Chad Ford Mock Draft 8.0 - Celtics Picks

[sofutomygaha]

Well i think the idea is to keep working Derrick Williams at the 3, and if that's the case i think Melo at 18 is a smart gamble for 'Sota.  They have the PG, they have the scoring PF, they have the athletic SF, now they just need someone to protect the rim and fit in, if Melo pans out even a little bit he can add a lot to that team over time.

Good points, but looking at the board I think this is a nightmare scenario for Minnesota. They are a few good pieces away from being a major contender, and if their name comes up with nothing but forwards and Fab Melo on the board maybe they try to trade down. Someone must want to move up to take Perry Jones at pick 18.

I'm ok with this pick, too.  They've already got a lot of clearly defined roles in Denver, but one thing they don't have is a pure post player.  He would be a great compliment off the bench to Galinari.  A minute crunch with Faried but in my book that's a good problem rather than a bad one.

But do they want to run offense through the post? My impression is that this is by design- they want to run a fast-paced, aggressive offense. They push the ball and they run a lot of pick and roll out of the half court. I don't see how his game fits in... he compliments Gallinari in that he is a very good player but his style is very opposite.

[CFAN38]

I would be very happy with a Nicholson, Harkless draft. However if sullinger slips like that I feel the Cs need to get him.

[slamtheking]

1. Davis to NO
2. Robinson to WAS
3. MKG to WAS
4. Beal to CLE
5. Barnes to SAC
6. Drummond to POR
7. Waiters to GS
8. Lilliard to TOR
9. Henson to DET
10. Rivers to NO (!!!!)
11. Lamb to POR
12. Leonard to MIL
13. T. Ross to PHO
14. Zeller to HOU
15. T. Jones to PHI
16. Moultrie to HOU
17. Marshall to DAL
18. Melo to MIN (!!!!!)
19. PJ3 to ORL
20. Sullinger to DEN
21. Nicholson to BOS
22. Harkless to BOS
23. White to ATL
24. MIller to CLE (!!!!)

I could live with this no problem.  a solid 4 in Nicholson and a good 3 prospect in Harkless.  

Nicholson should be behind, in theory, KG, possibly Bass, Green and JJJ (maybe even Wilcox) so he has time to develop.

Harkless will be behind PP and Green (possibly Pietrus too) so he has time to develop too.

Surprised to see Waiters climbing so high and PJIII and Sullinger dropping like rocks.  Not sure if I'd be happy or scared if they were available when we picked.  Gerald Green situation all over again.  Wish it was Moultrie that was sliding to us.  If, as someone else stated, Houston would take Sullinger over Moultrie, maybe he would slide to us and we get our PF/C of the future.

Melo to Minn makes sense in a way to give them a legit defensive center next to Love to help on the boards.  They could probably trade down and still get him.  Maybe to Cleveland for 24 and 33 this year to get another building block.

NO taking Rivers doesn't surprise me oddly enough.  He's a player with a big name to draw fans on one hand but there may be a trade in the works with the C's to get him and Okafor for Nicholson/Harkless and Bradley.  I'm sure there'd be some salary considerations to work out but I wouldn't rule out something like that happening

[LooseCannon]

I think that Melo to Minnesota call is completely ridiculous. Ford says it's to replace Darko... ok but hardly the time to reach when what they really need is a wing and Quincy Miller is sitting there.

Are you saying that Minnesota is completely incapable of making personnel decisions that you find completely ridiculous?

[Who]

Sullinger is a terrible fit for the Nuggets! What on earth??? It's a moot point, because unless he really is an unsalvageable physical disaster there's no way the Rockets would let him get past them at 16.

I'm ok with this pick, too.  They've already got a lot of clearly defined roles in Denver, but one thing they don't have is a pure post player.  He would be a great compliment off the bench to Galinari.  A A minute crunch with Faried but in my book that's a good problem rather than a bad one.

Yeah, I like that move for Denver too. Their bigs are all too limited offensively. They need a highly skilled guy like Jared Sullinger. Very good fit for me.

[Who]

If Sullinger is dropping into the mid or late teens, I want Danny to trade up (using the two picks) to get him.

I'd be happy to trade up for Jared Sullinger or Meyers Leonard.

[Chris]

If Sullinger is dropping into the mid or late teens, I want Danny to trade up (using the two picks) to get him.

I'd be happy to trade up for Jared Sullinger or Meyers Leonard.

If he drops as far as the late teens, he won't need to use both picks.  Should only take a couple million, and/or a second rounder to move up 4-5 picks at that point in the draft. 

[sofutomygaha]

I think that Melo to Minnesota call is completely ridiculous. Ford says it's to replace Darko... ok but hardly the time to reach when what they really need is a wing and Quincy Miller is sitting there.

Are you saying that Minnesota is completely incapable of making personnel decisions that you find completely ridiculous?

SUCH a very good point!!!!

[BleedGreen1989]

I don't watch a lot of college basketball but I've heard critics of Sullinger say he may be the next Big Baby..is there any truth to this?

[indeedproceed]

If the Celtics keep both their picks, and pass on Fournier, I will lose my (stuff).

[Who]

If Sullinger is dropping into the mid or late teens, I want Danny to trade up (using the two picks) to get him.

I'd be happy to trade up for Jared Sullinger or Meyers Leonard.

If he drops as far as the late teens, he won't need to use both picks.  Should only take a couple million, and/or a second rounder to move up 4-5 picks at that point in the draft. 

Whatever it takes.

If Danny can get it for less, great. If not, use both picks and get it done.

[Who]

If the Celtics keep both their picks, and pass on Fournier, I will lose my (stuff).

Why? How good a player do you think Fournier can be in the NBA?

[Chris]

If Sullinger is dropping into the mid or late teens, I want Danny to trade up (using the two picks) to get him.

I'd be happy to trade up for Jared Sullinger or Meyers Leonard.

If he drops as far as the late teens, he won't need to use both picks.  Should only take a couple million, and/or a second rounder to move up 4-5 picks at that point in the draft. 

Whatever it takes.

If Danny can get it for less, great. If not, use both picks and get it done.

I go back and forth on this.  The injury does make me think twice about giving up too much value to move up for him.

...on the other hand, he is probably worth it.  

[KCattheStripe]

All I want is Festus Ezelli and Jae Crowder. I trust Danny on the other pick.

[indeedproceed]

If the Celtics keep both their picks, and pass on Fournier, I will lose my (stuff).

Why? How good a player do you think Fournier can be in the NBA?

Low-end, Rudy Fernandez, high end...I don't really know. He's a proficient scorer against high competition, he's a willing defender, and he seems to really love to play, and know how to be a professional.

He's the type of guy the Blazers or Thunder snatch up at the tail end of the first and make other GM's look stupid. I'm tired of looking stupid.