, and fits well in an offense that runs … Also good in isolation, as a threat to shoot, pull-up, or get in the paint … Not bad basic passing skills, and will find teammates if the D collapses on him … Can get steals on D and isn’t afraid of jumping in the passing lanes … Enjoyed an outstanding HS career, and scouts have been keeping an eye on him virtually since he was a Soph. in HS … Has a very strong pedigree with his father, Doc, being one of the elite head coaches in the NBA with the Boston Celtics … Reportedly has a good work ethic, and he has put on considerable weight and gotten stronger over the past year
Weaknesses: Although Rivers is very aggressive, he also can be selfish and ball-dominant at times … Prone to pounding the ball and overdribbling looking for his shots … Often demonstrates poor shot selection, shooting shots out of range of normal offense or under duress … Is also used to trying to shoot himself out of slumps, and settling for contested jumpers off the dribble … Physically, Rivers is pretty mediocre for an NBA guard … He’s a bit of a tweener guard, although he’s more of a SG and has enough size to play there … Doesn’t show great floor vision, and often looks to pass as a last resort … At times, Rivers will pout and show bad body language on the court. He's developed a bit of a prima donna attitude which hopefully will change as he matures … A fairly nondescript defender, who hasn’t been known to compete hard on that end … His potential on D is also limited ...
Overall: Rivers is a talented scoring guard will be able to put points on the board at any level … His jumper is strong, his ability to operate off the dribble is very good, he has the bloodlines, and he can’t be accused of not being aggressive … He needs to get more mature, continue to get stronger, be less selfish, and work on his D though … He’s still a likely eventual lotto pick, his offensive skills are just too good to be ignored ...
Topic: What Players Should The Celtics Look To Draft In '12? (Read 7832 times)