ESPN: Boston Celtics Instant impact from the draft

[rondohondo]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story?id=8016772&_slug_=nba-instant-draft-impact-boston-celtics-new-orleans-hornets-charlotte-bobcats&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fstory%3fid%3d8016772%26_slug_%3dnba-instant-draft-impact-boston-celtics-new-orleans-hornets-charlotte-bobcats

Anyone have insider that could post some excerpts about Boston from the article ?

[sofutomygaha]

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.

[sofutomygaha]

Side note-

Ford's new mock draft has us taking Nicholson and White.

[BleedGreen1989]

I'm surprised moultrie's name is not on fords list for us..maybe he's assuming leanard is more likely to fall than moultire?

I would have no problem with us selecting two bigs if we stay where we are

[sofutomygaha]

I'm surprised moultrie's name is not on fords list for us..maybe he's assuming leanard is more likely to fall than moultire?

That story was from Thorpe. I guess he doesn't think as much of Leonard as Ford does.

[ManUp]

Garnett played almost exactly 31 minutes per game every month this year and has played 36 or more minutes in every playoff series. And yet he's been one of the top postseason performers thus far. Next year, given the return to a regular schedule, adding two big, athletic forwards/centers means Garnett should be able to play fewer regular- season minutes, saving him for the postseason. San Antonio has done that with Tim Duncan, who played between 22 and 30 minutes per game each month this season, and was fantastic for the most part this postseason playing between 30 and 34 minutes per game.

I would expect similar numbers for Garnett next year if Boston grabs any combination of Fab Melo, Meyers Leonard, Andrew Nicholson and Terrence Jones. Energy is a talent in itself, and young, fresh legs are a key ingredient to playing with energy. Rookies in Boston will enjoy a solid and competitive structure around them, giving them the ability to maximize their athleticism and size without being forced to do too much before they are ready. It might take until early 2013, but I'd expect big returns from their two draft picks if the Celtics indeed decide to go big.   

That's the gist of it.

Bring in young bigs to keep Garnett's legs fresh while we make one more run.

[pearljammer10]

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.

[All Star Matt Clement]

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

[BleedGreen1989]

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.

[fairweatherfan06]

Andrew Nicholson is an ideal player for the Celtics system that even Doc would give minutes...now that other draft pick I don't know.  Not that high on Fab Melo and think he'd take longer to develop...

[j804]

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

[Kane3387]

Boston Celtics

OK, so they aren't a lottery team of course, but if there is anything this year's playoff games should teach us, it's the value of having good young players to save the energy of veteran players for when the games count most.

• Enlarge

Jim O'Connor/US Presswire
St. Bonaventure big Andrew Nicholson could contribute immediately to a rebuilding Celtics squad.
After watching Kevin Garnett in May and June, fans should expect Boston to try to re-sign him for another title run next year, especially because the Celtics are in position to add two young bigs to their roster this June. As detailed last week in our draft blog, Boston could package both picks to move up, but it makes more financial sense to keep two young players on rookie contracts. It also makes more sense on the court.

Garnett played almost exactly 31 minutes per game every month this year and has played 36 or more minutes in every playoff series. And yet he's been one of the top postseason performers thus far. Next year, given the return to a regular schedule, adding two big, athletic forwards/centers means Garnett should be able to play fewer regular- season minutes, saving him for the postseason. San Antonio has done that with Tim Duncan, who played between 22 and 30 minutes per game each month this season, and was fantastic for the most part this postseason playing between 30 and 34 minutes per game.

I would expect similar numbers for Garnett next year if Boston grabs any combination of Fab Melo, Meyers Leonard, Andrew Nicholson and Terrence Jones. Energy is a talent in itself, and young, fresh legs are a key ingredient to playing with energy. Rookies in Boston will enjoy a solid and competitive structure around them, giving them the ability to maximize their athleticism and size without being forced to do too much before they are ready. It might take until early 2013, but I'd expect big returns from their two draft picks if the Celtics indeed decide to go big.

[Chief]

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

That is the thing. How good will the talent be at these picks? That is why you trade the picks for proven players. You trade these picks for Okafor and Ariza and you got two NBA starters that can help you win a championships. Guys that Doc will trust. Guys that Garnett will resign for. If not, you might get Giddens and Walker type players.

[BleedGreen1989]

I use to be against trading the picks to move up but as the draft nears it looks like it may not be a great selection come 21

[slamtheking]

I use to be against trading the picks to move up but as the draft nears it looks like it may not be a great selection come 21

depends on your definition of 'great'.  if you mean great player, there aren't any after the top 6--just a lot of very good ones.  if you mean great selection, I beg to differ.  the first 5-6 players taken in the second round will be players that people speculated could/should have been picked in the first round.

C's are even likely to get someone that can make the roster at the 51st pick