ESPN: Boston Celtics Instant impact from the draft

[mctyson]

I like the idea of bringing in two youngs from this draft but i know for a fact that whoever we draft wont be providing rest for garnett. If they are young rookies, doc wont be playing them.

Yes that's a good point and very frustrating. Doc said that he was going to play JJJ and that he didn't want him going to the DLeague, we all saw how that worked out.

We need to do what San Antonio does and sit our guys for entire games. If we are playing Washington in late January there is no need for KG and pierce to even dress, I don't care if we lose and neither should doc.

JJJ was just not that good or ready, these picks if solid ones should be hopefully

No one really knows what the deal with JJJ is, but Doc intimated that he just doesn't know where to play him.  JJJ is to thin to be a PF at the moment, and he's not good enough to defend the elite SFs we play on pick-and-rolls, etc...

The one thing I saw from JJJ though this year is that he has offensive polish.  We do need that off our bench next year.

[CFAN38]

No one really knows what the deal with JJJ is, but Doc intimated that he just doesn't know where to play him.  JJJ is to thin to be a PF at the moment, and he's not good enough to defend the elite SFs we play on pick-and-rolls, etc...

The one thing I saw from JJJ though this year is that he has offensive polish.  We do need that off our bench next year.

I agree, I think this off season is going to be huge for JJJ. I think two things need to happen for him.

1. he obviously needs to get strong in the lower body

2. develop more as a perimeter defender

If both of these can happen then JJJ could be a Hakim Warrick type 4/3 player for the Cs. I think a summer league, real training camp, and practices are going to do wonders for him.

Lets remember he was a good college player and his only physical knock is the lack of lower body strength. He does possess the youth, length and athleticism this team has been lacking.

[SHAQATTACK]

If KG comes back , part of the deal maybe , as only a backup center option and as a starting PF.

I think DA has to go for TRUE big men , Steamer is a backup at best . Hollins sucks....Williams   Not looking good here.. 

I want to see FAB Mellow on the C's ...not more Jeff Green Hero sized players.

Need a LONG 6' 10" center of 7.0 > with good feet , nad can CATCH the ball from RONDO..  must have GOOD MITTS.

[Evantime34]

I don't see an instant impact from anyone in the draft unless they select someone who can play the 5 or the two. I expect by the time the season starts that they will have good/great depth at the 1,3 and 4 spots.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

In the preseason, Doc was comparing JJJ to Horace Grant.

Looks like it turned out to be more like Josh Grant.

The kid doesn't have a position, and he doesn't have an NBA-ready body.

Danny needs to make a HUGE decision: build around KG, Pierce, and Rondo for another title run -OR- rebuild...

Me?  I reload, NOT rebuild.  Rebuilding sucks, and this team isn't that far away.  We took Miami to 7 games, and this Heat team has NOTHING in the middle to anchor them down low.  Chicago proved they are one Rose-less team away from being lottery bound.  The 76ers have a team full of wing players that are an awful mix that can't win a title.

So the Celtics need to look at these two teams, Miami & OKC, and add what it takes to get to that point.  And we're not that far off.

I'd trade those 2 picks for something proven...OR...I keep one of them, draft Nicholson with an ultimatum to Doc that he GETS TIME on the floor next season.  Use the leftover cap money to get some additional players (let Ray walk - face it, he's done) and we're back in business.

[BballTim]

ha yeah, we all know where Doc likes his rookies...on the end of the bench!

  He plays guys when they're ready. The youngest player on our team is Avery Bradley.

[arambone]

Fab Melo could contribute minutes immediately. He already knows about defensive rotations and was Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

He's not as skill-less on offense as people think. He can finish around the basket and hit a steady rate of mid-range jumpers.

Nicholson could contribute right away, but might have too many 4s in front of him.

JJJ didn't get minutes because he was too weak. When Danny erroneously drafted him instead of Brooks or Jeremy Tyler, he said "if size were a concern we wouldn't have drafted him."

Obviously, size should have been a concern because Doc didn't even feel comfortable describing him as a PF he was so weak.

If JJJ had fell to the 2nd round, nobody would have been surprised. With JJJ's narrow shoulders, 230 pounds might be his long-term max weight.

[diddybop]

New poster here, big Celtics fan and college bball fan, so the draft is one of my favorite times of year. One name I haven't really seen mentioned as far as an immediate mpact player is Tyler Zeller (not gonna lie, Im also a huge UNC fan, and watch every game they play). C's would have to move up in the 14 range to pick him, but I feel like he would be a perfect, instant impact guy:

- Legit 7fter with a very polished game
- He's a senior (Danny has a track record of drafting guys who played a few years in college, JJJ, Baby, TA, Delonte etc..)
- The guy runs the floor like a soccer player, something Rondo would LOVE.
- We need size, not undersized PF's, but legit size.

I'm not saying Zeller will be a stud, but I definitely think he will be a very solid pro. I could see him being a late lottery pick, which would be tough to trade up for, but if he slips past that, I would hope Danny would try and grab him.

[wahz]

Terrance ROSS of Washington will end up being the greatest shooter to come out of college in many years. I hope we take him, but Doc has to play him.  He can jump out of the gym, and was typically cold blooded in the 2nd half of games.

I've watched him for 2 years. If we draft him and he doesn't play the downside for me is I'll go bald pulling my hair out knowing we are sitting our best shooter

[cltc5]

The article says

- makes most financial sense to keep both picks rather than trade up

- Garnett's minutes need to be reduced next year, closer to what the Spurs did with Duncan.

- best bet is to get two from the group of bigs including Fab Melo, Meyers Leonard, Andrew Nicholson and Terrence Jones.

