Report: Celtics leave Wednesday workout impressed with Noah Vonleh

[hpantazo]

To me it sounds just like the standard comments on any workout player. I cannot tell they are impressed from those comments.

Yea, I mean, what are they supposed to say, that they were underwhelmed? Ainge has more tact than that. He wouldn't upset players and their agents by saying anything less to the media after they work out for them.

[Tr1boy]

To me it sounds just like the standard comments on any workout player. I cannot tell they are impressed from those comments.

when coaches say things like he is stronger, longer , better than i thought, that usually means that they are impressed. 

This said it doesn't mean that Vonleh is a shoe in to be chosen at 6.   But what it does mean now imo is that he is a candidate to be chosen at 6. 

My other analysis:

- The Celts like Smart but are they worried about his ability to make a jump shot on a consistent basis?? If he can't, is there worries he will get injured sooner or later?
- Can Gordon make the consistent jump shot during a real game?   I think after a tough workout tomorrow they should ask him to shoot 20 FT's in a row and see how he has come along
- Can Randle operate from the post vs nba defenders?? Or will he have issues against them like Sullinger does?   Can he make the 15-17 ft jump shot and be a shorter but effective PF like Millsap, West?

The thing with Vonleh is that even though he has shown at times that he has poor hands (can't catch difficult passes),  feel for game is mediocre (make quick accurante passes) and doesn't have elite explosiveness/quickness, he has a list of many other things he would be considered elite for a PF in the nba. Length, vertical leap, strength, handles, jump shot, defense and ability to score from the post.  Like some have said here, you can also use him as a center the same way the Heat uses Bosh as a center or spurs use Splitter as a center at times. 

For purposes to fill in a need, Vonleh could rank highest vs smart, randle, gordon.   If Danny also thinks highly of Hairston, Warren, Kj Mcdaniel that could be picked up at 17 anyways , i could see him leaning towards taking Vonleh at 6.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

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.

[Sixth Man]

I could see Boston swapping with Utah to lock up Vonleh... throw them a 2nd rounder to move 1 spot and then Utah takes Smart or Gordon.

I'd be fine with that.

I'll second that.  Vonleh is a bit of a boom/bust pick, but his upside is ridiculous...

[Sixth Man]

My hope is that we gamble on Vonleh, he turns 19 (!), and starts growing into a center's body. Pick up Asik and draft a scorer and it's not the sexiest offseason but quite possibly nice progress:

Rondo
Bradley / (Warren?)
Green
Sully / KO / Bass
Asik / Humphries / Vonleh

I think a full season with that group could make real strides without closing any doors. The big man lineup would be very deep, we've got 5 starters with experience, and some interesting talent to groom in Vonleh and Warren.

I like this very much.  If we can get RR to stop gambling on defense and sign him long term, the defensive potential of such a squad is immense. 

[Sixth Man]

the 17th pick should be also a nightmare to decide on.

This is going to be a tough draft.

Given the choice of players who will probably be available to us at 6 and 17, that is a very pleasant 'nightmare' indeed...

[footey]

This report on Celts' interest in Vonleh is pretty meaningless, let's be honest.  Cliche-ridden quotes from Celtic management.  Wonder what they really feel.

do you think BS is just talking nonsense? 

Celts have been impressed with Smart and Vonleh now. They will prob be impressed with Gordon and Randle next.   Sometimes i think the Kings have the best pick bc one of these quality players will drop to them without a thought

Yep.

[Evantime34]

thoughts on this
1. Considering that he didn't work out against any lottery (or potentially even first round talent) I"m sure he dominated the work out.
2. I wonder if he can play center
3. I have never been a huge fan of his, something about his game rubs me the wrong way but i'm not sure what. If the C's draft him I will immediately talk myself into him.

[Future Celtics Owner]

Vonleh has a 9 ft standing reach. Players like Joahkin Noah and Al Horford have less than a 9ft reach and play center. He does have the ability to play center but I think pf would be most effective position.

[DraftSmart33]

Intrigued by this kid but have some worries about reports that he was out of shape and disappointing at some of the work outs ..

Russillo @ryenarussillo  ?  Jun 10
Talked to two GM's today that couldn't believe how out of shape Vonleh was at workouts. They were really annoyed.

and his comments after working out for the Kings that he can see him self playing the SF position.

http://www.news10.net/videos/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/2014/06/02/9891431/

Huge ceiling for this kid but a high risk for a bust as well.

[hwangjini_1]

the 17th pick should be also a nightmare to decide on.

This is going to be a tough draft.

the hope the celtics have this sort of nightmare each and every year in the draft. "which talented young player should we pick from among this group of 3-4 players? 

that is a nightmare i could live with.

[colincb]

...

The thing with Vonleh is that even though he has shown at times that he has poor hands (can't catch difficult passes),  feel for game is mediocre (make quick accurante passes) and doesn't have elite explosiveness/quickness, he has a list of many other things he would be considered elite for a PF in the nba. Length, vertical leap, strength, handles, jump shot, defense and ability to score from the post.  Like some have said here, you can also use him as a center the same way the Heat uses Bosh as a center or spurs use Splitter as a center at times.

etc

a) Chad Ford disagrees on his hands:

?If you watched a lot of game film on Vonleh, you'd see that he could catch just about anything Yogi Ferrell threw his direction. But watching him in drills, you see how remarkable he really is. Vonleh went through a drill where there were two balls placed on each block of the lane. His goal is to grab a ball and dunk it and then move to the other block, bend down, grab the next ball and dunk it, over and over for 10 dunks. Vonleh is the first player I've ever seen do the drill one-handed. He raced from spot to spot, picking up the ball like it was a tennis ball and dunking it. Those hands will be critical to his success in the pros. Vonleh also has a reputation as a hard worker both on and off the court and drew praise from scouts in his interviews. He's humble and hungry, two great attributes in a lottery pick.?

b) His passing is a weakness. He can shoot however.

c) He's not a elite leaper, but he is an elite rebounder and was top PF rebounder per 40 minutes and 2nd among all positions to Embiid.

[Tr1boy]

He missed several under the basket passes last season also.  Not all but some you think he can catch. And with Rondo's passing style its not going to be easy . Maybe he can improve it though

[CM0]

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,

[Beat LA]

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.

Exactly.  Wow, some guy looked amazing during a workout - News at 11    The hours after the draft is at least equally worse.  If I had a dime for every time I heard Doc or Danny say, "He's exactly who we wanted," and, "we can't believe he fell to us," well, you know.  It's almost as believable as when politicians say, "I don't recall." 

The first few times I heard stuff like that, I foolishly believed them.  I was new at this haha.  In time, I naturally came to see such talk for what it actually is - the party line, what the lawyers want us to say, etc.  Woo.

On another front, if anyone on this thread hasn't visited this one yet (Calling All Music Lovers), http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=70754.0, I'd encourage you to do so.  Wait until you hear her sing!