zeller-steal of the year

[rollie mass]

zeller is still young by centers standards and looks like he will not suffer from knee problems.He is finally landed on team that needs and appreciates him>this summer he will work on bulking up and strength.Ibelieve people are underestimating his game.There will be certain players that he will not matchup against and never will.Bu the will continue to run the floor and grow under stevens.Zeller is a very efficient center with some of the better moves right and left handed iv'e seen this year,if only they would keep bounce passes up and go to him a couple times in a row when he has certain matchups.STEAL OF THE YEAR

[BornReady]

Zeller is easily a good player and it was a steal to have Cleveland include him in the trade

But u seem to overrate his ceiling he doesn't have the physical attributes to be a rim protector that we desperately need or the ability to dominate in the post

[rollie mass]

Zeller will work on his strength and bulk up and if we aquire a rim protector will be one of the best backup centers in league.Zeller is what he is ,his defense will improve but his offensive ceiling hasn't been scratched.get a true penetrating point guard watch what happensAny team in the league would want a dependable center that can run is a efficient scorer with nice outside shot as a backup.If we get a rim protector in draft zeller is perfect starter or backup.ive seen so many center srecently that have only one thing bulk-none have the touch right and left he does.The guy has a great motor for a 7 footer.Durability factor and team player.When the celts get their timing and rotation together zeller will benefit more than others.He draws charges and disrupts alot of rebounds with effort that most don't put out.He's smart you can see him still figuring things out positionally and timing wise.

[droopdog7]

Zeller has the potential to be a decent role player on a good team.  Not exactly steal of ghe year but doesn't hurt I guess.

[hagar55voa]

Well stated Rollie Mass...Couldn't agree more...I get so sick of people saying all Zeller could be is a backup center...Hogwash...Let him play 30 minutes a game and he would produce quite well...

[hwangjini_1]

considering that the celtics basically gave up next to nothing for zeller, i think ainge did a great job of bringing in a very good back up center.

here is an interesting side note. zeller was drafted in 2012 with the #17 pick. sully was drafted in 2012 with the #21 pick.

which player would you rather have? trick question! we got both of them. 

also interesting, as i continue to hijack the thread, are the win shares so far for each member of the 2012 draft.

what was interesting to me were the highest win shares in that draft so far:

WS ranking, name, WS, draft location
1 - anthony, of course, with 26.6, drafted at #1.
2 - lillard 22.6, drafted at #6
3 - drummond 18.5, #9
4 - barnes 10.5, #7
5 - sullinger 10.1, #21
6 - draymond green 10.1, #35
7 - beal 9.5, #3
8 - terrance jones, 8.7, #18
9 - zeller, 8.5, #17

but of course, an amazing win share number from this draft is..... (drum roll please)

royce white 0.0, #16. houston ignored those laaaaaarge red flags pinned all over him and paid for it.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2012.html

[fairweatherfan]

Zeller is an excellent finisher around the basket, which is a quality we've been lacking for a while now.  When he adds in the jumper he's shown at times as a consistent weapon he'll be a pretty potent offensive C. 

...but the problems on D are probably not going away.  I hope he can add some strength and improve his defensive technique.  I'm rooting for him either way and definitely agree the trade was a steal, and Cleveland would've loved to have him there this season.

[gpap]

Let's pump the breaks on Zeller. He's a good back-up on a good team. But there are glaring weaknesses in his game.

Defense
Isn't always an aggressive rebounder
Doesn't always finish around the rim.

[MBunge]

Let's pump the breaks on Zeller. He's a good back-up on a good team. But there are glaring weaknesses in his game.

Defense
Isn't always an aggressive rebounder
Doesn't always finish around the rim.

A player doesn't have to be great to be a steal.  Boston got Zeller and a first for a heavily protected 2nd and the cost of paying Marcus Thornton's salary for one season.

It's not a blockbuster but depending on who that first becomes, it could become one of the best minor trades in NBA history.

Mike

[SHAQATTACK]

One of the best surprises ....Danny backed into .

I think karma owed us his pick up.

Cavs have lived the enchanted life with all these draft picks . Time they showed results.

NBA ...sport of LUCK

[konkmv]

He is just a back up center

[freshinthehouse]

Let's pump the breaks on Zeller. He's a good back-up on a good team. But there are glaring weaknesses in his game.

Defense
Isn't always an aggressive rebounder
Doesn't always finish around the rim.

Yeah, stronger centers seen to move Zeller around at will.  Low post D is definitely not his strong suit.

That said, he's a fine backup center.  Definitely a good find for the C's.

[Greyman]

Undoubtedly a great pick up for a rebuilding team. Doing a job and has potential to improve. Is he a longer term piece for a team looking at a number of roster changes? I hope so.

[Rosco917]

Zeller will get a bit better in the next few years, he was a nice pickup, but he's not the defender, rim protecter we need in the middle.
His best bet for an extended career is learn to contribute by playing power forward too.

[GratefulCs]

I would agree, except that Butler sealed that title about a week ago