With the 5th pick in the draft...

[Tradetime]

With our pick from the Nets which would most likely be in the 16-22 area, we should consider James Young. He's a guy that has surprised me so far. Can score with ease and has good size for a guard.

Not a bad choice there. I'd also consider Dario Saric at that area. Though it's looking like we'll get Atlanta's pick as of now.

To answer the OP, I'd say you have to go with Marcus Smart. Guy dropped 27 IN ONE HALF the other night. He is strong, quick and athletic. He is not the prototypical 2 guard, and is easily someone you could call a franchise player. We don't have that on our team right now.

[McHales Pits]

Thabeet was (is) slow, uncoordinated with no skill other than blocking shots by standing right by the rim. I watched many a UConn game when he was there and he was overall unimpressive. Embiid is a smooth, offensive center with great defensive potential. I don't think they are good comparisons.

[Quetzalcoatl]

I mean if Marcus Smart is on our team, we'll look like this:

Rondo
Smart
Green
Sullinger
Olynyk

That is a super fun team to watch, but our defense will consist of Olynyk fouling every 5 minutes and Rondo gambling for steals.

[Walter Moss]

I guess that if Boston will somehow get that well known Irish Luck and get precious top - 5 pick, it would be a great help for a big rebuilding boost.

I'm watching every game of projected top 10 players and this class is stacked. I was pessimistic b4 the season starts. Now this is looking like a really good draft. Promising.

I'm not sold on Randle and Exum. Exum is enigma from Australia. Randle - concerns with his size. Derrick Williams and Beasley were dominating in Randle style but I don't think Danny will take a risk. He got Sully and KO on rookie contrats.

Wiggins and Parker would be a Gift.

But I want to see Embiid more this year. What is his ceiling.Very excited season.
Frontcourt of Sully-KO-Embiid is a great contribution to Rondo-AB-Green. Just imagine)

[PhoSita]

Smart is the best defensive player in the draft.  Could easily be on that NBA 2nd all defensive team with Avery Bradley & that's just after his first year.  Sky's the limit.

Smart would also be a great fit next to Bradley because he has the size to defend SGs but he plays more like a point guard.  Bradley is the opposite of that.  Totally complementary.

[fingerlakes]

Aaron Gordon.  Tough to stay up and watch west coast teams but this kid is special.  I think the C's will end up picking higher than 5th though.  I think Danny wants Jabari Parker and will insure somehow that we have lots of ping pong balls by seasons end. 

[fitzhickey]

I guess that if Boston will somehow get that well known Irish Luck and get precious top - 5 pick, it would be a great help for a big rebuilding boost.

I'm watching every game of projected top 10 players and this class is stacked. I was pessimistic b4 the season starts. Now this is looking like a really good draft. Promising.

I'm not sold on Randle and Exum. Exum is enigma from Australia. Randle - concerns with his size. Derrick Williams and Beasley were dominating in Randle style but I don't think Danny will take a risk. He got Sully and KO on rookie contrats.

Wiggins and Parker would be a Gift.

But I want to see Embiid more this year. What is his ceiling.Very excited season.
Frontcourt of Sully-KO-Embiid is a great contribution to Rondo-AB-Green. Just imagine)

If you have the chance to catch any clips of Exum I recommend watching them. Dude has mad experience and I have been on the receiving end of one of his dunks lol
Dude is as legit as it gets

[McHales Pits]

I really don't want Aaron Gordon...can't shoot a lick. Just a hyper athletic tweener. I'll pass.

[Walter Moss]

I guess that if Boston will somehow get that well known Irish Luck and get precious top - 5 pick, it would be a great help for a big rebuilding boost.

I'm watching every game of projected top 10 players and this class is stacked. I was pessimistic b4 the season starts. Now this is looking like a really good draft. Promising.

I'm not sold on Randle and Exum. Exum is enigma from Australia. Randle - concerns with his size. Derrick Williams and Beasley were dominating in Randle style but I don't think Danny will take a risk. He got Sully and KO on rookie contrats.

Wiggins and Parker would be a Gift.

But I want to see Embiid more this year. What is his ceiling.Very excited season.
Frontcourt of Sully-KO-Embiid is a great contribution to Rondo-AB-Green. Just imagine)

If you have the chance to catch any clips of Exum I recommend watching them. Dude has mad experience and I have been on the receiving end of one of his dunks lol
Dude is as legit as it gets

I just think that Celtics need a big blocking skilled and fast center more than a wing player not named Parker or Wiggins.
But only if Embiid keep playing great all season.

[BUTerrier]

GET READY!!!!

He's not only 7 foot, but he's a LEGIT 7 foot!

He has an NBA wingspan! He looks the part of an NBA center!

He has an amazing combination of size and coordination!

He can really run the floor!

He's only been playing basketball for three years! You should be way more impressed than concerned!

We have to draft Joel Embiid. Players with scouting reports like this are once in a generation.

[Mr October]

I would be happy with either player at #5. But right now, I can't pass on the potential of what Embiid could become. It'll be fun to see how he evolves over the season and in the tournament in March.

[Rondohara]

GET READY!!!!

He's not only 7 foot, but he's a LEGIT 7 foot!

He has an NBA wingspan! He looks the part of an NBA center!

He has an amazing combination of size and coordination!

He can really run the floor!

He's only been playing basketball for three years! You should be way more impressed than concerned!

We have to draft Joel Embiid. Players with scouting reports like this are once in a generation.

Tommy?


Well, Celtics won't be getting the 5th pick, but if that was the case, I'd pick Embiid for the higher potential.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

This is tough.

But I'd go with Marcus Smart, despite me loving Embiid's athletic ability and (Jay Bilas) wingspan.

Smart is not only ultra skilled, but ultra competitive.

[wiley]

Very tough call especially so early....

How does Embiid stack up against the centers of draft 2015?  One site has Karl Towns at 7, for example and there are some others....

Wonder if pick 5 could come down to Randle verses Exum.  That's another tough choice...

for example:

1.  Parker       surest thing.  Big star
2   Embiid      plays well all season in college, seen as improving
3   Wiggins     GM terrified of being fired, plus he looks like an amazing player
4.  Smart        another sure thing

5    Randle or Exum.  Randle drops due only to his height and Exum drops due only to less exposure

[moiso]

It's pointless to judge Embid so early.  We will know so much more in a couple of months.