i think i would rather fill need as opposed to best player. we need a true center and we need to look at a replacement at the 2.
I think in basketball you have to take the best player out there. Shooting for need/position as opposed to talent is dangerous, going all the way back to Portland taking Bowie over Jordan because they needed size and already had Drexler. Besides, for the future, Celtics are rebuilding from scratch with basically just Rondo in place; fortunately, this is a weak draft for point guards, so the best player available is most likely going to be at one of the other four positions. I'd prefer a wing or a center as well - I think at this stage in the NBA, an elite wing is the most important factor to success because there are relatively few good wings out there compared to point guards and power forwards. Centers are in a similar situation but you can play and succeed without a center because there are so few of them to worry about; you can't play and succeed without wings because every team has 2-3 wings on the floor at all times. But I wouldn't pass on a power forward if that's the best player available.
I also think Fab Melo kind of sucks. He's a 7 footer who can block shots like crazy, yes, but he averaged about 5.5 rebounds a game. That's not enough in my opinion to be a valuable starting center when you don't really add anything on offense either. If he's available in the mid second round, sure I'd take him, but not in the first when I feel better options will definitely be there.
I think I might also prefer Ross to Rivers, though. Rivers is a tweener guard who seems to think he's a lot better than he is. He doesn't try much on defense, and he doesn't have elite athleticism, something that will show more at the next level. I personally think he should have gone back to school for another year to work on his outside shot, midrange game, finishing from 4-8 feet, handle and defense, with a coach who will actually take the time to develop his talent. Not everybody in the NBA has to be an elite athlete, but if you're not one, your game has to be about skill and Rivers's skill is still a little undeveloped. NBA coaches really don't have the time to just develop individual players. THAT is why it's sometimes a mistake for guys to come out. Career earnings are often drastically reduced by a guy rushing to the pros when he's not ready, and a college coach, with fewer games and more practice time, can spend more time developing it. Has nothing to do with education, has to do with money.
I also think it would be a very bad idea for Doc to coach his own son. Would be a great story if it works great, but has much more potential to end very badly and hurt both of them.
Topic: Could Austin Rivers realistically force a trade to the C's on draft day? (Read 22894 times)