Draft Giannis Adetokunbo , Danny Ainge compares him to young Scottie Pippen

[aporel#18]

Giannis could be great some day, but I'd rather pick Saric at #16, who is only 8 months older, but has Adriatic League experience already (a much better competition).

At 6'10 and 220lb Saric can play SF/PF, but he says his favorite position to play is PG, and he has good to great handles. He could bust, of course, but I think he'll be a starter in the NBA.

[Celtics4ever]

Ainge is famous for his smokescreens too.   I would not buy into that comparison and why would he show his hand.   Plus, Ainge seems not to like Euros, name me one he has drafted.

[henr1k]

If he is good as you say he won't be there for us to pick. 

I have seen better defenders in an grade school game than were the guys guarding him.   I have scored 43 in a game against guys in a league of sponsored company teams for a rec league and that defense looks to be not better.   Who you play against means a lot in terms of performance.   He has a nice shot but the D was not physical like it will be in the NBA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE-ymqgZPFY

No D !  He can shoot but I think he would struggle against physical players.  The D was so soft.

That video you linked is from their all-star game, why do you expect D in that game?

Edit: I agree that with posters who said that he is a project and comparing him to Durant is silly cause he doesn't have the jumpshot. But if Danny can buy a late 1st rounder or if he slips to second round I would be more than happy if C's picked him up cause he definitely has the tools to be a NBA player.

[saltlover]

Ainge is famous for his smokescreens too.   I would not buy into that comparison and why would he show his hand.   Plus, Ainge seems not to like Euros, name me one he has drafted.

Semih Erden.

[chambers]

Ainge is famous for his smokescreens too.   I would not buy into that comparison and why would he show his hand.   Plus, Ainge seems not to like Euros, name me one he has drafted.

Semih Erden.

Well he wanted Tony Parker but the Spurs nabbed him one spot before us ...that was very public at the time

[Galeto]

Ainge is famous for his smokescreens too.   I would not buy into that comparison and why would he show his hand.   Plus, Ainge seems not to like Euros, name me one he has drafted.

Semih Erden.

Well he wanted Tony Parker but the Spurs nabbed him one spot before us ...that was very public at the time

What?  Are you talking about Ainge and the Celtics here?  Ainge wasn't even a part of the Celtics organization in 2001 when Parker was drafted.  Furthermore, Parker went 28th in the 2001 draft after the Celtics passed on him to pick Joe Forte with the 21st pick.  It's been rumored that Wallace or whoever had promised to take Parker but broke it.

Anyway, Chad Ford tweeted that Schroeder and Giannis are rumored to have first round guarantees from a team or teams.  If you're a fan of either player, that's not a bad thing because Ainge is certainly a fan of promises and seems to stick to them as well. 

[Quetzalcoatl]

At 6'10 and 220lb Saric can play SF/PF, but he says his favorite position to play is PG, and he has good to great handles. He could bust, of course, but I think he'll be a starter in the NBA.

So he is like a shorter Kelly Olynk?

[ianboyextreme]

Kevin Durant, really?  He is nowhere near as skilled, and certainly not as good a shooter as Durant.    In the videos I have seen he has looked like he doesn't have much of a first step, and his handle is VERY loose (he makes Jeff Green look like Rondo).  He has a long way to go.

Well you have been watching videos of someone else cause the kid's handles are definitely tight.

[rondohondo]

Well apparently Giannis has a promise to be drafted in the 1sr round.

Really hope it's the C's

The Piston's organization were scouting him too,  they have a lotto pick .

Please be  there at 16 , or maybe Danny can trade up a few spots if he needs to . This kid has a great handle , and really good footwork from what I have seen . With a consistent J , and adding about 30lbs , Giannis will be nearly unstoppable on offense

It might be 2 years before he is ready to contribute , but that is ok. We can keep him over seas for a few years, lets the old timers take one more shot with Rondo and Sully(unless you can get expiring and picks for KG and PP).

Then in 2 years , you bring Giannis over to add to Sully,Rondo,Bradley,Green, and whoever else we can add before then .

[Eja117]

Ainge is famous for his smokescreens too.   I would not buy into that comparison and why would he show his hand.   Plus, Ainge seems not to like Euros, name me one he has drafted.

Darius Songalia in the 2nd round

[j804]

Hopefully he hits with whoever the pick is, still barfing over the JuJuan pick when there are too many other guys some getting it done for their teams in the playoffs we could have had

[aporel#18]

At 6'10 and 220lb Saric can play SF/PF, but he says his favorite position to play is PG, and he has good to great handles. He could bust, of course, but I think he'll be a starter in the NBA.

So he is like a shorter Kelly Olynk?

I don't hate Olynyk, but Dario will be much better than him. He really has PG handles, unlike Olynyk, who has good instincts, but isn't a playmaker like Saric.

The NCAA is a joke compared to most of the european first level leagues, and Adriatic League is serious business, only ACB, Euroleague and maybe VTB are better leagues. Of course he needs to develop his shot selection, and everything else, he's just 19 years old. He was the MVP at the European U18 Championship last summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNqpjnuUvqQ

[jyyzzoel]

Ainge is famous for his smokescreens too.   I would not buy into that comparison and why would he show his hand.   Plus, Ainge seems not to like Euros, name me one he has drafted.

this! also, if the kid really did remind him of scottie pippen, do you really think he would allow himself to be quoted saying that? danny would play him down hoping that no one would realise how good he is.

[Celtics4ever]

Semih Erden.

Your are right, we all know how much Ainge valued Semi, he basically gave him away.

[henr1k]

I don't hate Olynyk, but Dario will be much better than him. He really has PG handles, unlike Olynyk, who has good instincts, but isn't a playmaker like Saric.

The NCAA is a joke compared to most of the european first level leagues, and Adriatic League is serious business, only ACB, Euroleague and maybe VTB are better leagues. Of course he needs to develop his shot selection, and everything else, he's just 19 years old. He was the MVP at the European U18 Championship last summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNqpjnuUvqQ

Saric dominated international youth competitions since he was 16y old and I am little surprised he is not Top 10 pick in a weak draft like this. (Maybe I am biased because I am from Croatia).

Unfortunately, Saric probably won't be available at 16. I think Mavs will take him with 13th pick. Donnie Nelson was in Zagreb couple of days ago, watching Saric. Here is the report.

http://www.eurohoops.net/2013/05/flopping/25509