After EVERY workout they have been "impressed" by someone. Even when they had guys no one talks about they said it. Really, just look around for articles. This tells me nothing.
The only quote from the Cs brass that has really jumped out at me as legitimate, above and beyond praise was Austin Ainge describing T.J. Warren's scoring ability. He may have said similar things about other players, but that was the only quote of its kind that I read.
Personally, I'm not on the Vonleh hype-train. He has a pretty high bust potential and isn't a great fit for the Celtics (I'm not buying him at the 5 anytime soon). There's no way he could be considered so much better than Smart or Gordon so as to justify drafting him at a position of existing strength. I have Smart, Gordon, Exum, Saric and Randle all ahead of him as prospects anyhow,
I don't really get the claim about high bust petential.
Almost everybody in the top 10 of this draft could be argued add having high bust potential - most have played only one year in college (or none) and all of them have significant weaknesses.
Embiid - back issues, terrible IQ
Wiggins - iffy ball handling, lack of aggressiveness
Parker - questionable fitness/athleticism , poor defender
Exum - jumpshot, lack of college experience
Smart - jumpshot, but an elite athlete, average passer and ball handler
Randle - average length, lack of jumper, poor defender, no right hand, lack of post moves
Gordon - too weak/small for PF, too poor a shooter for a Sf, prime candidate for "hack-a-gordon", limited offensively
There is nobody in this draft who is a straight up slam dunk, all of the players have a very real risk of being busts.
When I look at Vonleh I actually think he has one of the lowest risks of being a busy based purely on his outright versatility and physical gifts.
Firstly he's arguably the best rebounder in the entire draft class - that alone is enough to ensure he will always have a job in the NBA.
Secondly, he's a big man with an outside shooting touch. There will almost always be a team looking for a guy with that skill set.
Thirdly, he a quite capable shot blocker and run protector. That alone is a highly valued skill set in the NBA.
Finally almost everybody who has worked with him has said he's a great kid who is incredibly hard working and highly coachable, that he plays with great hustle, and that he's not afraid to throw his weight around and bang on the post. All move intangibles that most teams would love to have.
Then you throw in the fact that he has a very decent (if a bit raw) post game. He can score in the post with both hands, has a solid hook shot with both hands, and used his length and strength well to finish in traffic.
Lastly the guy is only 18 and is a bit of a physical specimen.
I just don't see the bust in this guy. Hes way too versatile. If he struggles in one area (such as shooting) then he'll still excel as a defender