In "Defesne" of the Fab Melo pick

[ScoobyDoo]

I hated the pick - I wanted Ezeli. I didn't think Ezeli would be a superstar, but just a nice, active presence along side KG.

However, Looking at who was picked after Melo, no one is really "tearing it up" in the league. There's really not a guy you can point to and say, how did we miss on that guy, at least so far.

Back to Melo - the guy we have, that we ended up with.

7 foot, 260
Long, lateral quickness
Shot blocking skills
glimpses of "some" offensive ability
Seems to have a good motor up and down the court
Walks into doors, gives himself concussions

Would Perkins have been in the D-league his first year or two? Going back and forth a little? Probably

Would Melo have been getting minutes on that team that Perkins played on the first two years? Probably

I don't know, I'm an optimist. But I think Melo might turn out to be a decent pick when it's all said and done, particularly when you look at the slim pickings that came after him.

Also, guys like Avery and Perkins, looked completely lost their first 2 to 2.5 years in the league and big men tend to take a little longer in general.

In Defense of Melo - time...       

[CelticConcourse]

We can't really say anything substantial about him until next year, or maybe even the year after.

[ScottHow]

I agree we can't really judge him for a couple of years, but I didn't like the pick at the time. I was a PJ3 guy.

[bfrombleacher]

I like Melo.

But you can't compare him to Perk because he's 22. Perk was younger and dominated high school.

Unlike other bust big man, Melo has a good motor and seemingly a good attitude. That's what I like. That's what people seem to overlook. Maybe that's what Ainge saw.

[Celtics4ever]

Melo was a mediocre college player, he only excelled at D.   I didn't have high expectations for him, I saw him as a dud.   Bad hands and physically weak are his biggest faults.   I think the wake call to folks who had a Big East bias was hard, some are still in denial.

[Roy H.]

Would Perkins have been in the D-league his first year or two? Going back and forth a little? Probably

Would Melo have been getting minutes on that team that Perkins played on the first two years? Probably

The difference between Perk and Melo is that at age 23, Perk was starting for a championship team.  At age 23 Melo is going to be starting his sophomore season as a major project.

[wayupnorth]

Would Perkins have been in the D-league his first year or two? Going back and forth a little? Probably

Would Melo have been getting minutes on that team that Perkins played on the first two years? Probably

The difference between Perk and Melo is that at age 23, Perk was starting for a championship team.  At age 23 Melo is going to be starting his sophomore season as a major project.

Wow. That really puts Fab in perspective.

[jambr380]

Would Perkins have been in the D-league his first year or two? Going back and forth a little? Probably

Would Melo have been getting minutes on that team that Perkins played on the first two years? Probably

The difference between Perk and Melo is that at age 23, Perk was starting for a championship team.  At age 23 Melo is going to be starting his sophomore season as a major project.

Wow. That really puts Fab in perspective.

I guess, and it's something to think about, but Perk also had played basketball for his entire life, while Fab is still learning the game. Perk had five years of nba coaching along with a lot of ups and downs to become the player he was.

If in two years Fab still sucks, I will be ready to call it a dud of a pick, but since he was chosen to be a project, we should at least remain optimistic and hope he isn't just filler in some random trade.

[slamtheking]

I didn't like the pick -- wanted Moultrie even though we had already picked Sully.  still would rather have Moultrie.

I don't expect anything out of Melo until his 3rd year.  I fully expect him to be in Maine 1 more year to really get his game together.  If he's not at least a decent backup center (third string) by his 3rd year, then I'll call him a bust.

[Who]

Yeah, I think it is too early to be making any judgements on Fab Melo too.

He is an interesting project center and should be given time to develop.

[vjcsmoke]

Melo looks like the next Acie Earl... But hopefully I'm wrong and he develops into something useful.  Right now Shavlik Randolph looks a lot more useful to us.

[pearljammer10]

Would Perkins have been in the D-league his first year or two? Going back and forth a little? Probably

Would Melo have been getting minutes on that team that Perkins played on the first two years? Probably

The difference between Perk and Melo is that at age 23, Perk was starting for a championship team.  At age 23 Melo is going to be starting his sophomore season as a major project.

Wow. That really puts Fab in perspective.

Yeah I gotta agree with this. And Perk already had four full NBA seasons under his belt learning the ways of the game and learning from his mistakes against the best players in the world.

Fab is playing against D leaguers half his height. I think he stays in the D League for another full year unless there is another team that really wants to trade for him, which I find unlikely.

[Moranis]

Melo was at the time and still is a horrible pick.  And don't give me this garbage about the Celtics not needing him.  That is a bunch of fooey.  Boston is so weak down low and they still won't give Melo a chance to play.  Horrible horrible pick.

[Snakehead]

Melo pick was a good pick considering Ainge's gameplan.

On the market now, for a 7 footer with some skill you are paying 10 mill plus per year.  He didn't want to, he's going to draft one and try to develop him, maybe sign him to a reasonable extension if he's promising before he hits that 10 mill level.  It's basically Perk all over again.

Would Perkins have been in the D-league his first year or two? Going back and forth a little? Probably

Would Melo have been getting minutes on that team that Perkins played on the first two years? Probably

The difference between Perk and Melo is that at age 23, Perk was starting for a championship team.  At age 23 Melo is going to be starting his sophomore season as a major project.

But we know Melo didn't pick basketball up until very late (18 wasn't it?).  I assume Perk was playing the whole time.

[SHAQATTACK]

good attitude, works hard, and actually has a nice soft touch for shooting, demonstrated by his free throw abilities.......plus he is legit 7 foot center. with blocking ability.

behind several years in development. 

we waited out Bradley ...... maybe DA will do the same for Fab