Chad Ford Mock Draft 7.0 - Celtics Picks

[Kane3387]

With the 21st pick in the 2012 NBA Draft the Boston Celtics Select:

Andrew Nicholson

Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 234 pounds
Age: 22
School: St. Bonaventure
Analysis: Nicholson is another draft sleeper who may really rise with workouts. He's a big stretch 4 who has drawn some comparisons to David West. He would be another welcome addition to the Celtics' summer makeover.

With the 22nd pick in the 2012 NBA Draft the Boston Celtics Select:

Royce White

Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 261 pounds
Age: 21
School: Iowa State
Analysis: White may have helped himself as much as anyone in the draft last week. His play on the court was solid, but his interviews were stellar. Most of the NBA executives I spoke with felt that they would be comfortable drafting White somewhere outside the lottery. If the Celtics can add Nicholson and White -- two value picks this late in the draft -- the rebuild will be well on its way.

1 )  New Orleans - Anthony Davis
2 )  Charlotte - Thomas Robinson
3 )  Washington - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
4 )  Cleveland - Bradley Beal
5 )  Sacramento - Andre Drummond
6 )  Portland - Damian Lillard
7 )  Golden State - Harrison Barnes
8 )  Toronto - Dion Waiters
9 )  Detroit - John Henson
10) New Orleans - Jared Sullinger
11) Portland - Jeremy Lamb
12) Milwaukee - Meyers Leonard
13) Phoenix - Austin Rivers
14) Houston - Tyler Zeller
15) Philly - Terrence Jones
16) Houston - Moe Harkless
17) Dallas - Kendall Marshall
18) Minny - Terrence Ross
19) Orlando - Perry Jones III
20) Denver - Arnett Moultrie
21) Boston - Andrew Nicholson
22) Boston - Royce White
23) Atlanta - Tony Wroten Jr.
24) Cleveland - Fab Melo
25) Memphis - Evan Fournier
26) Indiana - Marquis Teague
27) Miami - Draymond Green
28) OKC - Jeff Taylor
29) Chicago - John Jenkins
30) Golden State - Festus Ezeli

Really interesting how he has Perry Jones III dropping so much.

[Snakehead]

If these are our picks I will be a happy man, exactly what I want and what we need.

At the very least, we get Royce's rebounding and passing, Nicholson's scoring as help right away.  Both have potential to be really good beyond that IMO too.  And of course, some much needed size.

Nicholson seems like a great guy.  White the question mark, but worth the gamble especially with two picks.

[clover]

He also has Quincy Miller falling out of the first round.

[rondohondo]

Where do I sign up ?

I want two out of White,Harkless,Nicholson,Ross, Terrence Jones , Perry Jones.

I will be happy if we can get  at least White or Terrence Jones

[BleedGreen1989]

If this goes according to plan we trade our 22 to Cleveland for their 33 and 34 and draft doron lamb and Quincy miller?

Also, I would rather have moultrie than Nicholson

[jgod213]

Man NBA2k13 is gonna be fuuuuuun.

I dunno how Sullinger's career will play out, but what an interesting pairing he would be with Anthony Davis.

I also love the idea of Brad Beal going to Cleveland.  That's one hell of a dynamic backcourt between him and Irving.

[rondohondo]

If this goes according to plan we trade our 22 to Cleveland for their 33 and 34 and draft doron lamb and Quincy miller?

Also, I would rather have moultrie than Nicholson

Idon't want 3 late first round/early second round rookies on this team. I would much rather trade up to grab at least one legit prospect .

We already have Steamer,JJJ,Bradley,Moore we have to continue to develop . I say we try to move up to around 17 and grab one of White, Perry Jones, Terrence Jones and then try to sign Illyasova if Bass ops out.

PG: Rondo     / Bradley
SG: Bradley   / Ray
SF: PP        / Green
PF: Illyasova / White ,Perry or Terrence Jones  / JJJ
 C: KG        / Wilcox

[sofutomygaha]

I think it's unrealistic to think that Portland doesn't take a big with one of it's 2 picks.

[winsomme]

Somebody has to be there at this point. If these guys go higher, it means a couple other intriguing prospects drop to us. Much the way Avery Bradley did....

Not a bad spot in the draft actually.

[Snakehead]

I think it's unrealistic to think that Portland doesn't take a big with one of it's 2 picks.

According to reports they are in "asset aquisition mode", meaning they will just take the best available.  Might not take any bigs.

[bucknersrevenge]

Still don't get what people love about Royce White. I see "tweener deluxe". Can't shoot his way out of a paper bag. He's not gonna be able to out-muscle people at the next level like he did in the Big 12. He is certainly gonna have problems shooting over them. Jack of all trades, master of none. Would rather we take Jeff Taylor with Nicholson.

[slamtheking]

Still don't get what people love about Royce White. I see "tweener deluxe". Can't shoot his way out of a paper bag. He's not gonna be able to out-muscle people at the next level like he did in the Big 12. He is certainly gonna have problems shooting over them. Jack of all trades, master of none. Would rather we take Jeff Taylor with Nicholson.

I kind of feel the same way about White.  If he could shoot FTs then at least his drives to the basket would count as offense. 

as far as the rest of the draft, Moultrie is my binky and seeing him taken the pick before ours would make me puke.  I don't think he'll be a superstar but I think he'll be a [dang] good 4/5 for whoever takes him.

[dmopower]

I absolutly would love to get these guys! Nicholson is a pollished offensive player with a great shot and good handles and length.

White is a solid post player with rediculous handles, court vision and is as strong as anyone in the NBA. Upper body and lower body.

I think this guy could play right away with the starters at the 4. Focus on rebounding and defense and let the game come to him.

He is 3/4" shorter than BBD and 3/4" taller than Brandon Bass and is as strong as both of them. Plus he can start and or finish the break.
 He reminds me of a taller but less athletic Barkley with Chris Pauls handles on the ball.

He wont be worse as a starter than Perk with the ft's but he will shoot many more of them than Perk and that puts people on the bench even if you miss them. Plus it leaves KG at the 5 so we can run more like everyone thinks we should do anyway.

[arambone]

As much as I like Nicholson, I think he's going to get exploited on defense. Most PFs are either quicker or stronger, or both.

I think he might only translate to bench spark-plug on a championship driven team, although he'd be a great spark-plug on a championship driven team.

I don't think he'll be a better 4 than Jeff Green within the next couple years, if ever.

Nicholson should be as good or better than Bass in a couple/few years, but Bass is clearly quicker and more athletic.   

Hopefully Nicholson's intelligence and scoring versatility make him a success if the C's draft him. He's hard not to like, and hopefully he can bring something else to the table when his shot isn't falling.
 

[ManUp]

If Whites anxiety and OCD issues are in check I don't have an issue with him being selected. I also love the Nicholson pick as I think he will have all bases covered for a future starter PF. However, I'm not in love with us selecting bigs with both picks.  We've got Wilcox, Bass, Williams, Johnson, and Garnett who all seem to want to return and can all play the 4. Oh well, as long as its BPA with both picks I'm happy.