The Celtics have blown four drafts in a row.

[TheFlex]

If it makes anyone feel better DA got a recent first rounder basically for free and he's starting for us now. Ty Zeller was picked 4 spots ahead of Sully.

In that draft I'm thankful DA didn't trade up to target Thomas Robinson, or Harrison Barnes, or Jeremy Lamb, or Harkless, or Waiters, or T Ross, or Meyers Leonard, or Kendall Marshall, or Andrew Nicholson, or Evan Fournier or MKG. I think trading up for those guys would have been worse.

Only one I disagree with is MKG. TP.

[Smokeeye123]

I mean I think he killed it with the Sullinger pick even though I'm very anti-sullinger. Cant get much better at 22 or wherever they picked. And Bradley was a very good pick. Jujuan Johnson was a joke but who else should Ainge of picked? Nobody knew Parsons or Isaiah Thomas would turn out to be so good. Only blown draft in my opinion was the 2013 Olynyk pick. There are a bunch of players I would of taken over Olynyk.

[fantankerous]

I apologize in advance if someone has already made this poker analogy.  However, the OP's critique strikes me as the amateur who folds the draw hand because the pot odds weren't right, only to kick herself because she would have made the hand on the river.  The pro pats herself on the back for making the correct decision in the moment. 

Giannis was a shot in the dark and DA wasn't willing to risk an entire draft on him.  I can't fault him for that.  DA's shown a willingness to roll the dice on players like Jefferson, Melo, Green and Young.  With his collection of picks, I'm confident he'll hit on one.  And he only needs to hit once to  change the fortune of the franchise. 

[Celtics4ever]

I still think one can make a strong argument that Dieng is better at this point than KO, too.   We missed on him but this gets a free pass.   He is a better defender, rebounder and shot blocker with more assists per game than KO, Kelly outscores him by only by 1 pt per game.

I'm thankful DA didn't trade up to target Thomas Robinson, or Harrison Barnes, or Jeremy Lamb, or Harkless, or Waiters, or T Ross, or Meyers Leonard, or Kendall Marshall, or Andrew Nicholson, or Evan Fournier or MKG.

  Me, too.

But I think the last couple of drafts have been more and more top heavy.   That draft is low on star talent in retrospect.

[mahcus smaht]

I still think one can make a strong argument that Dieng is better at this point than KO, too.   We missed on him but this gets a free pass.   He is a better defender, rebounder and shot blocker with more assists per game than KO, Kelly outscores him by only by 1 pt per game.

I definitely think Dieng is better, same with GA and a bunch of other guys. I would assume most of the people on this thred defending the pick would agree. I hated the pick at the time and I still dont love it as a lot of guy who went after have been successful, but the point is that the pick wasnt a bad pick. Was it the best? no, but Ainge got a player who has at the very least shown flashes of being a very good offensive player. KO isnt Dieng, schroeder, GA but hes not as far behind those guys as people make him out to be.

[greece66]

The only serious mistake Ainge has done in drafts is underestimating Giannis. But again, half the NBA did the same mistake. Other than that, one of our fellow bloggers made an exhaustive comparison of Ainge's decision making with that of other managers with comparable draft picks and the verdict was that Ainge consistently makes good, informed choices.
The mistake people keep making is comparing the one player Ainge chose with whoever happens to be best among ALL the players who followed in the same class. This is ridiculously unfair, and by this criterion all front offices (with the possible exception of SAS which has made ridiculously good decisions) suck.

[ctrey]

I will repeat: My criticism of Ainge is that in the drafts from 2011 on, he looked long and hard at other players he could of had and in every case got the pick wrong. In 2011 it looked like he was going with Chandler Parsons but picked Johnson. Miss. In 2012 there were a number of players that people thought would go at 22 to Boston. Out of the blue he takes Fab Melo. Miss. In 2013 Danny was the first GM to be reported as looking at Giannis. He was certainly the first to see him in person and almost every media report had Boston going for Antetokounmpo. Instead DA trades up and takes Olynyk. Miss. So even if you leave Sullinger out of it which I will concede was most likely worth it at 21 the Celtics have made the wrong choice between selections in three drafts. Now in 2014 Payton is far better so far than Smart and Young looks like the next Gerald Green. There is not a single player Boston has picked in the last four drafts that has people thinking they could be a real cornerstone. This is not a hindsight argument. Boston looked at specific players and in the end picked wrong each time. 

