Chad Ford Mock Draft 3.0: C's draft Royce White and CJ Leslie

[rondohondo]

Boston

Royce White

Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 20
School: Iowa State
Analysis: White has as much talent as nearly everyone else in this draft. But there are questions about some off-court issues and an anxiety disorder that includes a fear of flying. I think Doc Rivers might be the perfect coach for him.


Boston (via Clippers)

C.J. Leslie

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 206 pounds
Age: 20
School: NC State
Analysis: Leslie is still trying to figure out if he's going to stay in the draft. If he does, the Celtics could use a player like him, with both size and upside. He's still a little raw, but Leslie is an elite athlete who is really starting to put things together.

Would love to get white, I think he has the most potential of anyone from pick 10 on . In the right environment I think he will be a stud and the c's are the perfect environment !

Not a huge Leslie fan, would rather take a big man with the clips pick .

[snively]

I think White would make a fun situational pairing with KG if he's not too raw to see the floor.  He has the girth to body up some of the bigger guys KG dislikes guarding, but he has the versatility and mobility to fit into Doc's multi-pronged offensive attack.  A bit like Big Baby in that way.

[Finkelskyhook]

A 6-8 206lb power forward?

I still believe White will be available in the second round.

[rondohondo]

A 6-8 206lb power forward?

I still believe White will be available in the second round.

Not a chance, way to much potential and already developed skill and NBA body.

[Smitty77]

I am a HUGE NC State fan.  My daughter is graduating from there on May 12th in Chemical Engineering:-))

C.J. Leslie has more upside than ANY UNC player coming out in this draft!!!  He really came on at the end of the year and everything starting coming together for him!!  He is an athletic freak!!!!

Smitty77

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I'm no expert on the college players, don't follow them too closely, and these two guys seems good from what little I know about them, but I wonder if Hollinger doesn't really understand what this team's needs are—namely, size and scoring. Maybe I'm being judging prematurely, but I just sort of shake my head when I see people recommending or predicting more tweeners, as though we don't have enough of them already. Speaking for myself, I want a legit 7-foot inside/post player who rebounds well, and a pure scorer who can fill it up from outside and off the dribble.

[rondohondo]

I'm no expert on the college players, don't follow them too closely, and these two guys seems good from what little I know about them, but I wonder if Hollinger doesn't really understand what this team's needs are—namely, size and scoring. Maybe I'm being judging prematurely, but I just sort of shake my head when I see people recommending or predicting more tweeners, as though we don't have enough of them already. Speaking for myself, I want a legit 7-foot inside/post player who rebounds well, and a pure scorer who can fill it up from outside and off the dribble.

and I want to win the lottery. If you are looking for a player like that you better hope Danny can get the # 1 overall pick this year and draft Davis. You don't pick need over potential and skill ever, that's what gets gm's fired.

If the tweener is going to be the better player you take him and don't think twice .

Does Frederic Weis or Yinka Dare ring a bell ? How about Patrick O'Bryant or Micheal Olowakandi ? There have been so many 7 ft busts over the years and that late in the draft the c's aren't exactly picking from the best crop of big men .

Plus the C's will have a ton of cap room to fill the center spot with proven players.

[CeltsAcumen]

Royce will be available in the 2nd round.  No need to waste a first.

CJ Leslie is a stud.  I believe if the Celts could draft Fab Melo and CJ Leslie, their front line would be very solid.

[nickagneta]

Royce's phobia of flying is going to cause the C's to stay the heck away from him. The last thing they need is a player filled with talent that can play because he's stressed over the flight he has to take.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Does Frederic Weis or Yinka Dare ring a bell ? How about Patrick O'Bryant or Micheal Olowakandi ? There have been so many 7 ft busts over the years and that late in the draft the c's aren't exactly picking from the best crop of big men .

Well, I did say LEGIT 7-footer ... if there isn't one, then there isn't one. I'm just saying what I'd like to have.

But anyway, I'm not sure I agree about drafting for best available over drafting for need. I realize football's not basketball, but to give an example: for years the Patriots have needed pass rushers, and for years have failed to draft any, and thus for years have been without a good pass rush, which has always hurt them (I feel).

