Who are the top defensive prospects in the draft?

[LooseCannon]

Despite the sometimes stagnant Celtics offensive, I am of the mind that Boston should target players more in the mold of Kevin Garnett and Avery Bradley, defense-first players who are not useless on offense, instead of trying to find a go-to scorer.

I don't watch college basketball, so I only know what I read.  My question for those who know more is: ignoring offense for the moment, who are the best defenders, not just based on man-to-man defense, but who are the guys who have the BBIQ to grasp the complicated Celtics defensive schemes?  Is there a website that ranks prospects by different skill sets such as defense, ball-handling, or perimeter shooting?

Basically, if Doc Rivers would be most likely to play a rookie if the play defense the way he wants and let them struggle on offense but bench a guy who can score but has a lot of defensive lapses, which guys who might be there when the Celtics pick are the most likely to earn playing time based on that standard?

[clover]

I'd put Rondo in that category as well.

But they also need some strong offense creation in their rebuilding.  I think more of two-way players than primarily defensive or offensive players to complement Rondo and Bradley in the back court.

[ManUp]

Davis- PF
Kidd-Gilchrist- wing
Henson - PF
Taylor - Wing
Nicholson - PF

Henson might slide (though I doubt far enough), Taylor will likely be there as well as Nicholson when we pick. We have no chance at Davis or Gilchrist(overrated) as I'm sure you know. These guys can be lock down defenders and are smart enough to understand schemes and aren't total offensive liabilities.

I personally think we should be looking for offensive players who are solid defenders not the other way around. Great coaching, team Schemes and good bigs are all it takes to build a great defense ( ala Chicago, Indiana, OKC).

[Celtics4ever]

Anthony Davis is the best defensive prospect in years.

[jr_3421]

Anthony Davis aside, I think the best defensive player is John Henson. He is a special shot blocker with his freakish wingspan, great athleticism and elite timing. Plus he is the best pick and roll defender (again excluding Davis) because he can effectively guard perimeter with his lateral quickness and contest with his length. Henson's only drawback defensively is his strength. I personally think he can overcome that and still be effective but it definitely is a concern.   

[vgulab]

John Henson - with Anthony Davis best shot blockers in college, also very good rebounder but he can only guard PF. He is too skinny and not strong enough to guard big heavy centers. Still Stiemsma and Henson of the bench is great defensive duo. But at the offensive end not a very good scoring duo.

[GreenFaith1819]

Don't forget Kyle O'Quinn (MEAC Defensive Player of the Year).

Don't forget Kent Bazemore (CAA Defensive Player of the Year).

A fine Center prospect and a fine Guard prospect, too.

Both of these guys can score, too - but they make their marks on the defensive end.

[CFAN38]

As other have posted A Davis is obviously the best defensive player in this draft. After that I think the defensive minded wings Kidd-Gilcrest are Jeff Taylor. John Henson has the potential to be a game altering help defender. After that I actually think this draft is very deep at defensive role playing bigs Fab Melo, Festus Ezeli, Kyle o' Quinn, and Robert Sacre. These guys may never put up great stats but could very well become excellent post defenders.

[mctyson]

I think we need to know who in the 15-30 range of picks are standout defensive players, rather than who are the top defensive prospects in the draft, because we likely wont have a shot at some of those mentioned so far.

[perks-a-beast]

Jeffery Taylr from Vanderbilt is a great defender on the wing. I hope he'll still be on the board when the Celtics pick.

[csfansince60s]

Jeffery Taylr from Vanderbilt is a great defender on the wing. I hope he'll still be on the board when the Celtics pick.

I too would not be disappointed with Taylor.

This from nbadraft.net:

"Has high-level potential on the defensive end, and his defense could be where his most value as a prospect lies … Is versatile on this end, and defended everything except C when at Vandy…Is very fundamentally sound and moves his feet very well … Has the size to defend SG’s and a lot of the bigger SF’s in time … Was arguably the best defending wing in the SEC last season, even though Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist got most of the pub … Always contests shots … Is great at knowing when to gamble for passing lane steals and when to just play solid defense against his man … Solid passer, who is unselfish and plays within the scheme … Doesn’t play outside of his role, and seems to be an unselfish teammate …"

http://nbadraft.net/players/jeffery-taylor

He has improved every year at Vandy and is a tireless worker. Sounds like a Celtic to me.

[Greenbean]

I couldn't agree with the OP more.

I want this team to target special defensive players for a while.

If we are to build around Rondo, we need defense and athleticism. Stops = transition buckets = easy bridge to the next contending Celtics team.

Look at the effect inserting Bradley had on this years team and he hasn't even scraped the surface due to his shoulder.

We are not going to get a special offensive player picking where we are, but we could defnintely get a special defensive player in that range.

[Greenbean]

Jeffery Taylr from Vanderbilt is a great defender on the wing. I hope he'll still be on the board when the Celtics pick.

I too would not be disappointed with Taylor.

This from nbadraft.net:

"Has high-level potential on the defensive end, and his defense could be where his most value as a prospect lies … Is versatile on this end, and defended everything except C when at Vandy…Is very fundamentally sound and moves his feet very well … Has the size to defend SG’s and a lot of the bigger SF’s in time … Was arguably the best defending wing in the SEC last season, even though Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist got most of the pub … Always contests shots … Is great at knowing when to gamble for passing lane steals and when to just play solid defense against his man … Solid passer, who is unselfish and plays within the scheme … Doesn’t play outside of his role, and seems to be an unselfish teammate …"

http://nbadraft.net/players/jeffery-taylor

He has improved every year at Vandy and is a tireless worker. Sounds like a Celtic to me.

If we end up with Fab Melo and Jeff Tayllor I will be pumped.

[CFAN38]

I would agree that Taylor would be a nice pickup. Seems to me like a Thabo Sefolosha type player, he isnt as long (wingspan) as Thabo but has some added bulk on Thabo. He is a guy who could contribute as a 3/2 off the bench as a rookie.  

[CFAN38]

If we end up with Fab Melo and Jeff Tayllor I will be pumped.

I'm just not sold that Fab is that much better than Ezeli, O'Quin or Sacre. I don't think he is worth the pick at 22.