Sullinger vs PJ3 -- the truth about that decision

[CeltsAcumen]

I'm fine with choosing Sullinger.

Choosing Melo over Jones is the decision I object to. Violently.

Ditto!
I think that we could have taken PJ3 and picked up Melo later in the draft.
Wouldn't have taken much to make a trade.
Still, Melo may indeed surprise us.

One thing for sure.  If he plays poorly, he's gonna hear it.
If he plays well, Boston will adore him.

Sullinger was a no brainer.
PJ3 is gonna be very very good.

All the little bloggers who doubt him will eat their cyber words in gigabytes....

So if you could please explain why the Celtics should draft one PF, then turn around and draft another PF that will compete with Kevin Garnet, Brandon Bass and oh yeah the guy you just drafted at #21?

I mean its nice to say things like PJIII will be a stud we should of drafted him, but how does having 4 PFs help the Celtics and how does drafting another PF make Sullinger feel like he is the choice of the team?

You guys have to start thinking about HOW these picks fit into team chemistry.  Melo is a center who needs work, he can be stashed on the end of the bench till he is ready.  Sullinger will play next season.  PJIII would of wanted playing time and that would of caused issues with Sullinger and KG.

Melo was the right choice. Unless you wanted to move Sullinger or PJIII this season.

BTW PJIII is almost as bad as Melo on the offensive end.  So again, overhyped PJIII rose colored glasses aside, Melo is 7 foot 255 plays the post and can D as good or better than PJIII.  He is a center which keeps KG happy while PJIII would compete with KG for playing time and move KG to a position he does not want to play.  And oh yeah you still have to convince KG to come back.

Seems like an easy pick to me.

[Moranis]

I'm fine with choosing Sullinger.

Choosing Melo over Jones is the decision I object to. Violently.

I concur.

[TripleOT]

On draft night,I wanted PJ3 with the 22nd pick, but after thinking about Melo, I'm on board. 

I agree that Sullinger seems to have the mysterious "it" and will be an NBA contributor from Day 1.  I also think that Melo's going to contribute next year.  He really improved from frosh to soph year at Cuse.

I can't wait to watch these guys as summer league. I'm hoping Ainge his two home runs here (which would match his MLB total,  BTW) 

[hwangjini_1]

On draft night,I wanted PJ3 with the 22nd pick, but after thinking about Melo, I'm on board. 

I agree that Sullinger seems to have the mysterious "it" and will be an NBA contributor from Day 1.  I also think that Melo's going to contribute next year.  He really improved from frosh to soph year at Cuse.

I can't wait to watch these guys as summer league. I'm hoping Ainge his two home runs here (which would match his MLB total,  BTW) 

if melo can contribute to the celtics in a meaningful way in his second year i would thrilled.  just for comparison here are perk's stats for his first three years.

kendrik perkins
2003-04
games    minutes   points  rebounds
10          3:30          2.2       1.4

2004-05
60           9:05         2.5        2.9

2005-06
68           19:36       5.2        5.9

hopefully melo is better than perk. i mostly worry about melo'a ability to learn doc's complex defensive schemes. melo did not do well academically at SU and never learned anything but the zone.

in the nba, simply standing under the basket and being tall is not going to make it. so let's hope melo actually can learn the celtics defense. maybe at SU he simply was never taught to handle pick and rolls, etc.

i was disappointed by melo being drafted by the celtics. but now he is part of the team and i hope doc can coach him the way he did perk.

[Texstyles]

On draft night,I wanted PJ3 with the 22nd pick, but after thinking about Melo, I'm on board. 

I agree that Sullinger seems to have the mysterious "it" and will be an NBA contributor from Day 1.  I also think that Melo's going to contribute next year.  He really improved from frosh to soph year at Cuse.

I can't wait to watch these guys as summer league. I'm hoping Ainge his two home runs here (which would match his MLB total,  BTW) 

if melo can contribute to the celtics in a meaningful way in his second year i would thrilled.  just for comparison here are perk's stats for his first three years.

kendrik perkins
2003-04
games    minutes   points  rebounds
10          3:30          2.2       1.4

2004-05
60           9:05         2.5        2.9

2005-06
68           19:36       5.2        5.9

hopefully melo is better than perk. i mostly worry about melo'a ability to learn doc's complex defensive schemes. melo did not do well academically at SU and never learned anything but the zone.

in the nba, simply standing under the basket and being tall is not going to make it. so let's hope melo actually can learn the celtics defense. maybe at SU he simply was never taught to handle pick and rolls, etc.

i was disappointed by melo being drafted by the celtics. but now he is part of the team and i hope doc can coach him the way he did perk.

Im with you.  I was also a little upset with the pick, but after looking at it and learning more about Melo I have decided to give the guy a chance.  He picked up a basketball 5 years ago and has improved to this level so far, add KG as a teacher and there could be a high ceiling here.

[thirstyboots18]

I am not a follower of college basketball, but judging from reports, I got what I was asking for...big men!  Sullinger's back concerned me when he was drafted, but his chances of big minutes during his rookie season is slim anyway, so I am looking at it as he has a year to get healthy and learn the system.  The fact that he was projected to be a top 5 pick before the reports of back trouble makes him a steal if the Boston medical people can work their magic. 

After researching Fab Melo...he looks good too.  Maybe not the quickest learner (maybe a language barrier?), but we have some good teachers in Boston in Doc and KG...and you can't teach size. 

The way talk is sounding, Sullinger can possibly be a star, and Melo can a be good  defensive center in the NBA for a long time. Like someone else said, it takes about three years to develop a center.  At the very least, trade possibilities have vastly improved.  This is their year to learn for the transition to the "Rondo Years".  If they have a smidgen of Perk's work ethic, they should be fine.

In the meantime, (hope my green goggles are not steamed up) if everyone comes back and we can add a free agent or two, the Celts will be in the mix for next year's run.  Go Celtics.