I realize you can also trade for need, and sign free agents according to need, but I don't see what's wrong with drafting for need. If the BPA is a PG, do you draft him if you already have a great PG? Because then you'd need to trade one of them, which requires additional work in finding a suitable trade partner, and you could save yourself that trouble by simply drafting for something you don't have, like a SF or C, or whatever. Obviously you don't draft someone you think is going to be a bust, but you can't always predict who's going to be a bust, and you might draft who you think is the BPA but have him end up being a bust.

But I'm no draft expert, either. I just know what I want to see the Cs get.

[Celtics4ever]

CJ Leslie is a stud.  I believe if the Celts could draft Fab Melo and CJ Leslie, their front line would be very solid.

You lost all credibilty when you mentioned Fab Melo and solid.    7.8 PPG and 5 RPG are not solid.   He can block shots but that is about it.   He got ate alive in games head to head against good prospects like Drummond.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51343/fab-melo

Fab = Bust

[Galeto]

I'd be really disappointed if the draft runs this way.  Royce's versatility is intriguing but he's still a tweener with a poor outside shot.  I'd be more happy if Celtics roll the dice on him in the second round.  He has too much bust potential without the big upside reward to take in the first.

I'm not too big of a fan of Leslie.  He's built like a small forward but lacks the skill level for the position.  His basketball IQ didn't seem all that high either.  He's more athlete than player who didn't make a lot of plays that NBA small forwards have to make. 

[hwangjini_1]

I'd be really disappointed if the draft runs this way.  Royce's versatility is intriguing but he's still a tweener with a poor outside shot.  I'd be more happy if Celtics roll the dice on him in the second round.  He has too much bust potential without the big upside reward to take in the first.

I'm not too big of a fan of Leslie.  He's built like a small forward but lacks the skill level for the position.  His basketball IQ didn't seem all that high either.  He's more athlete than player who didn't make a lot of plays that NBA small forwards have to make. 

Good call on white I think. He has talent, but also a TON of mental and emotional baggage. But if that were the only problem it might be worth a gamble since the celtics have two picks in the first round.

But...

Check out his shooting. Very, very poor and his free throws? Less than 50% I think. Interesting athlete, but some really major red flags too.

[CFAN38]

I don't hate the Picks but don't love them. If White and Leslie are the best options then the Cs need to move up in a 2 for 1 trade. White's anxiety/phobia of flying scares me, Leslie has alot of potential but appears to be a very similar player to JJJ. With JJJ being physically redundant to Leslie they could potentially stunt one another development by restricting one anthers playing time.

Fords mock Leonard going 17th, I would rather the Cs move up (while hopefully gaining an additional 2nd) and Draft him as high potential project then White and Leslie.

Im also surprised Jae Crowder isn't getting more predraft buzz. Having watched him this year I truly feel he is a sure thing quality nba role player. He will fill a great role coming off the bench to defend the large physical 3s in the NBA (James,Melo).

[hwangjini_1]

I don't hate the Picks but don't love them. If White and Leslie are the best options then the Cs need to move up in a 2 for 1 trade. White's anxiety/phobia of flying scares me, Leslie has alot of potential but appears to be a very similar player to JJJ. With JJJ being physically redundant to Leslie they could potentially stunt one another development by restricting one anthers playing time.

Fords mock Leonard going 17th, I would rather the Cs move up (while hopefully gaining an additional 2nd) and Draft him as high potential project then White and Leslie.

Im also surprised Jae Crowder isn't getting more predraft buzz. Having watched him this year I truly feel he is a sure thing quality nba role player. He will fill a great role coming off the bench to defend the large physical 3s in the NBA (James,Melo).

i agree about crowder. he looks interesting and is projected to be around in the early second round.   

what to like? he is very strong, smart, determined, plays good defense, good shooter.

drawbacks? he is a bit short for pf (6'6"), and not a good enough ball handler for the ideal sf.

then again, ala powe and big baby, this might be the sort of player ainge picks up in the second round.

i really am curious how this draft will turn out. since the talent level, people say, is fairly even from the late-lottery into the early second round, ainge has lots of room to make moves and get a few good players.