The ideal pick for Boston

[michael 26]

I know there are quite a few opinions about the upcoming draft and i'd like to know what you think!

Please comment why you have made your choice.

My pick would be Andre Wiggins. It looks  like he is the prospect with the most potential, and I passed up Joel Embiid since the celtics can try to trade Green for Greg Monroe.

[Yb2]

I would've picked Jordan over the dream, KD over Oden and now I'd take wiggings over Embiid. Easy choice since both have upside and one of them has injury concerns.

[PhoSita]

I'm torn between Wiggins and Parker.

I think Wiggins may very well have higher upside, and certainly he'll be a better defender from the get-go.

But what the Celtics lack more than anything is an elite scorer.  Parker could give them a very good scorer right away who can eventually turn into an elite scorer.  Once you have one of those, filling in the rest of the blanks becomes a lot easier.

[Tr1boy]

For me its Wiggins or Gordon. I don't want the Celts to risk the pick on a guy that could consistently be injured (Embiid).

I also like Exum but if Rondo is here to stay, then i don't where exum fits into the puzzle. Exum like Rondo needs the ball in his hands to be effective

Trade up or down, it doesn't matter to me, get Wiggins or Gordon

With the 2nd 1st pick, you can trade it or do a draft and stash.  Maybe take a risk on guy with a high upseide like Lavine. But with our 1st pick, it has to be a good one. Ideally someone who can play above the rim , explosive and is starting material.

[footey]

I would've picked Jordan over the dream, KD over Oden and now I'd take wiggings over Embiid. Easy choice since both have upside and one of them has injury concerns.

You are probably the only person in the universe who would have taken Michael Jordan over Olajuwan before the draft that year.  Your statement would have validity if you meant to say you'd take Jordan over Sam Bowie.  Bowie had an injury issue; Olajuwon did not.

[CFAN38]

I picked Parker but its a very tough question

Embiid fits the biggest need, injures scare me alot especially being 7'

Parker will have the potential to anchor the offense for years likely a #1 option

Wiggins has more overall potential both ways then Parker, but I think will be a great #2 option

Exum could be the best out of the bunch in a couple of years, and has most super star potential.

[BleedGreen1989]

I'm torn between Wiggins and Parker.

I think Wiggins may very well have higher upside, and certainly he'll be a better defender from the get-go.

But what the Celtics lack more than anything is an elite scorer.  Parker could give them a very good scorer right away who can eventually turn into an elite scorer.  Once you have one of those, filling in the rest of the blanks becomes a lot easier.

This.

For this roster, I think Parker makes the most sense.

[csfansince60s]

I'm torn between Wiggins and Parker.

I think Wiggins may very well have higher upside, and certainly he'll be a better defender from the get-go.

But what the Celtics lack more than anything is an elite scorer.  Parker could give them a very good scorer right away who can eventually turn into an elite scorer.  Once you have one of those, filling in the rest of the blanks becomes a lot easier.

Agree, and congrats on 5000th post.

TP

[pearljammer10]

I have to go with Embiid. Fills a need we've lacked for quite sometime and its tough to turn down a center of his potential if you get the chance.

[Donoghus]

I'm torn between Wiggins and Parker.

I think Wiggins may very well have higher upside, and certainly he'll be a better defender from the get-go.

But what the Celtics lack more than anything is an elite scorer.  Parker could give them a very good scorer right away who can eventually turn into an elite scorer.  Once you have one of those, filling in the rest of the blanks becomes a lot easier.

This.

For this roster, I think Parker makes the most sense.

I pretty much third this sentiment.

I'm slightly favoring Parker over Wiggins just because I think he's a surer thing and see a ton of Pierce in him.  My one concern with Wiggins is whether or not he'll live up to his potential but he's a very intriguing talent and would welcome him on the team. 

[Lucky17]

Looking forward to next Tuesday, when we'll all know exactly where the Celtics will be picking in the 1st round.

[loco_91]

It's Embiid by far. He is:
-the best defender right now
-the second best scorer right now, behind Parker
-the biggest potential star, as he went from total nobody to college superstar in just one year.

Obviously you listen to the doctor, but it's not like the other guys don't have issues:
-Exum hasn't faced the highest level of competition yet, so it's hard to evaluate his defense and his ability to finish vs elite rim protection
-If Parker fails to improve his defensive effort, he will be the constant iso target of opposing team's game plans
-Wiggins doesn't just lack polish-- he lacks offensive skill. Poor handles, poor touch at the rim, poor physicality to finish through contact. Average shooting, average passing. He put together decent scoring totals by virtue of his great athleticism, but his efficiency has been far lower than his teammate Embiid's, despite the fact that opposing teams constantly doubled Embiid in the post. The biggest issue with Wiggins is that he will struggle to adjust to the physicality of the NBA, as his strength and apparent lack of aggression makes him a poor finisher through contact against much lesser collegiate rim protectors.

[jambr380]

It is really hard to pass on Embiid, but I went with Exum. I just really like what he would bring to a position where we are lacking a true star. The two pg sets are 'in' right now and since he is so different than Rondo, I would love to see them play together. There seem to be a number of decent defensive centers available, but no star sgs.

I understand the desire to draft Wiggins and Parker, and on some days they make the most sense to me. But right now, I would feel most comfortable with Embiid or Exum as the two who have the greatest potential to be superstars in the nba - offensively and defensively.

[fitzhickey]

It is really hard to pass on Embiid, but I went with Exum. I just really like what he would bring to a position where we are lacking a true star. The two pg sets are 'in' right now and since he is so different than Rondo, I would love to see them play together. There seem to be a number of decent defensive centers available, but no star sgs.

I understand the desire to draft Wiggins and Parker, and on some days they make the most sense to me. But right now, I would feel most comfortable with Embiid or Exum as the two who have the greatest potential to be superstars in the nba - offensively and defensively.

While I agree with you on your points regarding Exum, I don't think you can cite potential and not include Wiggins in the talk. His potential is sky high.

[Surferdad]

I'm torn between Wiggins and Parker.

I think Wiggins may very well have higher upside, and certainly he'll be a better defender from the get-go.

But what the Celtics lack more than anything is an elite scorer.  Parker could give them a very good scorer right away who can eventually turn into an elite scorer.  Once you have one of those, filling in the rest of the blanks becomes a lot easier.

This.

For this roster, I think Parker makes the most sense.

I pretty much third this sentiment.

I'm slightly favoring Parker over Wiggins just because I think he's a surer thing and see a ton of Pierce in him.  My one concern with Wiggins is whether or not he'll live up to his potential but he's a very intriguing talent and would welcome him on the team.

If we are taking about best for THIS roster, this assumes Ainge keeps the key players pretty much intact which would be Rondo and Sullinger, IMO.  In that case, is the greater need an elite scorer or a true center?  You can argue either way.  I have felt for a while that a big advantage in taking a true center is that it allows Sully to move back to his natural PF position where I think he will flourish even more. It's almost like a pick that nets you two players. I also like defensive-minded players. However, if Embiid turns out to be Sam Bowie then the whole thing could go very badly while Parker and Wiggins are turning into all-stars for other teams.