[Bosstown]

I will repeat: My criticism of Ainge is that in the drafts from 2011 on, he looked long and hard at other players he could of had and in every case got the pick wrong. In 2011 it looked like he was going with Chandler Parsons but picked Johnson. Miss. In 2012 there were a number of players that people thought would go at 22 to Boston. Out of the blue he takes Fab Melo. Miss. In 2013 Danny was the first GM to be reported as looking at Giannis. He was certainly the first to see him in person and almost every media report had Boston going for Antetokounmpo. Instead DA trades up and takes Olynyk. Miss. So even if you leave Sullinger out of it which I will concede was most likely worth it at 21 the Celtics have made the wrong choice between selections in three drafts. Now in 2014 Payton is far better so far than Smart and Young looks like the next Gerald Green. There is not a single player Boston has picked in the last four drafts that has people thinking they could be a real cornerstone. This is not a hindsight argument. Boston looked at specific players and in the end picked wrong each time.

Spot on...totally agree.

[slamtheking]

I will repeat: My criticism of Ainge is that in the drafts from 2011 on, he looked long and hard at other players he could of had and in every case got the pick wrong. In 2011 it looked like he was going with Chandler Parsons but picked Johnson. Miss. In 2012 there were a number of players that people thought would go at 22 to Boston. Out of the blue he takes Fab Melo. Miss. In 2013 Danny was the first GM to be reported as looking at Giannis. He was certainly the first to see him in person and almost every media report had Boston going for Antetokounmpo. Instead DA trades up and takes Olynyk. Miss. So even if you leave Sullinger out of it which I will concede was most likely worth it at 21 the Celtics have made the wrong choice between selections in three drafts. Now in 2014 Payton is far better so far than Smart and Young looks like the next Gerald Green. There is not a single player Boston has picked in the last four drafts that has people thinking they could be a real cornerstone. This is not a hindsight argument. Boston looked at specific players and in the end picked wrong each time.

Spot on...totally agree.

cherry picking to support an argument.

JJ -> kid was considered BPA at the time of this pick.  kid had the athletic skills and the college resume to support this being a smart pick.  kid just didn't have the mental make-up apparently to push to succeed.  other option considered at that spot was Brooks.  we had him for a short time and jettisoned him quickly.    A lot of teams passed on Parsons --> dropped to the second round.  Everyone missed on him.  Not going to hold it against Danny for making what many considered the smart pick.

Melo -> I'll go along with this being a dumb pick.  said before he was picked, when he was picked and after he was picked.  had bust written all over him.  question is, who was an obvious pick other than Melo (besides "everyone else left on the board")?  I would have thought Ezeli but he hasn't lit the league on fire.

Sully --> solid pick.  can't complain about it at all.

KO --> wasn't a fan of his on draft night and was surprised to see Danny move up to get him.  Personally, I wanted Dieng (still do).  KO has shown some flashes that he can be a 1st big off the bench, as has Dieng.  The crying over Giannis is a lot of revisionist garbage.  some people like to swing for the fences and that's what this kid represents.  he's still not doing more than showing flashes of being good.  He's just as inconsistant as KO just more athletic. 

Smart --> I'd like more offensive production from him like driving to the basket but other than that, I have to say he's fantastic on D.  kid is a real disruptive force and is a major positive when he's on the floor.  I don't think he's our next starting PG but quite possibly our next SG if his shot continues to develop.  claiming Payton is better is folly.  Payton's a better ballhandler and passer but Smart's a better scorer and defender by far.   Best question here is  --> who would have been the preferred choice?  no one selected after him has impressed me including Payton.

Young -> way to early to write this kid off.  kid has a good-looking shot and with offseason coaching and workouts can hopefully develop into instant offense off the bench that doesn't kill us on D.

[D.o.s.]

