The Positivity Thread

[arambone]

Let's make a list of the good things coming out of tonight

1) Sullinger improves our rebounding and post scoring immediately
2) Sullinger is still young and can/should become as good as Al Jefferson down the road
3) KG has a much better chance of returning now, and he can still play a key role in the playoffs for the next 2-3 years.
4) KGs legs will be preserved for the playoffs the rest of his career
5) Melo is much more mobile than Steamer, with the same shot-blocking instincts and production
6) Melo's athleticism will also make him a better scorer down low than Steamer
7) Melo has the natural touch to become as good a mid-range shooter as Steamer, with more potential to take it to the hole
Melo is a naturally decent passer, in part because of his soccer background

9) The Celtics no longer need to offer max contract to Hibbert, or overpay for the rest of the FA centers
10) Celtics have much more money left to address guard position
11) guards are cheaper than big men, and better value dollar for dollar
12) Melo did well in his interviews
13) Doc took a liking to Melo and is up for the challenge of helping him reach his Tyson Chandler potential
14) PJ3 and Moultrie obviously didn't impress 25+ other teams as well.

Add some I'm missing, thanks
51 coming up soon

[lightspeed5]

pj3 fell well below us. noone wanted him for reasons that people on this board wouldnt understand.

at the 20's picks, you cant get a perfect player, but:

we got the best defending big and 2 big rebounders.... and a solid steal in sullinger,  a better and more versatile brandon bass basically.

fab melo is an incredible passer and will surprise a lot of people.

[Change]

Rebounding nuff said.

Go Celtics.

[theswitch]

Watching a little Melo highlights, I was particularly taken aback by his passing. Really, really nice for a guy his size. Terrific vision. It's a highlight tape, but it was pretty.

[arambone]

We all only see a tiny slice of the pre-draft process.

So much research, interviews, and investigations goes on behind the scenes.

I'm very excited that Doc doesn't seem to have balked at Melo's limited knowledge of the game.

He threw Hollins right into the action. Hopefully he does the same with Melo. Melo can help immediately. Just keep it simple for him.

He's already used to viewing the whole court on defense and making rotations.

Most big men don't have that experience, or proven to be good at those rotations.

[lightspeed5]

Watching a little Melo highlights, I was particularly taken aback by his passing. Really, really nice for a guy his size. Terrific vision. It's a highlight tape, but it was pretty.

royce white was a big known for his passing ability. i think danny is on to  something with that.

[arambone]

Sullinger is an even better passer.

And both should be able to draw their men out of the paint a bit, with their jump shots. Melo's might take a bit to develop, but he shot it decently in VERY limited opportunities last year.

[arambone]

Here's another positive:

Big men get drafted higher, as we saw with Plumlee, Ezeli, and Bernard James.

Good guards will still be there at 51. Guards drop more than big men.

[ausbacker]

The Celtics needed help at the Forward and Center positions. The Celtics filled those needs through the draft.

Looking forward to seeing the rest of Ainge's team building plan.

[greg683x]

people are just salty because Melo screwed up their brackets in March

[arambone]

Sullinger has center versatility. We drafted 2 centers, and one starting caliber PF who will learn from one of the best PFs of all time.

[mqtcelticsfan]

I like Kris Joseph at 51, so that's positive.

[arambone]

We don't have to worry every day about whether Sullinger or Melo will get on the plane.

[Change]

Look at that smile. 

[fairweatherfan]

Our team culture thrives on defense and size.  We just got a lot more of both.  And probably the best willing* low-post scorer we've had since Jefferson.

*KG's better but rarely willing.