- Our structure means that it's a great situation for us to develop bigs. If we draft two bigs it will pay dividends.

DUH  Seriously, It's clear as day what the celtics need to do.  It's an important transitional year and DOC is the key.  He cant sit these kids all year and not develop them.  If he does..he needs to go.  I feel he holds this organization back anyway...i feel a post comeing lol

[slamtheking]

ha yeah, we all know where Doc likes his rookies...on the end of the bench!

  He plays guys when they're ready. The youngest player on our team is Avery Bradley.

no, he really doesn't.  Bradley got time because dooling was injured.  Bradley stayed on the floor and had the chance to improve his game (and show his worth) because at the time, the only other option for Doc was Moore who's a rookie.

does anyone really think that Bradley looked ready when he got on the court?  no.  Did he hit some miracle transformation in the non-existent practice sessions?  no. 
Bottom line was that he needed court time and the opportunity to make some mistakes (and most importantly learn from those mistakes) to reach the point he's at now which is he looks like at least an NBA-level player that, if not good enough to be a starter, he's definitely good enough to be the 3rd guard on the team. 
I think Moore could have benefited from the same treatment where he'd possibly (not saying definitely) be able to contribute some minutes in the playoffs and a shooter off the bench for Doc -- particularly when Pietrus, Ray and Dooling were off.

JJJ - although I think he would have benefited from some playing time as well, I also had no expectations he's see the court when he's stuck behind KG and Bass on the depth chart. 

[Smitty77]

Welcome diddybop!!  Let me first self disclose and admit to being an NC State fan and a UNC hater:-))  I have one daughter that just graduated from State and another that is a junior at UNC:-))

That being said, Zeller defines the word soft!!!  He is also VERY weak and has shown no muscle development in his four years at Carolina.

He does have some skill, but I fear he will get man-handled at the next level.

Smitty77

[cltc5]

ha yeah, we all know where Doc likes his rookies...on the end of the bench!

  He plays guys when they're ready. The youngest player on our team is Avery Bradley.

no, he really doesn't.  Bradley got time because dooling was injured.  Bradley stayed on the floor and had the chance to improve his game (and show his worth) because at the time, the only other option for Doc was Moore who's a rookie.

does anyone really think that Bradley looked ready when he got on the court?  no.  Did he hit some miracle transformation in the non-existent practice sessions?  no. 
Bottom line was that he needed court time and the opportunity to make some mistakes (and most importantly learn from those mistakes) to reach the point he's at now which is he looks like at least an NBA-level player that, if not good enough to be a starter, he's definitely good enough to be the 3rd guard on the team. 
I think Moore could have benefited from the same treatment where he'd possibly (not saying definitely) be able to contribute some minutes in the playoffs and a shooter off the bench for Doc -- particularly when Pietrus, Ray and Dooling were off.

JJJ - although I think he would have benefited from some playing time as well, I also had no expectations he's see the court when he's stuck behind KG and Bass on the depth chart. 

agreed.  JJJ looks like a wasted pick.  he has a nice shot but man, I'd rather have taken Brooks.  If JJJ can develop into a nice SF/PF like bass, he'd be a nice backup.  But that still is horrible for a 1st rounder.  San antonia, Miaimi with norris coles, seem to know how to use their young players.  maybe its time Danny light a fire under Doc.

[slamtheking]

ha yeah, we all know where Doc likes his rookies...on the end of the bench!

  He plays guys when they're ready. The youngest player on our team is Avery Bradley.

no, he really doesn't.  Bradley got time because dooling was injured.  Bradley stayed on the floor and had the chance to improve his game (and show his worth) because at the time, the only other option for Doc was Moore who's a rookie.

does anyone really think that Bradley looked ready when he got on the court?  no.  Did he hit some miracle transformation in the non-existent practice sessions?  no. 
Bottom line was that he needed court time and the opportunity to make some mistakes (and most importantly learn from those mistakes) to reach the point he's at now which is he looks like at least an NBA-level player that, if not good enough to be a starter, he's definitely good enough to be the 3rd guard on the team. 
I think Moore could have benefited from the same treatment where he'd possibly (not saying definitely) be able to contribute some minutes in the playoffs and a shooter off the bench for Doc -- particularly when Pietrus, Ray and Dooling were off.

JJJ - although I think he would have benefited from some playing time as well, I also had no expectations he's see the court when he's stuck behind KG and Bass on the depth chart. 

agreed.  JJJ looks like a wasted pick.  he has a nice shot but man, I'd rather have taken Brooks.  If JJJ can develop into a nice SF/PF like bass, he'd be a nice backup.  But that still is horrible for a 1st rounder.  San antonia, Miaimi with norris coles, seem to know how to use their young players.  maybe its time Danny light a fire under Doc.

I don't see JJJ as a wasted pick at all.  just someone buried on the depth chart behind a HOF'er and a candidate for 6th man of the year.  no way a rookie gets time over either of them.

In 1-2 years, we probably won't have either KG or Bass and will be happy to see JJJ is actually a good player.  maybe not a starter but I think he'll end up being a quality rotation player (hopefully for us)

[BballTim]

ha yeah, we all know where Doc likes his rookies...on the end of the bench!

  He plays guys when they're ready. The youngest player on our team is Avery Bradley.

no, he really doesn't.  Bradley got time because dooling was injured.  Bradley stayed on the floor and had the chance to improve his game (and show his worth) because at the time, the only other option for Doc was Moore who's a rookie.

  He was getting minutes before Dooling got hurt. He averaged 5-6 minutes a game the first few games and was getting 12 a game in the 5 games before Dooling went out.