Melo was always a project prospect, though. Can't blame Ainge for that one.

[JHTruth]

I will repeat: My criticism of Ainge is that in the drafts from 2011 on, he looked long and hard at other players he could of had and in every case got the pick wrong. In 2011 it looked like he was going with Chandler Parsons but picked Johnson. Miss. In 2012 there were a number of players that people thought would go at 22 to Boston. Out of the blue he takes Fab Melo. Miss. In 2013 Danny was the first GM to be reported as looking at Giannis. He was certainly the first to see him in person and almost every media report had Boston going for Antetokounmpo. Instead DA trades up and takes Olynyk. Miss. So even if you leave Sullinger out of it which I will concede was most likely worth it at 21 the Celtics have made the wrong choice between selections in three drafts. Now in 2014 Payton is far better so far than Smart and Young looks like the next Gerald Green. There is not a single player Boston has picked in the last four drafts that has people thinking they could be a real cornerstone. This is not a hindsight argument. Boston looked at specific players and in the end picked wrong each time.

Spot on...totally agree.

Again, where most of these guys are picked, you're doing really well to get a guy who plays in the NBA at all. Just look at one example, Sully at 21:

Year   Player   Drafted From   Drafted By
2013   Gorgui Dieng   Louisville   Utah
2012   Jared Sullinger   Ohio State   Boston
2011   Nolan Smith   Duke   Portland
2010   Craig Brackins   Iowa State   Oklahoma
2009   Darren Collison   UCLA   New Orleans
2008   Ryan Anderson   California   New Jersey
2007   Daequan Cook   Ohio St.   Philadelphia
2006   Rajon Rondo   Kentucky   Boston
2005   Nate Robinson   Wash. Jr.   Phoenix
2004   Pavel Podkolzine   Russia 1985   Dallas
2003   Boris Diaw   France 1982   Atlanta
2002   Qyntel Woods   Northeast CC So.   Portland
2001   Brendan Haywood   North Carolina Sr.   Cleveland
2000   Morris Peterson   Michigan St. Sr.   Toronto
1999   Jeff Foster   SW Texas St. Sr.   Golden State
1998   Ricky Davis   Iowa   NO Hornets
1997   Anthony Parker   Bradley   New Jersey
1996   Dontae Jones   Mississippi State   New York
1995   Michael Finley   Wisconsin   Phoenix
1994   Dickey Simpkins   Providence   Chicago
1993   James Robinson   Alabama   Portland
1992   Jon Barry   Georgia Tech   Boston
1991   Eric Murdock   Providence   Utah
1990   Jayson Williams   St. John's   Phoenix
1989   Blue Edwards   East Carolina   Utah
1988   Mark Bryant   Seton Hall   Portland
1987   DallasComegys   DePaul   Atlanta
1986   Anthony Jones   Nevada-Las Vegas   Washington
1985   Terry Catledge   South Alabama   Philadelphia
1984   Kenny Fields   UCLA   Milwaukee
1983   Greg Kite   Brigham Young   Boston
1982   Eddie Phillips   Alabama   New Jersey
1981   Alton Lister   Arizona State   Milwaukee
1980   Monti Davis   Tennessee State   Philadelphia

So while you may as a fan think Sully is some sort of disappointment, he is one of the top 2-3 picks at 21 in NBA draft history, with another Danny pick Rondo maybe the best ever.

Even look at the picks at 6:

2013   Nerlens Noel   Kentucky   New Orleans
2012   Damian Lillard   Weber St.   Portland
2011   Jan Vesely   Belgrade   Washington
2010   Ekpe Udoh   Baylor   Golden State
2009   Jonny Flynn   Syracuse   Minnesota
2008   Danilo Gallinari   Armani Jeans Milano   New York
2007   Yi Jianlian   China   Milwaukee
2006   Brandon Roy   Washington   Minnesota
2005   Martell Webster   WA HSSr.   Portland
2004   Josh Childress   Stanford Jr.   Atlanta
2003   Chris Kaman   Central Michigan Jr.   LA Clippers
2002   Dajuan Wagner   MemphisFr.   Cleveland
2001   Shane Battier   Duke Sr.   Memphis
2000   DerMarr Johnson   Cincinnati Fr.   Atlanta
1999   Wally Szczerbiak   MiamiOH Sr.   Minnesota
1998   Robert Traylor   Michigan   Dallas
1997   Ron Mercer   Kentucky   Dallas
1996   Antoine Walker   Kentucky   Boston
1995   Bryant Reeves   Oklahoma State   Vancouver
1994   Sharone Wright   Clemson   Philadelphia
1993   Calbert Cheaney   Indiana   Washington
1992   Tom Gugliotta   North Carolina State   Washington
1991   Doug Smith   Missouri   Dallas
1990   Felton Spencer   Louisville   Minnesota
1989   Stacey King   Oklahoma   Chicago
1988   Hersey Hawkins   Bradley   LA Clippers
1987   Kenny Smith   North Carolina   Sacramento
1986   William Bedford   MemphisState   Phoenix
1985   Joe Kleine   Arkansas   Sacramento
1984   Mel Turpin   Kentucky   Washington
1983   Russell Cross   Purdue   Golden State
1982   Trent Tucker   Minnesota   New York
1981   OrlandoWoolridge   Notre Dame   Chicago
1980   Mike O'Koren   North Carolina   New Jersey

Far more busts than all-star type players. Smart is already ahead of the curve starting on an NBA team..

[JHTruth]

I will repeat: My criticism of Ainge is that in the drafts from 2011 on, he looked long and hard at other players he could of had and in every case got the pick wrong. In 2011 it looked like he was going with Chandler Parsons but picked Johnson. Miss. In 2012 there were a number of players that people thought would go at 22 to Boston. Out of the blue he takes Fab Melo. Miss. In 2013 Danny was the first GM to be reported as looking at Giannis. He was certainly the first to see him in person and almost every media report had Boston going for Antetokounmpo. Instead DA trades up and takes Olynyk. Miss. So even if you leave Sullinger out of it which I will concede was most likely worth it at 21 the Celtics have made the wrong choice between selections in three drafts. Now in 2014 Payton is far better so far than Smart and Young looks like the next Gerald Green. There is not a single player Boston has picked in the last four drafts that has people thinking they could be a real cornerstone. This is not a hindsight argument. Boston looked at specific players and in the end picked wrong each time.

Spot on...totally agree.

cherry picking to support an argument.

JJ -> kid was considered BPA at the time of this pick.  kid had the athletic skills and the college resume to support this being a smart pick.  kid just didn't have the mental make-up apparently to push to succeed.  other option considered at that spot was Brooks.  we had him for a short time and jettisoned him quickly.    A lot of teams passed on Parsons --> dropped to the second round.  Everyone missed on him.  Not going to hold it against Danny for making what many considered the smart pick.

Melo -> I'll go along with this being a dumb pick.  said before he was picked, when he was picked and after he was picked.  had bust written all over him.  question is, who was an obvious pick other than Melo (besides "everyone else left on the board")?  I would have thought Ezeli but he hasn't lit the league on fire.

Sully --> solid pick.  can't complain about it at all.

KO --> wasn't a fan of his on draft night and was surprised to see Danny move up to get him.  Personally, I wanted Dieng (still do).  KO has shown some flashes that he can be a 1st big off the bench, as has Dieng.  The crying over Giannis is a lot of revisionist garbage.  some people like to swing for the fences and that's what this kid represents.  he's still not doing more than showing flashes of being good.  He's just as inconsistant as KO just more athletic. 

Smart --> I'd like more offensive production from him like driving to the basket but other than that, I have to say he's fantastic on D.  kid is a real disruptive force and is a major positive when he's on the floor.  I don't think he's our next starting PG but quite possibly our next SG if his shot continues to develop.  claiming Payton is better is folly.  Payton's a better ballhandler and passer but Smart's a better scorer and defender by far.   Best question here is  --> who would have been the preferred choice?  no one selected after him has impressed me including Payton.

Young -> way to early to write this kid off.  kid has a good-looking shot and with offseason coaching and workouts can hopefully develop into instant offense off the bench that doesn't kill us on D.

Sorry one more:

Olynk was a very solid pick at 13:

Year   Player   Drafted From   Drafted By
2013   Kelly Olynyk   Gonzaga   Dallas
2012   Kendall Marshall   North Carolina   Phoenix
2011   Markieff Morris   Kansas   Phoenix
2010   Ed Davis   North Carolina   Toronto
2009   Tyler Hansbrough   North Carolina   Indiana
2008   Brandon Rush   Kansas   Portland
2007   Julian Wright   Kansas   NO
2006   Thabo Sefolosha   Switzerland   Chicago
2005   Sean May   North Carolina Jr.   Charlotte
2004   Sebastian Telfair   NY HSSr.   Portland
2003   Marcus Banks   UNLV Sr.   Memphis
2002   Marcus Haislip   Tennessee Jr.   Milwaukee
2001   Richard Jefferson   Arizona Jr.   Houston
2000   Courtney Alexander   Fresno St. Sr.   Orlando
1999   Corey Maggette   Duke Fr.   Seattle
1998   Keon Clark   UNLV   Orlando
1997   Derek Anderson   Kentucky   Cleveland
1996   Kobe Bryant   Lower Merion HS   NO Hornets
1995   Corliss Williamson   Arkansas   Sacramento
1994   Jalen Rose   Michigan   Denver
1993   Terry Dehere   Seton Hall   LA Clippers
1992   Bryant Stith   Virginia   Denver
1991   Dale Davis   Clemson   Indiana
1990   Loy Vaught   Michigan   LA Clippers
1989   Michael Smith   Brigham Young   Boston
1988   Jeff Grayer   Iowa State   Milwaukee
1987   Joe Wolf   North Carolina   LA Clippers
1986   Dwayne Washington   Syracuse   New Jersey
1985   Karl Malone   Louisiana Tech   Utah
1984   Jay Humphries   Colorado   Phoenix
1983   Ennis Whatley   Alabama   Kansas City
1982   Eric Floyd   Georgetown   New Jersey
1981   Danny Schayes   Syracuse   Utah
1980   Rickey Brown   Mississippi State   Golden State

[Celtics4ever]

I just hope we get an athletic big sometime in the future.  I am sick of the slow ones that struggle on D.

Melo was always a project prospect, though. Can't blame Ainge for that one.

Melo was a reach, I think.  His college stats aside from shot blocking are underwhelming.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/fab-melo-1.html

7.8 PPG   5 Reb is bad for a seven footer. He was an elite shot blocker at 2.9 a game but can you trust a guy who just played zone in college?

He will go down as a wasted pick and the dude that killed Boeheim's career.

[JHTruth]

I just hope we get an athletic big sometime in the future.  I am sick of the slow ones that struggle on D.

Melo was always a project prospect, though. Can't blame Ainge for that one.

Melo was a reach, I think.  His college stats aside from shot blocking are underwhelming.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/fab-melo-1.html

7.8 PPG   5 Reb is bad for a seven footer. He was an elite shot blocker at 2.9 a game but can you trust a guy who just played zone in college?

He will go down as a wasted pick and the dude that killed Boeheim's career.

If you're going to "reach", pick 22 is a good place to do it. Just about every pick at that spot busts out of the league historically. Swing for the fences in the 20's..

[D.o.s.]

I just hope we get an athletic big sometime in the future.  I am sick of the slow ones that struggle on D.

Melo was always a project prospect, though. Can't blame Ainge for that one.

Melo was a reach, I think.  His college stats aside from shot blocking are underwhelming.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/fab-melo-1.html

7.8 PPG   5 Reb is bad for a seven footer. He was an elite shot blocker at 2.9 a game but can you trust a guy who just played zone in college?

He will go down as a wasted pick and the dude that killed Boeheim's career.

If you're going to "reach", pick 22 is a good place to do it. Just about every pick at that spot busts out of the league historically. Swing for the fences in the 20's..

Yeah, that's what I mean. He was a wasted pick but we were looking for something/anything to fill backup big men minutes.